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    Jimmy Choo Sample Sale

    Choo, Choo: Who is ready to climb aboard?

    The Jimmy Choo sample sale is about to pull into the sample sale calendar and if you want to come abroad you must have a confirmed ticket. No worries, we have all the details to get you in and out in first-class style.

    The sale opens to the public on Wednesday, May 9 at the Metropolitan Pavillion. To attend the sale you must use this link to RSVP. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and enter the code ROMY to receive your email confirmation number. Each individual must have a confirmation number to get into the sale.

    For the uninitiated, this sale is legendary for its amazing prices. Basic pumps and sandals are usually $200, booties are $325 and boots are $375. Women’s shoes run from size 35 to 42 and men’s go from 43 to 46. At the last sale, men’s shoes were priced at $250 or $375 and included loafers, Oxfords, driving shoe and ankle boots. Click over and read the comment section to find out all about last season’s Jimmy Choo sale. (Above are an assortment of Jimmy Choo shoes that can be found for about the same price — and even less–online.)

    Shoes used to be piled high and thrown all over the floor but last season the sample sale brought in racks, which made the sale a little less messy. Even with discounted prices, it can be hard to motivate yourself to even spend $200, when the merchandise is being handled disrespectfully.

    We suggest that you RSVP right away. We can only assume that the list will close when it hits a certain number of RSVPs.

    Take note, that prices towards the end of the last Jimmy Choo sale, heels were reduced to $100, jeweled shoes & booties were $150, boots were $200, small leather goods were $30 and men’s shoes were $50. That’s when it’s really worth scavenging Choos.

    Jimmy Choo Sample Sale
    Wednesday, May 9 through Friday, May 11
    Wed 11am-8pm, Thurs & Fri 8am-8pm
    RSVP Link Password: ROMY
    The Metropolitan Pavillion: 123 West 18th St.

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    Ten Years of Madison Avenue Spy!!!

    Ten years ago, on May 3rd to be exact, I put my two baby daughters to sleep and sat down at my computer. I had an idea.

    The internet was filled with all sorts of information but there wasn’t anywhere to reference luxury shopping. There was no way to find out about private sales, presales, promotions, and shopping incentives. Trying to locate the moment’s hottest sold-out item took a dozen calls. And let’s face it, not every sample sale is great.

    Madison Avenue Spy was born. That first Madison Avenue Spy post is right here and still remains the cornerstone of our mission statement.

    Welcome!
    Anyone out there? Of course not! I have a long history of speaking without anyone listening. I guess this is nothing new.

    Well, let’s get down to it. I am a frequent reader of shopping and accessory blogs but am so tired of reading about sample sales. This is NOT a sample sale blog. I really want to know where to get the best bang from my buck but I really value the ability to take an item home, try it on and continue from there. So what I plan is to do my thing — shop– and report back to you what’s going on. Krizia shoes for $50. Check. Prada 60% off. Check. Saks friends and family. Check.

    You get the picture.
    Please feel free to write me any of your finds.
    xoxo
    Lila Delilah

    Today, the biggest difference is that we all know I am not talking to myself. (I also now have three daughters who are pirouetting their way into teens.)

    Over the past decade, Madison Avenue Spy has touched millions of readers from all over the world. What’s nice, to me, at least, is that the site still feels like an intimate conversation between me and a close friend.

    And for this, I think YOU! Thank you for reading, following and participating. Thank you for trusting us for us all these years. Thank you for loving us despite our typos. Thank you for sharing your love of fashion and shopping.

    I also want to thank our sponsors, advertisers  and business partners for trusting me with your businesses and for showing such kindness towards our friends, readers, and followers. You have provided me with an incredible career that wasn’t imaginable a decade ago. I will forever be grateful for your support and encouragement.

    To celebrate our shared love for fashion, and yes, our love for Madison Avenue, we are going back to our early roots and kicking off a month of celebrations. Today, in collaboration with Madison Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), we have launched MadisonAvenueSpy10years.com. The mini-site highlights a series of events, sales, and promotions that are occurring on Madison Avenue throughout the month of May. Among the special events and offerings are:

    • Private in-store sale at Chuckies. Markdowns up to 40% off with additional 10% off sale and non-sale merchandise.

     • A Photo Walk at Apple to level up your iPhone photography skills to take stunning shots with the latest and best accessories.

     • A Party for you and your pets to benefit the ASPCA at Morgenthal Frederics – Spoil yourself with a new frame and some bubbly while supporting a great cause. Dog treats by Maison de Pawz.

    • Celebrate the Royal Wedding with a Royal Afternoon Tea service in The Pembroke Room, and Rosé Thursdays in the Jacques Bar and The Club Room for the entire month of May.

    • “VIP ETRO White Glove Experience” including a personal styling appointment.

    • Celebrate the Royal Wedding with a Royal Afternoon Tea service in The Pembroke Room, and Rosé Thursdays in the Jacques Bar and The Club Room for the entire month of May.

    • A trunk show of new couture pieces and a personal appearance by designer Paul Morelli.

    • Mention Mad-Spy and save $500 off a purchase of $2500 or more at David Webb.

    We hope you will check out the Anniversary Site and will refer to it throughout the month.

    THANK YOU!

    Let’s plan to get together like this in another 10 years. Deal?

    XoXo,
    Lila Delilah

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    Great Options for Mother’s Day Gifts

    Flowers and chocolates are the most classic way to celebrate Mother’s Day. This year, the mommy celebrations will take place on Sunday, May 13 and we couldn’t be more excited to be the beneficiary of pampering and praise. The first thing you have to know about Mother’s Day is that moms don’t want you breaking the bank to say, “I love you.” They also don’t want a thoughtless card with a scribbled signature.

    Finding the perfect gift can take a bit of determination and thoughtfulness. In order to get a jump start on the task (and give some hint to loved ones), we compiled a Mother’s Day guide of gift ideas that are sure to inspire even the most gift impaired.

    The assortment includes a personalized tote bag from The Edit  ($260), a 14k gold bracelet from BaubleBar that can be customized with her initials ($200) and Prevé Revaux sunglasses ($30). On the more luxe spectrum, we suggest a Fendi logo belt ($490), Gucci pool slides,($450) and a Julia Clancey turban hat ($618). We don’t know any woman who would turn up her nose at our favorite moisturizer from L’Occitane or a Hermes Constance bag. (It might be better if you don’t look at the price that last suggestion.)

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    Inside Today’s Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale

    The day of the Manolo Blahnik sample sale is always filled with excitement. Today was no different. This bi-annual one-day sample sale is a true New York tradition that brings shoe fans to 54th Street at the break of dawn.

    The first reports from the sale started coming in at 7am. One reader messaged that she arrived and was told to put her name on a list but later returned to find that the early morning list was not valid. Only customers with tickets had valid places in line. Note to readers: don’t leave without a ticket number.

    VIPs we let into the sale according to an alphabetical letter system. At 10:15am, we arrived and were given immediate access with group G. Inside, there was one table for each shoe size starting at 35 and going up to 42. By 10:30am, size 38s were already running very low and 30 minutes later sizes 37s and 37.5s were almost all sold out.

    Prices remain the same as in past years. Basic leather, velvet and suede shoes are $125 and any styles with jewels or embellishments are $150. Boot prices start at $200 and pony, snake and lizard are $300.

    We weren’t permitted to take pictures insdie the sale but this season’s sample sale selection was, really, very nice. The assortment spanned from styles that came directly from this winter’s collection and go as far back as 2015.

    We spotted these Diazhigri boots that are still over $1000 at Barneys. There were BB heels in a variety of colors and fabrics, like velvet and canvas. We saw these feather ankle boots, fur slides, and these white ankle boots that are often seen on the Something Navy blogger, Arielle Charnas. Click this way to see more pictures of what we found at the Manolo Blahnik sample sale. There were no Hangisi styles or other heavily jeweled styles.

    The public was allowed to start entering the sale at 11am. Each number group consisted of 10 shoppers. At 10am the shoppers were given tickets for group 21, which was finally allowed in at 3pm.

    Shoppers arriving later than 1:30pm were turned away. So, its safe to say that if you can’t get into the sale room before noon, than its probably not worth the trip.

    We have more pictures of Manolo Blahnik shoe styles that we found at the sale. Please share your experiences in the comment section and let us know if you have any ideas how we can better report on this sale.

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    Neiman Marcus First Markdown – Contemporary

    For the fast few months, we have been tracking lots of reward shopping incentives, sale-on-sale discounts and friends and family promotions. Sale season is about to get real serious as stores begin their markdowns on contemporary designer merchandise. Today, Neiman Marcus started its First Sale Call, which translates to the first markdown on contemporary labels.

    The discount is 30% to 40% off on most merchandise. Over this way, we found a Rebecca Minkoff denim jacket that says ‘Love is Love’ on the back for $125 from $228, a Tanya Taylor wrap dress is $450 from $750 and a DVF long duster is $480 from $800. One of our favorite sale items are the Manolo canvas shoes done in collaboration with Castaner, which are now $350 from $500.

    Chances are that you’re no longer in the market for a winter coat but we stumbled upon a huge assortment of Moncler coats and jackets in the markdown section. This simple black jacket with fur trim is now $1500 from $2025 and this classic style is $740 from $990.

    There will be some additional promotions and more merchandise added in the next few weeks. Designer merchandise officially gets markdown down on May 22.  At Bergdorf Goodman, F5 contemporary clothing goes on markdown on May 15 and designer marhcnaise goes on sale on May 22.

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    ShopBop’s First Official Markdown

    Online retailers don’t quite run sale season the same way traditional store calendars negotiate markdowns. Shopbop for example just started its first full markdown on Summer clothing, shoes and accessories. Meanwhile, most retailers won’t start markdowns for at least a few more days.

    The discount seems to run from 30% to 40% off retail. Kenzo tee with diagonal stripes is $110 from $185, Pam & Gela pants with racing tracks are $115 from $165 and a Petersyn artist’s blouse is $224 from $320. Heading to the designer options, we found a Jacquemus bag for $940 from $1175, a Cynthia Rowley maxi dress is $315 from $450, and a Tibi corset is $210 from $350.

    Of course, there are items even reduced more from prior seasons. A ruffle skirt from Rodarte is $1000 from $3300, Nina Ricci pants are $360 from $1190 and a Cinq A Sept dress is $118 from $400.

    If the item you’re watching isn’t included in this markdown it is likely to be added in the next sale drop. Usually, the site adds batches of merchandise every few weeks.

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    Shhhh: The Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale Goes Public

    We love Spring in New York– the cherry blossoms, the Park Avenue tulips, and yes, the Manolo Blahnik sample sale. Our sources tell us that this year’s Spring sample sale will open to the public on Thursday, April 26th. As is tradition, the second-floor salon of the Warwick Hotel will be the site of the event.

    This sample sale is a bi-annual highlight for shoe lovers. As you can imagine, the wait time can be worse than the line at DMV. We usually prefer the boutique sales, even if prices are a bit more expensive. (Those who can’t make it to the sale can shop an assortment of brand new discount Manolos from the scroll above. We even found a Manolo shoe horn.)

    Those who are up for the Manolo sample sale challenge, should expect to take a number and wait, and wait, and wait. The really nice thing about this sale is that you can leave and come back once you get your lucky numbered ticket. Take note, that the sale opens at 11am and will close when inventory begins to run low. In past years, that was at about 3pm to 4pm.

    We expect that prices will run along the same lines as last season. Plain shoes, including leather, suede satin, and printed fabric start at $125 and go up to $150. Shoes with embellishments like glitter and studs were priced $175. Boots started at $200 for basic versions and went up to $400 for over-the-knee styles. (You can click here to see our post from last season’s Manolo Blahnik sample sales or head this way to see our complete guide on shopping the Manolo sample sale.)

    Over the past few seasons, the assortment has been dwindling as result of VIP resellers, hoarders and other company modes of liquidation. We are keeping our fingers crossed that this sale is better than the past several seasons. Momma needs new Manolos!!!

    If you attend the sale, please keep us all posted in the comment section below.

    Manolo Sale Sample Sale
    Thursday, April 26th
    Sale opens: 11am and closes when the inventory dwindles (usually 3pm – 4pm)
    The Warwick Hotel, 54th Street and 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor
    Cash only!

    35 Comments on Shhhh: The Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale Goes Public

    The IT-It: Danse Lente Handbags

    No surprise there is a new hot bag this season. What will shock you, however, is the sticker price.

    Danse Lente is a London-based handbag brand that has become adored by the fashion set for its sleek and minimalist designs that are inspired by architecture and art. The bags are versatile, functional, and timeless.

    Did we mention the price? Almost all styles are under $500, which has made Danse Lente even more desirable among Birkin buddies and Chanel cronies. Londoners quickly snatched up all the available adjustable-strap Bucket Bags ($495) and architecturally striking Johnny shoulder bags ($385) early this Spring.

    Once the UK-inventory was gone, the Europeans set their eyes on the US stock, which evaporated almost immediately. Once New Yorkers caught on, waiting lists started to grow. After nearly two months of waiting, Danse Lenta bags are finally back in stock but the inventory is going very fast. MyTheresa, Net-A-Porter and, Farfetch are all pretty well stocked online. Some popular color combinations are already sold out.

    If you want to see the bag in person, in New York, you can go to Bergdorf Goodman or FiveStory. The big benefit of buying online is that you don’t have to pay New York sales tax and you save on cab fare.

    Bergdorf Goodman: Alexa 646-254-2787
    FiveStory: Rob 917-406-8456

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