Photo: Secret Location
With sparkly lights and tinsel in full display at many establishments, you may have started to think about your holiday shopping, especially about those particularly special gifts.
Vancouver has a wide range of luxury shopping options, from department stores that offer personalized services, to boutiques that offer curated designer or specialty goods that are bound to impress. So, if you’re looking for the perfect gift or wanting to treat yourself with a luxurious purchase, you’ll find much to tempt you in various high-end stores in town.
Here are some stores and areas in town with the most elevated shopping:
Holt Renfrew
Photo: Holt Renfrew Shoe Hall
Located in CF Pacific Centre, Holt Renfrew is, without a doubt, the most extensive destination for luxury shopping. The high-end Canadian department store, comparable to Saks Fifth Avenue, sells fashion and lifestyle items that spotlight a range of well-known international designer brands, including Alexander McQueen, Prada, and Valentino. Other featured designers range from Amina Muaddi, whose shoes are coveted for their wide square heels, to The Attico, which specializes in glamourous clothing, shoes, and accessories. Holt Renfrew prides itself on its level of service, which includes valet parking, personal shopping assistance, beauty services (e.g., makeup), and a refined café serving brunch, lunch, and afternoon tea.
Nordstrom Pacific Centre
Photo: Nordstrom
After Holt Renfrew, you can head over to Nordstrom where they feature an impressive array of designer shop-in-shop boutiques as well as designer apparel and accessories for women, men, and children (some of them exclusive to Nordstrom). You’ll find names like Christian Louboutin, Balenciaga, and Stella McCartney. They’re constantly adding to their collections, such as with a Max Mara boutique that opened in September. As part of their NewConcepts@Nordstrom, they exclusively carry Burberry Night Check, a new imagining of the designer’s signature pattern. Nordstrom also features emerging designers for those wanting slightly under-the-radar high-end fashion. Services include personal styling and alterations.
“Luxury Zone” on Alberni Street
Photo: Tara Lee
Known as “Luxury Zone,” Alberni Street (between Burrard Street and Bute Street) keeps on getting more and more lavish in its offerings. The street’s luxury profile first emerged in the 1990s when Chanel opened a store, and soon other brands followed. Currently, boutiques in the area include Tiffany & Co., Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, Saint Laurent, Chopard, Prada, Burberry, and Panerai. In between shopping go for an elevated bite at restaurants such as Black + Blue, or Carlino in the Shangri-La.
Secret Location
Photo: Secret Location
Situated in historic Gastown, Secret Location specializes in luxury goods and interior design, prioritizing quality, ethical production, and craft. They offer highly curated selections of clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, homeware, and beauty items. Designers include Alessandra Rich, Andy Wolf, Dawei, and Alison Lou. Gastown also features numerous other designer apparel and furniture/homeware stores that would be worth visiting, such as One of a Few, John Fluevog, Roden Gray, HAVEN, and Old Faithful Shop.
Maison Birks
Photo: Maison Birks Dare to Dream
For luxury jewelry and watches, as well as gifts, such as cufflinks, Maison Birks is your best bet. Brands include Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, and Tudor. They also carry their own Bijoux Birks (fine jewelry), which spans collections such as Bridal, Dare to Dream, and Splash. Their Birks Blue Box has become highly recognizable, delighting giftees when they see it under the tree.
South Granville
Photo: South Granville
One of the most elegant neighbourhoods in the city, South Granville is known for its high-end shopping offerings. The street itself is lovely with boutiques of all kinds lining both sides. Highlights include Boboli, which since 1985, carries women’s apparel and accessories from designers such as Issey Miyake, Missoni, and Pierre Hardy; Max Mara; and Bacci’s Vancouver, which features designer clothing, accessories, as well as homeware. Stop for a snack and a beverage at Meinhardt Fine Foods or Small Victory Bakery.
Kerrisdale
Photo: Kerrisdale Village
A lovely outing is a visit to charming Kerrisdale, which features a range of eateries and boutiques that cater to discerning clientele. Browse the upscale neighbourhood at stores such as Hill’s of Kerrisdale, which opened in the 1920s and carries clothing, jewelry, and gift items; Catimini Paris for children’s apparel; as well as long-running Thomas Hobbs Florist.
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