Last week, the New York Times announced the introduction of Saks Fifth Avenue’s new advertising campaign, which is described as evoking the dire days of the Depression. The campaign is “to signal to consumers an understanding of what they are going through today — as well as to reassure them that current difficulties, like the Depression, will be history someday,” the article says.
In a twist of irony, we noticed that the daily Saks ad on A3, in the Times, has been conspicuously missing. After a bit of investigating we found out that Saks has cut their advertising budget. So instead of their daily placement, Saks will be taking a full page ad in the Sunday Style section every other week. .
If Saks can’t come up with a fresh idea they may be better off cutting their entire budget. Suggesting in an ad that one should “Think about … belting a new tunic with your husband’s old tie,” seems as exciting as a basic black dress. If the department store wants to get attention, their advertising department (and buyers) need to get in touch with their customer who would rather spend their money on an item that sets them apart.
Ask any Hermès sales person, on Madison, if there is a sale and they will deny, deny, deny. Aren’t you lucky that you have a friend who never takes no for an answer? It took us some time, but we finally uncovered the Hermès sale details.
Hermès has moved all marked down merchandise to their Wall Street location where discounts run from 40% to 60% off ready-to-wear. We hear there is a nice selection from spring ’09, which can easily transition to spring ’10. (We love the: It’s new to me theory.) As for accessories, only hats and gloves have been marked down. Sorry, no Birkins or Kellys today.
You better move quickly if you want capture these discounts because the merchandise is shortly being packed up and moved to the Metropolitan Pavilion for the semi-annual sale. This year, the sale will start on March 23 for press and VIPs. The general public can fill their hearts content with scarves and ties galore from March 24th to March 28th.
Hermès Wall Street 15 Broad Street Edgar: 212-785-3030
You can find the most wonderful treasures if you take a moment to peak along some of the side streets along Madison. As a matter of fact, just this week we stumbled upon Perez Sanz in the the space that was formerly occupied by Debauve & Gallais, on 69th Street, just west of Madison.
Perez Sanz carries an array of artisan accessories, including bags, belts, brooches, jewelry and household objects. The boutique’s Argentine owner, Julio Perez Sanz is part designer and part artisan. Most of the items are handmade and adorned with a combination of silver, mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones.
Sounds expensive, huh? We thought so too until we took a closer look at the price tags. Bags start at $350 for a leather and silver evening bag to $3,300 for a full-on silver and coral minaudière. An exquisite alligator bag with silver hardware is moderately priced at $1,850.
We especially like the Perez Sanz belt buckles, which could easily spice up a LBD or your normal winter wardrobe of jeans and a sweater. Buckles range in price from $100 for a small silver buckle to about $500 for one that is large and ornate. Some of the larger pieces also double as a large broach.
The boutique also carries lots of small and unique pieces of jewelry and household items like a silver candle snuffer, a large opal cuff and big cocktail rings. So if you’re shopping along the Avenue and feeling uninspired, don’t forget to look around the corner. There you may find something truly unique and luxurious.
Last month we reported that Conran was closing it’s First Avenue location and moving to the ABC Carpet building, on Broadway. In preparation for the big move, merchandise was supposedly being marked down 75% or more.
With the March 31st closing date quickly approaching we figured we would check-up on the markdowns and hopefully take home a few great pieces of decor. Pink signs in the window loudly yell, “Moving sale, up to 75% off.” Smaller black signs discretely add, “Take an additional 15% off already reduced sale merchandise.” We couldn’t wait to get our hands on affordable modern treasures.
After a quick look around it became very clear that very few items were actually on sale and those marked 75% off were horribly damaged. Patio furniture, not on sale. Most lighting, not on sale. Children’s accessories, not on sale. So what was discounted? In a clearance department we found old display accessories reduced, but still not cheap. For example, a small bags of rocks were $5 each, a side table with a top that “would not screw on” was $40, bent and distorted silver wall decals were $2 and lamps that may not even work were $40.
Maybe some people consider this type of markdown to be a good sale but you know better, right? After all, you read Madison Avenue Spy!
We tend to think of Rene Caovilla as the Cartier of shoes. Maybe it’s the royal red boxes, the spectacular gems or it could be the lofty prices. The association is probably a combination of the three but the expensive issue can temporarily be circumvented.
Several sandals from the summer ’08 collection have been dramatically reduced. A quick browse through the online sale section reveals discounts of up to 75% off. A rather ornate Bulgary-looking shoe was $1295 but is now $453, a gemed flat was $1055 and is now $255 and an evening heel was $1275 but reduced to $446. There are a few bags also reduced but your money is probably better spent on shoes– those are the real jewels here.
There are so many reasons to love fashion- the beautiful colors, the sensual fabrics, the creative designs and, of course, the electrifying personalities. Lauren Ezersky one of those notorious fashion characters. Her strong Yonkers accent, white streaked hair and black uniform are just an accessory to her ability to personify a pain pair of black leggings into a high art form.
Lauren has been a front row fixture at fashion shows for as long as we can remember. She hosted the show, “Behind the Velvet Ropes,” which ran on the Style Channel for eight years and wrote a column for Paper magazine for a decade. Lauren is currently a fashion expert for BetterTV.com, works for the fashion site Vevant and is a strong supporter of the North Shore Animal League.
Here’s a little insight as to the things that drive Lauren Ezersky when she’s not interrogating fashion designers and models, and is in fact, indulging herself.
What’s your most prized “deal?” An Azzedine Alaia coat I found at Barneys. It started off at $7000 and I think I paid $2500. It wasn’t cheap but it was a great deal. When I found it and I know I had to get it. It was a big deal. I wear it a lot. In fact, I almost sleep in it.
Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase? I can’t remember the specifics but I remember there was something on sale and I didn’t get it. When I went back it was gone. It must have been a black dress. Everything is always black.
This season you are looking for… Something really different. Something that I don’t already have. I am into jewelry right now. You can wear the same dress and just change the jewelry to make it look different. Then if you get desperate you can always sell it.
What’s your number one shopping tip? My number one tip is to make friends with a sales person. That’s the best thing. When you don’t want to play full price a good sales person will snatch an item for you and put it in the back until it gets marked down. If they can’t do that they will keep an eye on the item and give you a call when it goes on sale.
Oh, don’t shop with a friend they are distracting.
What’s your biggest weakness? When I see something I love, I have to have it. I end up spending money when I shouldn’t and can’t afford it. Buy now, pay later. It’s a disaster.
Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price? Something that you have to have. When there’s only one in your size, it’s going to be gone by the time it goes on sale. Buy it and think about it.
Saks and Neiman Marcus are running beauty promotions at almost exactly the same time. The Saks event runs from Feb. 25 to March 6th and shoppers who spend more than $75 receive a tote bag with several samples.
The Neiman Marcus promotion also starts Feb. 25th and continues until Mar 7th. Shoppers who purchase $100 worth of cosmetics or fragrance products will get a Neiman Marcus tote filled with, you guess it, several samples.
So how does a shopper determine the best value? Don’t worry we’ve done the hard work. Here’s a tête à tête comparison of Saks -vs -Neiman Marcus. Who do you think is offering the better deal?
Neiman Marcus
Saks Fifth Avenue
Main Gift
Choose from two tote bag designs
Choose from three tote bag colors
Delux Samples
Cleau de Peau's cotton pads, Dior foundation, Le Metier tinted moisturizer, Chantecaille eye cream, La Mer serum, Sisley face cream packette, Atelier fragrance , Van Cleef's Oriens, Glowelle drink mix and Balanciaga fragrance
Fekkai shampoo, conditioner and serum packets, Lancome full-sized lipstick and Narciso Rodriguez fragrance.
Dior
Spend $125 and you get: a white pouch with L'Or De Vie deluxe, deluxe bronzer, jadore deluxe and dior show mascara deluxe
Spend $125 and receive a travel size mascara, travel size eye shadow and samples of cream
Nars
Spend $100 and get a full sized nail polish and a multiple
Receive a mini-lipgloss trio with $75 purchase
La Mar
Spend $300 and get deluxe cream, eye concentrate, body cream and cleansing foam
With any La Mar purchase you get travel size eye concentrate
Jo Malone
Spend $150 and get a travel case and a colonge spray
N/A
Chanel
Spend $200 and get a shopping bag with lip color Face cream and body lotion.
Receive a mini-shipping bag, samples of Allure and Chance, lip color and eye cream with a $150 prucahse
Additional Stuff
N/A
The tote bag comes with additional incentives including, a certificate for $50 off any sunglasses ($250, or more), a certificate for $20 off any Spanx ($100, or more) and a certificate for 6-week supply of Neulash with $150 Neulash purchase
The Sonia Rykiel line for H&M only hit racks on Saturday but most New York stores are almost sold out. Today we stopped by H&M’s 86th Street location to see what knits were left in the wake of this weekend’s madness.
We were surprised to find that there was very little inventory considering how long the Sonia Rykiel lingerie line hung around. A man dismantling one of the Sonia Rykiel displays told us that all the children’s clothing was sold out within hours and he thinks this may be the best selling collaboration H&M has ever done. (Yes, that would make it better than Jimmy Choo.)
So what can you still buy from the Queen of Knits? We found three horizontal striped dresses, two pink rhinestone sweaters, about a dozen jumpsuits, several black asymmetrical knit dresses and a couple hot pink knit dresses. In the accessories department there are still lots of bangles, belts, scarves, barrets and shoes. We were even able to find a few Sonia Rykiel dolls behind the counter. Click here to go through a full set of pictures.
Stake out the cashier if you have a hankering to get your hands on Coco Rykiel’s designs. Those who overbought over the weekend are coming back in full force to get their money back. Also, the second inside display (shown above) is coming down at 2:15pm today and the window’s merchandise is being swapped out at 10:00am tomorrow. The display sizes are small and extra small and the kid’s are wearing two to four-year sizes.
