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    Touring Bergdorf Goodman’s Presale +60 pics

    As you’re finalizing your Memorial Day plans, retailers are beginning to start their seasonal clearance. As always, we will be starting our markdown roundups. Today we slipped into Bergdorf Goodman to collect detailed presale intelligence.

    The discount at Bergdorf Goodman is 30% off on shoes and bags. Many clothing brands are marked down up to 40%. Presales can be shipped or picked up next week.

    This season, we are seeing a broader trend in department stores holding back select brands from the first markdown. Usually the big holdouts are Chanel and Louboutin. This season the embargo list at the Lavender Lady is much larger and includes the following labels: Tom Ford, Brunello Cucinelli, Robert Clergerie, Alexander McQueen, Malone Souliers, Valentina Carrano, Giorgio Armani, Mansur Gavriel, Celine, Christian Louboutin, Dior and Chanel.

    We don’t have an exact date when these brands will go on sale but we have heard June 9th thrown around. It should also be noted that the assortment of items that did go on sale seems to be very small. For example, denim Valentino bags with embroidered butterflies, from the spring collection, are not on sale–yet. Many seasonal Lanvin bags also haven’t been given the discount treatment. We wouldn’t be surprised if we saw more items added to the sale selection as the season continues.

    Some sale highlights include the Fendi selection. This classic Fendi 2Jours trimmed with bright yellow that comes to about $1500 from $2250 and this Micro Peekaboo is already on sale online ($1079 from $1550). The assortment of Saint Laurent bags also seems to be exceptional and includes lots of fringe style bags, like the small Cabas bag that’s about $1800 from $2600 and various colors of the monogram shoulder bags.

    Among the sale shoes, the most wanted items are lots of Aquazzura lace up flats and heels. Various suede flats come to $475 from $675. There is also a large sale selection from Saint Laurent including Tribute sandals in about a dozen colors. Trib platforms with 135mm heels come to $625 from $895. Denim Saint Laurent pumps are $450 from $645. The Valentino Rockstud sale selection is very small and includes wedge espadrilles that are reduced to $625 from $895 and red ballet flats that are $544 from $775.

    You can scroll below to see the sale items online or click here to see dozens of pictures of shoes and bags that are now on sale.

    Contact Doreen: 347-986-9483

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    Madison Ave Real Estate Changing Course (Again)

    Madison Avenue retailers seem to change as quickly as fashion trends. Most recently, we’ve noticed an abundance of vacant retail spaces that have left large gaping retail holes along the world-renowned Avenue.

    Despite economic strength(ish), it’s hard not to think back to the Great Recession of ’09 where entire blocks were basically empty. The chairman of retail leasing for Douglas Elliman and bonafide Madison Avenue real estate maven, Faith Hope Consolo warns, “Don’t even go there. It’s not the same at all.” Instead, she implors that Madison Avenue is a constant revolving door.

    Despite how the door swings, it’s hard not to take note of the larger spaces that have become available. There is Emporio Armani at 59th Street, DKNY at 60th Street, Donna Karan at 68th Street, Reed Krakoff at 70th Street and Joe Fresh at 80th Street. There are also several smaller spaces available located at the newly renovated Carlton House. Comptoir des Cotonniers and Lisa Perry have also recently exited.

    Rents on Madison in the 60s were as high as $2200 to $2800-a-square-foot but have backed down to $1500 to $1800-a-square-foot, Consolo says. “The numbers are still aggressive but landlords are readjusting their expectations. For the first time, in a long time, the landloards are listening. If there is a good tenant then they are listening and making deals.”

    When vacancies are left along Madison Avenue it’s not just an economic change but it’s also a quality of life issue. One local resident said, “It’s not like I shop in every store but when a store closes it leaves a gaping hole. I miss looking into the windows and seeing what’s new. Walking past blacked out windows and plywood is awful.”

    From 2009 until just recently, the big retail trend was contemporary brands taking luxury spaces on Madison Avenue. Many of these retailers are struggling as moderately priced fashion lines are falling out of favor. Shoppers appear to be willing to spend lots of money for uber-luxury labels and are also content settling for the cheap thrill from fast fashion. It’s the retailers that fall in between, or fashion’s version of the middle class, that are feeling the biggest squeeze.

    A spokesperson for the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District says that there have been 39 store openings and expansions in the last 10 months. “For every five [stores] that fall out there are six ready to fall in,” Consolo says.

    In 2015, we saw several jewelry and watch brands take smaller spaces in the 60s. The newest trend for retailers is leisure and sportswear along the lines of Lululemon and Sweaty Betty. In the future, we expect to see lots of beauty, cosmetic and fragrance brands taking smaller spaces in the 70s and 80s. Nars recently opened a space at 77th Street, Annick Goutal opened last year at 78th Street. We’ve heard rumblings that Blue Mercury, Sephora and the LVMH-owned Benfit beauty line are all shopping for a Madison Avenue presence.

    Rumors aside, shoppers can look forward to several exceptional brands swinging open their doors on Madison. Some of the most anticipated store openings for the second half of 2016 are Brioni, Acne, Elie Saab and The Row. You can click here to see more details about recent store openings, expansions and new developments.

    Openings Since January 2016
    Aquazzura, 935 Madison Avenue
    Aurélie Bidermann, 955 Madison Avenue
    De Beers Diamond Jewellers, 777 Madison Avenue
    Isabel Marant, 23 East 67 Street
    Lukurë, 1046 Madison Avenue
    Moynat, 937 Madison Avenue
    Opera Gallery, 791 Madison Avenue
    Saint James, 41 East 78 Street
    Smythson of Bond Street, 677 Madison Avenue
    Sonia Rykiel, 816 Madison Avenue
    Sweaty Betty, 1153 Madison Avenue
    The Met Breuer, 945 Madison Avenue

    Coming Soon
    Acne Studios, 926 Madison Avenue
    Brioni, 680 Madison Avenue
    Elie Saab, 860 Madison Avenue
    IRO, 1013 Madison Avenue
    Juice Press, 625 Madison Avenue
    Pinko, 1058 Madison Avenue
    The Row, 17 East 71 Street
    Vhernier, 738 Madison Avenue

    Recently Completed Major Retail Expansions
    Christian Louboutin, 965 Madison Avenue
    Di Donna Galleries, 744 Madison Avenue
    Giuseppe Zanotti, 806 Madison Avenue
    Jimmy Choo, 699 Madison Avenue

    Major Retail Expansions Currently Underway
    Bally, 689 Madison Avenue
    Bottega Veneta, 740 Madison Avenue
    De Beers Diamond Jewellers, 716 Madison Avenue
    Roland Mouret, 1006 Madison Avenue

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    Barneys Presale Begins With 40% Off

    Barneys shoppers can begin to presale for the first markdown starting Monday. The discount is 40% across the board– clothing, shoes and bags for men, women and children. Besides the outstanding selection, 40% discounts make Barneys the best department store to shop for Summer deals.

    Presales are akin to the “quiet period” before a company goes public. You can’t actually buy the merchandise but you can have your broker, oh sorry– sales person, hold your preferred items until the sale officially begins. Most stores take your credit card information and charge your account when the items ship or are picked up. Chanel, Alaia and Louboutin will not be marked down at any department store or boutique until the beginning of June.

    This season has been particularly a difficult time for retailers. Expect to find some unexpected items thrown into the sale pile. For example, Manolo Haganisi heels in various colors are included in this seasons’ markdowns. Also expect to find lots of Valentino, Givenchy and Saint Laurent classics. Stay tuned for more details of what’s included in the first markdown. For now, you can browse some of our favorites below.

    Barneys’ sales associates aren’t always forthcoming with presales. If there is an item you want to secure, we suggest that you give your name and number to the respective brand associate and have them call you when the discount becomes available. You can usually expect a call within hours of leaving the store.

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    Gucci Four-Day Private Sale

    Retail sales have had a difficult year, except for a very select group of fashion brands that are white hot. Gucci happens to be one of these exceptions, as Alessandro Michele has turned the nearly extinct Italian brand into a fashion stallion.

    For the past couple of years, Gucci had just one markdown at various times surrounding Memorial Day. Last year, was practically a fire sale as the company divested itself of merchandise from previous resident designers. This sale season is going to be much, much different.

    Inside sources tell us that Gucci boutiques, and the spaces Gucci leases within department stores, will host a four day sale. The private sale will begin on Wednesday, May 18. Clothing from this past season’s collection will be reduced 30%, while seasonal style shoes and handbags will be reduced 40%.

    Manhattan-bound Gucci shoppers can shop the discounts at the brand’s three boutiques– Trump Towers, Madison Avenue and Brookfield Place. Department store leased spaces include the Gucci ready-to-wear and handbag department at Saks Fifth Avenue (not shoes) and the Gucci handbag department at Bloomingdales.

    We are told that these four days will be the only discount opportunity offered by Gucci. After Saturday, the merchandise will be returned to full price and shipped out of stores when the season ends. The sale schedule on non-leased Gucci merchandise– Bergdorf Goodman, Saks shoe salon and Barneys– are up to the individual stores.

    We suggest that Gucci fans quickly contact with a reliable sales person to assist in securing your desired items. There will also be an online sale but we aren’t sure of the dates. Stay tuned for updates.

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    Spring Markdowns: Saks 60% Off

    The Saks Glam Gardens have bloomed once again. What’s become an annual botanical explosion, includes over 1000 handmade artisanal paper flowers, 120 boxwood topiaries and 10 full-grown climbing trees that create a striking display outside and throughout the store.

    Beauty participants include Dior, Chanel, Nars, Jo Malone, Lancome and more. The displays will be open through May 24. When you’re done smelling the roses you’re going to want to click over to the contemporary sale that’s posted right here. (For some reason it’s not available going through the homepage.) There, you will find lots of spring items for 60% off.

    This Sonia by Sonia Rykiel tweed jacket is $275 from $460, a Tamara Mellon fringe skirt is $300 from $750 and a Christoper Kane top is $450 from $1145.

    The bag and shoe selection isn’t very exciting. If you just wait two weeks, there will be lots of exciting news to discuss. We promise!

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    Nancy Gonzalez Sample Sale VIP Access

    Nancy Gonzalez is hosting her bi-annual sample sale where her famous exotic skin bags will be significantly reduced. The sale doesn’t open to the public until Monday, May 16 but Madison Avenue Spy readers will be given VIP access.

    Shoppers can attend the pre-sale  on Sunday by giving a $36 donation, which will go to New York Cancer Center. Please
    email us here     if you would like to attend. If you can’t make it to the sale preview, readers who RSVP will be given the opportunity to cut the line throughout the sale.

    Space is limited and you must RSVP to access these VIP perks. There will be a guest list at the door on Sunday. The remaining dates of the sale are open to the general public.

    We are told that this season’s sale will have more merchandise than ever before. Past Gonzalez sample sales include an impressive inventory of exotic styles and colors. The prices at the last sale were almost as impressive as the assortment of merchandise starting at just $500.

    This sale is always very popular and can be quite chaotic. We suggest that serious Nancy Gonzalez shoppers should take advantage of this VIP-shopping opportunity.

    Nancy Gonzalez Sample Sale
    VIP Shopping: Sunday, May 15 from 12pm-5pm
    Public shopping: Monday, May 16 through Wednesday, May 18
    Mon 9am-6pm, Tues 10am-6pm, Wed 10am-4pm
    37 West 57th Street, 9th FL

    Sponsored Post
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    Here, Kitty Kitty (Charlotte Olympia)

    Charlotte Olympia is kicking off the markdown season with a private presale. Shoes and bags from this past spring and summer collections are now marked down 50%.

    There is a huge assortment of merchandise included in presale. Just remember, the store only has one size of each item. You can browse through the sale assortment using this link. Some of our favorite styles include the leopard kitty slippers (and bag), pouty lips bag and this classic platform Dolly pump.

    The boutique will not allow any holds. All sales are final and orders called in over the phone must be secured by payment. Take note, that link is just a cross section of the sale offerings. Yes, there’s a lot.

    Harlina 212-744-1842
    harlina.senfleur@charlotteolympia.com

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    Bonpoint Summer Sample Sale

    Bonpoint is the go-to brand for children’s luxury clothing, shoes and accessories. And while kids are the go-to ambassadors for destroying most anything, it’s still our job to keep them looking civilized. We sometimes dare to indulge and teach them to appreciate the value of quality.

    Today we were invited to get an early sneak peak of Bonpoint’s sample sale before it opens to the public on Wednesday. Loyal boutique and sample sale fans will be pleased to know that everything about this sale is almost identical to prior sales. The discount is a straight 60% off. Sizes range from fresh-out-of-the-oven to I’m-getting-too-old-for-this-look. There are even some items for adults.

    Almost all of the merchandise is for the Summer season, along with some button downs and sweaters that will serve you well into fall. Personally, we always favor the winter sale for the luscious coats and beautiful boots. Everything about Summer requires less formality and doesn’t require the same variety of luxe clothing.

    One of the differentials of this year’s sale is that are a lot of size twos and threes, which tend to be the smallest selection and quickest to go. There was also a large assortment of newborn merchandise. Expect to find the classics, like button down shirts and huge selection of girls sandals in a lot of sizes.

    Recently, we’ve noticed that Bonpoint is mixing in a few trends with their classics. For example there were a lot of chambray shirts, for both boys any girls. There are a lot of trendy cute jackets for the Spring (or Fall) and printed tees. Click here to see some pictures from inside.

    Bonpoint Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 11th through Thursday, May 12th
    Wed 9am—7pm, Thu 9am—3pm
    Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W 18th St (btwn 6th & 7th Ave), 5th FL

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