Despite the recession, New York City is still the most exciting place to shop! Here the list of exciting new stores that opened this week and are scheduled to open very soon. The ultimately glamorous Queen of Manhattan Retail, Faith Hope Consolo (www.faith-consolo.com), provides an inside scoop on newcomers into the city's shopping scene as well as the new, glitzy locations for top brands. NOW OPEN AND OPENING WITHIN ONE WEEK Giorgio Armani opened his 40,000+ square-foot compound—connected by a serpentine stairway—717 Fifth Avenue, at 56th Streer. The first of its kind in the U.S., it will house all the labels (Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, EA7, Armani Casa) under one roof. Diesel is scheduled to open its largest store next week at 685 Fifth Avenue with an elaborate dinner theater in its store windows. The space will look like an ordinary apartment during the day--but every night, dinner is served at 8. New Yorkers will dine in the "apartment" and watch the Fifth Avenue shoppers. Meals will be catered by Le Cirque and Cipriani. The three-story store will offer on-site tailoring and same-day alterations, and extra services to make VIP shoppers more comfortable. Matthew Williamson is unveiling new 2,600-square-foot flagship at 415 West ...

Madison Avenue Creative is proud to present the first series of photographs produced in a wonderful collaboration with architectural photographer, Evan Joseph, brilliant stylist and make-up artist, Jasin Bedell and the fabulous publisher of New York Living magazine, Brey Brownlie. The idea behind the shoot was to explore public places in several of Manhattan’s residential buildings (lobbies, in this instance) by adding a style component that is unique to each building and the lifestyle it offers. With clothing and accessories provided by Henri Bendel (henribendel.com), we styled our models for each of the three utterly different lobby spaces - the Platinum, Dwell95 and Sheffiled 57 - to add a unique style perspective and define the space. Pictured here are the photos taken  at Dwell95. On the model: Frank Tell lamp-shaped olive dress styled with gold chains and pearl necklaces mixing uptown classic with downtown hip. We were inspired by the whimsical and decadent Philip Stark-designed interior with its dramatic crystal chandelier, lavish floor lamps and rococo furniture upholstered in gold patent leather-- and so we styled Kate (MC2 agency) as a modern-day dauphine. The February issue of New York Living is available on the newsstands now. We made the cover! New ...

COMMISSION TO ARCHITECTS HERZOG & DE MEURON AND ARTIST ANISH KAPOOR Alexico Group LLC, a will construct a path-breaking new residential tower designed by internationally renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron of Basel, Switzerland.