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    Inside the Bonpoint Sample Sale

    The Bonpoint sample sale doesn’t officially start until tomorrow but there was a line of more than 50 people when we arrived immediately before the sale opened. This season’s sale is almost identical to past sales season’s, except that there seems to be less inventory than usual.

    All of the  merchandise at the Bonpoint sample sale is at set 60% off the retail sticker. That means that more formal dresses, which are normally priced in the $400-range are reduced to $260-ish. More casual dresses are about $200 in the boutique and come to about $80 at the sale. Boy’s trousers are about $60 from $150 and collared shirt comes to $48 from $120.

    The majority of the inventory appears to be from the spring 2013 collection. The most plentiful selection is within the shoe departmental Sizes range from itty-bitty to a size 38. Girl’s patent mary janes are about $140 from $220 , sandals are $85 from $220 and canvas derby shoes are about $80 from $120.

    Sorting through the clothing, there is almost something for everyone. The only exception is those looking to fit a child who wears a size two or three. If this is the case, we might suggest skipping the sale completely. There is almost nothing. The best selection is for infants. You can furnish an entire layette with sample sale Bonpoint if you choose.

    The sale also includes accessories, swimwear, sun hats, pajamas, jackets and sweaters. Most of the shoppers were loading up full bags of merchandise. So we suggest that Bonpoint shoppers head over quickly and those who aren’t can find lots of success at Zara kids.

    Bonpoint Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 14 & Thursday, May 15
    Wed 9-7, Thurs 9-3
    The Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street (btwn 6th & 7th Ave), 5th FL

    Walter Steiger’s Big Sample Sale

    Walter Steiger’s sample sales have become legend among fashion insiders and shoe lovers. The assortment is great and the prices are amazing. Usually, this sale is closed to the public but this season — everyone is invited.


    Starting Wednesday, all shoppers are welcome to the company’s showroom to browse though a variety of Walter Steiger products from the fall and spring collections. We are told that a majority of the selection is comprised of the designer’s iconic heels, boots and wedges. Prices range from $50 to $350 but there are also deals that consist of two pairs for just $50.


    The sale runs through Friday but organizers request that you RSVP for an appointment. You can send an RSVP to showroomnyc@waltersteiger.com with your preferred date and time.


    Walter Steiger Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 14 through Friday, May 16
    10am to 5pm
    325 Fifth Avenue @ 32nd St, Suite 38A
    RSVP showroomnyc@waltersteiger.com or 917-338-6413


    Sponsored Post

    Inside the Best Ever Louboutin Sample Sale

    You might need an invite and a confirmed RSVP to get into the Christian Louboutin sample sale but that didn’t stop our spies from getting inside. This morning, we infiltrated the super VIP sale and have can report that “this is the best sale yet.”

    This season, the Louboutin sale has moved across the street from the designer’s showroom to a larger ground floor retail space. The merchandise is organized into three different sections– women’s shoes, women’s bags and men’s shoes. The larger space makes it much easier to shop and try on shoes.

    While shopping the first VIP day of the sale, our spy spotted Stephanie March (of Law and Order fame). Thankfully, she wasn’t hoarding shoes by the dozen, unlike past celebrity encounters.

    The highlight of the sale is undoubtedly the broad selection of wearable and basic shoes. Usually, the Louboutin sample sale is overstocked with quirky and wacky designer niche shoes. This season, however, the inventory consists of lots of basics such as Pigalle pumps and peep toes in a variety of colors, including nude. There are also a Pigalle spikes in a variety of colors. The sale has a nice assortment of wedges, sandals and a large variety of flats.

    The prices are the same as they have been for the past several seasons. Most of the stock falls within the $300 “blue sticker” range. There is a $250 “yellow sticker” category but nobody was lucky to find anything that inexpensive. Jeweled encrusted, Strass, are intermixed with the rest of the stock and are among the most expensive styles at $500 a pair. Some of the most popular shoes at the sample sale were the Yacht shoes with spikes, which look like Topsiders with … spikes and Intern flats, which look like smoking slippers with … spikes. The sale also has an assortment of Galias, which resemble common espadrilles with crest patches.

    The best selection is within the size 39s and 40s and the smallest selection is the half sizes. Those with the very smallest of feet will also find a healthy assortment of choices. Those who don’t fall into either of these size extremes, will still find plenty of shoes but may not have as many options.

    The bag selection is larger than usual. A majority of the inventory is from this past winter collection and contains oversized totes with spikes, clutches, iPad cases with spikes and spiky wallets. There was also a nice selection of Sweet Charity bags, which are the mini shoulder bags with a bow closure.

    Our spies didn’t notice very much hoarding but there were a few shady shoppers who were asked to leave after getting caught swapping price stickers. This season, sample sale customers are limited to five pairs of shoes and two bags. The sales help is very sweet and helpful but the lack of air-conditioning was a huge complaint.

    Sometimes, the sacrifice of air-conditioning is the price one must pay for discounted Louboutins. You can click here to see a few haul pictures from the sale.

    Christian Louboutin Sample Sale
    Through Friday, May 16
    Daily 9am to 5pm, Fri. 9am to 3pm
    311 W. 38th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Ave.)

    Carlos Miele Closing Sale, 80% Off

    Carlos Miele is closing his boutique in the Meatpacking District and is selling out his past inventory for 80% off retail. The Brazillian designer, who is best known for his striking red-carpet designs, has plans to open a new boutique on Madison Avenue but has not yet identified the ideal space.

    The 14th Street boutique will remain open until all the merchandise is sold or the lease ends on June 1. Right now, is the ideal time to get your personal red carpet gown at a huge savings. Everything in the store is 80% off and there are hundreds of gorgeous gowns that are prime for picking.

    Most of the designer’s full length dresses retail between $2000 and $5000 but can be had for a reduced price ranging from about $400 to $1000. Cocktail dresses mostly retail for under $1000 and after the discount,  come out under $200.

    Among the sale merchandise is this eye catching mini-rouched patterned blue gown from the resort 2013 collection. It’s price is about $800 after the discount. There is also a large assortment of gowns from the spring 2013 collection. This gown worn by June Ambrose to the American Ballet Spring gala is reduced to $1000 from $5000. The dress also comes in white and could be a perfect wedding gown (size 38).

    Girls looking for the right prom dress, will also do very well at this sale. The quality is much better than most anything you would find in an average department store and the sale prices are comparable to a contemporary evening wear brand. One shopper, on Sunday, picked a red gown for a white tie wedding and another shopper was purchasing sheer bolaro tops for $50 to wear over tees.

    You can click the jump link to see pictures of the available merchandise. Keep in mind that all sales are final and some dresses are as old as 2008. The good thing is that formal evening wear is pretty classic and there aren’t may items that look dated.

    Luciana 646-336-6642

    10 Things Mom Really Wants For Mother’s Day

    Forget about Proflowers and their crazy shipping charges. Macaroons are yummy but it takes too much exercise to work off the indulgence. The Chanel price hike makes even the Wallet on the Chain bag less desirable. Hermes is overcrowded and low on stock. So how do you show appreciation for the woman with the highest expectations?

    Trust us, it’s not so easy but the right gift isn’t impossible. The key is balancing not spending too much while finding something she will appreciate. Below are 10 solid gift ideas that are sure to put a smile on any mother’s face and let her know how much you love her. (Hint: If you’re ordering online, paste a photo of the item in a greeting card.)

    Henri Bendel Bikini Bag–great for wet bathing suits ($38)
    Limited-Edition David Yurman Aluminum Bracelet ($350)
    Play by Comme des Garcones Chuck Taylor Sneakers ($100)
    Disaster Designs Make-up Bag ($25)
    Gucci Cuff ($1365)
    Ostwald Helgason Jeff Koons-Like Sweatshirt ($156)
    Rosie Assoulin Dramatic Silk Top ($2400)
    Eddie Parker Confetti bag ($1200)
    Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge fragrance ($210)
    Doodler 3D Printing Pen ($100)

    Charlotte Olympia Secret Presale

    Charlotte Olympia is kicking off the markdown season with a very secret presale. Shoes and bags from this past winter, along with the current spring and cruise collections will be marked down 50%.

    Man Repeller

    Our leak sent us pictures of the entire sale collection– and there’s a lot. The sale merchandise includes more than 200 shoes and bags. Shoppers will be able to choose from a variety of Kitty slippers including these, these and the version that come with a pouch and sleeping mask in black, red, pink and blush.

    The sale selection also includes a variety of playful bags, such as the Chatterbox rotary-phone style bags, the arm candy “For Keeps” bag, Gummi Bear clutches and a several of Pandora clutches.

    The boutique will not allow any holds. All sale items must be secured by payment and can be retrieved starting Monday. We couldn’t post pictures of the entire sale selection but you can click on the jump link to see a few of our favorite items.

    Harlina 212-744-1842

    The Best $10 You’ll Spend All Month

    We have to admit that we have been a bit slow to pick up on the Uniqlo craze. We aren’t exactly starved of inexpensive basics. Initially, it was the light ultra-light down jackets that got us into the store. They are the perfect layering item, which was incredibly useful this past winter.

    As the entire family enjoyed their colorful jackets, it didn’t take us long to start exploring other departments of the store. The next logical stop was the children’s department. The pajamas were a huge hit with the little ones and they couldn’t get enough. (These kiddy jammies are now reduced to $8.) While posting a huge online order, this week, we started clicking around and found women’s ultra stretch color jeans in the sale section for $10 from $40. For $10, we had to try these brightly colored jeans.

    For clarity, these pants are less of a denim and more of a stretch cotton jegging. The fit is great and they come in a rainbow of bright colors. While the fabric weight might be a bit too heavy in a matter of a few weeks, they are perfect for these cool Spring days. These skinny pants will also be very useful to have during cool summer nights by the ocean.

    We don’t usually find $10 items that we like so much as these jeans and had to share the find. Let us know of other hidden Uniqlo gems. With some items, it’s hard to tell if they are cheap-cool or just cheap-junk.

    Madison Avenue: Ins & Outs

    The retail stores on Madison Avenue seem to change as
    quickly as fashion. It’s almost impossible to keep up with all the ins and outs
    along our favorite shopping corridor. As the Park Avenue tulips come into full
    bloom, however, it seems a reasonable time to take inventory of the comings and
    goings of some of our favorite retail destinations.




    Unlike any other retail corridor in the world, Madison
    Avenue remains unique as it is the only luxury destination that’s intimately
    tucked within a residential community. One of the more noticeable changes this
    year, is the renovation of several residential buildings with prime retail
    space. The Carlton House at 61st Street, The Marquand at 68th Street and the
    Whitney brownstone project at 74th Street are all undergoing huge renovations,
    says Matthew Bauer, president of the Madison Avenue Business Improvement
    District.

    As these new condos achieve success we wouldn’t be surpassed
    to see many more developers invest in updating the residential spaces along
    Madison Avenue, while updating the commercial properties too. We are looking
    forward to these the completion of these projects to see what new ventures come
    our way.

    For now, here is an update of what Madison Avenue stores
    have closed, are coming soon and have recently opened.

    Just Opened
    Peter Elliot at the Carlyle
    Roundabout Consignment
    Kent & Curwen

    Coming Soon
    A. Lange & Sohne
    Givenchy
    Madewell
    Nars
    Officine Panerai
    Paul Morelli
    Philipp Plein
    Qela
    Rena Lange
    Roland Mouret
    Santori
    Tomas Maier

    Closed
    Ann Ahn
    Brian Atwood
    Cesare Paciotti
    Domenico Vacca
    Girard-Perregaux
    Juicy Couture
    Mauboussin
    Moga
    Samantha Thavasa
    Swarovski
    Zig Zag