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February 3, 2012
Weekend Shopping: Manhattan Vintage
By ManhattanMataHari
Normally we won’t pay to shop, but the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show and Sale promises more than an everyday shopping experience. This Friday and Saturday, patrons can enjoy a veritable history of haute designer labels and a special exhibit featuring Christian Lacroix. Our experience shopping the show last year was mixed. Be forewarned there are many booths to peruse for unique vintage finds, so be sure to pace yourself!
The first thing to keep in mind is that some of the vintage designer pieces will be as expensive, if not more so than current designs. The trade off is you will never have to worry about another woman arriving at an event in the same dress. We saw lots of vintage Emilio Pucci and Missoni print dresses last year, but they were a bit too pricey in the $500 to $1000 range. There were also a number of classic Chanel boucle wool knit separates and suits at about the same price range, which is too extreme considering increasing Chanel retail prices.
Be on the lookout for the accessories booths. The selection of classic Chanel flap bags, Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags, vintage Bottega Veneta intrecciato purses and Louis Vuitton bags and trunks are unmatched. Many limited editions and rare colors and styles are available, with price tags to match. Some of the booth owners may be willing to negotiate a bit on price.
The major highlight from last year was our $50 fur find. Granted, a hook closure needed to be replaced and a cleaning was in order, but this chic short fur jacket with classic lines was a steal. There were a variety of short fur jackets under $200, although we didn’t see any long fur strollers. With a little TLC your vintage cheap fur find can become your winter style staple.
The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show and Sale is the perfect blend of exhibit and flea market. It is a weekend entertainment trip well worth the $15 admission after our $5 off coupon.
Manhattan Vintage
February 3rd & 4th
125 WEST 18TH ST., NYC
Metropolitan Pavilion...
February 3, 2012
The It-it: J Crew Pixie Pants
As much I've tired, I've had a hard time fitting into the J. Crew look. Maybe it's too preppy or maybe it's too mainstream. In the meantime, the jewelry keeps me coming back again and again.
Recently, while in a pinch, I ran into the Madison Avenue boutique and asked for a legging or a pair of tight black pants. The sales person declared she had the perfect solution, Pixie Pants. The pants fall into a category between a riding pant and legging, which is perfect for cooler months. They are also substantial enough to be worn to the office.
I can't tell you how addicted I am to my Pixie pants. They have become a staple of my wardrobe and I've insisted that all my friends purchase at least one pair. So far, everyone is thrilled! The pants retail for $88 but J. Crew often has 30% off sales, which brings the total to just $64. They are currently sold out online but are stocked at many boutiques in Manhattan.
They do tend to run large, so go a size smaller. I can't say enough good things about Pixie pants.
J. Crew Pixie Pants ($88)...
February 2, 2012
Cobra Starship x Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Week
For the past several seasons American Express has made a effort to give their card members access to the most well guarded velvet ropes, Fashion Week. This season is no different and we are sure that that this promotion will make feel "Na Na Na Na Na."
Cobra Starship will be performing live during a Tommy Hilfiger fashion show on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30pm. The fashion and music runway spectacle will present Hilfiger’s Spring 2012 campaign featuring “The Hilfigers”— the fictional American family. (Apparently, Tommy's real family apparently didn't make the cut).
Tickets are available now exclusively through American Express. Seats are being sold for $150 and $90 depending how close you want to be to the runway. There is also a $7 service fee and $3 facility fee. In addition to the fashion show, the package includes a cocktail party and $100 vouchers to be used in-store at select Tommy Hilfiger locations, which essentially defrays almost the entire cost of the event.
Alternatively, you can go to fashion week without spending a penny by participate in our Fashion Week contest. Just follow us on Twitter and send the following:
By reading @MadisonAveSpy daily I found a great deal on [blank]. Follow and RT to win a chance to go to fashion week
When you send us your favorite Mad-Spy deal you will become eligible to attend a fashion show and write a post for the site. The winners will be annoucned on Monday.
Now sing with us: Na Na Na Na Na......
February 1, 2012
TJ Maxx Spring Bling
By ManhattanMataHari
It's the start of the retail spring season, which means off-price retails have a fresh shipment of discounted designer loot. The timing couldn't be better for those wanting to look great during fashion week without spending even a waif's weight in gold.
TJ Maxx stores have received a new shipment of designer goodies that are sure to hit the mark. While some items may be past season, there are lots of great basics from which to choose. We found a couple of Givenchy leather handbags priced between $700 to $1000, a Celine slouchy leather tote was $800, a classic black leather Prada hobo was $1200 and a brown leather Dolce & Gabbana tote is $600. Jimmy Choo fans won't want to miss the leather bags priced at $800.
The Runway, TJ Maxx's designer ready-to-wear section, is largely hit or miss. We spotted a great Versace white linen bustier dress for $500 and a back-plunging M Missoni number for $250. There are a variety of drapey Helmut Lang dresses now $79 to $150, as well as a cute embroidered Marc by Marc Jacobs strapless dress for $300.
For a more polished look, pair the $80 bright pink Kate Spade shell under the $200 Valentino pinstripe blazer. Pull on a pair of skinny jeans and you're set for a day of back-to-back shows.
While it may be tempting to only shop the more organized Runway department, be sure to check out the separate clearance racks. TJ Maxx has taken their final markdown on lots of designer merchandise, which you can recognize by the lavender tags with yellow sale stickers. With a bit of determination you can find M Missoni and Versace pants for $44, Ralph Lauren Black Label separates for under $50, Opening Ceremony pants and blazers under $34, Armani Collezioni velvet jackets for $299 and Marc Jacobs jackets priced between $119 and $149.
While it may take a bit of effort, even an intern can afford to look great during fashion week with these prices. If you're shopping strategically, we suggest making starting at the TJ Maxx on West 57th Street, which stocks the store with the Hearst magazine editors in mind. Then check the TJ Maxx on Columbus and 99th Street, which is large enough to contain a separated Runway section....
January 31, 2012
D. Porthault Semi-Annual Sale
D. Porthault sells some of the most beautiful embellished linens and home furnishings. We especially love the hand hand-embroidered motifs but the prices are another story.
Perhaps the D. Porthault semi-annual sale is enough of a discount to get you to update your whites. Through February 4th the store is discounting selected printed and embroidered bed linens, terry towels, table linens, and assorted other products 40% to 80% off. For example, a tiger print queen bedroom set with four pieces is $660 from $1100 and a hand painted floral bath sheets are $186 from $310.
You can click here to get an idea of what items are included in the markdown. Unfortunately, the site doesn't allow for online shopping but we are sure that a well qualified sales associate can assist you with your purchase.
D. Porthault Semi-Annual Sale
Through February 4th
Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm
470 Park Avenue at 58th Street
212-688-1660
Cash, check, Visa, MC, Amex...
January 30, 2012
Fashion Dream Sale
There is a place. Hidden in a nondescript building in the East Village. This place, contains a closet. Not just any closet, but a closet that your designer, name-dropping brain can't even begin to comprehend. It's a closet that appears to contain every Manolo-Louboutin-Chanel-Balmain-Lanvin item that's ever been created. Ever!
The Alrbight Fashion Library is a 2,600-sq-ft loft space that is home to more than 25,000 couture dresses and 8,000 pairs of shoes. It's all there, in this closet. Normally, this fashion fantasy is utilized by movie makers and reality star stylists but right now you can shop the Albright Fashion Library during their sample sale.
Women’s clothing, outerwear and shoes are all reduced to 90% off. Dresses that retail from $900 to $2900 are $290. Gowns that retail starting at $5600 from Pamela Dennis, Robert Danes, and Moschino now $560 to $790. Suits that are normally $2600 are just $260. Shoes. Shoes. Shoes from Blahnik, Louboutin, and Jimmy Choo now $60 are just $100.
The sale runs through the end of the month but you wouldn't want to miss any remaining Balenciaga, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors or Marchesa, would you?
Albright Fashion Library
Through Tuesday, January 31st
11am to 8pm
32A Cooper Sq. (off Bowery between 5th & 6th Streets)
For more information call 212-253-5894...
January 27, 2012
The IT-It: Drybar
I remember hearing the term wet bar as a child and imagining a bartender spraying customers with a soft drink hose. When I recently heard about Drybar my imagination was almost as naive: A bar with no alcohol? Yikes!
Thank goodness my conjecture was wrong on both accounts. Drybar may be the coolest beauty concept ever. The beauty chain offers flat rate $40 hair blowouts. There's no, extra $10 for long hair or unexpected fees for extra curly or thick hair. Yup, it's just $40! Oh, oh, did we mention the Shirley Temple service? It's for kids 10 and under and costs just $24. (Blowouts and lunch with Eloise anyone?)
So as curly haired girls have been rejoicing on the west coast and in the Village, uptown gals can start taking advantage of the Drybar treatment too. Today Drybar opened in the Le Parker Meridien, on West 59th Street. The space is almost as hot as a Twin Turbo 2800.
Scheduling an appointment is as easy as the price. Just go to the company’s online scheduler and select the Le Parker Meridien location from the drop down menu and pick a time that's convenient to you. Even better, walk-ins are welcome too.
Drybar
119 West 56th Street btw 6th and 7th Avenues
212-557-5392...
January 26, 2012
The Most Expensive Stores in the US
Unsurprisingly Madison Avenue is home to many of the country's most expensive retail stores, according to analysis company Bundle. Ten of the 25 stores, listed in the report are located on Madison Avenue and 13 are located in NYC.
Oscar de la Renta takes home top prize for the boutique with the highest average receipt of $3,217. Georgio Armani, which has several locations throughout Manhattan, including Madison Avenue, is second with average receipts of $2,881. At the bottom of the list is Prada, where customers tend to spend about $1,430. Wedding emporiums Vera Wang and Kleinfeld Bridal both made it to the impressive list, which is just goes to show the buying power of the blushing bride.
Bundle compiled their list of the most expensive shops in America by looking at the average receipt amounts based on millions of transactions done in clothing stores across the U.S from April 2010 to May 2011. Wholesalers, manufacturers and big department stores were filtered out of the list. We imagine that's why high priced stores like Hermes and Louis Vuitton are not included in the top 25 list.
Although Madison Avenue is an expensive place to shop, it's just as easy to save a bundle. As we know, just about all these stores reduce merchandise to about half-off but that may mean you end up buying twice as much!
- Oscar de la Renta, NYC
- Georgio Armani, NYC
- Loro Piana, Boston
- Akris, NYC
- Maxfield, LA
- Chanel, NYC
- Bruno Cucinelli, NYC
- Blake, Chicago
- Savannah, Santa Monica
- Alexander McQueen, NYC
- Tom Ford, NYC
- Lanvin, NYC
- Ascot Chang, NYC
- Chloe, NYC
- Marissa Collections, Naples
- Dolce & Gabbana, Beverly Hills
- Wilkes Bashord, SF
- Bottega Veneta, Manhasset
- Kleinfeld Bridal, NYC
- Morris & Sons, Chicago
- A'Marees, Newport Beach
- Vera Wang, NYC
- Escada, Beverly Hills
- Saks Jandel, MD
- Prada, NYC
...
