Memorial Day may not offer the best discounts but some consider it the warm weather equivalent of Black Friday. Pre-sale has started at many Madison Avenue boutiques and most stores will officially begin their markdown next week.
For the uninitiated, pre-sale is when stores allow their top customers to pre-shop the sale collection. Pre-shopping a sale, or “pre-saleing”, usually requires a credit card to hold the merchandise, which is sent or available for pick-up once the sale officially begins. Throughout the coming weeks we will continually bring you the most up-to-date sale coverage from stores all over Manhattan.
Of course, we must start on Madison Avenue:
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce&Gabbana is kicking off their private sale. The public sale is not scheduled to begin until May 21. Most of the Italian designer’s spring merchandise is 50% off. A nice selection of the popular floral print dresses are included in the markdown down, although they aren’t likely to last once the sale goes public.
Bill: 212-249-4100
Giuseppe Zanotti
While the Giuseppe Zanotti sale will begin their sale Friday, you can start pre-saleing immediately. Expect to find plenty of spring and summer styles for 30% off. Most everything is included except for a few “carryovers” or classic styles. Pre-sale shoppers can take their purchases home immediately and don’t need to wait until Friday.
George: 212-650-0455
Hérve Léger
Max Azria’s iconic bandage dresses are about to be 40% off. Normally, the basic styles start at about $800 and go up to about $1200. None of the intricate bathing suits are included in the markdown, but our tan-line free abs will probably thank us for that in the long run. More sales merchandise is expected to come to the Madison Avenue boutique in the coming week.
Alex: 212-794-7124
Lanvin
Head to the Lanvin store to shop pre-sale from the spring and summer collection. Purchases can’t officially be rung up until Friday but you can start shopping the 40% markdown on clothing, bags and jewelry. Sneakers and shoes are 30% off. Some classic bag and shoe styles are not included in the seasonal discount. Lanvin usually takes their discount to 50% off in late-June. You can never go wrong grabbing something ruffled.
Leslie: 646-439-0380
Missoni
Missoni is usually one of the first stores on Madison Avenue to start their markdowns but we hear that the new management team isn’t as cooperative when it comes to markdowns. As of now, there is no sale and no pre-sale. We expect that it’s coming soon but we wouldn’t expect a hard markdown until after the weekend. The discount usually begins at 40% off but excludes swim and many accessories.
D.: 212-517-9339
Prada & Miu Miu
All is mum about sale season at Prada. We are told that sales people will have more information starting on Thursday but we suspect that they already have all the necessary data to begin pre-sale to those inquiring in person. Over at Miu Miu, we were invited to begin our shopping even though the sale doesn’t go public until later this week. Clothing and shoes from this season are 50% off and bags are reduced 40%.
(Prada) Betty: 212-327-4200
(Miu Miu) Cathrine 212-249-9660
