Columnist Muriel Stevens: New shops mark passage in time

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005 | 8:09 a.m.

Four new shops have opened in The Shops in Desert Passage mall at the Aladdin and a number of established stores have expanded.

David Z shoe store has been part of downtown New York for more than 20 years, offering a variety of name brand footwear for men and women: UGG, Born, Dansko, adidas, Birkenstock, Diesel, Timberland, Kenneth Cole and more. David Z is known for its ability to offer exclusive styles, and for its customer service.

The Oh My Godard gallery features the original works of artist Michael Godard. Godard, who grew up in Las Vegas, has been recognized as one of today's most versatile artists. With a style that inspires him to include crocodiles cruising in convertibles, olives jumping in martinis and grapes chasing corks, he has appeared on "Oprah Winfrey" and "The Christopher Lowell Show."

Wild Pair, a division of Bakers Shoes, features fashion-forward footwear designed for hip young men and women. Wild Pair offers the latest fashion footwear from such brands as Bakers, Steve Madden, bebe, Diesel, Restricted, Rocket Dog and Skechers, at affordable prices.

Vegas the Store is a one-stop souvenir and collectible shop filled with Las Vegas-themed gifts. Men and women's apparel, glassware and a wide array of trinkets and gifts.

Hattitude, the hat and accessory store, recently expanded to double its original size. Men's and women's hats from fedoras, to costumes to cowboy styles, such brand-name hat makers as Kangol, Shady Brady and Tilley. Classic chapeau as well as trendy and novelty styles.

There's more to come. Houdini's Magic Shop will have an expanded store in a new location. Later this year Sin City Brewing Co. will open, as will a Brazilian eatery, Pampas Churrascaria, and ABC Stores, which will open a second location inside the shopping center.

Artistic Ironworks: In the heart of downtown's Las Vegas Art District, Artistic Ironworks owners Tom Prato and Karen Bailey have built a 33,000-square-foot ironworks facility that is one of the most comprehensive in the United States. The husband-and-wife team established the company in 1990.

In this interactive showroom clients can find a vast selection of products. It is an exceptional showroom. Artistic Iron Works also offers welding and repair services.

Showroom hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday or by appointment. The location is 105 W. Charleston Blvd. Shipping is available. Call 387-8942 or visit artisticiron.com.

Fashion Show mall info: Did you know that some Fashion Show eateries can only be accessed by their exterior entrance? The Capital Grille, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba and RA Sushi are situated near the valet station outside Saks Fifth Avenue. This is one of the easiest valet parking stations in town.

Bare your soul, but not your head: Headwear is in, at least for now. "Designers are blurring the categories between dressy and casual hats," says Casey Bush, director of the Headwear Information Bureau in NYC. A simple cloche can make a fashion statement, according to Bush.

"This fall," continued Bush, "No well-dressed woman will becomplete without a wardrobe of hats."

September is Fall Hat Month. Shop the windows in the Fashion Show. Hats are back. It's time to pull down the hatboxes in my closets.