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    Retail Therapy: Colin Megaro

    Colin Megaro is a stylist for some of TV’s hottest talent including, Julie Benz and David Zayas of Dexter, Carrie Preston of True Blood and Michael Emerson of LOST, The Office’s Oscar Nunez and The Secret Life of the American Teenager’s Daren Kagasoff. Sure he has helped dozens of small screen stars dress their best but more notworthy is the fact that Colin is credited for coining the phrase, “Shopping in Your Closet.” Now this is a man we can get along with:

    Your most prized “deal?”
    My most prized deal is an Alexander McQueen Hand Beaded Tuxedo Coat, I was able to score it at almost 50% off. It’s cashmere, classic lapel and the hand-beading is black on black. It was the last one on the store. It’s the perfect topper for my tuxedo, and adds some amazing sparkle to my jeans.

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    Honestly, I don’t have a regret because of something I haven’t purchased. If I love a piece, and know it will add to my collection, I buy it. If it is something I just sort of like, I leave it in the store. I always know when I have to have it, and then I buy!

    This season your clients are looking for a great deal on what item?
    My clients are looking for deals on anything. The upside to our crazy economy is that everything is on sale, and what isn’t has a price that is probably open for some negotiation. One of the things that many of my clients want most are over the knee boots. They want pairs that are flat, heeled and everything in between. These gorgeous boots are going to be everywhere this fall.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    My best shopping tips are patience and research. You should find out when shipments arrive at your favorite stores, and research stores and websites that have great deals. Also, take the time to shop Vintage shops. With a bit of patience, you can find amazing items at killer prices.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    I have something to admit. I have more then one weakness when it comes to fashion. First, I can’t pass an Hermes or vintage store without stopping in to buy a new scarf. Everyday, I tend to wear a white shirt, with a neutral blazer and a scarf as the topper. Second, shoes. Need I say more? I love everything from puma sneakers to custom made Gucci Loafers (and everything in between.) There is nothing like the perfect pair of shoes to finish an outfit off. My final weakness, without a doubt, is bags. I had to have another closet built to house all of mine. Great construction, beautiful leathers and bags that get a nod when I pass by are a huge weakness.

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    You should never pay full price for any item. There is always room for negotiation, and you can always wait until a sale happens. My only exception to this rule is if the item is something you absolutely can’t live without, or is one of a kind.

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    I Spy: Chanel at Gabays

    We recently got an email from Gabays saying that they got a shipment of all our favorite designers. Of course, they didn’t drop names but we had a good feeling. For the sake of good journalism we had to check it out.

    We were glad we made the trip down town because we weren’t disappointed and even Lynn Yeager would be pleased.

    What did we find: Yellow Fendi rain boots for $85 down from $210, Jimmy Choo suede high boots $480 from $1195 and Lanvin bedazzled evening shoes $610 from $1195. The highlight, however, was the great assortment of quilted Chanel bags. We were drooling over a metallic teal Reissue that was marked $1599 and a gray Classic Maxi for $2080. There was also a black Classic Maxi and some Valentino styles.

    We overheard that the shipment was from Bergdorfs and included a total of about 50 main floor bags. Some are slightly damaged. The ones we saw, however, were in perfect condition.

    Gabay’s Outlet
    225 First Avenue (between 13th and 14th)
    212-254-3180
    contactus@gabaysoutlet.com

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    Lila Dishes for Forbes

    Americans love to shop but hate to haggle. In rough times, however, you might want to reconsider your shopping techniques. Lila Delilah speaks to Forbes about a few of her negotiating techniques. Sometimes all it takes is a slight hint:

    Delilah notes a friend who barges into boutiques and asks for the “recession price”–and gets it. Delilah herself recently employed a slightly different tactic: She said how she felt.

    While shopping for her young daughter, she spotted a beautiful embroidered winter coat which was already marked down by 30% from its $360 price tag. Instead of asking what the sales associate could do for her, she was honest.

    “I just told her that it was more than I wanted to spend, and that opened up the negotiation,” she says. “In the old economy everyone assumed everyone could afford everything because they were putting it all on their credit cards. It’s humbling yet liberating to say, ‘This is too much.'” The associate then offered 50% off the original price.

    Click here to read Emma Johnson’s full article, The Art of Haggling.

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    Intermix European Designer Sale

    Intermix is discounting their european designer clothing, bags and shoes 30% off. The sale starts Friday and runs for a full week until Friday, Oct. 18. Participating designers include, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Missoni, and Giuseppe.

    When shopping online you can enter the code EUROPEAN to redeem your discount.

    This is a better discount than Saks’ Friends and Family, however all sales are final. For a 5% price difference we prefer the backsies option.

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    Saks Friends and Family

    Saks friends and family weekend is quickly approaching, which means presale is underway. The official discount starts Thurs., Oct. 15th and runs through Sun., Oct.18 but by then most of the top selection will already be off the sales floor.

    The markdown is 25% off for apparal and accessories, 20% off jewelry and 10% off cosmetics. Of course, not all departments are participating. The official legalise says, designer collections, select leased departments, select cosmetic collections, the bridal salon and select fine jewelry are excluded. Without naming names, you know this means, Chanel, Louboutin, Prada and David Yurman.

    Any sales associate should honor the discount. Over the years, friends and family has become just another promotion. Online shoppers can use the code FRIENDS3 to activate the discount, once the promotion officially begins.

    Contact: Marie Jose 212-940-2536 (3rd Floor Premier Designers)

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    Prada Friends and Family

    There is no doubt the Prada Friends and Family sale is our all time favorite. We have heard rumblings that it’s this month but could not confirm and could not imagine sending our misinformation. Well, Guerrilla Shopper has the scoop.

    Mark your calendar and start tucking a bit of your paycheck aside because Prada is hosting their famous we’re-all-friends sample sale. The discount extravaganza will start Sat., Oct. 17th and runs until Fri., Oct. 23rd.

    On the first day of the sale, last year, customers started queuing up at 6:30am. Lines lasted about an hour but tapered off to nothing as the sale days continued. Don’t expected to find any bags but do expect to find plenty of shoes and an abundance of clothing.

    Prices on the seasonal collection — what you see advertised each season in Vogue– started off at about 75% off retail but was down past 90% off by the last day of the sale. Shoes were all $150 to start but down to $79 on the final day. We expect that there will be a lot of lace from winter 2008’s collection and a reasonable amount of merchandise from spring 2009. Remember the gold lamé?

    To see a full rundown of pictures and prices from last year’s sale, click here. You can bet we will be there tracking prices throughout the week but we are going to wait until the end to do any major shopping.

    Prada Sale
    Where :609 West 51st Street (b/w 11th & 12th Aves)
    When: Sat., Oct. 17 to Fri., Oct 23
    Hours: Sat & Sun, 9am – 6pm; Mon though Fri. 10am – 7pm

    PLASTIC ONLY. NO CASH OR CHECKS

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    Retail Therapy: Kami Gray

    You know when it comes to getting great deals, fashion stylists have all the inside scoop. After all, they are professional shoppers. Kami Gray knows her way around the wardrobe closet as a stylist for shows like, House, Veronica Mars, and Hell’s Kitchen. In addition, Kami is the best selling author of the Denim Diet: Sixteen Simple Habits to Get You Into Your Dream Pair of Jeans.

    In this week’s Retail Therapy, Kami spills her favorite discount haunts this season’s biggest must-have.

    Your most prized “deal?”

    I frequent high-end resale boutiques looking for classic pieces from recent designer lines. You have no idea how many brand spanking new items –with the tags attached –are available since the economic downturn. I have found countless deals, but my most prized deal is a pale pink tweed cropped Valentino jacket. (Retail price: $1990. Found for: $399.) It’s so Carrie Bradshaw, but paired with an Oscar de la Renta chocolate brown cashmere kick pleat skirt, I can create a look that’s more sophisticated and work friendly.

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?

    There are so many! The one item I’m still kicking myself over is an Akris Punto caramel leather motorcycle jacket I found at the same resale shop I purchased the Valentino tweed jacket at and it’s long gone now! Bummer. I thought I couldn’t possibly have both (truth is, I shouldn’t have bought either!) and I thought the Akris Pinto leather jacket was less practical. It wasn’t. As the author of The Denim Diet, I wear denim constantly. How adorable would a caramel leather jacket look with skinny jeans tucked into a pair of charcoal grey suede ankle boots? Darn.

    This season your clients are looking for a great deal on what item?

    Clients keep asking about boots, specifically authentic cowboy-style ankle boots. This is definitely going to be another big year for boots. I think people are worried that cowboy ankle boots are merely a trend. I disagree. Stuffing your skinny jeans into them or wearing them with tights and a flouncy short dress may be a trend, but that classic boot bottom can be worn for years to come.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?

    Shop Neiman’s Last Call, Saks Off Fifth, and Nordstrom Rack, but find out when new shipments arrive. Don’t be shy! Store clerks are happy to give you the goods. New shipment arrivals typically coincide with less busy days (early in the week), which makes shopping easier anyway because their are less people vying for the same skirt or dressing room.

    What’s your biggest weakness?

    Easy. Flap pocket jeans. They make my backside look so shapely that I can skip all those awful lunges at the gym. I have way too many pairs, but I always seem to find a way to rationalize the expense when I come across a new, must-have pair.

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?

    One of a kind pieces from up and coming, super talented artisans–especially jewelry designers. I love having something that no one else has and I have no problem paying what someone deserves for their unique execution and high quality craftsmanship.

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    Barneys Mens Sale

    Last year it was the Good Guy Sale, this year it’s the Haberdashery sale. Regardless of the name, the discount is the same: 40% to 50% off dress shirts, tires, shoes, main floor sportswear and accessories. This is the first sale of the season. It’s a good sign that it’s the same time and same discount as last year.

    Who says there’s nothing to learn on Madison Avenue Spy? A haberdasher is a 17th century stylist and a haberdashery was a men’s store. It’s fun to say. Go ahead, spread the word.

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