"This was a total collaboration, but there is nothing in the stores, from a creative point of view, that Bloomingdale's did not approve," said Michael Gould, chairman and chief executive officer. "What Bloomingdale's stands for is going to be embraced by Dubai." Gould and his team will be keeping close tabs on the Dubai stores, located in The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping centers. "We envision a monthly communication -- at least," he said.

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"The stores are inspired by 59th Street, with Arabian influences tenderly cushioned throughout. There is a modern, contemporary feel to these stores," said Shireen El Khatib, ceo of Al Tayer Insignia, the luxury arm of the Al Tayer Group. "We have insured that the Dubai Bloomingdale's stores will encapsulate a world-class retail experience including the best international brands, a contemporary store ambience and excellence in customer service."

The four initial Bloomingdale's outlets will carry clearance merchandise from mainstream Bloomingdale's stores as well as merchandise supplied specifically for the outlets, Mr. Sluzewski said.

Each outlet will run about 25,000 square feet in high-traffic areas in Miami; Paramus, N.J.; Woodbridge, Va.; and Sunrise, Fla. Bloomingdale's already has stores in those areas but none in the outlet centers.

As part of that discovery process, customers will be able to choose from one of roughly five suggested styles based on different textures. Interactive images and explanations of the different 'dos -- boasting names like the Downtown Updo and Something Nice -- will be featured on a large touch-screen menu at the front of the styling bar. All looks will cost $35 and are expected to take 20 minutes to create.

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The installation will feature three styling stations and three touch-screen menus: one screen for the service menu, another to provide brand and product information and a third to serve as a salon locator. A screen video will play time-lapse films that show the hairdressing process at all stages.

In beauty, six brands are being added: Bare Escentuals, Jo Malone, Shu Uemura, Sisley, Bumble and bumble and Giorgio Armani. Space NK, with its own range of products and labels, was added in November. There are a total of 26 beauty brands on the floor. Of the 26, only one, La Mer, stayed in its same location, but, like all the others, it will have a new look.

In handbags, accessories and jewelry, new resources include Stella McCartney, Michael Stars, Eileen Fisher Daddy Longlegs, Ugg, D&D, Me&Ro, Helen Ficalora, Links of London, Janis Savitt, Elizabeth and James, Seasonal Whispers and James Swette. In sunglasses and watches, new vendors are Carrera, Burberry, David Yurman, Timex, Adidas and G-Shock.

On Tuesday, the department store held its first Designer Collections Signature event — an all-afternoon happening to lure shoppers to the fourth floor of its 59th Street flagship and get them to dig into their wallets. Brian Reyes, Charles Chang-Lima and Lisa Perry made appearances; there were vendor reps for Donna Karan, Sonia Rykiel, Michael Kors, Herve Leger and Giorgio Armani's Collezioni and Black Label, and models informally presented key pieces from the new collections.

Bloomingdale's also offered a $1,000 "bMoney" gift card for every purchase of over $2,000, and customers filled out ballots for a copy of the $200 La Femme Rykiel book. "We are approaching a transformation in retail and I think we are all reevaluating our events," said Stephanie Solomon, vice president and fashion director for women's ready-to-wear and accessories at Bloomingdale's.

Bloomingdale's had invited its key new designers and merchandised its collections in a way that the clothing racks were positioned in the middle of the floor. "The idea that the customer was able to get the look now without having to search for it was a big success," Solomon said, adding shoppers had the chance to try on clothes, come out of the dressing room and meet the designer — all while enjoying food and wine and DJ'd music. "These are ingredients that make for exciting retail," she said.

The new 'Set Your Table' tool enables users to set a virtual table step by step, from selecting a "charger" (decorative plates) to drinkware and flatware, mixing and matching various colors and patterns. The tool features images and specs on 300 different products sold online by Bloomingdale's from 19 different brands, including Baccarat, Kate Spade, Lenox and Vera Wang. More products and brands will be added.

Once setting combinations are completed, couples can add their choices to wedding registries on Bloomingdales.com, where guests and loved ones can purchase the items as gifts.

Set Your Table appears on Brides.com but is clearly presented as a co-branded product and labeled "from Bloomingdale's and Brides.com." Links to Bloomingdale's Wedding Channel are given prominent placement throughout the table-setting process.

"We're very excited to be doing our first open-sees at Bloomingdale's," said Stephanie Solomon, vice president of fashion direction. "Giving young talent the opportunity to present to our fashion office broadens our scope beyond market visits. We're hoping to find the next great, emerging designers."

Henri Bendel has held open-sees for designers for more than 40 years. More than 500 aspiring designers have been known to camp out for hours at Bendel's open-sees for a chance to have their collection carried in the store. Bendel's legendary chief Geraldine Stutz was the first to start screening unproven talent in the Sixties. Over the years, Todd Oldham, Anna Sui, James Purcell and Colette Malouf were among those whose careers were launched by turning up with designs in hand at the Fifth Avenue flagship. Bendel's next edition will be held March 30.

The plan calls for a three-level, 146,000-square-foot men’s and women’s apparel and accessories store and a one-level, 54,000-square-foot home store to both open February 2010, establishing Bloomingdale’s with the largest presence in the mall.

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The Middle East is being eyed for expansion by companies ranging from luxury goods houses to other specialty stores, while firms from the region increasingly are becoming active on the takeover front. Istithmar of Dubai last year acquired Barneys New York and said it might open Barneys units in the country. Meanwhile, the Dubai International Financial Centre, which is owned by the country's government, acquired a majority stake in Kuwaiti fashion retailer Villa Moda with plans to expand the company throughout the Middle East. A company linked to the government of Qatar also is said to be in talks to acquire a shareholding in Lanvin.