Store Guide: Saks Fifth Avenue, Toronto’s swishest new shopping destination

As promised, the Eaton Centre’s new Saks offers Torontonians an insanely swanky shopping experience. With mannequins adorned in haute couture, glass cases filled with rare jewels and in-store boutiques from labels including Céline and Givenchy, the 25,000-square-foot space is more like a gallery than a store. For the extra-elite, VIP treatment includes access to private lounges, personal shopping suites nicer than most apartments and a hidden jewellery viewing area (where they can scope out super-pricey pieces in secret). Here’s a look inside.

The first-floor atrium features a raindrop-inspired LED-light installation that puts on a twinkling rain show at the start of every hour.

At the Le Labo station, there’s a custom fragrance machine where shoppers can blend their own scents. The beauty section’s countertops are by local brand Caesarstone.

This is the first Saks to have a Piaget boutique. Some of the Swiss brand’s diamond-encrusted timepieces can cost up to $95,000.

The first floor also carries accessories, and includes a Céline boutique packed with the designer’s statement handbags (most cost upwards of $1,500).

Upstairs, shoppers will find the store’s 10022-SHOE department. (The name was originally given to the giant department because it almost needed a separate zip code.) The glass bubble chandelier was inspired by icicles and designed by New York firm Charles Loomis.

The store stocks 15,000 pairs of shoes, including a Manolo Blahnik table that would make Carrie Bradshaw swoon.

Stilettos too uncomfortable? You can pick up fancy embellished sneakers for a cool $1,650.

Here’s the entrance to the exclusive Saks Fifth Avenue Club. The transition panels were created in collaboration with Toronto design firm Moss and Lam.

And—for shoppers who don’t plan on dropping enough cash to make it past the barricade—this is what it looks like inside. Most of the furniture is from Yorkville shop Avenue Road, and the area rug is made of hand-knotted Tibetan wool and silk.

The delicate forest-inspired sculpture in the designer womenswear section is by Toronto design studio Unitfive.

For the fashion-obsessed, Carolina Herrera’s floral creations are basically works of art (with price tags to match).

Ditto for Dior.

There’s a private tailoring lounge for men. Sliding doors at the back of it reveal a kitchen- and bar-equipped event space.

The menswear section was designed to mimic the brand’s new Chicago flagship. In it, all clothing surrounds a central footwear station.

Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; 176 Yonge St., 416-507-3100, saksfifthavenue.com