Under Daniel Lee's creative direction Bottega Veneta has seized the attention of the fashion world. There is no other brand is currently turning out hit-after-hit. At 33-years-old Daniel Lee is the first designer to win four British Fashion Council awards in one year--Brand of the year, accessories designer of the year, women's wear and designer of the year.
As Daniel Lee fights to be more an It-bag, shoppers remain in sticker shock. The now-famous Pouch debuted at $2400 but in just months jumped to $2700. The extra price hardly matters to those that needed to have It. The Bottega Veneta must-have items expanded and the Cassette Bag and various shoe styles have become part of the front row uniform.
Finding these items for less can be difficult considering that they sell out as quickly as they come in. There are, however, a few places to stalk if you're looking to grab some classic BV for less.
The most dependable destination for advantageously priced Bottega is Italist. Right now, you can find a classic black Pouch for about $2000 or $700 less than it would be in the US. As an added bonus there is no sales tax or duties, which means New Yorkers can theoretically save a total of $970 from ordering from Italist. The merchandise comes directly from stores in Europe, which allows for the currency benefit.
Another strategy is to search for your desired product on European sites. Net-A-Porter's European site ships internationally for free and you can save a little too on the currency conversion. The small Pouch is about $1100 once you convert from Euros. The US price is $1390 for the same item. The Cassette bag is about $2375 from $2800 US and the woven version of the large Pouch is about $2600 from $3100 in the US.
Other sites worth scrolling are the LVMH owned 24S. The large Pouch is $2500 from $2700, and again, no sales tax. (Take note, not all items are priced less than the US.)
From time to time, hot Bottega items pop up on the Italian, Coltorti boutique and there is usually a coupon to add even more savings. We also suggest checking LuisaViaRoma and Tessabit.
Be careful. Not all European stores offer savings. Selfridges, for example, has the small size Pouch in assorted colors for $1155 from $1390 US but once you add duty and shipping the savings is minimal.
It's a day late but hopefully, you're not short on any dollars. Bergdorf Goodman just started a promotion where all sale merchandise is an additional 20% off. The sale is OFFICIALLY live.
The best part of this sale is that Bergdorf just added Moncler to its online sale section and but the French brand isn't included int he promotion.
Some other sale items we've been watching include, this pink Chloe bag that will be $699 from $1590, this Khaite wool trench is $575 from $2880, and this Isabel Marant dress will come to just $260 from $1200. (Most sizes are still available.) There are some great shoe options but there is usually only one size in each style still available. It's totally worth sorting by your size as not to be disappointed.
We wouldn't suggest sale-ing through the store. All the discount merchandise has already been shipped out. We are just waiting for it to officially upload to Neiman Marcus Last Call. This promotion will run through Sunday....
This season, we noticed that luxury retailers are starting promotions very early in the season. The discounts might not be huge but it appears to be getting more aggressive earlier every season. Even so, many of these shopping incentives exclude major designers.
It only was a matter of time until we hit the designer jackpot. European luxury emporium, LN-CC is actually focusing on just the items we really want. Early season discounts are up to 30% off. You must use this link to view the promotion discounts. Men can use this link to access the sale assortment.
Before you click off, be sure to check out the site's sale section. There are lots of interesting fashion finds for 60% off. Some items we never even saw on markdown, like this Prada puffer and this Saint Laurent pea coat.
The good thing is that LN-CC is not on the shopping radar of most luxury customers and you have a moment to digest your options before everything sells out. It also doesn't hurt that this sale is very private....
Fashion month is in full swing. The shows just wrapped up in New York and have moved over the pond to London and will continue the world tour in Milan and Paris. As we watch the newest trends and fashions emerge it's hard not to shop with an eye towards the future.
So much of the conversation within the fashion industry has turned to sustainability but the definition is so obtuse. As I've been considering how to become sustainability sensitive, I've come to realize that it's always been part of my ethos. Looking inside my personal closet I see so many wonderful pieces that I've had for ten years and even longer. Some items I've had since college and even represent the technical term of vintage.
Good fashion is like good art. It's not anything that goes out of style when it's truly fine. An item found on sale is no less valuable than it's full price counterpart. That turns us to this week's 'Impulses & Obsessions."
The Net-A-Porter end of season sale is surprisingly still going strong and more items keep popping up. This week, we spent a lot of time (and money) on the Prada assortment. This Gabriela Hearst corduroy blazer has been a huge temptation at $450 from $1500. I would love it styled under a hoodie and with jeans for a casual but chic Sunday. Peter Do's newest collection was received with rave reviews and I'm contemplating this organza dress for Summer that's just $312 from $1040. I've banned myself from Prada until I spotted this wool polo for 60-%70% off, depending on the print. (I immediately thought of five outfit pairings from my closet and it was add-to-cart, continue to checkout and done.)
Last week we were slipped a private code (TAKE40) for Prada and Miu Miu that revealed a 40% discount on all merchandise. Today we noticed that lots of the full price assortment has been reduced dramatically and some items are even an additional 20% off.
Among the more highly reduced items is this blazer that comes to $762 from $2540. (You might want to swap out the belt to make any outfit pop.) This very iconic print coat is $1000 from $3400, a print poplin dress is $894 from almost $3000, and this trench seems like a worthwhile investment at $830 from $2760.
As Prada seeks to end several years of financial decline, the company appears to have pulled back greatly from its distribution channels. Italian stores that have carried the brand for ages, don't seem to have the new collections. Farfetch has closed up any US price-related discrepancies and doesn't appear as Net-A-Porter took delivery on the Summer 2020 collection and we speculate that this sale marks the end of Prada on the site.
If the item you like on NAP is still at full price you can still use the code TAKE40 to save 40% off. This visor comes to $204 from $340 and nylon shorts are $330 from $550. There are more items on sale than not. I can keep up the mentions but it would be most of the assortment. It's no secret I'm a big Prada groupie....
If you've ever wondered what happens to all that wonderful merchandise at Neiman Marcus that goes un-purchased, we have the answer. It promptly pops up at the brand's discount store, Last Call.
Neiman Marcus Last Call stores have received new arrivals direct from Neiman Marcus. The discount usually starts at about 65% off original retail but extra promotions often bring the total savings to over 80% off.
Keep your eyes open, we have heard recent reports of Moncler coats and in past years we've spotted Chanel clothing discounted almost 90% off retail. We've also heard that the discounter receives Chanel bags from time to time but doesn't display them. We suggest asking a sales manager if you're on the hunt. If you don't believe us, we have pictures to prove it right here.
Please be sure to let us know if you spot any unicorns at your local Last Call. There is nothing we love more than sharing....
What's most interesting about Sally LaPointe is her ability to stay true to a monochromatic aesthetic but still turn out a collection every season that seems fresh, timely and interesting.
This collection was comprised of bold color statement-making ensembles that were glamorous and urban. There was an electric chartreuse segment that was followed by sea green, royal purple and later unfolded into holographic sequins.
Each individual look was assembled from various materials and fabrications. There was slinky double-faced satin, stiff patent leather, eye-catching latex, rich furs, chunky knits and supple leather combined together to form the perfect balance of layer and texture. You can click here to see more pictures.
I've never seen LaPoite show an outfit that didn't glow with glam. One attendee was wearing a full runway look from the prior collection, which was novel to see in the backdrop of a "in the wild" on Varik street. Even off the runway, the outfit looked opulent and tasteful and that's even with the oversized hat.
I just hope that as Lapointe becomes more of a household name that she stays true to the spirit of luxury and quality. While shopping this season, I noticed a pair of the designer's track pants and was thoroughly disappointed that the fabrication was similar to those offered by Adidas.
Lapointe's individual items might draw inspiration from the current trends but the overall look is classic. Right now you can find a lot of pieces for up to 85% off. You might even be lucky and find a full ensemble in your size. Here is are soft yellow silk straight-leg pants for $258 from $1290 and the coordinating shearling and cashmere sweater is $260 from $1300. You can also opt for the same color suede skirt that's $765 from $2550. Above are a few more outfit ideas comprised of Sally Lapointe items that are on sale now.
Fashion week is heating up. We are serving up all smoking hot trends while we get through a marathon of shows. These top trends are what you can expect to see on the street and in the pages of your favorite fashion magazines, next fall.
Left: The Row, Top: Area, Bottom: Ulla Johnson
Bottega Veneta released the now-famous Pouch this past Summer and the minimalistic clutch skyrocketed to the top of the fashion ecosystem. The oversized amorphous accessory was offered in a variety of colors and found tucked under the armpit and on the 'gram of every Insta-star. The bag was subsequently duped by contemporary brands and has made its way down the fashion ecosystem to Amazon copies.
Amazon isn't the only "fashion house" to try and capitalize on the iconic style. This season, we've already seen numerous designers offering their own interpretation of the oversized amorphous clutch. The Row's 10th-anniversary collection was precise in cut, layering, and styling. By no coincidence, oversized supple leather bags were highlighted neatly tucked into the forearm. It's unclear if there is a handle once the bag is unfolded.
NYC homegrown, Ulla Johnson showed lots of leather on her runway and offered of contrasting pops of color via an oversized, you guessed it, clutch. Johnson's iteration has a prominent frame top and a thick gold chain, which looks more like an accessory than it was added for practical uses.
Area’s Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk haven't received the notoriety of some designers of their generation but it's long overdue. The newest collection showcased their structural aptitude with lots of architectural looks that highlighted exaggerated looks. It was not surprising to see a duffle shaped styled as a clutch. The bag seems to have a strap but the size would normally be used as a weekend bag rather than an under the arm style.
We have no doubt that this is only the start of this Bottega Pouch reinterpretation. You can accomplish a similar look right now by tucking away the strap of a supple bag. There are a few suggestions above. Feel free to call out more designers taking inspiration from the amorphous underarm silhouette....
