Extravagance reigns supreme in Vegas’ high-end shops

Jennifer Prosser

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000 | 5:19 a.m.

So you've hit Megabucks - now what? Why, a full-blown shopping spree, of course! You'll be living in luxury after a visit to these ultra-chic Vegas shops.

First stop, Via Bellagio (http://www.vegas.com/shopping/bellagio.html), Vegas' answer to 5th Avenue. The shopping arcade, home to the fashionable Chanel, Gucci and Prada screams exclusivity. Case in point: Nevada's only Tiffany & Co., which, among other pricey pendants, offers an exquisite, one-of-a-kind yellow and colorless diamond necklace, which retails at $1.25 million. Also striking is the strand of South Sea cultured white pearls with emerald beads and diamond rondelles. The price for necklace varies; it's calculated by millimeter. The famed jewelry store is the perfect place for those with stars and dollar signs in their eyes to do some serious spending.

You also won't want to miss Guerlain Paris, which offers fine makeup, including Meteorites face powder - a divine finishing powder that evens out the skin and adds radiance - fine French perfumes and Issima skin care products. Try some of each - you'll feel luxurious! The Guerlain shop is just inside the Bellagio's casino next to the lobby.

Next, head on the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian (http:// www.vegas.com/shopping/canalshoppes.html). Set along a manmade canal, the Grand Canal Shoppes are designed to replicate the boutiques of Venice. Stores such as Ripa de Monti, an Italian glass shop, feature merchandise shipped directly from Italy. And no surprise, it costs a pretty penny. But that's no problem for those of you who've hit it big! Delicate creations include vases depicting the sun and moon - $4,725, fish - $3,475 and clowns - $1,025 to $1,075. The piece de resistance, however, is the glass Han Dynasty horse crafted by 15 glass artisans in Murano, Italy over a period of six months. One of only three in the world (the other two reside in Japan) the price tag for this masterpiece is $95,000.

Further down the canal, toward St. Mark's Square, is Lladro, synonymous with fine Spanish porcelain. The pieces are charming and whimsical, such as Cinderella's Arrival, which depicts Cinderella in her pumpkin coach. It is truly a work of art, and at $26,400, is more than a drop in the bucket for most. But enjoy your nouveau riche status and take one home!

At Paris Las Vegas (http://www.vegas.com/shopping/paris.html), you'll want to check out the fashions of French designers Yves St. Laurent, Nina Ricci, Christian Lacroix, most exclusive to Vegas and some to the entire U.S. The dresses, stoles and other eveningwear are breathtaking.

And no spending spree would be complete without a trip to the Fashion Show mall (http://www.vegas.com/shopping/fashionshow.html). Now that you've got money, you can shop in the pricier stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, sans discount (hey, you don't need it!) and Neiman Marcus. Blow $1,000 or more on that silk wrap. Spend hundreds on shoes. We'd do it if we could.

Wrap up your shopping orgy at Caesars Palace ( http://www.vegas.com/ shopping/forumshops.html) - check out the Appian Way shops first, where even the flower shop will have you paying through the nose. Our favorite here is Cottura, which features hand-painted Italian ceramics, including pottery, vases, busts, generous serving bowls and china. And don't miss Godiva Chocolatier - you haven't had chocolate until you've had their raspberry truffles. They're worth the $33 a pound you'll pay.

In the Forum Shops, ask for entry into the Best of FAO room at FAO Schwarz, which contains the store's high-end toys, secluded from the main store for private shopping. Who wouldn't like a six-foot tall woolly mammoth, priced at $6,500? Buy it because you can. Or maybe you'd rather the full-functional children's outdoor theater, a bit pricier at $14,500.

Finally, finish it all with a decadent meal at Spago.