by Steph Lewis
Since late January bloggers and paparazzi alike are frenzied with the celebrity turnout for the opening of Sin City’s first new casino and resort in nearly three years, The Palazzo Las Vegas. Case in point, PopSugar.com. Claire Danes, Hilary Swank, Mandy Moore, and Christina Ricci, among others, celebrated The Shoppes at The Palazzo’s 85,000-square-foot anchor Barneys New York’s opening night, as well as Barneys New York Creative Director Simon Doonan.
Personally located a stones’ throw from The Strip, I eagerly negotiated a shuzsociety.com tour of the second-floor shoe salon. More than just lucky, Barney’s seventh location proves spectacular; a high gloss white stone interior and circular staircase practically usher me upstairs. Indeed, the true star power lies within the glamorous 4,400-square-feet devoted exclusively to women’sshoes! (Take no offense Miss Danes, we heart you too).
The Department Manager for Women’s Shoes, Neil Eskridge, who hails from Barneys New York’s Beverly Hills location, greets me with a warm and gracious smile. We choose a brightly upholstered sateen spot and set down to business. While currently the store shines with some of the best brands and shoe styles imaginable, the season’s footwear collection will trickle in until the beginning of April.
The Who’s Who?
Unlike their New York counter-part, this location houses all their footwear brands in one well-planned department—with high-end shoe designers at the front, by the window into the shoppes, and Barneys Co-Op a little further back. It has a nice flow. They have the Barney’s Vegas exclusive on marvels Balenciaga, Azzedine Alaia, Lanvin, and Givenchy. And, you’ll find the staples—in a precisely edited selection—Christian Louboutin, the maestro Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo!
What’s exciting?
Gladiators! They are still a big, big deal. And, this Vegas locale is geared up. There IS literally something for everyone. The Italian-made jelly gladiator by Givenchy, which at $165 makes a statement, as does the watercolor suede high stacked-heel gladiator by Balenciaga, $725. Givenchy’s high-HIGH heel leather gladiator, $895, with rear-zip entry, alone is worth the trip. As Neil and I confabulate the height of heels, he’s quick to point out 90-105 mm is quite in favor, and they are stocked.
What’s really exciting?
Breezing by a single deep blue snakeskin ankle strap sandal, I gasp. With a sultry ’40s vibe, the cream varnish heel glowed on its metal pedestal. Neil sensed my eyes’ excitement and motioned for a pair in my size. The “Ligea” by Zoraide, a new brand of luxury shoes hand made by Italian master artisans, is also a Vegas Barneys New York exclusive. Meticulously unwrapped and on my feet, I sense the $1,195 is money well spent. They were flawlessly crafted and lighter than a teeny cell phone. And did I mention, beautiful?
Spring’s Bling:
There is still a hint of metal, as evidenced by Lanvin’s leather T-strap sandal on the sculpted heel and platform outsole, $1,055. Betty Boop eat your heart out.
Miu Miu spices up an otherwise pedestrian ballet flat with a rich metallic color palette and a covetable cluster of jewels, $540. YSL sees spots on their leopard peep-toe Mary Jane, $695 (pictured at top). While Marni shoes may not appeal to everyone, this leather and elastic band sandal on bronze heel makes a bold statement, $735.
After a good long while, I realized I’d taken enough of Neil’s time. He’d been lovely, and set me free to make my acquaintance with each well-lit nook and mirrored cranny. I was eager to see the rest of the Barneys sole.
Once he’d gone the usual suspects of shoe salesmen approached, they’d been respectfully eyeing us from afar as they pulled shoes for other well-heeled, would-be buyers. We talked small talk while I made big notes. Now on a first name basis, Barneys will be seeing me again, a lady should never be far from a footwear fix.
Barneys New York
702.629.4284
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-midnight
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