It still boggles our mind how a simple pair of Chanel ballet flats can cost over $600. How nice would it be to have a $500 gift card to put towards your favorite spring shoe? Well, this Friday ScoreLuxe.com is auctioning off a $500 gift card to Bloomies.
It’s hard to have a day when there are two wonderful simultaneous sample sales. We spent the morning sifting through the past collections of one of our favorite Madison Avenue designers, Devi Kroell and our friends at Racked NYC headed to Soho to scope out the Thakoon sale.
Devi Kroell
All the brand’s iconic hobo bags were snatched up first thing this morning. Prices ranged from $150 for a simple and plain bag (retail $900) to $800 for a metallic exotic skin style (normally $3100). Smaller bags and clutches ranged in price from $100 to $250. At about noon, all the bags were gone but we are told the sale is expecting a shipment from their Vegas store sometime Thursday afternoon.
Sample size shoes were $50 and $100 for boots. Most of the samples were a size 37 or 40. If you’re not a sample size you may need to cough up a bit more for overstock, which were $100 for shoes and $250 for high boots. That’s still an amazing deal considering that retail prices run from about $650 to $2000.
The prices for ready-to-wear were equally as attractive. Samples were marked $50 and overstock was priced up to $250. We found the sculptured blouse from this season for $50 down from $740. We were surprised that the dramatic mink hats were entirely ignored by customers. The retail price was $990 but they were discounted to just $250. Maybe everyone is still trying to forget about old man winter.
Devi Kroell Sample Sale
Wednesday, May 4th and Friday, May 6th
Wed & Thurs, 8:30am to 7:30pm, Fri. 8:30am to 5pm
55 Fifth Avenue @ 13th Street, 17th Floor
Cash and Credit Cards Accepted
Thakoon
Our friends at Racked were equally satisfied with their shopping trip at Thakoon’s showroom. Most of the sample merchandise fell between the $125 to the $275 range and the majority of overstock ran from $150 for a simple black dress to $465 for a more iconic frock.
Giuseppe Zanotti for Thakoon heels are $250 from a retail price of $990 but there are mainly size 39’s. Runway samples in size 39 are just $75. Sales people say there will be no restocking and no price reductions. So attending this sale sooner will earn you a better selection.
Thakoon Sample Sale
Wednesday, May 4 to Friday, May 6
8:30am to 6:30pm
270 Lafayette Street, suite 1005
Cash & Checks Only
We are told that this season’s Manolo Blahnik sample sale will take place on Thursday, May 12. Vogue editor, André Leon Talley will again preside as Prince Charming and help women choose the right shoe.
Shoppers usually begin to arrive at the sale at 5am but the browsing and buying is limited only to press until about 11am. Shoes range in price from $100 in leather, suede or satin to $300 for lizard boots. Hey, there’s a reason why people wait hours. We suggest you go early if you want have a popular shoe size or just wait for the boutique end-of-season sale, which we prefer.
Keep your eyes posted to the site for details about the Christian Louboutin sale. These shoe masters usually schedule their sales within days of each other.
Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale
Thursday, May 12
9am to 3pm
Warwick Hotel 65 W. 54th St @ 6th Ave
Cash only
While all your fashion friends are fighting there way into the Thakoon sample sale, we are going to suggest you take a detour to the Devi Kroell sale. This was one of our favorite sales of 2010 and we expect it to deliver similar results.
Last year, we found $3000 metallic python hobos marked down to $800 and shoes that normally cost from $500 to $1200 ranged in price for just $50 to $200. Most of the shoe and boot selection fell in the $150 category. The best deals were in the ready-to-wear section where most items were discounted 90%. Whatever you do, don’t miss the production rack where sample were all priced at just $50.
There are not a lot of sales we get excited for but this is one. See ya at 8:30am!
Devi Kroell Sample Sale
Wednesday, May 4th and Friday, May 6th
Wed & Thurs, 8:30am to 7:30pm, Fri. 8:30am to 5pm
55 Fifth Avenue @ 13th Street, 17th Floor
Cash and Credit Cards Accepted
Thakoon Sample Sale
Wednesday, May 4 to Friday, May 6
8:30am to 6:30pm
270 Lafayette Street, suite 1005
Cash & Checks Only
Looking to brighten up your spring wardrobe starting at the toes? Well, this is the perfect time. Starting Wednesday, you can snag a great variety of designer shoes for up to 70% off. Yes, we are talking about the “8th Floor” designers, like Prada, Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta, Marni and more.
In addition, to the large selection of the above listed designers, there are also limited quantities of Tory Burch, Nini Ricci, Manolo Blahnik, Lanvin and … Christian Louboutin!!! We hear that those who wear small size shoes will be super satisfied with this sale but there is also a great assortment for those with average size and larger feet to walk away with too.
While you’re shopping, don’t miss the limited selection of lady’s Burberry and Coach jackets and current season Gucci handbags, which are all substantially discounted. We don’t know if we could spell this out any more simply for you: Great Mother’s Day gift ideas!
Designer Shoe Sale
Wednesday, May 4 to Friday, May 13
Sun. to Thurs. 11am to 7:30pm, Friday 11 am to 4:30pm
Closed Saturday
605 Fifth Avenue (btwn 48th & 49th Streets)
Coach may not be your cup of tea but for some it’s the cat’s meow. For those who purr for the company’s classic American can save 25% off spring merchandise from May 3 to May 13. We are told that coupons went out to customers in the mail but sales associates will honor the discount if it’s mentioned.
So what’s there to buy at Coach? Hmmm. Maybe your mother-in-law or mother would love a white eyelet zip around wallet ($258). Kristin linen embossed python hobo is modern, practical with a touch of girly ($698). It’s hard to go wrong with a beach tunic ($198).
It’s the thought that counts, right?
Coach
595 Madison Avenue (@85th Street)
(212) 754-0041
May is undeniably the most beautiful time of year in Central Park. The combination of warm weather, blossoming trees and flowers make this destination literally picture perfect.
Unfortunately, no matter how many pictures we take with our digital cameras and smartphones, they will never match up to the quality of a professional eye. Fear not, photoOp, our very favorite photo studio, is scheduling outdoor photo shoots in Central Park on Saturday, May 7th.
You and your entire family are invited to strike a pose and capture a special moment with photoOp’s professional photographers. Each session is priced at half the regular sitting fee and is just $100. Each park session includes a 30-minute photo shoot, online viewing and sharing of photos, and a meeting with your photographer to select your photos.
There are only a very limited number of sessions still available. For more information and to sign-up for this special offer call the studio at 212-362-1911.
By: TJ Kennedy
The Nancy Gonzalez sample sale is always popular with the uptown crowed. After all, it’s the perfect supplement to a birthday lunch at Atlantic Grill.
For the uninitiated, Nancy Gonzalez is best known for her exotic skin handbags and accessories. The current sample sale features a plethora sizes, styles and hues. There is only one bag of each particular style or one of each color but sheer quantity of bags won’t be disappointing.
Prices are still relatively high for a sample sale, but it’s only the first day. Clutches that currently retail from $850 to $1450 at Saks and Bergdorf Goodman are marked at $750. Small bags are $1000, while mediums are $1250 and large are $1450. Whether the bag of your dreams is actually considered a small or a medium size is up to the sample sale organizer’s discretion.
The exact large crocodile hobo that is on the Saks website for $3650 is at the sale in a tan color for $1700. A hobo is considered “extra large” and therefore priced higher, but hey, that’s still more than half the price of Saks.
The mixed material bags, those not completely crocodile, are marked down to $800. These styles, however, are not commonly featured in the high-end department stores. All of the imported luxury bags are lined with a durable suede-like material and most have magnetic clasps.
If you’ve yet to add an exotic skin handbag to your collection, now is your chance to score one from the queen of exotic’s herself for a fraction of the price. Next up, a birthday lunch at Atlantic Grill.
Nancy Gonzalez Sale
Monday, May 2 and Tuesday, May 3
Mon 10am to 7pm and Tues 10am to 3pm
Flatotel: 135 West 52nd Street (5th Floor)
