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    Pre-Sale Barney’s, Bergdorf & Saks

    Memorial Day is traditionally known as the first day of the summer season but it’s also the start of sale season. As always, we will be starting our markdown roundups. Department stores usually kick-off the retail sale season with boutiques following closely behind. It’s generally taboo for a brand-owned store to begin a sale before the department stores. After all, a department store has to buy their inventory for a wholesale markup while a brand-owned boutique keeps the extra profit from a straight-to-retail model.

    This week, is a big week for presales. Presale season 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 you pick them up.

    In all instances, Chanel and Louboutin will not be marked down at any department store or boutique until the beginning of June. Nonetheless, it’s never too early to plot your purchases and share your acquisition wishes with a good sales person. Second markdown usually begins at the end of June and discounts usually range from 50% to 70% off.

    For now, we have a roundup of first markdowns at our favorite department stores:

    Barneys
    Pre-sale at Barneys starts Tuesday. Most designer collections and shoes will be discounted 35% off. The official sale starts May 28th. We are happy that the store was a bit restrained with the uber-print trend. We suggest you do the same. Most designers won’t be making such bold statements next season.
    Contact: Kyri 212-833-2088

    Bergdorf Goodman
    Wednesday will be the first day of pre-sale at Bergdorf. The discount is 30% off shoes and 40% off clothing. Purchases will be shipped or available in the store on Sunday, May 26. We are fully committed to purchasing an Alaia dress this summer but we still might have to wait until the next markdown.
    Contact: Allison: 212-872-8732

    Saks Fifth Avenue
    Pre-sale orders will begin Wednesday and merchandise will be available to be picked up or shipped after the holiday weekend. Shoes will start at a 30% discount while clothing will be discounted 40%. Most designer merchandise is included. We always appreciate the Vionnet collation at Saks, although we believe it could be a bit larger.
    Contact: Fifth Avenue Club (Eric) 212-753-4000

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    Lisa Perry Groovy Sample Sale

    Lisa Perry is hosting a sample sale in the back of her Madison Avenue boutique where her mod and pop designs are between 70% and 90% off. The sale started yesterday and you can be sure that these great looking pieces not hang around for long.

    With discounts so high we couldn’t resist checking out the sale ourselves and we are so happy that we did. The back of the store is filled with mostly spring and summer samples with a scattering of heavier wool pieces. Sample size four and six dresses, range from $200 to $300 and most skirts and tops are $200. A black long sleeved wool dress with turquoise circles is $300 as is a gray, black and chartreuse dress. A black and white vinyl and wool raincoat is $200 and a red and blue cotton sleeveless shift with circle pockets is $200.

    In addition to the four racks of samples there are two racks of overstock, which contain items in larger size runs that are priced about 70% off. For example, we found purple leather bomber jacket for $418 from $1395.

    Our favorite section is always the little girl’s dresses. Kid’s samples are $50 and the open stock is under $70. The children’s sample size is a 4/5 but there are some summer sleeveless dresses and size two dresses in larger size runs. Our favorite items are a baby black dress with silver circle pockets for $50 and a black shift with multi colored circles for $500 too.

    Before heading out don’t miss the  home accessories table at the far right of the room. We couldn’t resist the vinyl cupcake pillowcases priced at $10 from $125 and a logo messenger bag for $30. The accessories table also included the famous gumball necklace and pear change purses for $5. Under the accessories table there is an assortment of designer bedding where a queen set with shams was priced at $225.

    You can check out more pictures from our groovy shopping trip, right this way.

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    Christian Louboutin Sample Sale Hauls

    The Christian Louboutin sample sale has been running since Monday and insiders, press and friends and family have been shopping away in the designer’s showroom. Those who didn’t receive invites or don’t have three hours to spend waiting in line can only imagine what’s on the other side of those elevator doors.

    Good thing for social media because you don’t have to imagine. Today we curated a showcase of shoppers’ hauls. It’s virtual eye candy. Enjoy!

    (You can click here to see a lot more pictures.)

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    Silver and Gold at the Buccellati Sale

    By ManhattanMataHari

    If are in need of some ultra luxurious giftware or jewelry that will impress even the most refined taste, the Buccellati sample sale should be on your radar. The famed Italian jewelry designer makes approximately 3,000 pieces of jewelry per year, 500 or so of which are one-of-a-kind pieces. Their exclusivity and quality workmanship contributes to their hefty retail prices.

    Buccellati rarely goes on sale and holds its value extremely well; we couldn’t resist the opportunity to scoop up sterling tablewear, hollowware, flatware and gifts for around a 50% cut. Inside the sale we found lovely sterling candlesticks mostly priced between $6,000 and $12,000. The most impressive piece, however, was a huge sterling serving tray discounted just over 50% to $20,000 from $44,200. A large silver ice bucket is now $4,200 from $9,000. The sale also includes some more wallet-friendly gift ideas. Small grape dishes are on sale for $425 from $850.

    If you’re interested in gifts for yourself you will be happy to find jewelry discounted about 40% off retail. Their impressive selection of signature flower blossom necklaces in silver are priced from $575 to around $1000. Most of the 14K yellow gold collection and watches are still pricey, ranging from $15,000 to $80,000. Who can honestly pass up a yellow gold flower blossom necklace at the relative bargain price of $21,000 from $35,000?

    The sale also includes a good selection of brooches and a small selection of rings, earrings and bracelets. As you can see, Buccellati is big pucks but these items really hold their value when you’re making purchases at these sort of discounts.

    Buccellati Sample Sale
    Wednesday May 15 through Thursday May 16
    9am to 6:30pm daily
    Soiffer Haskin 317 West 33rd @ 8th Ave

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    Inside the Louboutin Sample Sale

    Louboutin may have posted a notice on the door of their office building stating that there is no sale but the story upstairs reads: Sale Sale Sale! The invite-only sample sale started today by appointment. Most of the invitees include a close clique of fashion journalists and bloggers with a sprinkle of celebrity.

    Our spies reported from the inside and say that the selection is much better than prior seasons. There are lots of classic style shoes as opposed to the “cray-cray” versions that usually dominate the sale. Also take note that everyone we spoke to came out with some sort of animal print and noted the great array of flats. For the first time, there is also a scattering of men’s shoes and a section of Strass sparklers. From the limited numbers we can assume that they are true samples. Prices range from $250 to $500.

    If you’re considering door-busting this sale, we suggest that you use your best technique starting Wednesday. The invite says that the three day sale is for press but it’s really friends and family. (All the press are scheduled to shop Monday and Tuesday.) Be forewarned there are also three layers of clip-boards: one in the lobby, another at the elevator and a third in the showroom. Also, take note the +1 has been eliminated. So, be sure to have a good story and prey for good weather. We have a feeling the line will be very, very long.

    Stay tuned we will be posting more intel and photos as the week progresses!

    Christian Louboutin
    Monday, May 13 through Friday, May 17
    Daily 9am to 5pm, Fri. 9am to 3pm
    306 W. 38th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Ave.)

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    LOL Kids Sample Sale

    Fashionable moms (and grandmothers) get ready! LOL Kids kicking off their epic bi-annual sample sale. Shoppers can expect to find the most fashionable designer collections for boys and girls from luxury brands like Miss Blumarine, Monnalisa, Jakioo, Iceberg, Aston Martin and Silvian Heach.

    Madison Avenue Spy readers can shop the sale starting today. We are told that the merchandise is primarily samples from the winter 2013 collections. You won’t want to miss the huge selection Miss Bluemarine for tot fashionistas.

    If you’re wondering if the investment in next winter is worth while we have the answer: Monnalisa dresses are priced between $100 and $150 (retail ranges from $240 to $340) and Monnalisa coats start at $110 (retail prices begin at $240). Boy’s Italian down jackets with fur hoods are $89 from $240. Point taken?

    If you have your eye towards summer you can always hop from Silvian beach tops, which are 45% to 60% off of retail and start at just $22. The sale will run for several weeks but we suggest shopping now to shop from the best selection. Mention Madison Avenue Spy and get a gift from LOL Kids.

    LOL Kids Sample Sale
    Mad-Spy Private Sale: Monday, May, 13
    Regular store hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 5pm
    22 West 21st Street
    212-929-6521
    www.lol-kids.com

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    Buccellatti Sample Sale

    Mari Buccellati wasn’t known for giving discounts to customers but modern times call for drastic markdowns. This week Soiffer Haskin will be hosting a Buccellati sale that will include gift items, holloware, tableware, flatware. and one-of-a-kind items. The sale starts Tuesday and runs through Thursday.

    We attended the Buccellati sale two years ago when it was hosted in the boutique. Handcrafted fine jewels and watches were all 40% off retail and silver servingware and home accents were 50% off. The pricing varied based upon the metal, but the majority of the sale jewelry was 18K yellow or white gold. Buccellati’s signature flower blossom necklace in normally $1200 but was significantly more affordable after the 40% markdown. A variety of silver trays started at $10,995. You can click here for more details from the last sale.

    Buccellatti Sale
    Tuesday, May 14th through Thursday, May 16th
    9:00am to 6:30pm daily
    Soiffer Haskin
    317 West 33rd Street @ 8th Ave

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    Amazing Comme des Garçon Sample Sale

    The Comme des Garcon archival sample sale starts Friday and experts say this is a sale you won’t want to miss. Racked previewed the sale today and can’t say enough good things about the inventory and prices.

    The sale includes a plethora of the company’s brands including Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe for CdG, eYE, CdG Black, and Tao and more. Racked’s keen eye spotted several pieces that are currently on display at the Chaos to Couture exhibit at the Met. These museum quality pieces are $700 but it doesn’t take a Decades expert to tell you they are worth every penny.

    Shoppers will find a variety of scarves, bags, and hats, as well as CdG dolls and snow globes. Prices generally range from 50% to 70% off depending on the collection. Prices will likely be reduced as the final day approaches. But don’t wait too long, we have a feeling that this may be a contender for the year’s best sample sale.

    Comme des Garçon
    Friday, May 10 through Monday, May 13
    Fri, Sat, & Mon 10am—7pm, Sun 12pm—8pm
    127 W. 30th St (between 6th & 7th Ave)

     Photo credit: Met Exhibit by Style Curated

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