Jackets worth a jackpot in Vegas

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Perusing the shops at the Wynn and Encore hotels today, I was impressed with the racks full of fall merchandise, exclusive styles and vast array of clothes and accessories at stores like Dior, Manolo Blahnik, and (two) Chanel boutiques.

But it was a store at the Encore called Ensemble, which sells a colorful mix of everything from Issa, D&G, Bishop of Seventh and Christian Siriano, where some serious and unexpected vintage gems hung among the contemporary clothes. A striking red Givenchy coat that belonged to Jackie Kennedy Onassis stood out against the four other jackets -- one a pink number by Lanvin (that had the original Jeanne Lanvin label still inside) and another a cream Pierre Cardin coat with a square collar.

Todd Hanshaw, merchandising manager and women’s buyer for Wynn and Encore found the coats during his travels throughout Europe and displays them in the store. Each sells for about $5,000, which means they’re best suited for a collector or someone who’s just done really well on the casino floor. Since I fit neither of those descriptions, I just stared in awe. There’s a million fancy and glittery things to look at in Vegas, but these vintage jackets, in amazing condition, felt the most special.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Top: Vintage jackets at the Encore hotel. Left: Vintage Lanvin coat. Right: Vintage Givenchy coat. Photos by Melissa Magsaysay