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    Full Details: Rodarte Sample Sale

    At the end of March, news of the Rodarte sample sale hit the blogosphere and spread more quickly than a credit default swap. Like a CDS, there was an important piece of information missing: The location of the sample sale!

    Today, we have gathered ALL the details:

    Rodarte Sample Sale
    Tuesday, April 20 & Wednesday, April 21
    T 11:30 to 7pm, W 9:30 to 7pm
    38 West 39th Street (b/w 5th & 6th Ave)

    The sale is cash only and we are told prices will range from $40 to $4000. Ready-to-wear, shoes, t-shirts and accessories will be available, in addition to a few men’s knits. If this sale is like last year’s, most of the merchandise will be about $1000.

    To gain entrance you should RSVP to–the famous– Andy@Rodarte.com. Oh yeah, we know Andy’s last name now, but every good spy knows that some information should be withheld.

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    Filene’s Finds: Missoni & Blumarine

    This is such a torturous time of year. The new season is starting and there’s nothing on sale. Our credit cards were aching for a swipe when we decided to head down to Union Square to do some discount shopping at Filene’s Basement.

    We are happy we did because we found some gorgeous pieces of Missoni and Blumarine priced at a fraction of their retail value. In addition to the average sweaters and blouses there are also several incredible evening gowns. Remember, the Spring benefit season is upon us.

    Here’s the lowdown: Missoni sweaters and sweater sets are $199, complex knit dresses $399 and a sweater coat is $249. We also found a breathtaking, fully beaded vest that weighs about 10 pounds –think: x-ray vest– for $299. The tag says, compare at $800 & up but we imagine that this piece was several thousand dollars.

    If you’re into heavy beading, we also found a beaded Blumarine coat for $999, an exquisite gold sequined dress for $999 and a heavy beaded jacket for $499. There is also normal clothing like a sweet Blumarine summer top for $199 and jelly bean color knit sweaters with french collars and cuffs for $299.

    Gowns? A red Blumarine asymmetrical gown is $599, a Missoni gown in a rather subdued print is $299, a magenta ruffled Blumarine is $699 and a partly beaded Missoni cocktail dress is $499. Many of these dresses look like they were runway highlights and were originally priced into the $1000’s.

    Our theory is that it’s better to buy an item when you see it for a good price, even if you don’t have an immediate need. It’s when you are pressured to make a purchase that you end up overspending …and on an item you don’t even like very much.

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    Retail Therapy: Norma Kamali

    If you were to pick three fashion designers to join you for dinner at Indochine, you would definitely want Norma Kamali to be on your short list. Her design ideas are always unique and never dictated by trends, her spirit is welcoming but complex and her drive to break through boundaries and experiment with new technology is inspiring.

    Norma is credited with inventing the sleeping bag coat, high heeled sneakers and the multi-use poly jersey clothing that can be worn thirty different ways. She redesigned the bathing suit in 1972 and is credited for fueling the hotpants craze of the 60s. Today, her focus is creating cloths that are utilitarian. She has a line of clothing for Walmart, eBay and still maintains her signature collection.

    On of her many fashion theories is that, “Timeless style is the definition of modern fashion.” Her shopping logic does not stray far. Read on and let us know what you think.

    What’s your most prized deal?
    Like everyone, I love shopping to find something at a great price and that I know I can really use. I don’t have one particular prized deal because I have learned– with time– possessions own you. So if I prize it, it will own me.

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    There is always something better. I think that it is not meant for you to have and move on.

    This season you are looking for…
    I don’t shop by season. I think that no one does really, except that it means colors change, fabrics may change. We tend to buy when we are emotionally connected to something we see and really like. I think seasonal wardrobes morph into one another and are no longer the main reason to shop.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    Never shop under pressure for yourself or a gift.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    Buying for Zeke, my mini-daschund.

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    A good bra.

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    Kimaya Comes to Madison

    Kimaya, India’s biggest fashion luxury boutique is coming to Madison Avenue. Kimaya is renowned for incubating some of the most talented fashion designers in the subcontinent. Each boutique includes more than 110 high profile designers.

    The company already operates stores in Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai and will be opening a Madison Avenue outpost in September. Kimaya will be taking over the 4,500 square feet that was once the fine linen store, E. Braun at 717 Madison Avenue, at 63rd Street.

    According to Business Week, the state-side Kimaya stores were licensed to the US entrepreneur, Soigne Kothari who also has plans to open stores in Los Angeles and Miami. The company is targeting revenue of $15 million from each store.

    In addition to its couture clothing, the Kimaya is known for its lavish designer launch parties thrown for their wealthy and worldly clientele. We can’t wait until Fall to get down Bollywood style.

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    Takashimaya: No Sale

    The Japanese department store, Takashimaya is closing their Fifth Avenue store at the end of June. The store opened in 1993 and has been a great destination to find unique gifts and fine home furnishings. With a dimming future, we thought we would check out the sale situation and hopefully snag some wonderful zen-like vases or small gifts.

    To our surprise, very few items were on sale. We found a small rack of bags and clothing marked 30% to 50% off. A large gray tote with gold pockets was $1175 marked down to $799 and a tee shirt was $360, reduced to $129. In the housewares department, the only sale items were Christmas ornaments.

    Unfortunately. we left empty handed but don’t think we won’t be back. The store is scheduled to close in 11 weeks and we know discounts are coming. We are guessing the sale will get aggressive around Memorial Day. Word is that the Tackashimaya owners are also looking to sell the real estate. We imagine that will be marked down too.

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    Platinum Jewels in Bloom

    A flower is nature’s finest accessory and there’s no better paring than with a girl’s best friend– diamonds. Jewelry boutiques along Madison Avenue have coordinated to display lavish floral designs along with their dazzling jewels as part of a 10-day flower show, Platinum Jewels in Bloom.

    The multi-tiered campaign includes a patron of the Central Park Conservancy’s Playground Partners hosting a private reception in each boutique. The money raised at each event, along with a portion of sales will go towards Playground Partners, which is charged with maintaining Central Park’s 21 playgrounds.

    On Sunday, April 10, representatives of Playground Partners will be sponsoring a bulb drive in each jewelry boutique. Shoppers will be encouraged to honor loved ones with the planting of tulips and daffodils in Central Park. Each bulb is $1 and there’s a $50 minimum contribution. Each donation will be recognized with a certificate indicating the number of bulbs planted, and the date of the gift. You can donate online here.

    Most stores chose to display native cherry blossoms, tulips and daffodils along with their spring jewelry collections. You can click here to see a list of participating jewelry stores. This is the perfect excuse to get out, enjoy the beautiful spring weather and shop the jewelry stores along Madison, (Yeah, we know, you didn’t really need an excuse.)

    Platinum Jewels in Bloom
    April 8 to April 17
    57th Street to 86th Street
    Tulip & Daffodil Drive: Sunday, April 10

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    Sferra Vs Frette

    In New York there is always a fight to be the best: Daniel vs Le Bernardin, Mets vs Yankees, Eli’s vs Fairway, The Post vs The News… you get the idea. When it comes to luxury bedding, the fight isn’t any less aggressive with Sferra vs Frette.

    Some experts say that sheets above a 350-thread-count removes the “breathaility” of the cotton, while others insist that sheets of 1000+ thread count are the only way to go. We are going to keep our opinions to ourselves for this arguement but the gloves come off when it comes to comparing sales.

    Sferra is hosting a sample sale at the Chelsea Market where prices are 50% to 80% off. We hear the inventory is great but the crowd is a killer–especially in this heat. Over at Frette.com you can find similar discounts (no crowds) but the selection on popular items like towels and blankets are very slim.

    Sferra fans head to Chelsea Market and Frette fans keep an eye on the website because there are some amazing deals and the inventory is always changing.

    Sferra Sample Sale
    Wed, April 7 to Sun., April 11
    10am to 7pm Wed. to Sat., 10am to 7pm Sunday
    Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue (b/w 15th and 16th)

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    Divorce Your Jewels

    Everyone woman needs a “pink pages” girlfriend. You know, the friend who knows everything about town. Like the pink pages of the New York Observer, she can tell you where you can get a good deal on a used Birkin, she texts you Daniel Boulud’s cell phone number when you need to cater a small dinner party and helps sell unwanted pieces for the best price.

    We like to think of Melissa “Missy” Schorr as our pink pages. It’s no surprise that she has made a successful career of helping her friends rid themselves of unwanted valuables with her company, DivorceYourJewels.com.

    Sure, there’s a jewelry store on every corner willing to give you cash for gold but it’s in Missy’s best interest to get you the best price because she knows you depend on her.

    A woman wanted to rid herself of a Cartier Love bracelet with diamonds, which retails for $11,900. After scouring 47th Street, the best deal she could find was $2,000. Missy helped her client sell her unwanted Love for $5,900. A great deal for the buyer and seller.

    Missy is usually accessible within the holy trinity- New York, Palm Beach and the Hamptons. She can easily help you discreetly get rid of your unwanted jewels but Daniel Boulud’s cell phone number is reserved for her BFFs. Click here to see a catalogue of her current stock of jewels, which includes a Buccelati ring and Bulgari bangles.

    DivorceYourJewels.com
    Missy Schorr
    917-846-9999

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