A bright and shiny beacon on the Cabo San Lucas Marina, the boutique mall beckons By Ashley Alvarado
Before Cabo Wabo. Before five-star hotels. Before golf courses and private jets and restaurants that rival the best in the world, the southernmost point of the Baja Peninsula—now collectively known as Los Cabos—was a favorite of marauding pirates in search of Spanish galleons…and their booty. In the centuries since, the milieu has transformed. This is no sleepy fishing village. Still-spectacular beaches are now dotted with restaurants, shops, and water activity companies. One thing that has not changed: The Cabo San Lucas Bay is home to rich finds worthy of kings and queens. Luxury Avenue is a boutique mall on the Cabo San Lucas Marina that catches the sun much like a diamond, beckoning passersby with its contemporary design, wafting jazz, art installations, and a lineup of high-end shops from around the world.
1.) Cartier
The French design house brings a Parisian touch to Luxury Avenue with a petite boutique located near the Cabo San Lucas Marina entrance. Edward VII called Cartier “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers,” and in the years since its 1847 founding, the company has outfitted everyone from Grace Kelly to Queen Elizabeth and María Félix. For a royal treat, stop in and try on one of Cartier’s finest. You’ll understand exactly what Marilyn was singing about. www.cartier.us
2.) Salvatore Ferragamo
From Paris, France, we journey to Florence, Italy, where the international luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo was born. The Luxury Avenue installation features show-stopping creations that include shoes, leather goods, and ready-to-wear fashions. Los Cabos is home to several outstanding Italian restaurants, which are beloved for their commitment to quality ingredients and execution. That same ethos is evident on the shelves of Ferragamo. www.ferragamo.com
3.) Montblanc
The international itinerary through Luxury Avenue continues with Montblanc, a celebrated German manufacturer that redefined the art of writing with its peerless collection of writing instruments. The company applied its signature European craftsmanship to an expanded repertoire that includes leather pieces, eyewear, jewelry, and watches. www.montblanc.com
4.) Fendi
There’s no need to spell out F-E-N-D-I for lovers of this classic Italian brand to recognize the charming shop within Luxury Avenue. The oversize F design that adorns so many of its leather pieces and glasses transfixes. Pick up an accessory in order to liven up your outfit for a night on the town. www.fendi.com
5.) CH Carolina Herrera
The cavernous CH Carolina Herrera store at Luxury Avenue has a laidback sophistication that is synonymous with Los Cabos living. The Venezuela-born designer’s eponymous CH Carolina Herrera ready-to-wear line draws heavily from her personal style—that same style that has enchanted First Ladies Jacqueline Onassis, Michelle Obama, and more. The pieces within the shop are so pretty you’ll feel like you’re at a gallery, but here you can touch. www.carolinaherrera.com
6.) Ultrafemme
Forgot your favorite Lancôme face cream or Chanel perfume? Don’t fret. At Ultrafemme, you can find all the luxury brands you enjoy back home. There are more than 500 prestige cosmetic and fragrance labels, including Chanel, Dior, Estée Lauder, Giorgio Armani, and Bobbi Brown. The prices are competitive with what you’d find back home—keep an eye out for the special travel packs on labels like Clinique—and, better yet, they’re duty free. www.ultrafemme.com
7.) Sungless Hut
The potent Cabo San Lucas sunshine makes a quality pair of shades an absolute must for any traveler. Several of the Luxury Avenue boutique shops carry sunglasses, but for a larger selection turn to the Sunglass Hut. Here you’ll find classic designs, trendy eyepieces, and brands ranging from Persol and Prada to Maui Jim and Ray-Ban. www.sunglasshut.com
8.) Tous
There’s a playful vibe that imbues the Spanish brand’s Cabo San Lucas outpost. Tous began as a watch repair shop in 1920 and has since grown to include bags, jewelry, perfumes, eyeglasses, clothing, baby products, and small leather goods. For a designer memento of your time in Los Cabos, pick up an item that carries Tous’s signature teddy bear. www.tous.com
9.) Swarovski
Dazzle your dinner companions when you show up dripping in Swarovski crystals. The Austrian luxury label’s Los Cabos shop features several showstoppers that will have you twinkling like the brilliant Cabo San Lucas night’s sky. For a smaller token, consider picking up a crystal figurine. brand.swarovski.com
10.) Vilebrequin
Enjoy a bit of Saint-Tropez in the Sea of Cortes by heading to the Vilebrequin store in Luxury Avenue. The French label specializes in colorful swimwear for men and boys as well as waterproof wallets. Dad and Junior can hit Médano Beach in style, with matching trunks in patterns that feature sea turtles, sharks, or other eye-catching patterns. us.vilebrequin.com
11.) Coach
The U.S. leather good brand has devotees the world over and for good reason. Its attractive, well-made collections include everything from shoes to handbags, scarves, eyewear, ties, outerwear, and more. The Luxury Avenue store is fun to peruse—the shopping center itself is an excellent way to escape the afternoon heat—but you may also want to keep it in mind should you need to pick up some additional travel accessories to accommodate all those new items you’ve purchased. www.coach.com
12.) Malíparmi
Walk into the eclectic Italian fashion house, and you immediately feel cooler. The funky ready-to-wear incorporates bold patterns, luxurious fabrics, and a fair amount of whimsy. The ensembles have a certain je ne sais quoi; they don’t look strictly Italian or Latin American or African. Dress yourself in Malìparmi, and you’ll look like a citizen of the world. shop.maliparmi.it
13.) Chopard
Elegance. Glamour. Luxury. There are not enough words in the English language to describe the pieces you’ll find within Chopard. The Swiss-based jewelry, watch, and accessories company specializes in seductive pieces with an emphasis on exceptional stones and unique pieces. www.chopard.com
14.) Ultrajewels
The centerpiece of Luxury Avenue is Ultrajewels, part of an überpopular jewelry chain with locations throughout the Mexican Caribbean. There’s a magic that’s associated with visits to Tiffany, but here the experience is exponentially greater considering the brands represented within Ultrajewels include not only Tiffany & Co. but also Cartier, Baume & Mercier, Breguet, TAG Heuer, Hublot, Movado, Omega, Roberto Coin, Panerai, David Yurman, Zenith, and Rolex. en.ultrajewels.com
