Now Open: Inside Armani/5th Avenue

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During Fashion Week last month, Giorgio Armani unveiled his newest large-scale shopping experience, the glassy Armani/5th Avenue. Clocking in at 43,000 square feet over four floors, the flagship joins other massive Armani malls like Armani/Via Manzoni in Milan and Armani/Ginza Tower in Tokyo. The store's standout feature is its undulating, dizzying, mind-melting white staircase—the work of architects Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas. Made in Italy of steel cast in plastic, it dominates the space.

The futuristic theme also extends to the fixtures, which are sleek and curvy, kind of like if the Star Trek Enterprise housed fitted Italian clothing. The noteworthy decor elements almost overwhelm the merchandise, of which there is A LOT. (Really, could any dress upstage that staircase?) The store houses all the Armani lines (Casa, Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, EA7) plus a restaurant, and a confectionery (Armani/Dolci). And like Gucci before them, the brand's new Fifth Avenue shop boasts a small accessories collection exclusive to the location. It's Armani overload. And did we mention the staircase?