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    Mad-Spy Sample Sale Picks

    There are so many sample sales that occur in the month of December that it’s hard to allocate your time and resources. Below is handy list of sample sales that we think are worth attending. Of course, each of our choices is followed by commentary with important shopping information. Let us know what you think!

    Marchesa
    Tuesday, December 4th through Thursday, December 6th
    Wed 10am-6pm & Thurs 10am-4pm
    601 W. 26th St. (bet. 11th & 12th Ave.), Suite 1425
    Commentary: Our resident spy, Paige Turner attended the sale today and said that the couture dresses, which were all priced between $350 and $1000 were going very quickly. Most of the gowns from the brand’s lower end line NOTTE by Marchesa $100 and gowns were $150. This is a perfect place to stock up for those on the benefit circuit but inventory is going very quickly.

    Manolo Blahnik
    Thursday, December 6
    9am to 4pm
    The Warwick Hotel, 65 W. 54th St
    Commentary: Of course, this one is a no brainer. Shoes usually start at just $100 and even the most extraordinary boots are just $500. The drawback is the waiting and the crowds. Personally, we prefer the boutique sale in January even if a pair of shoes ends up costing us $100 more.

    Rodarte
    Saturday, December 8
    By appointment:
    andy@rodarte.net    .
    Ace Hotel 38 West 39th Street (b/w 5th & 6th Ave)
    Commentary: Expect to find the obvious dress that’s $4800 reduced to $1200 but there is also usually a selection of clothing in those with a more temperate budget. Last season we found clothing was priced between $200 and $500, shoes ranged from $150 to $350 and bags were about $200ish.

    Diane von Furstenberg
    Monday, December 10 through Friday, December 14
    Mon 8am-10am press, 12pm- 6pm f&f, Tues 9am—6:30pm, Wed 10am—8pm, Thurs 10am—7pm, Fri 9am—3pm
    260 Fifth Ave between 28th and 29th St
    Commentary: This is always one of our favorite sales of the season. It’s a great place to stock up on fashionable items for work and evening play. Prices have gone up over the years but the sample sale rack is always a favorite place to start. The unofficially starts on Monday but the door policy usually eases by noon. We suggest going to the sale at the start of the week when the selection is best. Of course, additional discounts are taken throughout the sale for those looking to save even more.

    Vera Wang
    VIP Access: (Sorry we maxed out) Monday, December 10 from 6pm to 9pm
    Tuesday, December 11 through Wednesday, December 12
    Tues 10am—6pm, Wed 10am—5pm
    135 W. 52nd St The Flatotel
    Commentary: Yes, we know that bridal only speaks to a small segment of the shopping population but we are told that this sale is going to be amazing. There will be more than 800 for sale ranging from the designer’s runway collection down to her less expensive lines. The discounts will be up to 90% off and we are told that the designer is pricing gowns so that they move quickly. Mad-Spy readers can get early access to the sale.
    Please email us here if you would like to attend the private shopping event.

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    The Find: Discounted Valentino Rockstuds

    The problem with having great taste is that sometimes you want something new but spending thousands on a whim is not always the family priority. Lux Brands, a discount store near Grand Central, is a great place to find high-end designer merchandise without the high sticker prices. The boutique actually reminds us of Century 21 circa 1998.





    During a recent trip our eyes bugged out when we spotted a recent shipment that included Valentino Rockstud bags and shoes. Unfortunately, the store won’t let us publish the prices but lets suffice it say that the popular style isn’t included in Valentino’s list of seasonal markdown merchandise.


    In the clothing section we found a holiday celebration worthy silk black Balenciaga dress for just $399, a slinky violet Gucci dress for $599 and a Marni shift for just $189. The boutique is also stocked with a variety of Gucci bags and belts priced just right so you can gift your sister and keep one for yourself.


    As you can see, we are talking about real fashion for true discount prices. This is a distention that should not be missed!


    Lux Brands
    331 Madison Avenue (on 43rd street between Madison & Vanderbilt)
    Sunday- Friday 9:30am to 7pm
    646-490-4681

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    Meatpacking Markdowns Begin

    By ManhattanMataHari

    With the boutique sales starting city-wide we wanted to check out how our favorite stores on 14th street were faring with their sales. We found a good selection of sale merchandise that will definitely warrant the cab ride downtown.

    Jeffrey

    Jeffery sale shoes

    The well-curated boutique department store started their initial markdowns, which is 30% most of this season’s merchandise. The normal Chanel and Louboutin early exclusions apply but they will let you presale you Louboutin boots as well as purple, teal and black suede simple pumps. Be sure to check out the clothing sales racks in the back of the store. The racks are full of Marni, Lanvin and Prada, including their popular puffy fur trim jackets. We especially loved the floral print Erdem dresses now $1022 from $1450.
    Keisha: (718) 877-8333

    McQueen clutches

    Alexander McQueen
    Enjoy 40% off popular Brit-inspired style, including their famous signature clutches and other accessories. There are many racks with clothing, gowns and outerwear, including his popular seasonal oxblood and winter white looks. There are also some in addition to leather totes. We especially urge you to call ahead to reserve a clutch before they are sold out.
    Zarinah: (212) 645-1797

    Moschino
    Nearly the entire Moschino store is 40% off retail, currently, including all accessories. The playful pansy print pieces are a standout, even if we won’t be able to wear that maxi dress until Spring. The helpful Moschino staff will make this one of your more pleasant discount shopping experiences.
    Niko: (212) 243-8600

    Carlos Miele
    In the midst of gala season, you might need a new dress. If this is the case than Carlose Miele should be your go-to for elegant evening wear. Shoppers can take advantage of 30% off their current fall/winter collection, but there are racks with steeper discounts. Merchandise in the back of the store is discounted 60% off. We found a $900 standout silk royal blue number marked down to a reasonable $340.
    Diana: (646) 336-6642

    Krizia
    The markdown is one of the highest for clothing in the district, with nearly the whole store discounted 40% to 50% off retail. Shoes and accessories are at a 40% cut, and the clothing ranges in sale amounts. Naturally, our favorite structured silk dresses were only 40% off, but that placed the well over $1000 retail price down to $720.
    Enrico: (212) 879-1211

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    Rodarte Sample Sale Returns

    Twice a year Rodarte holds a sample sale that brings out the brand’s biggest fans. As we all know Rodarte’s fashion isn’t for the frugal. Good thing this sample sale makes shopping the brand much more digestible and has even surprised shoppers with unexpected deals.

    Our favorite sale tweeter, @NYCShopGuide shared that this season’s Rodarte will take place on December 8th. To schedule your appointment, you need to email 
    andy@rodarte.net    . This system may seem ardious but we haven’t heard of a customer being turned away and it alleviates the dreaded sample sale line.

    At the last sale, which was located at the Ace Hotel, clothing was priced between $200 and $500, shoes ranged from $150 to $350 and bags were about $200ish. Of course there are always the $4800 dresses reduced to $1200 but at least there is something in the vicinity of impulse buy.

    If you’re interested in a more convenient Rodarte impulse buy, you might want to check out the selection of holiday gifts the designers put together for Starbucks. This is a collaboration that is absolutely worth discussing. Lets discuss…

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    Early Access to Nancy Gonzalez Sample Sale

    Nancy Gonzalez is hosting her annual sample sale where her famous exotic skin bags will be significantly reduced. The sale doesn’t open to the public until Monday, December 3 but Madison Avenue Spy readers have been invited to the Sunday VIP pre-sale.

    Shoppers can attend the pre-sale by giving a $36 donation, which will go to New York Cancer Center. Please (sorry the list is closed.)
    email us here if you would like to attend. Space is limited. There will be a guest list at the door, on Tuesday. The remaining dates of the sale are open to the general public.

    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: clutches were $750, small bags were $1,000, medium bags were $1,250, large bags were $1,450, extra large bags were $1,700. Bags comprised of mixed materials were $800, boxes were $300 and belts were just $100.

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

    Nancy Gonzalez Sample Sale
    VIP Fundraiser Sunday, December 2 from 12pm to 5pm
    Public Sale: Monday, December 3 & Tuesday, December 4
    10am-6pm
    Flat0TEL- 135 W. 52nd St. (5th FL) Btwn 5th & 6th
    Cash & Credit Card. No Strollers.

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    Markdowns: Bergdorf, Barneys & Saks

    By ManhattanMataHari

    This is a big week for department store shoppers. Almost all of our neighborhood department stores started their official first markdowns on designers clothing and shoes. Universally, the only exclusions are Chanel and Louboutin but that should be coming in the next two weeks. We know that you may be light on time but are always hungry to shop. So we put together a handy guide to sale season at our local department stores. Gobble it up!

     Bergdorf Goodman 
    Over at Bergdorf’s there is a great selection of handbags discounted about 40% off retail. We found of Nancy Gonzalez hobos, totes and clutches, now $819 from $1350. There is even a decent selection of Valentino’s Rockstud styles that are mixed with seasonal accents. Tom Ford handbags are plentiful and priced approximately the same as outlet prices, although there are no Jennifer zipper flaps to be found. The markdown handbag section also includes select Fendi and YSL styles.

    This 40% cut has also been applied to designer clothing. The sale racks over at the Tom Ford, Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana boutiques are quite plentiful. Shoes are 30% off and the racks are stacked with some of the best styles of the season. Getting through the crowds of discount shoe lovers can be a difficult task. We are told that the second markdown is likely to happen around December 15th. The discount will likely be up to 60% off.
    Handbags: Bruce (212) 872-8796
    Shoes: Bill (212) 872-8940
    2nd Floor: Temy (212) 872-8817

    Barneys
    The sale inventory is much more uniform over at Barneys where nearly everything is 40% off retail. There are some nice Bottega Veneta Intrecciato bags but no no classic veneta styles. We liked a fun chain version that was priced $1489 from $2480. The Fendi sale selection is especially good and includes one tan version of the popular “Peekaboo” style with pony hair priced at $2799 from $4680. The Balenciaga selection was much and no classic styles were on sale. Sadly, no Celine handbags are on sale or will be going on sale. Period. Bummer.

    The shoe deals are better at Barneys than Bergdorfs, with all designers (including Alaia) priced 30% to 40% off. We found a good amount of Chloe shoes in the sale section. A pair of Chloe boots was $649 from $1095 and smoking slippers were $479 from $795.

    In the clothing departments the sale racks are all 40% off. We were most pleased by the amount of sale choices from Lanvin and Chloe. Fendi and Bottega are similarly discounted but there’s a much better selection at Bergdorfs.
    Handbags: Anita (212) 833-2031
    Shoes: Shawn (212) 833-2141
    2nd Floor: Lucy (212) 833-2555

    Saks Fifth Avenue
    If you are going to Saks you are most likely hitting the shoe department. Most of the sale style shoes (say that five times fast) are 40% off. Smaller and larger sizes are very well stocked. The discounted inventory includes popular YSL Tribute sandals and Jimmy Choo glitter pumps. Both are priced at $556 from $795. As mentioned, Chanel and Louboutins are not yet included in the sale along with Givenchy and Dior. We expect these to be added to the sale in the next couple weeks at a 30% cut.

    The designer clothing at Saks is also 40% off retail, with plenty of merchandise available in each of the designers’ boutiques. We also noted a rack of Herve Leger dresses on sale, although most were in size XS.
    Shoes: Antionette (917) 806-6579
    Third Floor: Julie (212) 753-4000

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    Amazing Fur Sample Sale

    When it comes to staying warm and looking great there’s no better option than fur. Either faux or real you have to look stylish and stay warm. 

    Starting Thursday, you can get a jump-start on winter chic and save a bundle at the Annabelle/ Jocelyn sample sale. The three-day sale will include a variety of luxury furs and outerwear that will be priced up to 80% off. The sale will include fur vests that were originally $700 for $140, fur scarves that retailed for $600 will be $200 and an assortment of great gift items will start at just $25.


    In addition to the anticipated vests and coats, we are also told there will be a great selection of scarves, hats, wraps and ponchos. Lets see her turn up her nose at that! 

    ANNABELLE NEW YORK / JOCELYN
    Thursday, November 29 to Saturday, December 1 
    Thrus & Fri 10am to 6:00pm, Sat 10am to 4pm 
    150 West 30th Street (@ 7th Ave), 5th Floor 
    Cash and Credit Cards Only 


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    Manolo Blahnik Sale Rescheduled

    Right after Hurricane Sandy pranced all over our town, Manolo Blahnik canceled their legendary sample sale. (Talk about raining on our parade.) But fear not, the sale is back on.

    On Thursday, December 6th, Manolo fans will be able to shop an assortment of hugely discounted shoes. We anticipate that a majority of the selection will be from summer 2012.

    At the last sale basic shoes started at $100 and prices went up to $500 for exotic leather boots. We found that the bulk of the inventory was a size at and the smallest selection was size 8 through 9.5. You can read a full rundown of our past season coverage here.

    The sale is slated to start at 9am but sale regulars usually get there much earlier. Once the sample sale organizers arrive, each attendee is given a ticket with a letter, starting with A. Each letter group is called into the sale as enough customers leave. Be warned, the wait can take hours but once you have you’re letter ticket you’re free to leave and return later.

    Perhaps this is the perfect time to take a spin through the MoMa? Then you can justify your shoe purchase as part of your appreciation of fine art.

    Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale
    Thursday, December 6
    9am to 4pm
    The Warwick Hotel
    54th Street and 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor
    Cash only

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