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    Rodarte for Target

    For weeks we have been anticipating the launch of Rodarte for Target. It’s the perfect designer mash-up. Rodarte’s clothing is thousands of dollars even on sale. So to get your hands on great design for a very novel price is well, novel. In this case, Target left out an important component of a successful collaboration–quality. There needs to be some semblance of quality to the garment no matter how inexpensive the price tag.

    Yes, the Rodarte line looks great. We’ve been eyeing that black sequined ribcage dress since early pictures hit the Internet. When we actually felt the dress our hearts sank. The front is great looking but the back feels like a Disney fairy princess costume. The same goes for many of the Target garments. As a matter of fact, we looked through the entire line and couldn’t find a natural fabric besides for a few tee-shirts.

    The pretty camisoles are a horrid polyester. Silk can be sourced for so cheap. Come on! The crepe floral wrap dress feels like a flame retardant pajama. The faux fur vest might be better used to scrub pans.

    We understand the pressure to raise profit margins in tough economic times but Kate and Laura Mulleavy must have questioned the quality being used to execute their creative vision. For us, we rather admire $5,000 dresses and never own one than to overlook quality for a name on a label.

    Luckily brand appeal is prevailing. A fitting room attendant told us the line is doing very well. If you must buy something from the Rodarte collection go for the floral wind breaker or the mesh lace cardigan. In both cases the material and design are suitable.

    Going forward we hope that Target execs will look back to the quality lines they did with Rogan, Thakoon and Templerly London. All are great examples of Target designer collaborations. Unfortunately, it looks like a CFO had the most significant input in this Rodarte collection.

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    Men’s Roundup

    This week we’re breaking down all the sales. So far we’ve listed our sale finds from Madison Avenue, Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. Even with all these lists we’ve overlooked the boys. Today we are dedicating ourselves to the men and the women who shop for them. Here is an encapsulation (we’re not stopping) of sales occurring for men. Keep checking back throughout the day. We have several more stores to add.

    Armani: We love the spacey feeling of Armani Fifth Avenue but really, how many Armani stores can be in a 15 block radius? We clock five. Anyway, we diverge. All collections of Armani, ranging from Giorgio Armani to Armani Jeans, are 40% off. We spotted several iconic unstructured suits marked down, along with Armani Exchange shoes and Armani Jeans denim.
    Jennifer 212-207-1902

    Ermenegildo Zegna: Most of the fall/winter collection has been marked down 40%, including shoes, sweaters, pants, and shirts. Suits are discounted just 30%. In prior seasons we’ve seen the Zegna discount go as low as 70%.
    James 212-421-4488

    Ralph Lauren: One thing that drives us crazy about Ralph Lauren is that the prices on the web don’t match up to prices in the store. For example, most items ranging from Black Label to RLX were 50% off in the store but if you look at the site the discount is still just 40%. There are also so many different web coupons flying around that you never really know if you’re getting the best price. Ralph, lets streamline things a bit. Okay?
    David 212-606-2100

    Tom Ford: The autumn collection has been cut in half. Everything from suits, to shoes, to sweaters is now half the price.
    Contact: Mario 212-359-0300

    Turnbull & Asser: Best known for dressing the Prince of Wales, Turnbull & Asser is the place to go for the perfect shirt. Forget about mass marketed Thomas Pink. We’re talking bespoke, Be-spoke. Most frequent shoppers of T&A don’t even know that that store has a major sale twice a year: January and July. Prices go as low as 80% to 90% off. Think $100 shirts and $50 ties. Nothing is marked down now but January is just a month away.
    Michael 212-752-5700

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    Fifth Avenue and 57th Street Round-up

    Yesterday we started our countdown to Christmas with an overview of sales happening along Madison Avenue. Today, we bring you a recapitulation (game on!) of the markdown along Fifth Avenue and across 57th Street.

    Bottage Veneta: The bag sale, according to most sales people, never happened. Wink. Wink. Sure. Getting sale information about ready-to-wear and shoes is no problem. Anyone is happy to alert you to the fact that clothing and select shoes are 50% off. Just don’t mention discounted bags because you will get sent straight to a department store. L’horreur, or should we say l’orrore!
    Angeline 212-371-5511

    Burberry: Our email box is filled daily with Burberry communications but try getting a sales person on the phone. The store is completely unable to communicate. After calling four times and being left on hold– one time for nine minutes– we decided we don’t really care about Burberry THAT much. If the web site is accurate, the Porsum collection is discounted about 30%.
    Sadia (212) 407-7100

    Dior: Most of the fall/winter collection is off the sales floor “but there’s a bit in the back we can take out for you.” The discount on ready-to-wear is 40% and 50% off. Unfortunately, Ski gear is not on sale…yet!
    Jenny 212-249-5822

    Emilio Pucci: The Pucci sale started just last week so there is still a great selection of merchandise across the board. Most clothing, shoes and bags are 40% off and new items are still being added to the sale selection. To get a better idea of the sale selection, shop the web site.
    Marcia: 212 230-1135

    Ferragamo: There is a good amount of merchandise on sale. The discount is still just 35% off for clothing, shoes, scarves, wallets and handbags. We say wait for after Christmas. Prices here usually get get very good towards January/ February.
    Nick 212-759-3822

    Miu Miu: Clothing and shoes are marked down 50% off. Bags are 40% off. There’s actually a good selection of discounted handbags including studded purses and classic style totes.
    Judith 212-249-9660

    Yves Saint Laurent: Shoes bags and clothing are now up to 60% off. There is still a quite a good selection of discounted bags that range from 40% to 60% off. The discount all depends on the popularity of the bag. For example, sale the popular Muse bag in python, metallic leathers and fur are 40% off.
    Donald 212-832-710

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    Yipit Launches

    We know you love Madison Avenue Spy because we serve up great sale information about all your favorite boutiques but there’s more to New York than just shopping. Yes, just a bit more. Like, we need to eat right?

    Yipit sorts though all the promotion clutter and serves up the best deals at restaurants, bar, spas and services from all over the city. Oh yes, they have shopping information too. (Some of which comes from us!) What’s even cooler is that you can enter your personal information and Yipit’s sale data will be localized to your specific neighborhood. We’re talking a three block radius.

    Our favorite Yipit deal came this fall, when David Burke Townhouse offered an Octoberfest lunch for $9. The Spies all loved the food and the price. Right now in our neighborhood, we can get 20% off a new bag at Artbag when we bring in a purse for repair, we can get a free glass of champers at Brasserie Julien or get 25% off a new coat at Barbour when an old coat is donated.

    Pretty cool, huh? You can find out the best deals in your neighborhood or throughout the city by signing up here.

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    J.Crew Collection Markdowns

    The J.Crew store, on Madison, always has nice sparkly things but for the price we figure that we can do better. Today, we passed through thinking it would be a fast stop but then we spotted a man with a markdown gun. (Always keep your eyes open for a markdown gun.)

    In an unprecedented moment, tons of J.Crew collection items were being discounted. The markdown gun lead us to blouses that went from $79 to $19.99. We found a gorgeous wool coat that was reduced from $258 to $159. There was even sale jewelry. We found a jeweled necklace for just $20 and a floral sash was just $10 from $35. In addition, there was a great assortment candy colored cashmere crew-necks for $99. (Gift Alert!)

    Don’t bother shopping the website. The assortment of sale merchandise at the store is much more plentiful and the discounts are steeper.

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    Madison Avenue Sale Round-up

    We are a mere ten days from Christmas and the pressure is mounting. For the final countdown we are going to canvas the city in order to find the best deals. Today we hit dozens of Madison Avenue women’s boutiques to form our most comprehensive sale round-up ever.

    Carolina Herrera: Pre-fall and fall merchandise is 50% off. Don’t expect to find a large inventory and what’s left is a scattering of random size. So what’s your lucky size?
    Naura (212) 249-6552

    Chanel: We are sorry to report that there are no sale bags this season. If it makes you happy, jewelry and shoes are 40% off.
    Stephanie 212-535-5505

    Chloe: “We have loads of clothing and lots of bags,” all of which are discounted 40%. The shoe and boot collection is smaller but we think that there’s time for additional markdowns.
    Incus: 212-717-8220

    Christian Louboutin: The 40% off discount has been going on since Thanksgiving. What’s left? “It all depends on size.” Sale items include select fall/winter shoes, fashion pieces and a scattering of inventory from last spring/summer. The older merchandise isn’t discounted any further because: “We don’t ever go more than 40% at the boutiques.”
    Erich (212) 396-1884

    Dolce & Gabbana: Last weekend, our friends and family got a 60% off discount but mortals are only awarded with a 40% markdown. There is still a nice selection in clothing, shoes, accessories and handbags. The sale should go to 60% either right before or after Christmas. Keep your eyes open.
    Rodney 212-249-4100

    Gucci: Inventory is starting to run low, at Gucci as customers pick through the sale items. Ready-to-wear and shoes are 50% to 60% off. If there’s something you want, go now, because “there’s not much stock.”
    Maura 212-717-2619

    Jill Sander: The ready-to-wear, shoes and bags are 50% off. There is a “moderate” selection of sizes.
    Jess (212) 838-6100

    Jimmy Choo: There’s still a great selection of boots, bags and shoes, which are now 50% off. Sizes are also abundant. So you’re likely to find Cindy’s lucky size.
    Faisa 212-759-7078

    Luca Luca: The discount ranges from 20% to 50% depending on the specific stock level for each item. At the 50% level there are several sweaters and dresses.
    Solia (212) 288 9285

    Michael Kors: Expect to find a lot of one-shoulder numbers, black and white sheaths, satin dresses, and neon frocks at Michael Kors. Fall and pre-fall is marked down 50% across the board. Just be warned: there are only four neon-pink strapless cashmere dresses! If you have a body and personality to pull that number off, we suggest you save money and just wear a bikini.
    Denny 212-452-4685

    Missoni: Upstairs, you will find fall/winter ready-to-wear discounted 40%. The men’s collection, downstairs to the right, is discounted 50% off. No. Scarves still aren’t on sale. We wonder if this is good sign for the economy. Call it, The Missoni Indicator.
    Paige Newsam 212-517-9339.

    Prada: Ready-to-wear and shoes are 50% off. Handbags and accessories are discounted 40%. There is an unusually large selection on Madison because “a new shipment just came in from Italy.” You’ve got to love customs.
    Christina (Madison Ave.) 212-327-4200

    Sigerson Morrison: Markdowns are still in progress. Select items are 30% off. There is a “good” selection of flats and boots on sale. We would wait for a larger and wider markdown before hailing a cab.

    Contact: Amelia (212) 734-2100

    Valentino: Expect to find a plentiful assortment of ready-to-wear, bags and shoes – all marked down 40%. Of course, the classic style bags aren’t on sale but you can still get the seasonal colors (patent green and gray) discounted. Robert 212-772-6969

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    Devi Kroell Discount Night

    Devi Kroell, one of our favorite newcomers to Madison Avenue is gearing up for a holiday shopping incentive and second markdown. For two hours on Wednesday, Dec. 16th, Devi Kroell will be offering 15% off it’s Handbags and full price merchandise. In addition, sale merchandise (shoes, RTW and Belts) will be marked down to 50% off the original price. The current markdown is 30% off.

    If you haven’t already passed through the Devi Kroell boutique, this would be the perfect time. Between now and Wednesday we are going to drive ourselves crazy over those pointy toe lizard wedges, which will be $345. Click here to see more about our favorite Devi items from our first trip to the store.

    Devi Kroell Discount Night
    Wednesday, Dec. 16th
    6:00pm to 8:00pm
    717 Madison Avenue @ 63rd Street

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    L’Oreal Friends and Family + YSL Cosmetic Discount

    Here is the L’Oreal friends and family info I promised. This is the perfect time to pick-up a few small holiday gifts. The sale starts on Wednesday, Dec. 16 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 20th.

    Take note, the sale is no longer at the L’Oreal headquarters but takes place at the Met Pavilion. The promotion also states that you need a copy of the above invite to gain admittance.

    While we are on the topic of cosmetics, YSLBeauty.com is hosting a friends and family cosmetic promotion. The 20% off discount starts on Monday, Dec.14 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 20th. Just use the discount code: FF2009 at checkout.

    L’Oreal Friends and Family
    Wednesday, Dec. 16 to Sunday, Dec. 20
    10am to 8pm
    125 West 18th St, 5th Floor

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