Madison Avenue Spy

Shhhh: The Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale Goes Public

April 24, 2018

We love Spring in New York– the cherry blossoms, the Park Avenue tulips, and yes, the Manolo Blahnik sample sale. Our sources tell us that this year’s Spring sample sale will open to the public on Thursday, April 26th. As is tradition, the second-floor salon of the Warwick Hotel will be the site of the event.

This sample sale is a bi-annual highlight for shoe lovers. As you can imagine, the wait time can be worse than the line at DMV. We usually prefer the boutique sales, even if prices are a bit more expensive. (Those who can’t make it to the sale can shop an assortment of brand new discount Manolos from the scroll above. We even found a Manolo shoe horn.)

Those who are up for the Manolo sample sale challenge, should expect to take a number and wait, and wait, and wait. The really nice thing about this sale is that you can leave and come back once you get your lucky numbered ticket. Take note, that the sale opens at 11am and will close when inventory begins to run low. In past years, that was at about 3pm to 4pm.

We expect that prices will run along the same lines as last season. Plain shoes, including leather, suede satin, and printed fabric start at $125 and go up to $150. Shoes with embellishments like glitter and studs were priced $175. Boots started at $200 for basic versions and went up to $400 for over-the-knee styles. (You can click here to see our post from last season’s Manolo Blahnik sample sales or head this way to see our complete guide on shopping the Manolo sample sale.)

Over the past few seasons, the assortment has been dwindling as result of VIP resellers, hoarders and other company modes of liquidation. We are keeping our fingers crossed that this sale is better than the past several seasons. Momma needs new Manolos!!!

If you attend the sale, please keep us all posted in the comment section below.

Manolo Sale Sample Sale
Thursday, April 26th
Sale opens: 11am and closes when the inventory dwindles (usually 3pm – 4pm)
The Warwick Hotel, 54th Street and 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Cash only!

Madison Avenue Spy

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The IT-It: Danse Lente Handbags

April 24, 2018

No surprise there is a new hot bag this season. What will shock you, however, is the sticker price.

Danse Lente is a London-based handbag brand that has become adored by the fashion set for its sleek and minimalist designs that are inspired by architecture and art. The bags are versatile, functional, and timeless.

Did we mention the price? Almost all styles are under $500, which has made Danse Lente even more desirable among Birkin buddies and Chanel cronies. Londoners quickly snatched up all the available adjustable-strap Bucket Bags ($495) and architecturally striking Johnny shoulder bags ($385) early this Spring.

Once the UK-inventory was gone, the Europeans set their eyes on the US stock, which evaporated almost immediately. Once New Yorkers caught on, waiting lists started to grow. After nearly two months of waiting, Danse Lenta bags are finally back in stock but the inventory is going very fast. MyTheresa, Net-A-Porter and, Farfetch are all pretty well stocked online. Some popular color combinations are already sold out.

If you want to see the bag in person, in New York, you can go to Bergdorf Goodman or FiveStory. The big benefit of buying online is that you don’t have to pay New York sales tax and you save on cab fare.

Bergdorf Goodman: Alexa 646-254-2787
FiveStory: Rob 917-406-8456

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The IT-It

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Inside: M. Missoni Sample Sale & More

April 23, 2018

Today kicked off the M. Missoni sample sale, which features a large variety the designer’s famous zig-zag knit patterns. The sale also includes an assortment of Red Valentino and a limited amount of new Rockstuds. Discounts for M. Missoni are 70% off, Red Valentino is 75% off clothing and bags, shoes, and accessories are 70% off.

Click here to see lots of pictures of the M. Missoni samples. Don’t forget to mention Madison Avenue Spy and to access the upstairs showroom.

M. Missoni Sample Sale

Monday, April 23 through Thursday, April 26

9am-6pm daily

49 West 38th Street

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Forzieri VIP Sale: 40% Off

April 23, 2018

We are still a few weeks away from the official beginning of pre-sale season. That doesn’t mean some retailers won’t begin enticing customers with strategic markdowns.

Right now, Forzieri started a designer sale with new markdowns of up to 40% off retail. Use the code VIPSALE at checkout to engage the discount. Among the newest markdowns is merchandise from Gucci, Balmain, Fendi and Versace.

We found a classic print Versace scarf reduced 20%, which brings the total price to about $300 from $375. Men’s ties are about $130 from $165 and there is only one left in this gold and black print. Balmain white leather sneakers are reduced to about $600 from nearly $1000. Christopher Kane bags are discounted 40%. This Devine Og bag, which has a utility-type buckle, comes to $600 from nearly $1000.

The discounts on the Fendi bags aren’t very good but if you’re going for a “must-have now” even 15% off helps. You’d probably be better off going for a JW Anderson Pierce handbag in a similar color blue, which is discounted 30% off and comes to $1022 from $1459.

The sale runs through the end of the month and ends on April 30. Before you finish shopping, don’t forget to browse the housewares. We are always suckers for anything Alessi, especially if it’s on sale.

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First Ever M Missoni Sample Sale

April 20, 2018

We are still wishing for warmer weather but for now we will just shop for Summer until warmer temperatures prevail. Missoni, like no other designer, makes us think of the beaches of Ibiza and St. Tropez. As luck would have it, M. Missoni is having it’s first ever dedicated New York sample sale, hosted by Global Fashions.

We caught an early preview of the sale and couldn’t be more excited for days filled with beach, sand and lots of zig-zag. Clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories are discounted 70% off and select items are even discounted 80%. Some of the items that caught our eye were a woven maxi dress with a deep v-neck that comes to $360 from $1195, a shorter sun dress is $210 from $695, and a classic zig-zag weave cardigan is $240 from $795. (You can catch pictures of what we found in the jump.)

Among the accessories there are lots of shoes and bags. Most shoes are about $150 from a retail price of $495. Bags are normally around $595 but are reduced to somewhere around $180. (You can see pictures in the jump.)

The sale only runs for four days. Global Fashions also works with Valentino, so be sure to check out what new items that may have come into the shop.

M Missoni Sample Sale
Monday, April 23 through Thursday, April 26
9am-6pm daily
49 West 38th Street

Pregaming: Getting Ready for Spring Markdowns

April 19, 2018

All these April showers has everyone looking forward to Summer. That means planning your strategy for Summer sale-ing. For the past few weeks, we’ve seen a plethora of gift card promotions and friends and family sales galore. Coming up this weekend, your set to see a bevy of contemporary brands start discount promotions.

The Neiman Marcus, First Call begins Thursday and shoppers can save up to 40% off regular priced merchandise. Our first purchase will most definitely be a denim skirt with raw edges. This version from 7 for All Mankind is long enough to cover the basics but short enough to keep it interesting.

Over at Bergdorf Goodman, the F5 collections will hit 40% off on April 26. For now, you can take advantage of the current promotion, were all sale items are reduced an additional 20% off. This IRO dress is rescued to $121 from $600, Fendi sunglasses are $141 from $400 and an Alice % Olivia blouse is $82 from $300.

Contemporary fashion mecca, Bloomingdales has already started toying with markdowns. Starting on April 22 you will start seeing lots of ‘up to 40% off’ promotions and then a savings of $25 off every $100. We find that the Bloomingdales designer exclusives are especially good. Check out this crochet dress with applique or how about some Spiritual Gangster rainbow vibes.

We are still waiting to hear about the contemporary markdowns at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys but we will keep you posted. As for premium designers, presales usually begin the week before Memorial Day and sale officially breaks after the holiday weekend. Stay tuned!

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You’re Invited: Lanvin Private Sample Sale 90% Off

April 17, 2018

Lanvin certainly isn’t the same without Albert Elbaz but that makes shopping past season’s fashion even more fun. Yesterday, Lanvin started a private, invitation only sample sale and today the company decided to open the sale to Mad-Spy readers only.

The invite above will give you exclusive access to one of our favorite sample sales of the season. Of course, we love this sale because the discounts are great. Clothing is reduced 90% off retail and all other items are discounted 80%. The other reason we love this sale is because of the amazing staff. The sale is very well organized and the sales people are among the sweetest we’ve ever encountered. Going to the Lanvin sale is like attending private bi-annual reunion.

To be totally truthful, the merchandise selection isn’t as amazing as some past sales. There are no bags, shoe sizes are very limited and the jewelry selection is tiny. That being said, we spotted a dreamy wedding gown that comes to about $2200 from $22,000. We spotted this white dress that comes to $400 from about $4000, there was also this jacquard pattern in different styles and some basic a-line dresses. We also found this exact animal print strapless style from 2015, which is very Elbaz.

There is also a great assortment of merchandise for men. We suggest that everyone grab a few bow-ties. You can’t go wrong for $25.

The sale runs through Wednesday. We don’t expect any additional markdowns, but really, how much more can prices be slashed?

Madison Avenue Spy

Lanvin

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Neiman Marcus Discounts Reach to 80% Off

April 17, 2018

Over the past few weeks, Neiman Marcus has been adding lots of designer merchandise to it’s most reduced category. The discounts top 75% to 80% off and the store just started a promotion where a portion of sale merchandise is marked an additional 20% off.

Upon browsing, we found a Gucci Bomber jacket already reduced 80% off and with the extra markdown it comes to just $640 from $3200, a Brandon Maxwell cocktail dress is $460 from $2300 and an Alexander McQueen iris print blouse is $378 from $1900. The discount among the shoes isn’t quite as high and sizes are scarce but it still makes sense to cherry pick. Chloe fringe sandals are $254 from about $800 and Fenty heels are $156 from $390.

The Neiman Marcus promotion started today and will run through Friday. We suggest you take advantage while the opportunity presents itself. The next big sale won’t come until mid-May, when first designer markdown begins.

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Neiman Marcus

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