Shopping match amd now designer stores are selling Earl Grey tea (Gucci) and burger and fries (Bulgari). The 13-storey luxury mall, Ginza Six, opened in April this High streets year to remind anybody who had In a time-poor age where online shopping is king, there is still nothing quite like the forgotten that Japan is still the rich experience of walking into a luxury brand store. We identify Ginza, Fifth Avenue, world’s number two luxury market, Via Monte Napoleone and Bahnhofstrasse as the hottest retail therapy across the globe behind the US. Pocketing some US$22.7bn in annual spending on top-end goods made by Prada he luxury retail sector may beloved luxury brands. Upward GINZA, TOYKO et al, the 241-store building is be looking to technology Curve visits Via Montenapoleone, Fashion icons such as Chanel, some statement. “You shouldn’t Tto remain relevant, but for Fifth Avenue, Ginza and Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton meet forget that a big portion of the the discerning high street dweller, Bahnhofstrasse to check out the tech giants Apple and Sony, while luxury clientele is here in Japan,” the real thing will never be state of play on the 2017 high adventurous shoppers try to out- says Sidney Toledano, Chairman replaced. Offline and in the mix of street. If schedules don’t allow a strange one another with Japan’s and Chief Executive of Christian ‘high street’ magic; the romance summer stop-off, be sure to hit always-interesting take on fashion. Dior Couture, at the opening of of feeling the fabric between these heady streets at Christmas Ginza Kanematsy will measure Ginza Six. fingers; the endorphin-filled rush when majestic lights and the and customise a shoe until you “It remains a strategic market of leaving a store bag-in-hand – waft of mulled wine fill walk away with a perfect for luxury and, I’d say, true luxury.” you can’t beat the real thing. cold skies. made-in-Japan shoe Mega-developer Mori Building’s From arguably world’s most Ginza Six is a veritable shrine to fashionable city to the most luxurious commerce. For those one-to-one ‘omotenashi Street and 96th Street, looking never empty. It will certainly not VIA MONTENAPOLEONE, MILAN expensive shopping street on with cash to splash, the mall concierge’ service, a premium onto Central Park. ‘Millionaires be for New York Fashion Week Situated in the heart of the planet (based on real has services including a lounge, and personal stylists row’ is now home to the iconic (7-15 September). Keep an eye Italy’s fashion capital, Via estate rent per sq. ft), from the who can advise on anything from Flatiron, Guggenheim, Empire out for Jennifer Aniston, Mary Montenapoleone is the heart of wealthiest city by GDP to the a pocket hankerchief to how to State Building and Rockerfeller J. Blige, Anna Wintour and the the Milan fashionistas favourite global centre for banking and overhaul a wardrobe. On the other Centre, along with the most Kardashians, who are among district. The Quadrilatero della finance, Milan, New York, Tokyo end of the scale, Ginza Mitsukoshi expensive shopping strip in the the army of celebrities who moda holds the key concentration and Zurich have history with our celebrated its 85th anniversary in world (per sq. ft rental price). Fifth frequent these famous shopping of luxury brands where pretty 2015. The iconic landmark is one Avenue may be 10 kilometres blocks. Luxury department stores much every historic Italian fashion of the oldest department stores long, but the three kilometres include Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth brand, from Armani to Zegna, in Japan. between 49th and 60th (the Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. house their HQ. Designer stores southeast corner of Central Park) Don’t forget to visit the such as Sergio Rossi and Alberta FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK is the neigbourhood of Midtown to baubles at famous fine jewelry Ferretti are not just outlets, they In the late 19th century, New head to for luxury brands. It might brand Tiffancy & Co., setting for are actual headquarters. A stroll York’s super rich began building be blanketed in icy snow at any Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Get the down this famous, narrow street mansions along the stretch of given moment, but the Big Apple’s pearls at Mikimoto and, of course, conjures a wave of admiration for Fifth Avenue between 59th most famous shopping district is snap a selfie at the Apple Store. beauty. With the Milan Fashion ➤ Left: The Ginza is the Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping district, featuring numerous department stores, boutique, art galleries and restaurants Above: A Yayoi Kusama installation inside Ginza Six (pictured right) Top right: Tiffany & Co. flagship store on Fifth Avenue, New York Far right: The Bergdorf Goodman department store, Fifth Avenue July-September 2017 Upward Curve 69 Shopping show rolling into town between Left: Former Manchester 20-27 September, this is the city United, Real Madrid, AC Milan in which to liven up the wardrobe. and Paris St Germain footballer, Be sure to enjoy a well- David Beckham, shopping in deserved coffee at Caffé Cova Ginza, Tokyo, late last year – founded in 1817 and one Above: Louis Vuitton on Via of the city’s oldest cafés and Montenapoleone, Milan confectioners – after pounding Bottom: Bahnhofstrasse in the streets. There is also a sense Zurich, Switzerland, is largely of new meeting old among the pedestrianised but there is timeless luxury branded shops a good tram service – Dolce & Gabbana opened their boutique at Number 4 last year. and cafe, Confiserie Sprüngli, is one of the most famous squares in BAHNHOFSTRASSE, ZURICH Switzerland, situated towards the Home to UBS and Credit end of the Bahnhofstrasse closest Suisse Group headquarters, to Lake Zurich. A great place Bahnhofstrasse remains one of to stop for a hot choclolate, the most expensive shopping mulled wine or Züritirggel (local locations thanks to ongoing high cake). Bahnhofstrasse is also demand for watch and jewellery home to department stores retailers. Beyer Chronometrie at Fidelio, Gassman and Grieder Number 31 is the oldest watch and individual flagship stores for shop in Switzerland. The family Breguet, Cartier, Omega, Piaget, business, currently owned by IWC and Mont Blanc. The street its eighth generation, has been is largely pedestrianised, but is on trading since 1760. The Clock and the tram route. Along the 1,400 Watch Museum Beyer Zürich is metres Tiffany & Co., Bulgari located in the lower level of the (located in the former banking shop premises on Bahnhofstrasse, hall of Credit Suisse), Cartier where around 300 exhibits, and Bucherer (which carries the from 1400BC right up to today, largest selection of Rolex are on display. Paradeplatz, watch models in the world) known for its chocolate shop are almost neighbours. ■ July-September 2017 Upward Curve 71.