California Apparel News

It was Paris again on May 19 at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas with Chanel’s Fall ready-to-wear designs on the runway. Presented by the Rouse Co., the Columbia, Md.-based owner of the mall, and Neiman Marcus, the evening event was held to inaugurate the mall’s $1 billion expansion and attracted more than 700 people attending the International Council of Shopping Centers spring convention. Elaine Wynn, wife of casino mogul Steve Wynn, was also on hand to accept a $30,000 check from Anthony Deering, Rouse Co. chairman, for the Inner-City Games Foundation.

According to Ken Downing, the fashion director for Neiman Marcus, the fashion show was a replica of Chanel’s presentation at Paris Fashion Week last March, complete with the sounds from the same Belgian band, Vive La Fete. He described the evening showcase as “English schoolgirls who go wrong and meet rock stars.”

The lineup consisted of pleated leather miniskirts and tweed skirts paired with mini tweed jackets, as well as sleeveless chiffon dresses with dropped waistlines worn with low-slung belts. There was a blending of fabrics and textures, including a fur coat with leather sleeves. Sequins and fringed chain mail were a few of the tweed trimmings. Ensembles consisting of skirts worn over chiffon pants were another strong show trend. There was also heavy play on accessories, with models wearing gladiator boots and chain mail clips in their hair.

Downing said Las Vegas is a very fashion-conscious city, and shoppers appreciate designer labels. “This isn’t a wallflower city—Las Vegas women enjoy fashion trends,” he said.

That’s why the Rouse Co. is undertaking the venture. “The department stores are undersized and very outdated at the mall,” said Rita Brandin, Rouse’s vice president and development director, who expects the mall to generate $1 billion in sales by 2006. “We think the center has great potential to expand and better serve our customers.”

Currently, the expansion, which will more than double the size of the mall from 800,000 to 1.9 million square feet, looks like a sea of scaffolding and steel beams that extend the length of at least two football fields. Once the West expansion is completed by Nov. 1, Tommy Bahama, MaxMara, Coach and J. Jill will join the tenant mix along with Nordstrom, the new concept store Bloomingdale’s Home and the remodeled five existing anchors. The East expansion, which includes the addition of Lord & Taylor, will be done by fall 2003.

Like other retail centers on the Las Vegas Strip, the mall will also have its own signature attraction. It will feature a 360-foot suspended cloud outside and an elevated 80-foot runway and stage for events and fashion shows inside the mall.

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group has also joined the retail wars with its announcement for the expansion of the 10-year-old Forum Shops at Caesars Palace from 500,000 square feet to 700,000 square feet. The center, which averages $1,400 in sales per square foot, has already signed leases with Chopard, Dolce & Gabbana, D&G, Tod’s, Valentino and Roberto Cavalli. Construction should be completed by spring 2004. —Nola Sarkisian-Miller