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    Met Exhibition: “Jewelry: The Body Transformed”

    One might imagine that a jewelry exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art would consist of imagery of tools, materials and an in-depth look at the process of jewelry making. Jewelry: The Body Transformed, does none of that. Instead, the exhibit is focused on how jewelry cuts across time and space and how it truly makes us feel.

    Necklace with diamonds and pearls, Dreicer & Co 1868

    The fact is that jewelry has power and it has transformed its subjects for centuries. Today, at a press preview of the exhibit’s opening, Melanie Holcomb, Curator, Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters explained, “It does something for us and two us.” Jewelry is transformative and tells the story of divine aspirations.

    The exhibit is broken into five segments: The Divine Body examines one of the earliest conceptions of jewelry—its link to immortality, The Regal Body focuses on the use of jewelry throughout history to assert rank and status, The Transcendent Body explores how jewelry is used to traverse the temporal and spiritual realms, The Alluring Body looks at how jewelry engenders desire, and The Resplendent Body calls out the connection of material and technique for the purpose of ostentation.

    “Jewelry is one of the oldest modes of creative expression—predating even cave painting by tens of thousands of years—and the urge to adorn ourselves is now nearly universal,” commented Max Hollein, Director of The Met. “This exhibition will examine the practice of creating and wearing jewelry through The Met’s global collection, revealing the many layers of significance imbued in this deeply meaningful form of art.”

    Visitors will find some 230 objects drawn almost exclusively from The Met collection. A dazzling array of headdresses and ear ornaments, brooches and belts, necklaces and rings created between 2600 B.C.E. The exhibit opens to the public on November 12 and will run through February 24.

    Click here to see some dazzling pictures from inside the exhibit and swipe along to shop what we think are some of the most impressive jewelry designs of our time.

    Chinese headdress with phoenixes and flowers, Ming dynasty 16th-17th Century

    Funerary jewelry from Egypt 1479

    Crown of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception 1770

    Hair rings 1887

    Neck ring, Celtic

    Redefining Resplendence

    Yashmak, Designed for Alexander McQueen 2000

    Elsa Peretti snake necklace and Bone Cuff

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    Neiman Marcus Offers Extra 30% Off Clearance!!

    It’s almost time for the season’s first round of markdowns. Before we get started, however, Neiman Marcus is hosting a clearance sale where discount merchandise is reduced an extra 30% off. That brings the total markdown near 85% off on some items. This is the highest reductions you will see before the merchandise is sent to the outlets.

    This extra 30% off clearance sale only runs through Monday. The next big markdown will occur on Black Friday when designer merchandise takes gets its first price cut but the discounts are only up to 40% off. This is the perfect time to buy high-quality timeless items for a fraction of their retail prices.

    Take these Manolo Blahnik sides that started at $675. You can walk out with them right now for under $240. If you’ve been following along closely you’ve seen us lusting after this Calvin Klein trench that was $2500. It’s now just $472. This Cushnie Et Ochs one-shoulder gown is something else at $350 from $2000, this Naeem Khan beaded dress is $870 from $2500 and this Caroline Constas mohair sweater is perfect for Winter and is just $121 from $500.

    Among the shoes, we found these Aquazzura velvet blue boots that are really quite perfect at $260 from $825, Saint Laurent pony hair cowboy boots are $500 from $1600 and ankle wrap velvet flats from The Row are $550 from $800. The extra discount doesn’t apply to many styles of bags and we suggest skipping that section altogether.

    Sizing is spotty on most clearance items. We would suggest sorting by size to avoid unnecessary disappointment. At this discount rate, it’s tempting to fantasize that an item will fit when it’s completely the wrong size. Don’t do it!

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    Sale Reminder: Stuart Weitzman, M. Missoni & More

    You don’t want to forget that Global Fashions starts it’s pre-holiday sale Monday morning. The sale will include an incredible selection of Stuart Weitzman shoes, M.Missoni and several high-end Italian designer brands, including couture.

    Discounts will range from 70% to 80% off. Shoes, bags, accessories, and jewelry will be reduced 70% off retail, designer clothing will be discounted 75% and couture will be 80% off. Expect to find full-size ranges of classic shoes and lots of covetable style bags. You can click over to see some pictures we shot during set-up and below are a few more just-in photos.

    Global Fashions Sample Sale
    Monday, November 5 through Thursday, November 8
    9am-6pm daily
    49 West 38th Street

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    Inside the Balenciaga Sample Sale

    Today the Balenciaga sample sale kicked off for employees and press. The sale is invitation only and the door policy is much stricter than we anticipated. You need to give your name and show state-issued ID. Fear not, all FOMO is misguided.

    Actually, we toyed with titling this post: ‘Everything you won’t find at the Balenciaga sample sale’ but listing all the disappointments would be redundant. There are no Speedtrainers, no Triple Ss, no Logomania items and there aren’t any City bags in any remotely nice colors. There was so much nothing that we actually left without purchasing a single item. The worst part is that prices are actually very good.

    So, if you were to breach security what would you find? You would see wallets in an unidentifiable print for $150. There are market bags with a ‘Puffer Print’ in extra large ($449) and small. We spotted a few City bags in Pepto Bismol pink and periwinkle both colors were priced at $399. Another style bag with a chain, which we never saw before is $350 and croc bags with a wire handle are $2999. (We couldn’t find links but you can see pictures over this way.)

    The prices for shoes are amazing but there are no styles worth buying. All women’s shoes, including boots, are $150 and men’s shoes and sneakers are just $99. We found extra pointy toe pumps with that puffer print and then a variety of rounded toe style shoes, boots, and booties with a floral print. The men’s sneaker options are the best of the bunch but we didn’t even see the guys jumping at the opportunity.

    The clothing is priced by category. Tops, knitwear, skirts, and pants are $99, blouses are $150, and jackets and dresses are $199. We saw some nice heavy tweed items, but most are impractical beyond the runway. There are stretch pants in purple, orange, green and black. Most other items are ill-fitting or strange prints.

    We would call this sale a huge bust. We wouldn’t be surprised if the entire inventory was outlet castoffs. The sale runs through Saturday. You’re welcome to try your luck at the door. It doesn’t look like any of this merchandise is going fast. Take a look at the pictures and let us know what do you think?

    Balenciaga Sample Sale
    Through Saturday, November 2
    Friday 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-3pm
    123 West 18 Street, 5th Fl

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    Shopping for Novembrrrr at Bloomingdales

    You might be able to wear white after Labor day but there is no way fur is acceptable before November. Guess what? It’s November, which means it’s time to get ready for Winter and revel in holiday season fashion.

    Our first destination is Bloomingdales, of course. There is really no place that is more convenient and has everything we need to stay warm and feel stylish. That includes all of our core needs.

    Have you checked out the great pieces from Karen Kane? Look at these faux leather leggings. They fit like a glove, feel great and are just $109. Mustard is the color of the season and this duster cardigan goes perfectly with those black leggings and it’s just $119. Another option is to pair those leggings with this cropped red puffer that’s only $168.

    One of our favorite Bloomindales tricks to shop online and pick up at the store. When you arrive, all of your purchases are in one place. That give you extra time  to linger at 40 Carrots!

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    Get Ready: Global Fashions Pre-Holiday Sample Sale

    You probably just started unwrapping your Halloween candy but those in the wholesale business are wrapping up the holiday business season. Global Fashions, which is the official luxury distributor for several Italian designer brands including couture items, will be opening its showroom to the public for a pre-holiday sample sale.

    If you’ve been to a Global Fashions sale before you probably know the treasures that behold. We got a sneak peak while the sale was being set up and can honestly say that this is the most incredible Global Fashions sale ever. Discounts will range from 70% to 80% off. Shoes, bags, accessories, and jewelry will be reduced by 70% off retail, designer clothing will be discounted 75%, and Couture will be 80% off.

    This is the first time Global Fashions has brought Stuart Weitzman to its sample sale customers and we have never seen such an amazing sale selection. The assortment includes all of the designer’s famous classics and they are all 70% off retail. Midland suede over-the-knee boots are just $240 from $800, slouchy boots are about $270 from nearly $900, and mid-calf stretchy suede boots are about $170 from $575. There are lots of 5050 options, legend pumps, and bags too. Take note, each person will only be able to purchase a maximum of ten pairs of shoes. (Click over to see pictures of some of the samples we spotted.)

    Another sale highlight is M.Missoni, which is discounted 75% off. We spotted a classic double-breasted wool coat reduced to $250 from nearly $1000 and a tweed jacket is $218 from $895. There are also lots of the designer’s famous knit dresses, sweaters, and skirts.

    Moving on to Global Fashions most popular feature, Rockstuds. Yes, there are a lot. We spotted all the classics heels and bags during set-up. There is black-on-black, bi-colored and even some tri-colored pumps and flats. There is also an entire section of red-box boots along the farthest back wall. You won’t want to miss the studded loafers and sneakers too. Among the bags, the are top-handle Glamlocks and camo totes. (You can stalk pictures of some of our favorites over here.)

    The couture is always what melts our hearts at these sales. We found a one-of-a-kind carwash style leather skirt with silver plates and there is even a matching bag. A coat that’s hand embroidered with bird and flower motifs is like a fine work of art and is priced at $2000 from $10,000. A maxi-pleated leather skirt with flower details is $2200 from $11,500 and a classic black dress with illusion not even $1500 from $4500. The sale also includes a full rack of furs that are some of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen. (Click for pics.)

    It’s pretty apparent that Global Fashions has really brought out the best-of-the-best. There is a great designer find for most every budget. This is a sale you’re not going to want to miss. Don’t tell us we didn’t warn you.

    Global Fashions Sample Sale
    Monday, November 5 through Thursday, November 8
    9am-6pm daily
    49 West 38th Street

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    Inside the Nicholas Kirkwood Sample Sale

    This morning, the Nicholas Kirkwood sample sale kicked off for VIPs and LVMH employees. The sale is taking place at the Warwick Hotel, just like Manolo Blahnik’s sample sale and offers discounts almost as good.

    Prices start at just $90 for flats and range up to $425 for shearling boots with a pearl heel. On most items, the markdown is between 50% to 80% off. In the early hours, there was an abundance of Kirkwood’s classic pointy-toe flats and mules priced at $90 from a retail range from $425 to $540. Styles vary in color and come in assortments of suede, leather, and patent leather.

    Mid-heel shoes are priced a little more expensively at $160 and high heels are $200. You can click over to see the full price list and pictures. All shoes are organized by size except for the most covetable Kirkwood styles, which are reserved near the entrance to the saleroom. That’s where you will find a lot of the most classic pieces including these Derby shoes with a pearl heel come in both silver and black and are priced at $309 from $995. This tall style is priced at $800 from $2760, this biker boot is $450 from nearly $2000 and these sneakers in white are $350. You can click over to see some pictures we grabbed surreptitiously at the sale.

    At noon, before the sale opened to the public, there was a line of about 50 people waiting. Take note, there will be no restocking and some of the best styles were disappearing fast. There is a hard limit of only 10 pairs per customer and only credit cards are accepted.

    Those out of town shouldn’t feel too disappointed, Nicholas Kirkwood often gets heavily discounted in department stores and boutiques. Keep an eye on sales at Fivestory and TheRealReal.

    Nicholas Kirkwood
    Tuesday, October 30 & Wednesday, October 31
    Tues 12pm-8pm, Wed 8am-5pm
    Warwick Hotel, 65 West 54th Street, 2nd Fl

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    Chanel’s Newest Price Hike

    Since the beginning of Madison Avenue Spy, we have been tracking the prices of Chanel bags. In doing so, we have created a rich archive of pricing history. As Chanel shoppers brace for yet another price increase, which is slated to take place on November 1, we thought we would take a look back at the way things were.

    The price of a Maxi Classic Chanel Jumbo bag will be $6700 on November 1, which is almost more than double the price it was in 2010. (You can see a chart of Chanel’s price history dating back to 2004 over here.)

    This season, most styles are increasing in price by about 6%. In the past, we’ve seen even steeper price jumps. Depending on the popularity of a particular style, bags have skyrocketed as much as 30% in a single year. Don’t fear, we were able to find lots of Chanel bags priced under $2000 browse through our above scroll to see what we found.

    Chanel generally evaluates prices in November and May. This year, we’ve seen upward price movement three times — May, July and now November. This is a record number of price increases. In between 2010 and 2011, there were two price increases. During that year, the cost of many bags vaulted $1000.

    In 2009, we proposed that Chanel was attempting to reach a similar price point of the coveted Hermes Birkin bag and it looks like they are making their way up there. Perhaps Chanel is simply staying ahead of other luxury brands? We have heard reports that handbags sales are starting to stagnate. This might not be the best time for a price jump. What do you think?

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