Shopaholics unite! We’re going on a stroll through some of the most fabulous fashion shopping malls on the entire planet. Whether you’re in the USA, Europe, or the Far East, there’s a shopping experience just waiting to be discovered. So, grab your bags (and a credit card) and let’s hop to it!
Fashion Show Mall – Las Vegas, USA
Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas is one of the largest shopping centers in the entirety of the United States! Shoppers can run amok in over – 2 million – square feet of retail space! It’s been open since 1981 and has undergone some serious facelifts in its time. One thing has always set it apart though – it’s name.
The Fashion Show Mall hosts, well, fashion shows! It has a retractable runway that allows lucky Vegas shoppers to preview the latest collections from any brand that has a store in the mall. From Louis Vuitton to Zara, Chanel to Target, there’s a place for high-end and budget buys here. Their most famous stores (or anchor stores as they call them) are Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and Nordstrom.
Even if you don’t manage to catch a fashion show then there’s no need to feel down about it. When exploring fashion show mall reviews you’ll come across plenty of mentions of ‘The Cloud’. So, what on Earth is it? This massive steel structure juts out over the main plaza, offering a shady place to lounge with an iced coffee during the day. However, it really comes alive at night, when LEDs light it and becomes a true spectacle for anyone wandering the Las Vegas Strip.
The Dubai Mall – Dubai, UAE
With one of the most exclusive locations in the world, right next to the Burj Khalifa no less, the Dubai Mall is about as fancy as it gets. But, that doesn’t mean it’s celebrities only! Open to everyone, this mall sprawls over 12 million square feet and is home to more than 1,200 stores. It’s only been open since 2008 but is already one of the go to tourist destinations in Dubai.
Like Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas, the Dubai Mall also houses fashion from high street to high end. However, it’s the ‘Fashion Avenue’ that’s the most exciting section. This is the part that’s home to the ‘big boys’ of the fashion world, with brands like Gucci, Cartier and Dior lining the avenue. Thanks to relaxed tax rules in Dubai, this luxury avenue is a Mecca for high-end fashion lovers.
Fashion isn’t the only thing to get excited about at the Dubai Mall though, oh no! There are dozens of amazing attractions including a 22 screen cinema, an ice rink, and the feather in the cap – a huge aquarium. This aquarium is so vast that it even holds mermaid shows. To say it’s a day trip would be a bit of a stretch, as you’d probably need a week to get around the fashion stores alone! However, with a staggering 80 million visitors each year, it’s definitely a destination.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Milan, Italy
So far we’ve looked at two fairly new shopping malls, but if you really want to step back in time then there’s nowhere quite like Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. In Italy’s fashion capital (Milan) you’ll find one of, what I think would be fair to say, the – most – beautiful shopping malls in the whole world. It’s so beloved by locals that it’s colloquially called ‘Il Salotto di Milano’.
For those who don’t parliamo Italiano, that’s ‘Milan’s living room’. This spot opened in 1867 and you’ll find it under a huge (and very beautiful) glass dome. The whole place is decked out with stunning multi-coloured mosaic floors. Oh, and did I mention it’s right nextdoor to the famous Duomo di Milano? A cathedral of fashion right next to one of Italy’s most famous cathedrals, very poetic!
You’ll find some of the most exclusive fashion brands here, including Prada, Louis Vuitton and Versace (of course!). The shopping experience is truly excellent, but the cultural experience alone makes it worth a visit. This is a true symbol of Milan’s status as one of the world’s fashion capitals. So sure, it might not be the biggest, but it makes up for it with glamour and grandeur that’s practically unmatched.
Harrods – London, UK
Our final stop is in the upscale neighbourhood of Knightsbridge (London). Harrods has been running the show amongst London malls since 1834. In its time it’s sold some of the most extraordinary luxury goods around (including tigers at one point!). It remains one of the most iconic department stores in the world, occupying a 1.1-million-square-foot building.Harrods offers everything from fine jewelry and designer apparel to gourmet food and high-end beauty products.
With over 330 departments, Harrods houses an extensive collection of luxury brands, including Balenciaga, Valentino, and Christian Louboutin. The window displays are a treat in themselves, drawing in tourists from all over the world. It’s so worth a visit at Christmas time when each window is lit stunningly beautifully and filled with stocking fillers that are guaranteed to make you ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’.
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