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May 1, 2012
Manolo Spring Sample Sale
Ladies get your waiting shoes on. The Manolo Blahnik spring sample sale starts Thursday, May 3rd and runs through Friday afternoon. As usual, ALT will be on site at at the Warwick Hotel to help women with all their footwear needs.
This sample sale is a bi-annual highlight for shoe lovers. As you can imagine, the wait time can be worse than a passport agency. Personally, we prefer the boutique sales even if prices are a bit more expensive. Those who are up for the Manolo sample sale challenge should read our survival guide. At the very least, attendees are seated in a hotel ball room while they wait and offered coffee and water. (These are conditions much better than most sample sales, we might add.)
The Manolo sale is usually press only until about noon Thursday, but then opens to the public. Shoes range in price from $100 for leather, suede or satin to $300 for lizard boots. Hey, there's a reason why people wait hours.
This is the first time the sale is being held over two days. That's a good indication that there will be a good selection of merchandise. If you attend the sale, please keep us all posted by Tweeting at @MadisonAveSpy.
Manolo Sale Details
Thursday, May 3rd to Friday, May 4
Thurs. 12pm to 4pm and Fri 9am to 2pm
The Warwick Hotel
54th Street and 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Cash only....
May 1, 2012
Decades Uptown Sale and Shoe Extravaganza
The By ManhattanMataHari
Uptown gals will be thrilled to shop gently used and vintage designer finds curated by Decades, right here in our own neighborhood. Decades has transformed the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Thrift Shop into a veritable archive of couture, including socialite Lyn Revson’s immaculate contributions.
While the shoes are certainly a major draw, don’t ignore the racks of ready-to-wear. There are approximately 65 different chic Chanel boucle wool blazers ranging from $850 to $2000. The assortment and quality is arguably the best selection we have ever seen all in one place.
Those attending the Met Gala should browse the vintage Herve Leger, Emilio Pucci and Versace gowns. They are all truly Gala worthy. There is also considerable Prada/Shiaparelli selection of clothing. The real highlight, however, was a gorgeous black Alexander McQueen number worn by Christina Hendricks of Mad Men. Although this dress is $4000, most of the gowns are priced much more affordably.
Designer purses are scattered throughout the store, with various Chanel styles ranging from $450 to $3900. A classic 2.55 flap is naturally the most expensive. There is a good selection of vintage Hermes bags (think Kelly styles) courtesy of Revson for $850 to $2200. A green Balenciaga “first” small city bag is $600, which is well under most consignment prices. With a bit of searching you should find gently used or new Miu Miu, Burberry, Prada, Fendi, Tod’s, and Ferragamo handbags all 60% or more off retail.
The sale's Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent jewelry are eye-catchers. Earrings will run you anywhere from $300 to $600 and necklaces are priced up to $1200, which is a bit steep for fashion jewelry.
The best part of this uptown venue is that Decades is donating 10% of the sale price to Sloan-Kettering’s Cancer Center. If all that isn't enough to get you shopping, MadSpy readers have been invited to access the $150 shoe extravaganza early on Tuesday, May 1st from 5pm to 7pm. The sale opens to the public on Wednesday. The blowout sale will include Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Brian Atwood.
Decades Popup
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thrift Shop
1440 Third Avenue (between 81st and 82nd)
Tuesday, May 1st 10am – 5pm; 5pm – 7pm: Exclusive $150 Shoe Sale for MadSpy readers
Wednesday, May 2nd 10am – 5pm $150 shoe sale open to the public...
April 30, 2012
Norma Kamali Spring Sale
Friends have be asking about updating their summer wardrobe and my best advice is to check out Norma Kamali's KamaliKulture line. It's relatively inexpensive and unfussy, which is the perfect combination for summer in and out of the city.
Those interested in heeding my words, should absolutely go to the Kamali boutique on Tuesday, May 1 between 5:30 and 8:30pm. The designer is hosting a huge sale where all KamaliKulture items will be 25% off when you purchase $100 or more.
In addition, the boutique's third floor will be stocked with discontinued styles, colors and one of a kind samples of Norma Kamali Collection. Prices will range from $100 to $200. For instance, the Goddess Dress, worn by SJP in SATC II, will be $198 from $550, a Gypsy dress will be $98 from $385 and the wrap and tie swimsuit will be $98 from $195.
Norma Kamali Spring Sale
Tuesday, May 1
5:30pm to 8:30pm
11 West 56th Street
RSVP– JaclynM@Normakamali.com...
April 27, 2012
The It-it: Elsa Schiaparelli Jewels
The 2012 Met Ball Costume Institute Gala is only a bit more than a week away and attendees are making their final wardrobe choices. This year, the Costume Institute is honoring Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada: On Fashion.
While the fashion world understands Prada as well as a Diet Coke, Elisa Schiaparelli is much less known. Schiap, as her friend's called her, is the grandmother of former model and actress Marisa Berenson. Her 1930s fashion rival -- everyone needs one-- was Coco Chanel.
The Paris-based designer was best known for her love of surrealism and her collaborations with artists such as Salvador Dali. Schiaparelli was particularly fond of magenta-pink and later became associated with a particular shade that was coined, "Schiaparelli pink."
While her main focus was clothing, we think the best way to independently honor the late designer is through her jewels. Right now, eBay currently has 43 Schiaparelli auctions and prices over the last month seem to be inching up. We expect these prices to continue to rise as the Met Ball nears and the public attends the fashion exhibit.
Our favorite jewelry items are those that contain the designer's signature pink stones or "watermelon tourmalines," as sellers describe them. This iconic bracelet is $429 on eBay but a similar style can be found on 1stDibs for $350. On Ruby Lane we found the watermelon bracelet along with matching earrings for $500 and here are the earrings alone for just $88....
April 26, 2012
Baccarat Annual Sale
Sipping Dom Perignon on a festive occasion maybe nice but there is only one way to make that yummy bubbly taste a bit better. The flavor enhancer we have in mind isn't in the beverage but in the accessories, of course. There is something about a red Baccarat Vega Flutissimo champagne flute that escalates champagne flavor and the festivities.
At $160 a glass, or almost $2000 for 12, it might make more sense to buy another case of champagne. After all, who has a party with just 12 people? It's always our philosophy to not make budget choices unless it's absolutely necessary and a good sale is always a fantastic workaround.
For two days, Baccarat will be discounting their delectable items up to 80% off. The only catch is that you have to drive to the brand's warehouse in New Jersey. But think of how many glasses you could buy if they ere just $32 a pop! In addition to barware, the sale will include vases, decorative pieces and a large selection of Baccarat jewelry. We think discounts like that are reason enough to throw a party!
Baccarat Sample Sale
Friday, April 27 to Saturday, April 28
Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 3pm
36 Mayfield Ave. Edison, NJ 08837
(800-845-1928)...
April 25, 2012
DKNY 40% Off
DKNY is hosting a spring sale where select merchandise will be discounted 40% off. The sale starts Thursday, April 26th and runs through Sunday, April 29th. Online shoppers should use the DKNY.com/VIP web address and use the code VIP40 at checkout.
We especially love the spaghetti strap stripped sundress that is already on sale from $475 to $332. A sleeveless wrap shirt ($225) is perfect for summer in the city and will also work well with shorts for summer at the beach. A DKNY light-weight cozy is a must for summer for everyone ($145).n Remember, the sale doesn't start until tomorrow but it's never too early to start plotting your strategy....
April 25, 2012
Mother’s Day Gift Idea
Would you believe that May is only a week away? The years fly by so quickly. Before you know it, another one is over. Wouldn't it be nice to freeze time and share the moment with the woman you love most? Who is that? Mom, of course.
Yes, Mother's day is May 13th and you need to start thinking about how to show your appreciation. We couldn't think of a more wonderful gift than capturing a moment that she will keep forever.
PhotoOp, NY's premier photo studio, is offering customers a free photo shoot when you schedule a session between now and May 18. Think of it, you can gather the kids, the grand-kids and all the cousins for a session for the perfect Mother's Day gift. Then, to top it all off, you can schedule a second free session with mom, grandma and all the aunts. Expecting a baby? Capture your baby bump now and use your free photo shoot when your baby is born. That's all for the price of one shoot.
The second sitting is valid until the end of the year, so there's no pressure. Now, if we could only figure out a way to freeze time on our face. Oh yeah, that's Botox.
PhotoOp
442 Columbus Ave
New York
212 362-1911
...
April 24, 2012
Inside the Jil Sander VIP Preview
By ManhattanMataHari
The Jil Sander sample sale doesn't officially start until tomorrow but we couldn't wait another day and decided to head straight into the "VIP preview sale"--whatever that means.
After the mandatory coat and bag check we headed towards the ready-to-wear section, which was all reduced 85% off retail. Our spring fervor made the heavy wools from the fall and winter collection less desirable but we were thrilled by the bright colored clothing from this season's line. We just wish there was more of it.
Our top picks included the minimalist tailored wool sheath dresses for an unbeatable $157. On the table in the middle of the room, which was stocked with mostly menswear, we found lovely lightweight silk and cashmere blend sweaters for just $127. If you are looking to stock up on office basics, you will not be disappointed. Crisp white button down blouses are now a mere $51 and there are also lots of black suit separates. Before you leave, be sure to check out the outerwear selection. Quilted down jackets with fur trimmed hoods are now marked down to $270. Bags and accessories are discounted 80%. Shoes are 85% off retail but we weren't impressed with either selection.
While the sale is promoted as "invite-only," even the doorkeeper, with the VIP list acknowledged that he wouldn't be turning people away. The wait on Tuesday, however, which is the first “public” day of the sale, will be quite hectic. Expect a long wait but the sale is definitely worth the trip downtown. Historically there aren’t too many headaches if you go on the second day of the sale.
Jil Sander Sample Sale
Tuesday, April 24th through Saturday April 28th
10am to 6pm
8 Crosby (between Howard and Grand), 4th floor...
