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| La Suite Galeries Lafayette offers a personalized Parisian shopping experience. |
For girls (or guys, we don’t judge) who want to make the most of their shopping time, personal shopping experiences are a great resource. Here are just a few destinations around the world that offer bespoke shopping options.
In Paris, the Galeries Lafayette department store flagship has a range of personalized services for guests, including the service of a personal shopper or guide (proficient in numerous languages), express delivery, and use of a private lounge for looking at clothes.
But we say the top option is La Suite Galeries Lafayette, a 4,300-square-foot apartment with a private terrace. Fashion designers throughout the city will send representatives to this suite to present the latest off-the-catwalk fashions for guests, in sessions that can range from an hour to a day. A personal designer anticipates a guest’s expectations and tastes in order to prepare a selection of items, and anything the guest wants—footwear, lingerie, fashion tips for a well-organized wardrobe, discreet apparel suggestions, emerging trends or ultra-chic fashions—can be covered. Each session includes a light application of makeup, hand care and gourmet treats, as well as alterations, taxi calls, errands and delivery services. Bonus: After the first session, guests receive their very own fashion notebook that will be regularly updated by the designer. La Suite also provides visitors with a booklet of private shopping addresses around Paris, as well as body treatments (think Thai massage, shiatsu, hair, hand and facial care) and gourmet treats like Hermé macarons.
To book La Suite, reach out to Christelle Gandolfo ([email protected]; 011-33-1-42-82-83-88).
In Spain, Madrid Shopping Tour brings guests to both the big department stores (like the popular El Corte Inglés chain) and the hidden gems of the capital. The most popular areas are the Salamanca district, the area of Salesas Fuencarral environment and the historic center of Madrid. Depending on what the individual or group is looking for, the company can arrange visits to unique Spanish fashion stores or designer showrooms, and can even close stores exclusively for VIP groups. (Bonus: Cocktails, sparkling wine or champagne can also be arranged for the group.)
For something truly Spanish, Madrid Shopping Tour can also organize trips to the designers who create outfits for bullfighters, and guests can learn about the artistry of creating these unique fashions. They can also learn about traditional Spanish leatherwork and find handmade bags, boots and more.
And when the shopping is done, the company can take guests on a gastro-tour of the city, giving them exclusive access not only to the best tapas restaurants for local and traditional snacks, but to stores that specialize in wine, olive oil, chocolate and other Spanish treats for some culinary immersion.
Reach out to Director Mar Sarda De Abreu ([email protected]; 011-34-918927306) to organize a bespoke shopping excursion.
In Southern California’s Newport Beach, The Resort at Pelican Hill is offering a Spring Fashion & Beauty Retreat Package this season, in which visitors can spend two days unwinding at the spa (with facials, manicures and pedicures, of course, as well as makeup and hair treatments). Guests can also attend a personalized trunk show in the resort’s boutiques with a shopping consultant. The trunk show and fitting will be designed around apparel and accessories found in Pelican Hill resort’s boutiques, like Allegra (offering fashions from Trina Turk, Ella Moss, Oliver Peoples, St. Helens and Hugo Boss) and the Spa Boutique (specializing in skin care items).
When the trunk show is over, guests can go off-site to explore designer fashions, luxury accessories and specialty boutiques at Fashion Island in Corona Del Mar. On Newport Beach, Fashion Island has plenty of boutiques and sidewalk cafés to make the most of a day out. The Island’s 120 stores include Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, as well as exclusive boutiques. The town of Corona del Mar, on the other hand, specializes in local boutiques and unique shops.
Note: Two weeks prior notice is encouraged when booking this package to provide the spa team and stylist ample time to create a customized itinerary. The package is available through June.
And at Palm Beach in Florida, the Gardens Mall has a range of high-end stores like Salvatore Ferragamo, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci, and Tiffany. The mall’s concierge service (561-622-2115) can organize stylists and personal shoppers to go to guests’ hotel rooms and sort through clothes to develop a new fashion style, or to accompany guests as they shop in the mall’s stores (which can be kept open for private shopping before or after hours upon request).
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| Pelican Hill Spa Boutique is part of the The Resort at Pelican Hill, where guests can attend a private trunk show. |
Individual shops within the mall also offer their own personal shopping services. Saks, for example, has its special Fifth Avenue Club, which lets guests shop from the comfort of a private suite before or after opening hours. Lunch, drinks and delivery services are all included. We hear that consultants at the Fifth Avenue Club are paired with a client for the long-haul, so they’ll remember personal tastes and even important dates for the client (like birthdays or anniversaries) to facilitate gift shopping. Bloomingdale’s has its At Your Service program, which offers the use of personal shoppers who will advise on the latest trends, organize alterations and home deliveries. Likewise, these personal shoppers can keep track of important dates for gift shopping.
Reach out to Corporate Director of Marketing and Operations Michele Jacobs ([email protected]; 561-775-0510) for any special requests.