Traditionally, sales throughout Europe started much later than the US and the discounts were less. Covid has turned everything upside-down and now European stores are discounting earlier and more aggressively than in the US.
Right now you can use this private sale link to head over to Italy's D'aniello Boutique. Nearly everything on the site is 35% off with the code MOON35PS. The only exclusions are items marked "Carry Over" or "Top Seller."
The code doesn't work for additional savings on sale merchandise but there are still a couple items worth your attention. This Balmain sweatshirt is reduced by 50% and comes to $258 from $517 and this Moncler hat is $200 from $400.
D'aniello offers free shipping for purchases over $300 and all taxes and duties are included in the purchase price. You might even find a few items priced below US retail. It's starting to feel like Europe has the upper hand this sale season. Do you agree?
This week's pre-designer sales haven't overly exciting. When it comes to sales, it seems as if European retailers are doing it much better. 24S is the most recent online store to offer up to 40% off on current designer merchandise and you might find they have a bit of an edge over what you might find at local stores.
24S is LVMH owned and therefore offers brands, like Dior, which you can't find on many other websites. The best value of shopping on 24S is that all duties are included in the sale price, shipping is free, and there is no sales tax. My last order from 24S arrived in 30 hours after my "complete order" click.
You might even be able to order this Dior Book Tote, friendship bracelets or J'Dior pumps right now and still get it in time for Mother's Day. (Remember no sales tax!) It's a stretch but not impossible. If only someone could figure out how to get schools open, we could really celebrate....
Bergdorf Goodman is following in the footsteps of Neiman Marcus and beginning markdowns on a selection of designer merchandise. A 40% discount has been applied to some luxury brands of clothing and contemporary shoes and handbags.
Don't forget, Bergdorf is still offering 25% off beauty items. It's an opportune time to stock up on all your La Mer, Tom Ford, and Armani favorites. Wednesday is the last day of the promotion.
Designer sales weren't slated to begin until later this month but no plans are set in a COVID-19 era. Today Neiman Marcus moved its "pre-designer" sale up a full week to begin today.
Click over to the new markdowns selection and inside you will find a selection of merchandise reduced 40% off. The really big designers--YSL, Fendi, Givenchy, Gucci-- still aren't discounted yet but you can currently find a large variety of Chloe bags. You will also see an array of New York and American designers.
We suspect that the calendar will shift forward and more designer merchandise will be added next week. Stay tuned. It's bound to be an interesting ride.
It’s the first Monday in May, which means that Fifth Avenue would normally be buzzing with Met Gala arrivals. In honor of #HFMetGala2020 (high fashion Met Gala), I’m throwing it back to my pinch-me moment of a lifetime.
It’s 1997, I’m an NYU college student and I decided that my friends and I were going to the MetGala. (Like how I do that?) As the first “Fashion Editor” of the Washington Square News, I got us all access to buy tickets. I wore a to-the-navel plunging-cleavage, Romeo Gigli dress that I grabbed from Daffy’s. (My “date” was in a permanent state of blushing, which I ignored all night.)
To set the scene, the evening started with Barbara Walter’s toe under my foot. I apologized and my head swooned from the pulsing adrenaline. Every way I looked, there is a star fashion designer or mega-celebrity.
The evening unfolded with a series of ‘you-can't-believe’ moments. While I was observing the crowd, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Donnatella Versace set her champagne and cigarettes on the table asked me to watch them. Madonna and Cher come over to pose. As the top picture was taken, I took a gulp of Donatella’s champagne and thought “this will make a great story.”
I’m just to the right of this top capture. The 1997 theme was Gianni Versace and the event memorialized his contributions to fashion following his murder. I attended the Met Gala a few more times but 1997 was arguably the best party in Met Gala's history-- but maybe I'm biased.
Despite a perilous retail environment, retailers have been very methodical about their markdowns. Saks Fifth Avenue just expanded its Spring sale and included many more upscale designers to the 40% off discount--.
Over the course of the month, you can expect to see several more of the European designers added to the sale list. A normal designer markdown schedule usually occurs around Memorial Day, which doesn't put us too far from the usual path....
Welcome to week eight of quarantine weekend shopping. This week was bumpy. Schools are officially closed for the remainder of the school year and J. Crew announced a perilous future. Trying to digest all this information can be difficult. We just hope camp isn't the next big blow. For now, pour your favorite drink and get your scrolly finger ready to tap through my latest impulses and obsessions.
Bergdorf Goodman slipped us a love note that said they will be offering 25% off all beauty starting at 10pm Saturday night. We suggest you 'add to cart now'. Be sure to add some La Mer, Cle De Pleua, and Chanecaille to the cart. You also can probably still get a new fragrance to mom for Mother's Day and beauty bundles always make great gifts.
Over at Neiman Marcus, you can save up to an additional 35% off when you purchase three or more sale items. The selection is pretty picked over but these Manolo sandals aren't that much more money than Birkenstocks at $200 from $700 and this See by Chloe dress is $127 from $465.
J. Crew is coming apart at the seams and is the newest retailer expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to the Wall Street Journal. This news comes on the heels of Madewell canceling it's March IPO as COVID-19 put the world on pause and shredded the market's value.
The Madewell IPO would have allowed J. Crew to pay down part of its $1.7 billion debt as the company struggled to define itself for nearly a decade. Creative director, Jenna Lyons, was credited for stylishly "dressing America" for 13-years but exited the company in 2014. Rockstar CEO, Mickey Drexler cut ties in 2017.
Jim Brett, who previously headed West Elm took over as the new CEO. Brett’s vision was to make J.Crew more accessible, both in terms of price and distribution. He helped launch several inexpensive lines within the J.Crew collection and even started offering the collection on Amazon. While the brand has seen an increase in sales, customers have complained.
J. Crew would benefit from increasing the quality of its merchandise and lowering its retail prices. American brands like, J. Crew have been unwilling to adapt to the demand of today's consumers. Retail success hinges on the ability to deliver high quality and sustainable merchandise at an affordable price.
Let's take the company's keystone Tippi sweater. The Merino sweater retails for $80 and comes in dozens of colors and is a fantastic basic for any woman's wardrobe. The problem is that Uniqlo's Extra Fine Marino sweater, which is also offered in 10 colors, rivals the quality of J. Crew and costs just $29. The same could be said for numerous J. Crew items.
Most consumers will agree that the best items sold at J. Crew are those from other companies. If J. Crew is going to survive past this bankrupsy it is going to have to figure out how to bring value, style, and quality to its customer. The competition is too numerous and the consumer is too smart to be duped.
Some of my personal favorite items at J. Crew are the kid's winter coats but there haven't been many stylish options in the past few years. The women's swimsuits always fit well and have remained affordable as prices in the swim market have exploded. The pajama sets are very nice but only a good value when they go on sale.
Retails need to keep in mind that opening stores aren't going to end the Pandemic. Shoppers are still skittish about going out into crowds and spending won't resume until consumer's personal finances are secure....
