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    Cosmetic Wars: Friends and Family

    Last week the department stores were duking it out with their 40% off sales. This week it’s Sephora and Beauty.com. Starting Wednesday through Friday is offering customers 20% off all products except NARS and Kooba.

    Then from Thursday until Sunday, Sephora.com will be offering their friends 20% off. The magic Sephora code is FF2008 and can be used as many times as one likes. What’s even better is that there are no exclusions. However, I’ve been told that they tend to “run out of product” quickly during these sales.

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    Saks Price Matches NM

    Last week Neimen Marcus announced a three day sale where sportswear, dress collections and designer coats would be discounted 40%.  Now Saks is price matching.

    Paige Turner reports that there is a huge sale on the 5th floor of Saks, which includes dozens of denim, DVF, Marc Jacobs, Alice and Olivia, Vera Wang Lavender and lots of other bridge lines. The sale runs through the weekend but I would expect that there will be many more to come.

    Contact: 212-753-4000 ask for Eric in the Alice and Olivia

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    Confusion at Chanel

    Early last week we wrote about Chanel raising their prices 30% this coming month. Due to the world’s financial whirlwind and retail downtrend the company apparently decided not to be so hasty. Many Chanel experts explain the Walmart-type rollback to the weakening Euro, which is down about 20% since highs in July.

    This about face has caused mass confusion among Chanel fans. And the trouble is that shoppers are not the only ones confused. Even sales experts can’t agree about what the double C icon is doing with their pricing. 

    For the sake of shallow journalism I thought I would do some calling around town and use the Chanel Classic Jumbo Flap in caviar as our litmus test. The following is what expert shoppers and Chanel handbag sales associates had to say about the situation.

    Mad-Spy fan and Chanel customer:
    Med/Large Caviar: $2,350 –> $2,495 (up 3%)
    Med/large Lambskin: $2,495 –> $2,695 (up 8%)
    Jumbo caviar: $2,650 –> $2,675 (up 1%)
    Jumbo lambskin: $2,850 –> $2,875 (up 1%)
    Reissues:
    225: will go up 11%
    226: will go up 4%
    227: will go up 9% ($2,850 –> $3,095)

    Madison Avenue Chanel
    Betsy 212-535-5505
    Chanel Classic Jumbo Flap Caviar is $2650 and will be $3000. The increase was going to be 30% and then they lowered it. You should, of course, come in and buy it now. (We say: But of course!) 

    The 2.55 is going up $100 to $3095 from $2850.
    Math is not Betsy’s strong suit but she can get you the purple out-of-stock color if you like.

    Soho Chanel
    Erma Store Director 212-334-0055
    The Jumbo Caviar is not going up in price and the medium is going up like $100. We are told that the 2.55s will be going up in price as they receive them for next season. However, the cruise collection of bags is actually going down because of the strengthening dollar.

    N15 @ 57th St. Chanel
    Ermam 212-355-5050
    The Jumbo Caviar is $2650 and Nov 1 it’s still going to be the same price. The 2.55s are going up a bit more around $100 to $200.
    Ermam rattles off the same story as our Soho Chanel store managers, “There was going to be a bigger increase but with the strength of the dollar they decided not to move forward.”

    Saks
    Elmira 212-940-4347
    “They [Chanel] said that it [the increase] will be about 20% in November.” Saks doesn’t have the new price sheet for the cruise collection but the Jumbo Classic Flap in patent leather will be $3000. The 2.55 that is $2695 will be $2995.

    Bergdorf Goodman
    Barbara 212- 872-2858
    “The Jumbo is not going up in price and is staying at $2650.” The medium lambskin and caviar are going up a bit. The 2.55, which $2695 is going to be $150 more.

    Bloomingdales
    212-705-2856
    Call and put on hold for over 5 minutes.
    Call again and put on hold for 5 more minutes.
    Call again. No answer.
    Call again. No answer.
    Call again. No answer.
    Call again. No answer.
    Nobody ever shopped in Bloomingdales for their great customer service.

    Photo Credit: China Doll Stuff The picture was too cute to resist.

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    Dolce & Gabbana Sale

    I wasn’t going to post about the D&G sale because we always get hooked up with the in-store friends and family that’s 70% off. (Steele has us covered!) Well after dozens of requests and Racked.com’s review, I thought I would at least throw up the information.

    What: Dolce & Gabbana
    Why: Two floors’ worth of fall and winter items.
    When: Oct. 27-31. Mon., 1-6 p.m.; Tues. & Wed., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St., 4th & 5th flrs

    The markdown goes as low as 90% off but some things are only reduced 35% off. We’re still going to pass on the sample sale madness and stick to hanging out with Cono over at the Madison Avenue Store. At least we will save the cab fare.

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    Showroom Sales: Kid’s Clothing

    Simonetta is arguably the gold standard when it comes to children’s clothing. Outfits for a 4-year-old regularly flirt with the four-figure mark. Yes, they’re expensive, but they are also very beautiful.

    Like most seriously expensive brands there is a way to get a deal. for two weeks, twice a year, designer showrooms open their doors to the public for what I like to call “true sample sales.” Most showrooms offer 20% to 50% off wholesale prices allowing you to stock up for your lil’one without breaking the bank.

    From Monday, Oct. 27th until Friday, Oct. 31st, Magia Imports– which reps Simonetta, Cavalli, Il Gufo and Armani Jr, among others– is offering shoppers 20% off wholesale prices. On Friday, the last day of the sale prices get slashed even further to 50% off wholesale. Just don’t expect to find a big selection then.

    Beware: Sample sales for kid’s clothing is no child’s play. These women mean serious business. Lines can run hours long and these mommas aren’t afraid to throw an elbow. Also, don’t be afraid to poke around the building. You never know what great little treasures you might find in other showrooms. Oh yeah, most showrooms only accept cash.

    Details:
    Magia Imports
    131 W. 33rd St., Suite 810
    Tel: 212-714-0874
    Product Lines on Sale: Simonetta, Cavalli, Il Gufo and Armani Jr, among others
    When: Monday, Oct. 27th to Friday, Oct. 31st.
    Hours: 9:30 to 4:30
    Discount: 20% off wholesale; Friday 50% off wholesale

    Groupe Zannier U.S.A.
    131 W. 33rd St. Suite 1006
    Tel: 212-279-7672
    Product Lines on Sale: Catimini
    When: Monday, Oct. 27th to Friday, Oct. 31st.
    Hours: 9:30 to 4:30
    Discount: 20% off wholesale

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    Bloomingdales 40% Off

    On Wednesday, Oct. 29th Bloomingdales is taking 40% off designer clothing. I am told that St. John is the only brand not included, but that shouldn’t really impact you unless you’re over 90.

    The pre-sale is currently underway so you might want to hit the 4th floor asap. While you’re there grab the fries at David Burke– they are awesome!

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    Intermix 30% Off

    Until Monday, Oct. 27th, Intermix is offering 30% off designer ready-to-wear, shoes and handbags. The online code is DESIGNER but you will need to bring a copy of the below “Lust List newsletter” to get the discount.

    Beware, all sales are final and there are no returns and no exceptions.

    Offer valid October 23, 2008 12:01 EST – October 27, 2008 11:59 EST. To redeem this offer in an INTERMIX store, you must present a copy of this email to the sales associate at the time of purchase. To redeem this offer online, please enter promo code DESIGNER at checkout. This offer cannot be combined with any Select Card discounts, other offers, promotions or discounts and cannot be redeemed for cash. Intermix employees are not eligible for offer.

    All sales are final. No returns.

    Store managers may make price adjustments on defined merchandise if it has been purchased over the last 14 days. No returns accepted when using the discount.

    This offer is only applicable to selected merchandise as defined by INTERMIX.
    The following designers are EXCLUDED from this offer: Balmain, Nina Ricci, Herve Leger, Helmut Lang, Frye, Fendi, Loeffler Randall, Givenchy and Bally. Additional in-store exclusions may apply. Please ask a store associate for further details.

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