This week, big fashion news circulated about Milan’s digital fashion shows. There were Gucci, Prada, and Dolce, and more.  If you didn’t catch them, you’re not alone. Without the experience of a physical event, most fashion fans missed the link– or so they say.

You can click here to view them all but it’s become glaringly clear that the digital environment is not an adequate substitute for the real thing. Bucking the trend, Jacquemus sculptured a wheatfield to accommodate 100 VIP socially distanced guests to view his runway show that spanned 600-meters  or nearly 2000 feet. The visuals were spectacular but the compromise of having a live show in this environment is questionable. You can click here and judge for yourself.

Now is a great time to comb through Farfetch. I spotted lots of Saint Laurent items 50% off and even more. These Casandra YSL sandals are $425 from $850, a kelly green Cassandra bag is $1275 from $2550 and Opyum pumps are $500 from $1000. Also, check out deep discounts on Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana and Balenciaga.

Most recently, Tessabit started a promotion where you can save an extra 20% off sale merchandise with the code 20EXTRAMADISON. You must use this private Tessabit link to access the sale. Markdowns already scale 70% and the extra discount brings the total savings to near 80% off on some items. Some standouts include Fendi sandals for $340 from $700 and this Balenciaga quilted bag for $480 from $995. The full post with more finds can be found here.

Nordstrom started its round of second markdowns on designer brands. These Saint Laurent heels are $330 from $825 and this Saint Laurent linen tote is $755 from $1900. Click here to read the full post.

The discounts at Italist have hit up to 70% off. Prada PVC tote that’s $715 from $1100 US and  Bottega Veneta Lido heels are $940 from $1250 US. More details are in the full blog post.

That brings us to the very good deals we spotted on the UK version of Net-A-Porter, which include a Tom Ford Tote for $945 from nearly $1900 and a Rocksanda top with ruffle sleeves for $270 from $900. More finds can be found in the post.

Coming up this week, we wouldn’t be surprised to see additional markdowns at Saks Fifth Avenue and Moda Operandi.

Stay tuned. Until next time… same time, same place?

How much would you love to be on holiday at Lake Como? The thought is thrilling but, this season, you’re unlikely to find yourself sipping an Aperol Spritz on the deck of Grand Hotel Tremezzo. The good thing, however, is that you can still shop amazing deals.

Lake Como’s premier designer boutique, Tessabit started a promotion where you can save an extra 20% off sale merchandise with the code 20EXTRAMADISON. You must use this private Tessabit link to access the sale. Markdowns already scale 70% and the extra discount brings the total savings to near 80% off on some items.

The best part is that Tessabit’s merchandise is coming from Italy and already at a discount when compared to our retail prices. There is also no city or state sales tax. The bag selection is very good. This Givenchy tote that’s now just $800 from nearly $1700, this Valentino bag comes to $1300 from $2675, a quilted Balenciaga camera bag is $485 from $995, and this Fendi crossbody is $1340 from $2800.

The shoe selection is pretty tempestuous too. These YSL Tribute sandals are $350 from $725, Givenchy sandals are $350 from $715, and Fendi wedges are $340 from $690. A few other items you shouldn’t miss: Givenchy sweatshirt ($430), Balmain blazer ($800), Fendi tee ($310), and this Balenciaga bomber jacket ($930). Oh, and yes, this Rick Owen’s dress is $240 from $735.

Be sure to check out the men’s selection too. It’s very good. Also, be sure to keep your eyes focused on European designers. That’s where you will find the best values.

Italist quietly did another round of markdowns but the news hasn’t been formally announced. That means that you can shop the 70% discounts now before the word even gets out.

Some of the sale highlights include this Prada PVC tote that’s $715 from $1100 US, Bottega Veneta Lido heels are $940 from $1250 US, and Saint Laurent tribute slides are $380 from $600. If you aren’t opposed to buying items out of season there are some great Herno deals and Max Mara deals. Some items for the Fall 2020 season are even already reduced.

Although Italist has good sales it’s always our go-to for scoring not-on-sale-anywhere merchandise for less. For instance, this Celine canvas tote is $1480 from $1850 US retail. If you were considering the purchase at full price, the $400 savings feels like a gift. Here is a classic Fendi coat with fur pockets that’s $2000 less expensive than it would be in New York (or anywhere else in the US.) This Fendi Zuca print coat will afford you $800 in savings.

The sale should officially break later today. Let’s hope that the headstart provides the perfect find (in the right size.)

Traditionally, US sales begin several weeks before European retailers. Like everything else this season, the sale schedule is upside down. Net-A-Porter UK is a full markdown period ahead of us and can offer some really amazing savings for those who want to snag-it-now.

Over this way, we spotted a YSL Niki mini studded bag that comes to $1145 from $1850 US, and this Tom Ford tote is $852 from $1889 US. This Etro rainbow pleated top is a stunner for $282 from $1300 US. (It’s still full price on the US version of the site.) This Roxsanda top with fluted sleeves is $250 from $905 US. You can click here to browse the 70% off selection.

The shoe selection is very good too. We spotted these Roger Vivier crystal buckle stunners  $909 from nearly $2000 US and Balenciaga Knife slingbacks are $375 from $800 US. Here are clunky Prada birk-style sandals for $350 from $890 US.

Shipping is free to the US if the order is over $250. Most items don’t require duty. If you’re averse to International shopping, the US NAP site is about seven to ten days behind it’s UK sibling.

Happy Monday!

You made it through the weekend and now, here is a treat. MatchesFashion and Ssense just started additional markdowns where this season’s merchandise is now reduced up to 60% off. Keep a special eye out for Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Burberry, Givenchy, Loewe, Saint Laurent, and other European designer mega-labels.

Over at MatchesFashion most of the new reductions take the savings to 50% to 60^ off. We found this Balenciaga knee-length leather skirt for $1200 from $2400, Saint Laurant caged sandals are $447 from $900 and Chloe leather slides are $250 from $415.

There is a lot of old merchandise listed in this sale too. After you filter your favorite designers, it’s best to sort by “Just In” to see the most current season’s sale merchandise.

On Ssense, you’ll find similar designer markdowns. This Saint Laurent Kate bag is $1282 from $2300, Alexander McQueen sneakers are $400 from $530 and a Givenchy bag is $1140 from $2200. Be thorough in your shopping. Some items can differ in price according to color. It’s best to know all your options before checking out.

Both sales started within the past hour but items are moving fast. We will continue to update the post with our favorite finds.

COVID cases are drastically accelerating in regions in the center of the country. Retailers are bracing themselves for regional lockdowns, which will further cripple the sector. The only saving grace seems to be the potential of another government stimulus packaging but partisan bickering may provide too little, too late.

The list of retailers filing for bankruptcy is quickly growing and that comes on the heels of JC Penny, J Crew, and Neiman Marcus. The list grew dramatically this week with the addition of Brooks Brothers, Sur La Table, Need Supply Company/ Totokaelo, and the beloved Japanese emporium, Muji.

Many of the largest US retailers canceled Summer deliveries. Despite the appearance of deep discounts, American shoppers will soon begin to notice that local department stores don’t have much inventory. Many stores aren’t accepting shipments until October/November.

Stores that didn’t cancel orders started receiving deliveries this week and we can already see responsive shifts. Gilt launched this season’s collection of Dior items at a much steeper discount than normal. Here are J’adore heels for $860 from $1050 and 30 Montaigne sandals for $700 from $900.

SSense has posted new Bottega Veneta styles for under retail prices. This heavy chain bag is $3335 from $3600 and these padded heels are $100 less than retail. This woven Pouch bag is on sale for $2100 from $3100 US. Other sale standouts include this Saint Laurent Lou Lou camera bag for $920 from $1250 and this Fendi Tresor is $890 from $1290.

The Italian boutique Coltori has new season deliveries for significant discounts compared to US prices.  This pearlized Bottega aqua pouch comes to $1700 from $2700 US retail, a classic woven clutch with a chain is $675 from about $1550 US retail, and shoes with an ankle coil strap are $916 from $1220 US retail. The site also has lots of new season Fendi, including a few items from the new Joshua Vides California Sky capsule. Here is the monogram canvas tote for $1200 from $2190 US and Zuca logo sandals are $555 from $750 US retail. See the full post for codes and additional discounts. 

The biggest sale news of the week was Net-A-Porter’s second markdown. Prices are now discounted  70% off. I spotted Tabatha Simmons ankle wrap shoes for $190 from $645 and Alexander Berman rainbow ankle strap shoes are $187 from $625. You can click here to read the full post.

Nordstrom is another retailer that’s been serving up some fantastic deals. Some current highlights are these Prada sandals for 50% off and these Manolo sandals for 60% off. Click over to see the post with all of our great finds.

Yesterday Farfetch discounted some items further. It’s difficult to call out prices on popular items as they tend to change quickly as inventories shift between retailers. Don’t miss this Rick Owens coat that’s $996 from $3300 or this Versace silk blouse for $525 from $1050.

Coming up this week I don’t expect to see more markdowns. Instead, stay tuned for promotions with discount codes.

Stay tuned. Until next time… same time, same place?

The retail sector will likely feel the ramifications from COVID for several years. European boutiques, in particular, seem to be the hardest hit. Fall shipments are already arriving while Summer merchandise hangs from neglected racks. The combination of lost tourism revenue and a global recession further compounds the magnitude of European inventory overruns.

As news of Covid emerged from the Far East and Europe, many of the largest US retailers quickly canceled orders for Summer. Despite the appearance of deep discounts, American shoppers will soon begin to notice that local department stores don’t have much inventory. Many stores aren’t accepting shipments until October/November.

Those looking for the most attractive pricing for luxury items should set their sites on European retailers.  Coltori is has a  small collection of Italian boutiques on the West Coast and is offering 25% off sitewide with the code MOON25 or 15% off products indicated with a star with the code XTRAMOON15.

Check out the Fall 2020 Bottega Veneta. This pearlized aqua pouch comes to $1700 from $2700 US retail, a classic woven clutch with a chain is $675 from about $1550 US retail, and shoes with an ankle coil strap are $916 from $1220 US retail.

The site also has lots of new season Fendi, including a few items from the new Joshua Vides California Sky capsule. Here is the monogram canvas tote for $1200 from $2190 US and Zuca logo sandals are $555 from $750 US retail.

Other new season items worth noting include this Balmain tee that’s $180 from $395 US, a Saint Laurant canvas tote for $833 from $1150, and Golden Goose sneakers are $314 from $550-ish. We haven’t even tackled the sale section that’s an additional 25% off. This Dolce & Gabbana floral print shirt is $345 from $670, a Balmain hoodie is $270 from $540, and a Mark Cross bag is $990 from $2200 US retail.

Take note that Coltori does not cover duties. Items priced over $800 might be subject to a tax of about 10%.