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    Lila Dishes for Sunday Styles

    It’s well known that the first lady has been a great supporter of American designers and specifically young American designers. The question still remains as to Michelle Obama’s real impact on sales and the financial health of these blossoming labels.

    It was a surprise to many when Mrs.Obama’s favorite designer, Maria Pinto, announced that she was closing her business despite all the publicity.

    As with many designers spotlighted by Mrs. Obama, “you can definitely win the PR race, but there’s still a business to manage,” said Lila Delilah, who writes the blog, Madison Avenue Spy.

    Ms. Delilah recently discovered that another iconic Michelle Obama outfit, the red and black Narciso Rodriguez dress Mrs. Obama wore on election night in 2008 — part of a tableau that has been enshrined in history — also showed signs of suffering in the consumer marketplace. It was being offered on the Bergdorf Goodman Web site at $1,540, down from $4,400.

    Click here to see Hilary Stout’s article, Can Michelle Obama Create A Fashion Star? What do you tihnk?

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    Thakoon Sample Sale

    There are few people we trust when talking about worthy sample sales. It takes an experienced shopper and fashion insider to spot the sale and get access. Fashion writer and Twitter luminary, Jim Shi (jimshi809) is one of the few we fully trust.

    Earlier today, he hit the Thakoon sample sale and seemed as excited as a 12-year-old girl buying her first Coach bag. “ALL Manolo Blahniks x Thakoon $50!!!! Sizes 38-41!!!! Dying!!!! Just bought 7 pairs!!!!”, he wrote.

    Jim even captured pictures, which include the mirrored heels Thakoon did for the runway with Giuseppe Zanotti and Manolo suede and snakeskin ankle stilettos. Yes, there’s clothing too! Samples, which are generously cut, are priced up to $100.

    All in all, Jim ended up spending $550 for three dresses and seven pairs of shoes. We just hope his girlfriends appreciate him because few men are willing to put out like that.

    Thakoon Sample Sale
    Friday, May 7
    8:30am to 6:30pm
    270 Lafayette St., Suite 1005

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    Ralph Lauren Private Sale

    Ralph Lauren is running their first discount of the season, which they call the “Private Sale.” Most spring and summer merchandise is 30% off plus an additional 15%, for a total of almost 40% off.

    The sale is also taking place online and you can use the code MAY0610AF to activate the additional 15% discount. Most of the online merchandise is that same stores’, confided our sales person. “We have some more shoes and accessories but it’s pretty similar,” he said.

    The sale runs until Monday, May 10 and then prices go back to normal. Generally speaking, Ralph Lauren sales are better in the store when end-of-season merchandise is often reduced to 65% to 75% off.

    Contact: Nelson 212-606-2100

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    DYJ Spotlight: Van Cleef Alhambra

    Just in time for Mother’s Day, DivorceYourJewels.com is spotlighting this wonderful authentic Van Cleef & Arpels necklace. This iconic design is part of the Alhambra Vintage collection that was introduced in the 1960s but is even more popular today.



    This particular piece is double long and 18k gold with black onyx clovers, or motif settings, as Van Cleef would describe them. This piece is in perfect condition and comes with the original box and papers. The retail price is $9,800 but it’s being sold for $6,900.

    Click here to purchase the necklace online and browse other jewels or call Missy for more information at 917-846-9999.

    Sponsored Post
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    Retail Therapy: Heather Williams

    It’s always nice speaking to new designers because they have great taste but success hasn’t tainted their value logic. Shoe designer extraordinaire, Heather Williams neatly falls into that category. Her fantastic shoe designs for her brand, H. Williams can be found in Saks but Marc Jacobs isn’t throwing dresses at her… yet!

    Heather started her career designing sneakers at Reebok, where she earned her badges by understanding the architecture and core skeleton of the foot while making intricate molds. Her design prowess was fully realized at Calvin Klein where she was charged with directing shoe designs across the brand, from high to low.

    The H. Williams shoe combines lux materials and fine Italian craftsmanship with a fresh take on the power heel. (Kicking ass is just a day job.) We thought it would be fun to catch up with Heather –who has quickly become one of our favorite new footwear designers– and find out how she fashions her personal style on a new designer budget.

    What’s your most prized deal?
    I love vintage shopping. I will buy anything from a size 26 to a size two and just have it tailored. In Milan, I found a $3,000 sleek and sexy Jil Sander shift dress for €200. I had the size 12 dress totally rebuilt. I took in more than six inches from each side. Mostly everything I own I have tailored.

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    I am not into all the whimsy of Moschino but I was shopping in the Madison Avenue store and happend to find a coat that I really loved but it was too big. I was afraid that if the sleeves were taken in, the coat wouldn’t fit right. The sales person was rude and refused to call any other stores to help me find the right size.

    It was a full priced coat, but because she was treating me so poorly, I left. My plan was to buy it in Milan but it was sold out. I really loved that coat but I don’t like being treated poorly.

    This season you are looking for…
    I am trying to control myself. In the Summer you can get away spending a lot less. I like wearing lots of dresses because they show off the shoes.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    Don’t get caught up in trends. Know your body and buy things you will wear. If you’re not sure of a look, go to H&M and give it a try. You will find out if you’re going to get use out of it very quickly.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    It used to be accessories but since I started making my own its become dresses. I love the draping, the cut, the fit. I appreciate it all. Dresses and coats are two items that I’m not afraid to spend money on.

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    Coats. A great coat can last at least five years. You should also always buy high quality leather goods. An educated consumer knows that cheap leather never looks good.

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    Devi Kroell 90% Off

    Yesterday we came across a blip about a Devi Kroell sample sale. Before we got too excited, however, we thought we would check it out in person. We know right away that we had struck gold from the very “editorial-looking” crowed.

    (Que: Get excited music.) Oh, it was good!

    Devi Kroell is mainly known for her bright exotic skin bags and there was a great assortment but they are going fast. Metallic python hobos are normally about $3,000 but are marked down to $800. Large messenger bags were $200 and were orange-tone day bags were just $250.

    Devi’s shoes are wonderful because they are a bit out of the norm but usually range in price from $500 to $1200 but are marked down to $50 to $200. Snake skin wedges were $695 marked to $100 and more ornate exotic skin heels were priced at about $150. As a matter of fact, most of the shoe and boot selection fell in the $150 category. Some flat sides were just $50.

    If you’re looking for really amazing deals, you will find them in the ready-to-wear section. Most of the pieces were from fall 2009 and are very close 90% off. We found a magenta cocktail dress that was $1800 marked to $200, a brushed denim tuxedo jacket was about $2,000 but reduced to $150 and many blouses (retail price unknown) were discounted to $50 to $100.

    Whatever you do, don’t skip the production sample rack. Everything on it is just $50! We found bubble skirts, silk blouses and amazingly tailored dresses. One caveat. Since they are production samples most everything is a size two or four.

    It even gets better (this is starting to feel like an infomercial, right?) if you look down from the sample sale rack there there is a $10 bin where anyone with a bit of an imagination and a good tailor can walk away with a hidden treasure for less than a cost of a salad.

    Bags and shoes are going very quickly. ( We saw one woman leave with six hobos!) The sale runs until 7pm tonight and then starts up again at 8:30am tomorrow. There will be no replenishments, so now is the time to go.

    Devi Kroell Sample Sale
    Wed., May 5 and Thur., May 6
    8:30am to 7pm
    55 Fifth Ave (b/w 12th and 13th Sts), 17th floor
    212-228-3201

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    Montblanc Friends & Family Sale

    Spring is very much about indulging moms, grads and dads. Trying to find an appropriate gift for any of these occasions can be incredibly torturous. A Montblanc gift, however, is pretty much universally appreciated.

    It couldn’t be better a better time to hit a Montblanc sample sale/ friends and family / what-ever-you-want-to-call-it. The sale is Wednesday. May 5th and Thursday, May 6th. Watches, jewelry, leather goods and writing instruments will all be included. Discounts will run up to 75% off retail.

    This is one sale that is generally very good. Last season a reader wrote:

    “This sale was unbelievable… fountain pens originally retailing $500-600, on sale for $150. leather bags retailing $1000 down to $250. i didn’t think Montblanc even had sales, and most certainly not at these prices… i picked up 2 fountain pens for (practically) a song.”

    So grab a nice fountain pen and write your mom, dad or grad a note outlining how much you appreciate them.

    Montblanc Friends & Family
    Wed., May 5th and Thurs., May 6th
    8:30 am to 5:30pm
    Roosevelt Hotel
    45 East 45th Street (45th and Madison) @ Vanderbilt Suite

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    Saks Private Night

    Saks’ “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. This year, the private sale will run Thursday, May 6th and Friday, May 7th. The discount ranges from 30% to 40% off.

    We almost went running to pre-sale our favorite Summer looks when our Saks specialist cautioned that most of the sale merchandise are not designer items. We are told, only some Marni, Zac Posen, and YSL will be included in this markdown along with a spattering of cruise collections. Shoe junkies will fare a bit better. There is an assortment of Manolos, Choos and Giuseppes included in this two day sale.

    Pre-sale for Private Night is already under way. You can use this insider sale link to begin shopping online. We are told that the official summer sale will begin in two to three weeks. So it may not hurt to get down to Saks soon and work on putting your favorite items aside.

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