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    Presale Lanvin & Tom Ford

    Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just a week away? It’s certainly hard to believe but the approaching holiday season means that sales are about to spring into action.

    While many shoppers think it’s necessary to wait for “Black Friday” to get the best deals we are true believers in shopping ahead of time, or presaling our purchases. Most high end boutiques and department stores allow good customers to set aside their purchases until their sale officially begins. Usually all you need to do is leave your credit card information. Some boutiques will even messenger your packages!

    This week two of our favorite designers will begin preselling their winter collection. Lanvin’s sale will officially start the November 26 but you can begin shopping the sale right now. The discount on bags, shoes, clothing and accessories is set to be at 30% off. Almost everything except classic items are included in the markdown. The next markdown is usually after Christmas when the discount goes to 50%.

    Over at Tom Ford, the markdown is even better at 50% off. Most fall and winter fashion is included in the sale. We suggest snagging a dress or top with oversized zippers and booties with similar gold accent zippers are a must have.

    Contact: 
    Lanvin, Rick 646-439-0380 
    Tom Ford, Melissa 212-359-0300

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    Maison Martin Margiela x H&M

    Maison Martin Margiela goes on sale at H&M at 8am Thursday but we were given a sneak peak to the sale this evening. After months of marketing teases we were excited to see how MMM’s avant-garde designs translate on Main Street.

    We all agree fast fashion on the cheap is fun but H&M’s price points on this collection are much higher than usual. Maison Martin Margiela’s H&M booties with a plexiglass wedge are $350, a leather clutch is $150 and leather bondage jacket is $400. Yes, these are some of the more expensive items. In contrast, shoes from the  Lanvin x H&M collection were $99, a faux fur jacket was $150 and bags were $50.

    So is the MMM collection worth the premium? That all depends on how much you like the French design house. For most of the general public the proportions are a bit intimidating. The candy wrapper clutch and over sized duvet coat coat are not wearable for most of the fashion buying population.

    On the other hand, those who understand how to fuse together the exaggerated proportions with the stiffness of other designs will be thrilled. So to answer our original question, the $350 H&M booties and $350 leather pants are amazing but tread lightly unless you’re sure you know how you work the over sized peacoat into your current wardrobe.

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    Thakoon’s Actual Sample Sale

    By ManhattanMataHari

    It’s hard to find a true sample sale nowadays – where sample actually refers to often one-of-a-kind designs in a model sample size. Well, as predicted the Thakoon sample sale is bringing the sample to sample sale in a big way.

    While there are a few pieces of overstock from seasons past in various sizes, it seems the majority of the clothing on the racks were true samples. This is definitely a sale for skinny minnies since Thakoon’s sample sizes are 2 and 4. We didn’t spot anything in a size 6 and one lone size 8 dress.

    The size range may scale towards the small size but so do prices. We found $50 printed cotton maxi dresses available in size XS or S. These may even accommodate a model that had a tiny-rainbow cupcake for lunch. In addition, there is a mix of seasonal clothing, with everything from summery maxi dresses and skirts to sweaters and even a $350 tweed peacoat.

    The price points are generally $50 for tops, tanks and pants, with some nicer silk blouses, knitwear and skirts set at $100. Expect to find most of the dresses to be $200, including some nice solid silk, silk print and wool versions. However, some simple dresses can be found in the mix for $150. There were a good amount of pants too.

    There are also some items that are specially priced as marked. Popular croc-embossed metallic dresses and blazers are $300, while some blue leather Addition jackets are $500, with a collection patent crop jacket next to them going for $600. A fun multicolored silk dress with a leather woven skirt overlay is $500.

    We love that the sale is predominantly Thakoon collection, although there is a small selection from Thakoon Addition too. Prices for the lower end line mainly range from $150 to $200.

    Overall, the shopping atmosphere was pleasant but we aren’t exaggerating when we say that the sample sizes are so small that Lady Gaga shouldn’t even waste her time.

    Thakoon
    Tuesday, November 13 through Saturday, November 17
    8:30am—6:30pm daily
    270 Lafayette St at Prince St, suite 1005

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    No Line at Christian Louboutin

    Closed! 
    We just got an email that the Christian Louboutin sale is going to close a day early making today the last day to shop for discounted red soles. We did a quick spot check and found no line to get into the sale.

    Although this sale is by invitation only it seems as if the door policy is becoming more lax, in the way of two year old club. We were surprised that there is still an okay assortment of size 7s and 7.5s but size 8 seems to be running a bit thin. There is good variety of the sparkle party shoes and exotic skin shoes both priced at $900.

    As expected, there are not many boots left but if you won’t be sorry if you’re a fan of the brand’s statement shoes. Still unsure, stylist June Ambrose made out like a bandit. When she finally checked out she had more than 20 pairs of shoes.

    Christian Louboutin Sample Sale
    306 West 38th Street, 4th Floor @ 8th Ave
    Credit cards only. No phones, no pics, no tweeting!

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    On the Inside: Yigal Azrouel Sale

    The Yigal Azrouël and Cut25 sample sale kicked off for VIPs today and we sent our brand loving spies in to get a lay of the land. While most merchandise is discounted between 60% and 75% off, we were a bit disappointed that there wasn’t more from the higher end collection.

    The sale includes past season merchandise in addition to current season inventory. A Yigal peplum shirt was $125 and a leather jacket that was left over from the last sample sale was an additional $100 off or $400. There was the Leo knit dress for $250, crepe and leather dress $250 and light blue gabardine pants and blazer $125 and $225, respectively.

    Your best bets will be from the Yigal sample rack, where everything is just $50. Just look over your sample purchases carefully. Some items look like they have been deconstructed and not entirely put back together again.  From the Cut 25 collection we found a good assortment of knits $125, stripped jersey dress $120 and the zipper overcoat jacket $350.

    The shopping environment today was very civilized but once doors open to the general public it will get a bit more crowded. Thankfully, this isn’t one of those sales where you ever have to wait very long. If you’re a fan of the brand we suggest attending early but those who wait until Wednesday may make out with better deals.

    Yigal Azrouël, Cut25
    Tuesday, November 13 & Wednesday, November 14
    9am—7pm daily
    225 W. 39th St between 7th & 8th Ave, 5th fl

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    This Week’s Worthy Sample Sales

    We are hitting the height of sample sale season and we know that everyone is bombarded with sale information. Sometimes it’s hard to know where you should focus your valuable time. So we weeded through piles of sale information and made a list of the best of the week. Let us know if you agree!

    Yigal Azrouël, Cut25
    Tuesday, November 13 & Wednesday, November 14
    9am—7pm daily
    225 W. 39th St between 7th & 8th Ave, 5th fl
    Impt Info: VIP preview is Monday! Expect to find dresses for $125, blouses $75, skirts $50, knits/cardigans $75 and tees for $50.

    Thakoon
    Up to 85% off fall 2012 and previous seasons
    When/Where: Tuesday, November 13 through Saturday, November 17
    8:30am—6:30pm daily
    270 Lafayette St at Prince St, suite 1005
    Impt Info: VIP preview is Monday! Here is coverage of past Thakoon sales.

    Isaia
    Tuesday, November 13 through Friday, November 16
    Tues—Thurs 10am—7pm, Fri 10am—1pm
    225 Fifth Ave between 26th and 27th St
    Impt info: Highly covetable Italian-made suits, shirts, ties and pants will be up to 75% off. Wait until the end of the sale if you’re looking for the best deals. There are always extra discounts taken throughout the duration of the sale. During past sales shoppers found suits reduced to $900 from $3,100 and dress shirts were $130 from about.

    3.1 Phillip Lim
    Thursday, November 15 through Friday, November 16
    10am—7pm daily
    304 Huston St between Spring & Vandam St, 8th fl North
    Imp Info: Expect to find coats for $300 to $800 (fur), sweaters & cardigans for $150 to $200, dresses for $150 to $300 and $100 for shoes.

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    Inside the Louboutin Sale

    The Christian Louboutin invite only sample sale kicked off yesterday with VIP appointments. We headed over in the afternoon and found an atmosphere that could almost be described as civilized compared to the usual press days which always start with at least an hour wait in the sleet or rain.

    The sale is currently well stocked with a assortment of red sole shoes from various seasons including current boot styles. Over course there are the obvious over-the-top Louboutin styles but there is also a good assortment of Ron Ron pumps in various colors. Fellow shoppers included B and C-list celebrities like Miss Universe and Amanda Lepore.

    Prices typically run in the same range as last season. Shoes on the racks start at $250 and run up to $500+. Naturally, the $250 category was either snatched up by the 8am appointments or so unattractive that we didn’t even notice them. The most desirable styles were in the $350 category. Classic style boots were $500 from a retail price of about $1000 or more.

    In addition to the shoes on the racks, there is a table of the Louboutin sparkly party shoes that are priced at $900. The retail prices for these gems usually start at about $2500. There is also a selection of croc and lizard styles that are shown to customers individually.

    Although Louboutin isn’t known for their handbag selection you will not want to skip grabbing a few of his girly accessories. Box clutches are $100 and larger hobo styles are $200.

    While you’re browsing around don’t miss inspecting the details on the shoe boxes. We were humored by the documentation that provides a shoe’s history. Some boxes were marked display, return or with the name of the celeb that last borrowed the shoe.

    The Christian Louboutin sale is by appointment only for the remainder of the week. Starting Monday invited press and company friends who have RSVPed will likely wait on line for hours to grab whatever is left. For those who are lucky enough to get in, play it cool. It’s never attractive to have a shoe-gasim in public.

    Christian Louboutin Sample Sale
    Monday, November 12 through Wednesday, November 14
    Mon & Tues dam-6pm, Wed 9am-1pm
    306 West 38th Street, 4th Floor @ 8th Ave
    Credit cards only. No phones, no pics, no tweeting!

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    Saks Private Night

    Saks Fifth Avenue’s “Private Night” is the unofficial start to sale season. The department store’s best customers are invited to shop the discounts before the store officially goes on sale. Unlike friends and family and other prior promotions, this sale includes priemier brands. (We’re talking many thrid floor designers.) This year, the private sale started tonight and runs through Friday. The discount is a straight 40% off.

    RED Valentino Bow Dress $300 from $500

    We are told that the official winter markdown will begin in a few weeks. (Can you believe it’s already that time of year?) We expect that the sale for shoes will start a bit later but it may not hurt to get down to Saks and work on putting your favorite items aside. The sale is also available online rebranded as the Sneak Peek Sale.

    Contact: Marie Jose 212-940-2536 (3rd Floor Premier Designers)

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