One of the original New York women’s luxury stores, Henri Bendel once catered to the American baronesses at the turn of the century – Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and the like.  Over a century later, the store is still going strong under the Limited corporate umbrella.  Though now much more of a luxury department store, the location on 5^th Ave (since 1990) is impressive in itself with the Lalique windows stretching down over the top 4 floors.  Most relevant to the true shopper, is the continued focus on talented younger designers just breaking into the big-time (e.g., think Anna Sui at the start of her career).  Ground floor is cosmetics (M.A.C., Bobby Brown, BeneFit etc. etc.) and handbags, meander up the spiral stairs to Chanel and then onwards to jewelry, accessories.  The third floor lingerie section deserves special mention where big names (Galliano, Cavalli) and lesser lights mix freely and includes the Henri Bendel NY private label collection.  Of course, you’ll have to decide between that sexy wisp of almost nothing and the calorie laden delicacies at Nelson’s chocolate bar in the atrium!