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    Hermès Sale Details: VIP Style

    To get the inside scoop from the Hermès sale we sent in our most knowledgeable Hermès spies to sniff around the VIP sale today. The self-named LuxMommy and BonnieBirkin were very excited to participate. Both spies report that there was no line to get into the sale but the line to pay was torturous, up to 90 minutes.

    Note to shoppers: Lines to get into the sale on Wednesday will be horiffic and the long que to pay usually remains throughout the duration of the sale.

    On line, Lorraine Bracco was spotted on her phone and overheard telling a friend that she couldn’t get her in. (Couldn’t have been a very good friend.) Also at the sale, and at no surprise was Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford. (Maybe she needs to get swag lessons from SJP.)

    Once inside, LuxMommy was dismayed with the shoe collection, which is often plentiful and a highlight of the sale. However, there were many enamel bracelets, which were 40% off or $306 for the mid-size. LuxMomma’s fanciful eye was caught by cashmere mufflers for $237 and lady’s swimwear, which ranged in price from $450 to $1000. If you have a body worth swagging with a $1000 bathing suit, we say, go for it!

    Leather goods range from 40% to 70% off, depending on the season and condition of the item. Wallets and Constance bags are plentiful in a variety of colors and sizes. A small size Dogon (wallet) is $780.The Constance bag is priced at about $2400 for the small size and $2800 for the larger size.

    BonnieBirkin reports that the Bolide bag ranged in price from $1500 for a damaged bag to $3200 for one in perfect condition. There are lots of men’s briefcases, in a variety of sizes and colors, including leather canvas combinations.

    Both shoppers spotted lots of belts, including some with hardware. A thin version of the Collier de Chien is $680. Mini-sized garden-party bags are abundant and were ignored by most shoppers. As usual there is an abundant amount of silks and ties and especially lots of Twillys. Silky Pop bags, the Hermès version of an eco friendly re-usable shopper was 70% off at $300.

    As seasoned Hermès sale shoppers, we all suggest skipping anything that you may not love. Even at 40% off, Hermès items are very expensive and everyone agrees it’s better to invest a bit more for true love than to settle for good enough. Good luck and please pass along your Hermès shopping conquests in the comment section below.

    Hermès Sale NYC
    Public Sale: Wednesday, March 24 to Sunday, March 28
    Weds. 9am to 6pm, Thurs. 9am to 8pm, Fri. to Sun. 9am to 6pm
    Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 W. 18th St. @ 6th Ave.
    Credit Cards Only

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    Bloomingdales Friends and Family

    Our list of summer wants and needs keeps growing and growing while we wait for sales, discounts and markdowns. The first price relief of the season will be at Bloomingdales when the store’s merchandise will be discounted 20% for “friends & family.” These days, friends & family is translates into all customers.

    The sale will run from Wed., March 24 to Sun., March 28. You can use the code “friends” for online orders. Pre-sale is already underway. No, Chanel is not included, cosmetics are not included, and other certain designer exclusions apply.

    If you’re not in a hurry to make your purchases you can wait for the Saks friends and family, which is 25% off and will run in April.

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    Hermes Sale Starts Tomorrow

    We thought we covered this to nauseam but we have received dozens of email today asking us about the Hermes sale. The VIP sale is tomorrow. An invite along with identification is usually required. Some seasons we’ve even seen spouses asked to wait outside.

    Following tomorrow’s preview, the sale opens to the public and runs through Sunday. Full sale details are below and don’t forget to check back tomorrow for merchandise and pricing information from our Hermes spies.

    Hermes Sale NYC
    VIP Preview: Tuesday March, 23
    Public Sale: Wednesday, March 24 to Sunday, March 28
    Weds. 9am to 6pm, Thurs. 9am to 8pm, Fri. to Sun. 9am to 6pm
    Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 W. 18th St., nr. Sixth Ave.
    Credit Cards Only

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    Yummie Fashion Fundamentals

    All great accomplishments begin with the right fundamentals. That’s why we are always looking for new foundation garments to put the right curves in all the right places. We were recently introduced to Heather Thomson who has been a creative force for two of the most shapely pop-stars turn fashion-stars, Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce Knowles. Her Yummie Tummie shapeware is the perfect foundation for your summer wardrobe.

    Heather’s Yummie Tummie tanks change the overall look of an outfit by adding a little tuck and pinch here and here. As expected, the snug middle panel smooths away muffin spillage but what we didn’t expect is that our overall silhouette became more shapely. Unlike most shapeware these garments have room for your hips so you look tucked in all the right places but there’s also room for your hips to allow shape where it belongs.

    After trying a few styles, we settled on the Undercover Tank, which can be worn alone without looking like an undergarment. We also like how this tank is extra long and can be tucked into a low riser jean and paired with a variety of blazers to create a chic but casual outfit.

    The Undercover retails for $68 and starts at XS and runs into 3X. We could’t find the tank for less money but Yummie Tummie is sold at all of our favorite department stores and is the perfect item to pick up at a friends & family sale when you can save between 20% to 25% off.

    If you order online go a size smaller than you think because the tighter the better. Also, keep your bra on. The Yummie Tummie tank has a shelf bra but does nothing for adding shape or form to your bosom. Don’t forget about doing your crunches because the true foundation of great fashion comes from health and fitness.

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    Jacadi Liquidation

    Our favorite Lower East Side discount store, Gabays Outlet, just received a huge shipment of Jacadi children’s clothing.

    The discount is currently 50% off retail and we believe many items to be current season merchandise. If you ware willing to wait it out, prices tend to get reduced further as time goes on and inventory declines.

    No kids to shop for? No problem. Closeout season is almost here…

    Gabay’s Outlet
    225 First Avenue (between 13th and 14th)
    212-254-3180
    contactus@gabaysoutlet.com

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    DecadesTwo Delivers

    Warning: if you are prone to getting overly excited from sale information it might be best to walk away from your computer or put down your mobile device now. You know who you are “Orgasm Girl.”

    DecadesTwo, the Hollywood-based luxury consignment store, has rolled into town once again. Today was the press preview and there was no way we were going to miss early access to this sale. We hear that much of the merchandise came directly from the closets of Rachel Zoe and Sandra Bullock. (Click here to see a full photo album from the sale.) Needless to say, we experienced major closet envy. If this is what they are getting rid of we would hate to see what they keep.

    As expected of any DecadesTwo sale, there were racks of amazing designer clothes, shoes and bags. Quite unexpectedly, we fell in love with the two small trays of Chanel jewelry. We could almost hear RZ saying, “I.Die.” And we did. Prices of the Chanel necklaces range from $222 for a restively modest piece to $1150 for a statement necklace dripping with Coco’s logo. Despite the expense, you can be assured that each is a real treasure that will maintain its value over time.

    Moving on to clothing, there seems to be more Chanel than any other designer. Tweed jackets, coats and dresses all range in price from about $1200 to $3000. We found an entire rack of Alexander McQueen. One dress in particular, from his x-ray collection, is a real steal at $890. An asymmetrical McQueen dress with original tags still attached is $1225. (It was originally $2545.) A McQueen gray geometric jacket is $250.

    There are also lots of shoes: Louboutin, Prada, Atwood, Choo, Kirkwood, YSL, Gucci. Prices for Louboutins are about $200 to $400 depending on the style and the condition of the shoe. High Dolce boots are $360. Prada boots are $450. Lanvin platforms $220.

    Bags, bags, bags. There are lots of bags but none that really stole our hearts. There is a small assortment of Chanel classic-style purses placed off to the side. A Chocolate brown Chanel bag, not exactly in pristine condition, is $1350. A tan patent leather Chanel bag with perforation is $1800.

    New merchandise will be added daily throughout the sale period. If these prices all seem high, just wait until Sunday when the sale will be stocked with a fresh load of shoes all priced at $150 and under. Yes, there will be Louboutins, Pradas and Chanels. We can’t wait!

    DecadesTwo @ Kiki de Montparnasse
    Thursday, March 18 to Sunday, March 21
    Thursday, March 18, 11am-7pm
    Friday, March 19, 11am-7pm
    Saturday, March 20, 11am-7pm
    Sunday, March 21, 12pm-5pm, including shoe sale.
    79 Greene Street
    212-965-9070

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    Retail Therapy: Kiran Rai

    Kiran Rai founded the popular fashion brand, Sir Alistair Rai with a line of t-shirts that had slogans such as, “Adopt Me Angelina” and a portrait T-shirt of Mahatma Gandhi. The Kitson buyers saw these t-shirts and the brand has been in rocket mode ever since.

    Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba are fans of Kiran’s designs, which has expanded into ready-to-wear and accessories. Today, her collections can be found in over 500 retailers including, Nordstroms, Intermix, Henri Bendels, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

    This week, we caught up with Kiran to talk a bit about our favorite pastime– shopping. After speaking for a short while it became evident that Kiran’s style has two very distinct tracks, one that’s easy going and relaxed and another that’s completely polished and sophisticated. Kiran’s split life between Arizona and NYC is literally, poolside to Upper East Side. She has a weak spot for Chanel but is lusting after a classic pair of denim overalls. If these two items aren’t diametrically opposed, what is?

    Read for yourself and let us know what you think.

    What’s your most prized “deal?”
    Around Halloween time I went to Screaming Mimi’s (a downtown vintage shop) looking for a costume. I ended up getting a fox hair coat for $120. It’s really beautiful.

    The best deal was a YSL jacket I found at a thrift store in San Francisco for $60. I wear it all the time. Since the recession I find that vintage and consignment shops are booming with more product then ever before.

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    It’s almost ridiculous, but I wanted these Chanel flip-flops made of cheesy PVC. I think about them all the time. They are a plain black flip-flop, the bottom of the sole is gray and there is a small logo on the side. They almost look like Havaianas –but Chanel Havainas. I thought they were just too ridiculous but I would have worn them all the time.

    This season you are looking for…
    This season I am looking for denim accents. A really good denim shirt or Ralph Lauren overalls. The look takes me back to 1984. There is something about it that just feels right.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    If you cant get it out of your mind go back and buy it. I used to just buy, but then I realized that I just ended up with lots of things that I don’t even wear. I have become more frugal. If I think about it for a week, it’s mine.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    Chanel! I am a huge fan. I think it’s timeless. The pearls, the bags, cloths, shoes—I have tons. I have enough ballet flats to open a dance studio.

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    I say Chanel. It’s timeless. I don’t feel like this about any other designer besides the House of Chanel. It’s worth the money. You only need one timeless bag in black. You will remember more about buying your fist Chanel than you will about your first boyfriend. It’s the truth!

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    Kors Takes Ungaro

    We hear that Michael Kors just inked a deal to take over the Emanuel Ungaro space on Madison at 67th Street. The Ungaro store quietly closed earlier this month after reducing prices 75% off.

    The Northern Kors boutique, at Madison and 77th Street will remain open according, to our source. Michael Kors also has another boutique at Madison and 60th Street, which just opened 16-months ago and carries his jet-set Michael Kors line in addition to his lower lines, Kors by Michael Kors and Michael by Michael Kors. We don’t know if the former Ungaro location, which is just 1,600-square-feet, will carry all three lines. Calls to the Michael Kors press office were not returned.


    We can’t help but wonder if this expansion into a Madison Avenue location is a way to take on Ralph Lauren, who has cemented a deep footprint into Madison. If so, Michael has his work cut out for him. Ralph is currently building a new 27,500-square-foot store to accent the 22,000-square-foot Rhinelander Mansion, which will be dedicated entirely to men’s wear.

    Should we stir the pot and title this the Americana wars? Jet-set-vs-preppy!

    Photo credit: FashionTraveler
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