BLOG NOTE: This blog post is from a previous season. To view our most recent blog posts, click here.
Aspen, Colorado, offers unparalleled upscale mountain shopping. Long known as a winter wonderland, Aspen has, in more recent years, become a desirable high-end shopping destination. Jetsetters and trendsetters alike flock to downtown Aspen to visit some of the most renowned salons, boutiques and clothiers in the world. Today, more and more fashion designers are bringing their collections to town -- including the same couture you see on the runways of Paris, New York and Milan.
Aspen’s unique downtown also offers something those other major cities don’t ... proximity. With all of the major designers located within a three-block radius, visitors and shopaholics alike enjoy the easy convenience of walking to every boutique. And, with downtown lodging at the historic Independence Square hotel and a number of five-star restaurants nearby, guests don’t have to travel far after making those wonderful purchases! (Frias Properties guests who book a luxury accommodation receive complimentary on-demand in-town transportation courtesy of Smiddy Limousine.)
Ready to shop until you drop? Below we take a closer look at some of the major designers and shops in downtown Aspen. (Please note: The fashion landscape is always changing in Aspen. As trends go, so do shops and boutiques. Several of these stores have been here for many years; some a relatively new. Please double-check store hours and availability online before planning your Aspen getaway.)
Dennis Basso, 631 East Durant Ave. (970) 925-4499 – “Our dedication to creation at the highest level, in producing the finest in luxury goods, has been our mission since the birth of this unique brand. Expert craftsman and artisans have skillfully worked for generations, in our New York City studio, at perfecting the art of handmade designs focusing on fashion, modernity, and innovation. Our commitment to workmanship and talent combined with the most advanced techniques allows us to generated limited products of unsurpassed standards and quality.” -- Dennis Basso
Louis Vuitton, 205 South Mill St. (970) 544-8200 - Founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton Mallentier, "LV" (as it if often shortened to) offers everything from handmade luxury travel trunks to ready-to-wear shoes, watches and sunglasses. Known as one of the world's leading international fashion houses, it has been the world most valuable luxury brand for the past 6 years. It's famous LV monogram is known worldwide.
Prada, 312 South Galena St. (970) 925-7001 - Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada, this Italian fashion label specializes in luxury goods for men and women ranging from ready-to-wear to shoes to perfume.
Gucci, 203 South Galena St. (970) 920-9150 - Founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, it is the best-selling Italian brand. Though his vision for the brand was inspired by London, his goal upon returning to Italy was to ally this classy sensibility with the unique skills of his native Italy. Specifically, with the master craftsmanship of local Tuscan artisans.
Fendi, 208 South Mill St. (970) 920-3100 - Founded in 1925 by Edoardo and Adele Fendi, as a fur and leather shop in Rome, Italy, but today is a multinational luxury goods brand. Fashion mogul Karl Lagerfeld is the current creative director.
Dior, 201 South Galena St.(970) 544-5222 - Founded in 1946 by designer Christian Dior, this French luxury goods company offers haute couture designs as well as ready-to-wear, footwear, fragrances, make-up and other skin-care products.
Burberry, 501 East Hyman Ave. (970) 920-3119 - Founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, this British luxury fashion house specializes in fashion accessories and fragrances but is most known for its trench coat designs. The current Chief Creative Officer is Christopher Bailey.
Polo Ralph Lauren, 501 East Cooper Ave. (970) 925-5147 - Founded by Ralph Lauren, this "upscale American lifestyle company" offers high-end clothes and accessories for men and women, including bedding, towels and other housewares.
Brioni, 218 South Mill St. (970) 925-9266 - Founded in 1945, Brioni is an independent family-owned company featuring tailor-made clothing, made-to-measure service, and sportswear for men and women. Brioni currently has 13 luxury boutiques worldwide.
Theory, 219 South Galena St. (970) 544-0079 - Founded in 2000, Theory is a New York-based men’s and women's fashion label known for is luxuriously simple clean-line "nondescript" clothes, handbags and accessories.
Kate Spade, 307 South Galena St. (970) 925-1373 - Kate Spade New York is known the world over for its stylish and bold designer clothes, women fashion accessories, designer shoes and more. "I love those sartorial slights of hand that make you do a double take." - Deborah Lloyd, president and chief creative officer.
Ermenegildo Zegna, 211 South Galena St. (970) 544-4989 - Founded in 1910, this Italian luxury fashion house specializes in men’s clothing. As well as producing suits for its own labels, it manufactures suits for labels such as Gucci, Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent.
James Perse, 312 South Hunter St. (970) 920-9494 - James Perse first gained fame with his incredibly soft minimalist T-shirts created in a clean, casual style that spoke to his Los Angeles upbringing. His trademark look includes comfy and straightforward, yet fashionable, shirts, pants and jackets for men and women.