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    McQueen Coming to Madison

    The Meatpacking District had a good run. The neighborhood was anchored with the opening of Jeffery in 1999. Then there was Pastis. A few clubs opened and then swanky lounges like APT. Soon high-end designers like Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Moschino, Matthew Williamson and La Perla were opening large downtown-cool boutiques to swoon the pre-botox customer.

    After almost 14 years, luxury boutiques are slowly leaving the neighborhood as tourists and mass retailers begin to populate the area. Most recently, Alexander McQueen announced that they will be opening a 3,300-sq-ft boutique at 747 Madison Ave (near 65th St.) The new boutique will take over the old Valentino store, which was more recently temporarily occupied as Escada.

    We hear that McQueen is paying $1300-sq-ft or $65 million for the duration of his 15 year lease. That means, that each day the store needs to sell at least 57 scull scarves or eight of these knuckle box clutches just to break even on the rent. No sweat, it’s Madison Avenue. We think this change will definitely inject some additional fillers into McQueen’s bottom line. Now if we could only get some better resturants and nightlife to move uptown too.

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    Diptyque Sample Sale

    The Diptyque sample sale starts Wednesday and shoppers can expect to find finely scented candles and room sprays for $30 from $60 and shower gels for $22 from $44. Now that the sale is in a larger space you there will be less overcrowding but we wouldn’t count on stellar variety.

    Room sprays dominated the last sale in a variety of scents including Myrrh, Cyprès, Galliano, Thé, Feu de Bois, Pin Sylvestre, Ambre, Patchouli, Santali and Oranger. Those who hold out for the last day of the sale might be rewarded with a 2-for-$30 markdown.

    Diptyque Sale
    Wednesday, February 27 to Friday, March 1
    Wed 10am to 5pm, Thurs 11am to 8pm, Fri 9am to 3pm
    225 Fifth Ave (btwn 26th & 27th St)

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    David Yurman Sample Sale

    We hope you’ve been stashing cash because the David Yurman sample sale is set to start this Thursday. Discounts normally  range from 30% to 60% off retail and 10% of all proceeds on the first day of the sale will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

    During the last sale we didn’t find many classic Yurman pieces but shoppers did get to save 30% on an assortment of sterling jewelry, which included an variety of bangles. The 18K collection and yellow gold and silver assortment were discounted steeper at 40% and 50% respectively. There was a great selection of white gold rings and earrings and lots of long necklaces with semi-precious stone beads. The watch selection was also quite limited, but all timepieces were 50% off retail. You can read a full review of last season’s sale here.

    There aren’t additional markdowns taken throughout the sale, so were suggest going early to get the best selection. The David Yurman outlet is always a good alternative if you can’t find time within your day to make it to sample sale.

    David Yurman Sample Sale
    Thursday, February 28th to Sunday, March 3
    Thurs 3pm to 8pm, Fri &Sat 10am t0 7pm, Sun 11am—5pm
    135 W. 18th St (The Altman Building b/w 6th & 7th Ave)

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    LOL Kids End of Season Sale

    Our favorite children’s store, LOL Kids, is ending the winter season with a bang. Everything from the past winter collection is being slashed to 70% off. Of course, there is a full selection for boys and girls of all ages but we are told that the there is enough merchandise to fully wardrobe your sons and grandsons for next winter and the winter after. Sale brands include Monnalisa, Florence Brands, Miss Grant, Sylvian Heach, Aston Martin, Sarabanda and Ki6.

    The best part of the LOL sale is that Madison Avenue Spy readers have been invited to shop early and take advantage of snatching up the best selection and the best discounts of the season. You can get yourself on the private sale list by emailing us here. Don’t worry, even if you can’t make it to the private sale event you can stop by during the next two weeks and still shop the deep discounts. While supplies last, of course!

    LOL Sample Sale
    Mad-Spy Private Sale: Wednesday, February 27 to Friday, March 1
    RSVP Here
    Regular store hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 5pm
    22 West 21st street
    212-929-6521
    www.lol-kids.com

    Sponsored Post
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    Following Bergdorf Goodman’s Overstock

    If you’ve ever wondered what happens to all that wonderful merchandise at Bergdorf Goodman that nobody purchases, we have the answer. Apparently it pops up at the parent brand’s discount store, Last Call.

    If you’re looking for the winter merchandise that just left the store then you’re going to have to wait about six months. This Bergdorf Goodman shipment is primarily from summer 2012 collections.

    During a recent trip to Jersey Garden’s Last Call our spies found a variety of items from Celine, Erdem, Miu Miu, Louboutin and Prada. Promos say that prices are up to 75% off but we found a selection of BG-tagged items for less. A print Erdem dress was originally almost $1000 but with additional promos and markdowns the dress came out to under $200. There were also lots of Prada shoes and skirts from last year’s 1950s inspired hotrod collection and YSL Palais pumps were marked down to $125 from about $650.

    We are told that additional Bergdorf Goodman merchandise can be found at other participating Last Call stores, which include Arizona Mills, Arundel Mills, Austin Brodie Oaks Shopping Center, Camarillo Premium Outlets, Franklin Mills, Grapevine Mills, Great Lakes Crossing, Gurnee Mills, Jersey Gardens, Katy Mills, Livermore Valley Premium Outlets, Milpitas Great Mall, Potomac Mills, Sawgrass Mills, Sugarloaf Mills, Tanger Outlets at the Arches, The Outlets at Orange and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

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    You Must Be Kidding: $30,000 Chanel Hobo

    All things fashion are a matter of taste and we are taking a definitive stand and stating that whoever spent $30,000 on this white matte croc Chanel hobo bag is out of her mind. This bag looks more like a white garbage bag on a chain than a year’s rent for a luxury studio apartment.

    Well, it seems that even the woman who purchased this Largerfeld mishap is having second thoughts too. She is trying to find a sucker to take the bag off her hands for $12,000, which less than half of what she says she paid. In contrast, this classic looking Chanel croc bag from 1991 is selling on eBay for a reasonable $2000.

    How much would you reasonably pay for this Chanel crocodile calamity?

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    Ralph Lauren Home Sale

    If you feel at home surrounded by the lush surroundings of Ralph Lauren design, here’s your chance to decorate for less. Ralph Lauren Home is hosting a sale where furniture, lighting, home accessories, decorative pillows, gifts, vintage items and antiques will be significantly discounted.

    The sale runs from Friday through Monday. In prior years, this promotion was only open to Ralph Lauren employees but the discount was great with markdowns up to 75% off. During past sales picture fames were $35, cashmere throws were $75, table lamps were about $200 and bed frames were in the $5000=range from nearly four time that amount.

    Beware, the first day of the sale brings some huge lines but if you wait too long the merchandise gets thin. And this is one instance where thin is not a good thing. On the bright side, shippers will be on premises to assist you with your purchases but costs and arrangements are the responsibility of the customer.

    Ralph Lauren Home Sale
    Friday, February 22 to Monday, February 25th
    Fri 12pm-7pm, Sat & Sun 9am-6pm, Mon 9am-5pm
    110 West 19th Street
    For more information: (718) 747-1656
    CREDIT CARDS ONLY

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    Bottega Veneta Bags 70% Off

    Browsing through a store and being told that a particular item NEVER goes on sale is especially infuriating when you know for a fact that the item has been marked down in the past. This is often the case when we inquire about Bottega Veneta bags.

     “Oh, our bags never go on sale,” a willowy sales person has scolded.

    “We never have markdowns on bags,” we were admonished on another occasion.

    As we all know, most items do go on sale at some time and place. As a matter of fact, we just found out that the Bottega Veneta outlet is having a major sale on– you guessed it– bags! Soft Lambskin Soffios in army green and a dark rose red are priced at about 70% off or $374 from $1100.

    Woven bags may not be discounted so steeply but a 50% cut is pretty nice. Mini-shoulder bags/ evening bags are $573 from $1150 and a large handbag with a woven flap is $1252 from $2550. There is also a full range of last season’s floral and mesh large bag is $3289 from $6700. (The same bag is on Bluefly for $4685.)

    So now we just need to come up with a good answer next time we are told bags don’t go on sale! Suggestions?

    Mike 845-928-4563

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