The “Secret” Floor at Saks Only VIPs Can Access

The main floor of Saks Fifth Avenue is a masterpiece of retail. But the store’s most valuable clients never see it. They are not “shoppers”; they are “clients.” And they are handled in a “secret” world of private, locked suites.

This is the “Fifth Avenue Club,” a series of opulent, apartment-like salons hidden away from the public. Here, there are no racks, no cash registers, and no other customers. The “product” isn’t just the $20,000 Chanel jacket; it’s the service—a level of bespoke, one-on-one “clienteling” that defines true luxury.

We’re unlocking the private elevator to the most exclusive dressing rooms in NYC. This article is part of our exclusive series, The AZ New York 100, where we decode the secrets of the super-rich.

The “Secret” Floor at Saks Only VIPs Can Access

This “secret” world isn’t one floor but a collection of private, by-appointment-only suites at Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and other department stores. Here’s the “playbook” for how the 1% shops:

1. The Call: The client (or their assistant) texts their dedicated “stylist” (personal shopper). “I have a gala on Friday.”
2. The Arrival: The client bypasses the public entrances and is often escorted via a private, “VIP” elevator directly to the “Club.”
3. The “Suite”: They are shown to a private, beautifully decorated salon with sofas, a full-length mirror, and a private bathroom. A champagne cart or espresso is already waiting.
4. The “Pull”: There is no “browsing.” The stylist, who has studied the client’s preferences for years, has already “pulled” 10-15 gowns from every designer in the store (Chanel, Dior, Valentino) and has them waiting on a single, curated rack.
5. The “Checkout”: The client makes their selections. An in-house tailor is brought in for instant alterations. The client then leaves, hands-free. The items are charged to their “house account” and messengered to their penthouse that evening.

Comparative Table: The “Tiers” of Shopping

There are three distinct ways to shop at a luxury department store. The 1% only uses Tier 3.

3 Case Studies: The “VIP Suite” Client

1. The “Red Carpet” Client (A-List Actress): For an event like the Met Gala, a top stylist will book the largest suite at Bergdorf Goodman. The “product” is the space and the service. The stylist brings in 10 “contender” gowns, and the brand’s designer and head tailor are *in the suite* to meet the actress, discuss the look, and perform live alterations.
2. The “Time-Starved” CEO (Saks Fifth Avenue): A hedge fund CEO has a 90-minute window. Her personal shopper at the Saks Fifth Avenue Club has 20 “boardroom-to-dinner” looks (suits, dresses) and 5 pairs of shoes waiting. The CEO tries everything, approves $50,000 in looks, sips an espresso, and is in her car in 45 minutes. The luxury is *efficiency*.
3. The “Visiting Whale” (Saks): A visiting Saudi royal or a global billionaire is in town. They book the “VIP” suite for the *entire day*. The stylist’s job is to entertain the client and their entourage, serving a catered lunch and champagne, while presenting *everything*—from $500,000 high-jewelry necklaces to the newest crocodile handbags. The spend can be over $1M in a single afternoon.

💡 Pro Tips: How to Get “Inside”

• You Can Just Ask: This “secret” is actually open to the public. You can call Saks or Bergdorf’s and “book an appointment” with the Fifth Avenue Club or Personal Shopping service.
• The “Relationship” is the Key: To get the *best* service (i.e., access to rare items), you must build a “relationship” and “spend history” with one stylist. Once you are their “client,” they will proactively text you when new items arrive and book the private suite for you.
• This is “Multi-Brand”: This is the key advantage over a brand’s private salon. A stylist at Saks can bring you a Chanel jacket, a Dior bag, and Gucci shoes, all in one room. They offer a “holistic” wardrobe, not a single-brand look.

✨ NYC Luxe Curiosities

• The “Secret” Elevator: The Saks flagship has private, wood-paneled “VIP” elevators that are off-limits to the public, designed to shuttle VICs from a private street entrance directly to the suites, bypassing the public.
• The “First Dibs” Perk: The stylists in these suites are the most powerful people in the store. When a “unicorn” item arrives (like a rare Chanel bag), it *never* hits the sales floor. The stylists get “first dibs” and hold it for their top 5 clients.
• The “House Account”: True “whales” never pull out a credit card. The entire, six-figure purchase is billed to a “House Account,” which is settled by their family office at the end of the month. The transaction is invisible.

🧐 FAQ: The Private Shopping Suite

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