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    Where to Find Gucci on Sale

    I often get asked how we came up with the idea for Madison Avenue Spy. Frankly, it started at the register at the Gucci boutique on Madison Avenue. I was buying an item during the presale and the customer next to me was buying the same item for at full price.

    To me, it felt like an injustice. It was at that moment, that I realized that sale information should be shared on the internet so everyone could benefit from presales, private sales and VIP promotions. Since then, Gucci has changed designers three times and is currently reigning as the king of fashion.

    As brands find themselves at the top of a fashion trend cycle, it’s not uncommon for them to hide from markdown season. Last season, Gucci declared that its boutiques will no longer be participating in sale season or offering any customers any markdowns on any items. Instead, sale merchandise is being distributed among discount stores and outlets.

    Not all hope is lost if you’re planning on snagging some discounted Gucci. The key is looking for non-Gucci owned retailers. Unfortunately, Gucci controls most of the space in New York’s department stores. Shoes are the big exemption. We already highlighted all the Gucci shoes that are on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys. Bloomingdales also has it’s Gucci shoe selection on sale– stay tuned for pictures and prices.

    If you’re looking for a sale selection of Gucci bags, you’re going to have to be a bit more enterprising and identify retailers who sell Gucci but aren’t Gucci managed. The Gucci store in Boca is one good source or you can just head online. Right now, there are about two dozen Gucci bag styles posted in the sale section of the Saks website. Over this way, there is the Gucci Dionysus embroidered GG bag with the angry cat for $2786 from $3980, this red, white and blue top handle Dionysus is $2240 from $3200, a Willow Hill chain bag is about $2000 from $2980 and a laptop case is $400 from $590. Here is a link to all the sale shoes at Saks and there is still full size runs available. We suggest you act fast with this Saks sale because once news gets out stock will go fast. (Ah-hem).


    Neiman Marcus had a nice assortment of bags and shoes on sale but a lot of them have already sold out. You can still grab a green Jacquard Dionysys for $2240 from $3200 or this cubic pattern from last season for $3290 from $4700. Among the shoes, are a patent leather pair of classic loafers for $465 from $620, pool slides for $465 from $620 and Elaisa heels with a removable pearl bow are $1162 from $1550. There is also a small assortment of men’s clothing reduce 40%.

    If you can make your way to a Nordstrom that carries Gucci you might have some luck too. Online we found a few items that might be able to quench your thirst for sale Gs. Here is a pink Marmont that’s $1300 from $1950, a jeweled tiger shoulder bag is $2278 from $3400. There are some shoes still available but the assortment of children’s clothing is the most plentiful section.

    We added the contact information for sales associates who might be able to help if what you desire is already sold out online. We would also suggest keeping your eyes on the more traditional online retailers who sell Gucci. After all, not many brands can avoid for very long.

    Nordstrom: Selma 704-763-1146
    Saks: Jay 561-537-9468
    Neiman Marcus: Chiara 551-502-0465

    Kid’s Moncler, Trussardi, Simonetta & More to 90% Off

    We are in the heat of markdown season, but fortunately (or unfortunately), we have more responsibilities than just buying whatever we went for ourselves. Truthfully, is there anything sweeter than a finely dressed mini-me?

    World Wide Kidz is hosting a sample sale of gorgeous European childrenswear that’s all discounted between 60% and 90% off. Brands include Moncler, Dolce & Gabbana kids, Trussardi, Simonetta, Bébé Sweeney, Mimisol, Fay, Hilly’s, Bikkembergs and more. Sizes run from newborn to 16-years-old and include a variety that will finely suit your children for camp or a fancy occasion.

    For the tiniest of baby boys and girls, we found an assortment of gorgeous stetchies from Bébé Sweeny that are all priced at $25. Retail prices usually extend to more than double. A Trussardi one-piece with a matching bib is $33 and girl’s baby Moncler coat is $190. For bigger kids, we found a boy’s Dirk Bikkembergs blazer for $79, a Simonetta dress comes to just $63, boy’s Moncler shorts and swimsuits are about $50 and a variety of gorgeous Mimisol Summer skirts are $79. You can click through this way to see pictures from inside the children’s European Clothing sample sale.

    The sale is scheduled to run until the end of the month. We are told that there will be replenishments throughout the course of the sale. We suggest asking if you don’t find exactly what you want. You never know what can be hiding in an errant rack of kiddie clothing.

    World Wide Kidz
    Tuesday, May 22 to Friday, June 1
    10am-7pm daily
     605 Fifth Ave, 3rd Floor (one block from Saks)

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    Net-a-Porter Begins First Markdown

    Net-a-Porter’s started its first markdown this morning. The sale scales up to 50% off and this first markdown has a wide selection of designer brands. We even found some items discounted more highly than many department stores.

    Generally speaking, most popular bags styles are discounted 30% but there are some discount surprises. Here is a Valentino Rockstud Spike discounted 40% or $1677 from $2800 and we haven’t even seen this embellished style anywhere in stores. The same bags are only discounted 30% at Saks and Bergdorfs. Some other interesting sale items include this Fendi Zucca print Kan I that’s $2500 from $3600, a Prada ribbon bag is $1700 from $2860 or this YSL Monogram crossbody is $1400 from nearly $2000.

    If you’re looking for even more savings on a bag splurge you can grab this Off-White tote that’s reduced 50% to $640 from $1275 or this “Virgil” pouch is $300 from $600. This Danse Lente crossbody is only $$212 from $425.  Balenciaga market bags are also discounted 40% off, which beats out many other stores.

    Among the shoes and clothing, we think a Princess Di tribute tee is very appropriate at 40% off, this Calvin Klein collection trench is reduced by 50% but is still pricey, and a lot of the Prada collection is 40% off– including this illustration top. This Sacai denim dress is really cute and reduced 40% to $430 from $715.  Vetements logo shoes are reduced 50% but are unsurprisingly still over $500. None of the good styles from Ancient Greek have been discounted yet but these Fendi pool slides are reduced 50% to $350.

    Take note, some of the bags (shoes and accessories) included in this first wave of markdowns are from prior seasons. Expect to see more popular styles and brands added in during the second markdown, which will happen in the next two weeks.

    Bergdorf Goodman Presale Begins

    For the first time, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman will begin their first markdown on the same day. The official start of sale season for both retailers is Tuesday, but we’ve found that markdowns at Bergdorfs have already been put live online. That means that right now, you can start planning your wardrobe for the first weekend of unofficial Summer.

    The discount, at both stores, is up to 40% off. Most clothing is discounted 40% and shoes and bags are reduced 30%. The sale doesn’t officially start until Tuesday but Bergedorfs has some of their sale items live already.

    Take note, the first markdown includes Fendi, Prada, Balenciaga, Givenchy and more but you’ll have to wait until early June for Chanel and Louboutin.  Everyone in fashion is talking about Givenchy and you can snag an ombré Horizon bag for about $2100 from nearly $3000 and the Infinity Hobo is $1715 from $2450. A hobo bag from The Row is $2300 from $2150. A Valentino Rockstud Spike is $1956 from $2800, the Calvin Klein fringe bag is $1350 from $2250, and a Tom Ford shoulder bag is $1500 from $2400. We stumbled upon this Balenciaga doodle/ graffiti wallet that’s $486 from $700.

    Among the reduced shoes is an assortment of Prada. These Jacquard mules are $533 from $870, flats with the new sports strap are $474 from $790, and espadrilles are $342 from $570. Bergdorfs has the best selection of No21 shoes. A Gingham print mule is $434 from $620 and a palm tree print flat is $437 from $625.

    Among the clothing, we have our eyes set on this classic floral print from Erdem that’s $570 from $815,  this one-shoulder pleated blouse from Rosie Assoulin that’s $960 from $1600 and this mini-skirt from Thierry Mugler that is reduced to $276 from $790.

    We highly suggest that online shoppers start their shopping and editing right now. Many items are already discounted online and more will be trickling in over the course of the next day or two. Once news gets out, the best items will be gone very, very, very quickly.

    Contact BG: Jose 646-689-5601

    Saks Fifth Avenue Pre-Sale Begins

    We have a confession: It’s been two years since we’ve set foot in Saks Fifth Avenue. It’s a little hard to admit since luxury shopping is our job. In our defense, we didn’t think there was anything that we were missing but we were wrong.

    After a two-year hiatus, we were shocked by what we found. First, you have to see the new fifth floor. They call it “Advanced Designers” which could easily be mistaken for Anne Klien or Ellie Tahari but  the more accurate description would be the “Avant-Garde Designers.” Shoppers can find a full selection of street wear labels, like Alchemist, Unraveled, and Off-White, along with more experimental designers like  Rosie Assoulin, Delpozo, and Comme Des Garsons.

    The best part is that it’s presale time and most clothing items are now 40% off. Handbags are reduced between 30% and 40% off and most shoes are reduced 30% to 40%. The sale officially begins Tuesday, May 22nd, which means the discounts will then be available online too. This season, presale favors Sake Fifth Avenue credit card holders. If you don’t have a Saks card, the full amount will be charged now and the price difference will be credited once the sale officially begins and items ship.

    On the first floor, towards the escalators, is where you will find most of the sale bags. The biggest surprise was the selection of Loewe bags. A large Puzzle bag is $1710 from $2850 and the smaller size is $1470 from $2450. There are also plenty of Valentino white Rockstud Spike bags included in the markdown. Most of the selection is 30% off and a few older versions are discounted 40%. This “Belt Bag” comes to $1050 from $1500, a zip-around wallet in the same style is $577 from $825 and a the same style shoulder bag is $2240 from $3200. You can see pictures of most of the bags on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue using this link.

    Upstairs, on the eighth floor the sale selection is already set up on racks. We wish Saks would stop treating the sale shoe section as if it were an outlet. Shoes were already strewn all over the floor and it’s hard to feel good about $1000 shoes when the store isn’t treating them much better than dropped french fries. On the bright side, the assortment of sale shoes rival Barneys. The discount is between 30% and 40% depending on the style.

    Some of the highlights in the shoe department are the Roger Vivier slides with an oversized rhinestone buckle that come to $1250 from $875, Valentino Rockstud Spike pool slides are $507 from $725, and Manolo Hangisi satin flats are $668 from $995. Pictures of Saks’ sale shoes are just a click away. We also found assorted Gucci shoes thrown into the mix. These embroidered espadrilles are $378 from $630. We spotted these lace pumps discounted 40% and these fur lined Princetown loafers for $564 from $940. More of what’s on sale from Gucci is over this way.

    Remember, the sale goes live online on Tuesday. We always suggest stocking your cart in advance. It’s faster to pull the trigger if you have already done your final edit. If you’re still questioning whether you should actually go the store, you can always see pictures of practically everything we saw over in the jump.

    Handbags: Irina 212-940-2443
    5th Floor “Advance” Clothing: Marjorie: 646-552-7292

    Sale Update: Anya Hindmarch Prices Slashed

    The Anya Hindmarch sale ends Thursday evening but there is still time to grab one last item from the playful Brittish designer. Prices have all been slashed to 80% off. Remaining items include just a few oversized totes that now come to just $500 from $2500 and a small wallet is $80 from nearly $400. Click here to see pictures we took at the start of the Anya Hiundermach sample sale.

    Anya Hindmarch Friends & Family Sale
    Through Thursday, May 17
    9am-6pm daily
    49 West 38th Street

    Sponsored Mention

    FarFetch Private Sale 50% Off

    Farfetch is known for bringing the world’s most popular fashion boutiques, and local and emerging designers and brands to a single website. Usually, sales start a bit later on Farfetch because many of the origin boutiques are European. Excitingly enough, this week Farfetch launched its sale.

    The sale includes items for men, women, and children with discounts ranging up to 50% off. Take note, some of the more highly reduced merchandise is older and can be found for less at other retailers. Among the more current items, we found a Jacquemus skirt that is reduced 50% to $280 from $560, a pleated Stussy skirt is just $90 from $136, and this Benedetta Bruzziches princess bag is $590 from nearly $1000.

    When shopping Farfetch’s first markdown, our advice is to stick to the brands that aren’t easily found in the US or are already sold out. Be aware, most of the discounts aren’t as high as what you will find during the first markdown at most local stores.