A giant video screen and circular staircase surrounded by thousands of faceted mirrors dominates the back of the 33,000 plus square foot store. It is located at 1171 Ste-Catherine St. W., near Stanley St.
The Angels did not land, but a good number of Montrealers stepped out to check out the opening of Victoria’s Secret flagship Thursday.
It’s the biggest VS store in North America, and the second largest in the world at more than 33,000 square feet – and it is wow – an overload of boudoir chic on three storeys, gleaming with thousands of faceted mirrors, giant video screens, red velvet, black and white signature marble and fixtures – and pink everywhere, from the neon frontage to mannequins, bras, panties and merry widows.
While there was no Gigi Hadid, there are renditions or perhaps originals of the model’s butterfly ensemble – and others – from the VS extravaganza fashion show that aired Tuesday night.
You must check out the downstairs fitting rooms, 15 of them, outfitted in French bordello chic, with giant red banquettes for someone’s waiting pleasure. All of Victoria’s Secret collections are there – Pink, swimwear, cosmetics and sport.
Victoria’s Secret is owned by Limited Brands, which bought Montreal’s La Senza in 2007 and later moved its head office to Columbus, Ohio. The new flagship on Ste-Catherine replaces a Chapter’s bookstore, which prompted “Books to bras” headlines and comments.
Despite the size and evident sizeable investment in the store there were no media interviews or events.
