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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

    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…

    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.

    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

    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 


     Sponsored Post

    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

    On Sale: Prada, Bottega & Valentino

    Last week we reported about several boutiques starting their presales. Some highlights were Tom Ford, which has discounted their entire inter collection of shoes, clothing and handbags 50% off. Gucci and YSL are also on sale with discounts that range from 30% to 50% off.

    Today we are adding several more Madison Avenue boutiques that have joined in on the joy of sale season. The details are below:

    Prada
    Presale at Prada started today. For the winter clearance clothing is being discounted a shocking 50%, shoes 50% and this season’s handbags 40%. The sale will officially start Thursday. This is the largest first markdown Prada has offered in several seasons. We would suggest grabbing the items you most want immediately.
    Ramone Alanzo 212-327-4200

    Bottega Veneta
    Getting an appointment to Bottaga Veneta’s private leather goods and handbag sale may not be easy but it’s worth a shot. For a few hours this Wednesday, shoppers will be able to shop from a limited selection of merchandise that will be reduced 30% off. Clothing and shoes will be reduced even further at a discount of 50% off. If you have a problem obtaining an appointment for the Wednesday private sale, we suggest contacting the brand’s outlet at Woodbury Common.
    Yuko: 212-371-5511

    Valentino
    The Valentino boutique has started their presale. The discount on shoes, handbags and clothing is 40% off. Most of the Rockstud collection is not included int he markdown but you can use the seasonal discount towards a metal studded bootie that’s now $597 from $995 or a flower embroidered handbag that’s now $1797 from $2995. Online shoppers can use the code EXCLUSIVEVALENTINO at checkout to access the discount. The only problem with shopping the sale online is that you can’t see what’s on sale until it’s already in your cart.
    Neusa 212-772-6969

    So-Called Cyber Monday

    Chances are that you’ve been shopping or browsing online and offline all weekend. Nonetheless, marketers sill insist that the Cyber Monday continue after Thanksgiving.

    Chuckle as you might, we are a stickler for tradition. To find the best places to surf on Monday we reached out to the mother of all online sale trackers, Shop It To Me. Site founder and CEO, Charlie Graham says, “When it comes to shopping online for clothing, shoes and accessories–the past two years, on Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday the deals have been the best at online-only sites–such as Zappos, Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, Piperlime, followed by department store sites and specialty retailer sites.”

    We decided to take Charlie Graham’s cyber sale knowledge and play it against our “real world” experience. Below are our ratings of of Charlie’s favorite e-railers followed by our master conclusion.

    Milly Dress from Piperlime

    Zappos:
    The online shoe and clothing retailer is hosting a fall sale where we found select merchandise is 5% to 25% off. Although the markdowns not much, shoppers love the site for its free standard shipping for both deliveries and returns. Through Cyber Monday, Zappos is offering free overnight shipping on all orders with at least one article of clothing.
    Madspy rating: C-

    Net-a-Proter:
    As of Sunday night, the online luxury retailer dropped their markdown to 50% off on on a small selection of merchandise. A dazzling Hakaan dress is $920 from $1840, a RED Valentino jacket is $312 from %625 and sparkly Jimmy Choo ballet flats are $2212 from $425. Most of the best merchandise from this is still just 30% off but we know that NAP is always the first retailer to start their end-of-season sale.
    Madspy rating: A-

    Shopbop:
    The designer e-tailer is hosting a spend some-get-some campaign where the more you spend the more you save. For example, if you spend $250 you save 20% but if you spend $1500 or more you save 35%. The downside is that most of this season’s designer merchandise is not marked down at all. On the bright side, the site has a decent sale section where you can save even more with the stacked discount promotion. We spotted a Sonia Rykiel vinyl rain jacket for $275 from $550 and a
    Elise Overland leather bolero for $690 from $2300.
    Madspy rating: B

    Piperlime:
    The site is offering shoppers a straight 20% off savings site wide. In the site’s sale section we found a great Milly dress for $346 from $495 and a Cut 25 blazer for $347 from $495.
    Madspy rating: B+

    Master Conclusion:
    Most luxury designer boutiques and department stores have started sales and presales that range from 30% to 50% off. We think that you should refrain from clicking this Cyber Monday if you’re favorite online retailer is offering any less of a discount than your local store. We agree with Shop it to Me’s CEO when he says, “At this time of year, use 40% off as your barometer of what’s a good deal.”