Just when you thought that Forever VV1 put the stamp of death on the puplum waist we find it reserected for another season to come. Next winter you can expect to see a whole new crop of flared waist tops, skirts and dresses. Truth be told, there are some designers who encoporate the tend better than others. Here are some of our off the runway favorites.
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| Alexandre Herchcovitch |
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| Ralph Rucci |
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| Yigal Azrouel |
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| Prabal Gurung |
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| Monika Chiang |
The silhouette of an over sized coat with big rounded shoulders stems edgier European designers like Maison Martin Margiela, Marni and Celine. The look is rather simple and is usually paired with pants and heavy eyeliner. Historically, oversized garments aren’t a retail winner and are often found dominating the sale racks at the end of the season. Lets hope for the sake of these designers that more woman cast aside their body conscience choices and embrace this boxy trend.
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| Alexander Wang |
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| Derek Lam |
 Victoria Beckham
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| Louise Goldin |
 Roderjer |
New York fashion week has started off with a bang but before we start calling out trends we thought we might point the spotlight on a desperate act of capitalism: The sale of fashion week shows! Sure, we understand the fashion show crashers, the wannabes, the stressed PR interns and the swag whores but we are dumbfounded by those who have turned fashion week into a TKTS hotspot.
A quick search on CraigsList turns up dozens of listings for entrée to fashion shows. Apparently, a fashion show seat is worth somewhere between $75 and $500. We were so intrigued by this act of corruption — yes, we take fashion week very seriously– that we even contacted a few of the seat sellers.
Turns out that one of the online sellers was even hocking an invite without a seat assignment, which means that the buyer may not even get into the show if it’s too crowded. We won’t give away the names or affiliations of the people with the people with which we spoke but lets leave it to say that the seat sellers were not lowly fashion students or rent strapped recent grads. Turns out that one person is an accessories designer and the other is a mid-level PR executive.
Sure we realize that American Express facilitates that same transactions with their platinum card customers but we see it more as a desperate cry for publicity. Hocking your own seat or those of your clients’ is more closely related to eating your young. If you can’t make it to a show, share the seat with your friend. If you really want to go to a fashion show, make a friend. And for those standing in the back row, just be content knowing that you weren’t the sucker who paid to be there.
We are well into end of season sales and we couldn’t think of a better time to freshen our wardrobe before fashion week. We did a last lap around Bergdorf Goodman to see what little surprises we could find.
We headed straight to the second floor to browse through the overstock of premium designers. We found a heavy wool Fendi sweater for $400 from $1600 and a Tom Ford gown is $970 from about $3900. One floor up we found that the deals were even better. A Proenza dress is $250 from $995, a Balenciaga dress is $239 from $945 and a Givenchy print cocktail dress is $1059 from $2660.
If you’re looking for shoes you might still find a couple of winners but the discount is just 50% off. Most stores have already discounted their shoes 65% or more. Sale bags and accessories are all completely gone. We don’t expect this sale merchandise to hang around much longer so we suggest getting to Bergdorfs quickly. Do we need to remind you, IT’S FASHION WEEK!!!
By ManhattanMataHari
The Blahnik boutique’s final cut is one of our favorite sales of the season – you can get their drool worthy shoes at just a hint above sample sale prices without the fray. Even though their final 75% markdown started on Monday, there are still plenty of popular styles left. As per usual, the prices are marked by colored dots ranging from $225 to $375 and available sizes are marked on the bottom of each sole.
Flats, sandals, moccasins and even a pair of $625 basic nude patent Lisa pumps are a budget friendly $225. We were also surprised to find many iterations of Carrie Bradshaw’s favorite Mary Janes at this price point in various tweeds and leathers, as well as some seriously head-turning glitter D’Orsays. All of the crystal embellished pumps and flats are $275 and the same goes for the fun Oxford style booties and pumps. Regular booties are all $325 while high boots are the most expensive (aside from the alligator collection) at $375. We were surprised to find so many basic colors and styles of boots available. Alligator pumps, sling backs and one sole short boot style all range from $1000 to $3000 (priced as marked) and many seem familiar from the last sale.
There are still lots left to choose from and the prices are certainly right. Our favorite picks were the black or beige pony fur chunky pumps that are a steal at $225 and the gore-tex quilted over-the-knee black boots for $375. Be sure to avoid dropping by between 2pm and 3pm since the boutique is often closed to restock.
Manolo Blahnik
31 West 54th Street
Abby: 212-582-3007
Monday-Friday 10:30AM-6PM
The boutique will close from 2pm to 3pm to restock when necessary.
When designers have private sample sales it sometimes comes off as if the brand is utilizing exclusionary marketing tactics to drum up attention. The privacy rules are usually more a necessity than a marketing ploy as department stores– which are often a brand’s biggest customer– frown upon being undercut.
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| photo credit: NowFashion |
Next week, Devi Kroell is hosting one of these “private” sample sales and we can only imagine that the sale has gone private to protect the amazing discounts. At the last sale, in October, we found lots of shoes and bags including hobos, envelops and an wide array of minaudieres. Prices of the in-season samples ranged between 80% and 90% off of retail.
The sale will run from Monday, February 11 to Friday, 15. To attend, shoppers must email for an
appointment. Once your email is received you will be given a time slot and a long list of instructions. Shoppers are warned not to you not to arrive before their time slot and all belongings including cell phones will need to be checked. This is, after all, a no photos allowed private sample sale.
Devi Kroell Sample Sale
Monday, February 11 to Friday, 15
By appointment
55 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor
Valentine’s Day is one of the most challenging holidays to shop for a man. You can’t buy flowers, chocolates or sexy lingerie. One item that can turn the head of the most discerning man is Blake Green Cufflinks.
Male fashion icons including Pierce Brosnan and other boldfaced names are fans of the brand. Men love Blake Green because of the high level of quality and craftsmanship. All of the designs are made of solid sterling silver or gold and features a combination of precious and semi-precious stones. In addition, every piece is hand made in New York. There is no question, this is a gift for your leading man if he appreciats quality and attention to detail.
Prices range from $250 for the Nuuk, which is sterling silver set with vibrant green chrome diopsides to $3000 and up for those made of 18k gold. In addition, Blake Green offers customized, hand engraved and bespoke orders so that you can truly create a personal piece of expression.
There are so many choices it’s hard to choose. Garnet is an appropriate V-Day option as it represents success, fidelity, loyalty and love. What more can you ask for?
Blake Green New York
info@blake-green.com
(917) 426-2525
We have made it through two markdowns at Manolo Blahnik and the final price cut is finally here. Starting Monday, Manolo will begin their final markdown of the season. This four day sale is the perfect opportunity to stock up on classic and ornate shoes from the winter collection at up to 75% off.
This year, we are told that the saving are “not to be believed!” Styles are from the exclusive boutique collection and include some alligator. Prices are always marked by sticker dots, which usually range from $195 for a red dot up to $350 for a green dot. Most shoes and low boots– even highly ornate styles– are priced at $250.
The store maybe crowded but at least there isn’t a long line to get in. The sale will only run for four days and styles and sizes run low quickly. If you’re looking for a great deal we suggest you switch out of your heels and take a run over to the boutique asap.
For a full rundown of past final markdowns you can check out past story from the summer here.
Manolo Blahnik
31 West 54th Street
Abby: 212-582-3007
Monday-Friday 10:30AM-6PM
The boutique will close from 2pm to 3pm to restock when necessary
