Madison Avenue Spy

August 2, 2011

Alexander Wang Sample Sale

It's officially August, which means the Alexander Wang sample sale is under way. The sale officially starts this week but if past experience is indicative of future discounts we know that the shopping will be great.

The sale always begins with press and employee shopping and opens to the public in the mid-afternoon. That means that the chances of finding a $300 Darcy or $250 Rocco are quite slim. If you really want to catch the good stuff we suggest going early. We will let the definition of early remain vague.

If you can't make it to the sale at the "start" we suggest you set your attention to the "real" samples, which have been found for as little as $10 and basics from T by Alexander Wang that have started at $20. Dresses from the designer collection started at $140.

At the last sale, the promotional materials touted prices up to 80% off. This season, the flier says prices will be up to 70% off. That slight change may indicated that the discount might not be as good as prior seasons. At least, you can always depend on the price cut that comes as the sale progresses.

Alexander Wang Sample Sale
Wednesday, August 3 to Sunday, August 7
Wed 3pm - 7pm, Thurs-Fri 10am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm
97 Greene Street (Btwn Prince & Spring)
Credit Cards accepted for purchases above $200...

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July 29, 2011

Christian Siriano Sample Sale

By: ManhattanMataHari

Fans of Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano will be thrilled to learn that the reality show designer is hosting his first sample sale. The one-day sale serves up fiercely fashionable pieces at a fraction of the retail price.

We went to the sale early today to preview the merchandise and found the best deals on Christian Siriano’s sample rack. Chiffon tops started at $40 and dresses were $65. On the racks of Siriano’s ready-to-wear, we found wool-cashmere blend coats for $400 and textured silk skirts for $150. There were a number of cute cocktail dresses with ruffles and draping details for $375. The pricing for separates pricing for pants ($150), blouses ($200) and jackets ($275) may be hard to justify since most of the designs aren’t exactly practical for everyday wear.

In addition to Siriano’s closeouts, the sale includes samples and overstock from designers Lyn Devon and Karolina Zmarlak. At the time we previewed the sale, Zmarlak had not set up her fashion but we did find a lot of great deals from Devon.

We spotted a number of Lyn’s pieces from the spring 2011 collection and samples from her current (or not yet in stores) fall 2011 collection. Our picks were a lovely burgundy leather skirt for $125, classic lightweight knits (in black, green, blue, and pink) made of Loro Piana fabric for $75 and the “Ella” dresses in a variety of fabrics for $275. Lyn’s dresses normally run about $1000 at department stores, so we are going to consider $275 a great bargain.

Christian Siriano, Lyn Devon and Karolina Zmarlak Sample Sale
Friday, July 29th
8am to 6pm
463 Broome St near Greene and Mercer Sts, suite 1B (downstairs)...

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July 28, 2011

Intermix Extra 40% Off

By: TJKennedy

We may have officially reached the dead of summer, but the sale at Intermix is still alive and well. The back section of the store is dedicated to sale merchandise which is an additional 40% off and includes an array of white flowing dresses and colorful jeans.

Tank tops range from $49 to $120, the most expensive being a pale pink silk top by the new addition to the store, Theyskens Theory. Blouses that were usually $220 were down to $100 and long maxi dressed were down to $108 from $300. Knit tops by Theory were plentiful and range from $78 to $149.

One of our favorite pieces was a printed fringe Z Spoke dress that retails for $450, discounted to $180. Tons of cropped jeans in a plethora of colors filled the racks by J Brand, Rag & Bone, and Current/Elliot, all around $70. There were a few select sizes of high waisted, wide leg jeans by J Brand marked at $80.

There were silk scarves for $99 and about 10 styles of shoes by the likes of Sergio Rossi, Pour La Victoire, and Brian Atwood. The only flats were a couple pair of bedazzled flip flops by Giuseppe Zanotti. The one tray of jewelry was slightly disappointing but pieces ranged from $25 up to $115. Cut off shorts were only around $60-- why do it yourself when you can buy a perfectly symmetrical pair to throw in your weekend beach bag....

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July 26, 2011

Milly Markdown

The Milly boutique is offering customers a modest summer savings off most items. Milly Minis, the brand's adorable children's line is 30% off and women's clothing is 40% off. Jewelry is discounted 30% and the store is also offering an additional 30% off these items for a total discount of about 50% off.

With a bit of searching, you can find many of the same flirty items on sale at Saks for 60% off. For instance, on Saks online we found the combo bustier dress for $150 but it's still $225 at the boutique. A Milly Minis party dress is $97 at Saks but $135 at the store.

Sizes are running low at both stores. That bustier dress is only available in a size 12 at Saks online and the boutique only has a size 0. If you're in between, you may have to do a bit more legwork.

Jen 212-395-9100

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July 26, 2011

Tom Ford Half Off

There were a lot of firsts at Tom Ford this season. The master of sexy launched his first women's collection under his own label. The collection was presented in London to a small group of privleged a-list celebrities, fashion insiders and selected press. Unlike most fashions shows, there were no photographers and no pictures of the collection were circlulated to the media.

Depending on your perspective, this marketing ploy may have backfired. Without images and press hype, customers were never given the chance to explore the collection and become comfotable with spending thousands of dollars on a single piece of fashion. Shopkeepers and boutique managers swore up and down that the "maiden collection" would not be marked down. But we knew better...

Guess what? The collection is now 50% off!

For the first time, the entire Tom Ford women's collection is now 50% off. That includes shoes, bags, jewelry and clothing. Unlike the men's collection there is still a lot of merchandise from which to choose. For those who have not shopped the Madison Avenue boutique, shoes are regularly priced at about $1000, bags at about $3500 and clothes are $1500 plus.

Unfortunatly, we still can't find pictures of some of the best pieces of the collection. For now, we will just have to wait until our shipment arrives and post pictures later. At least we can enjoy the fact that our fashionable purchases haven't been overexposed. Now that's another first we can enjoy!

Diane: 212-359-0300...

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July 25, 2011

End of Season Sales: Meatpacking

By ManhattanMataHari

Despite the heel-peril that can be inflicted by cobblestones, the Meatpacking district is a wonderful alternative to Madison Avenue shopping. Designer boutiques across the far west side of 14th Street are offering generous discounts to lure the end of summer shopper.

Jeffery
We always love to start our Meatpacking district shopping at Jeffrey. The sale rack is full of great markdowns, mostly in size 4 and 6 ladies. We found wardrobe staples like a $1175 Jil Sander black blazer marked down to $470. Jeffery is one of the only boutiques authorized to sell Chanel and it was hard to resist a chic $2610 lightweight black anorak marked down to $1044. There are also a number of designer heels included in the sale for mostly under $300 from labels like Blahnik, Fendi, Gucci, Marni, and Bottega Veneta. With only a week left for the sale, heading downtown may become a higher priority.

Ebone: 212-206-1272

Stella McCartney
The Stella McCartney boutique is currently offering a 60% discount on the spring and summer collection. The children’s clothing line is 50% off, but unfortunately there are no large sizes left to pass off as small womenswear. Seasonal patterned Falabella totes (in citrus or floral designs) a priced at $559 and $579, while an $1845 gray boyfriend blazer is now $739. Some of the better deals were a lovely $595 striped cream silk blouse marked down to $219 and $239 blue satin animal print tulip shorts or matching dress for $359. The sale is also online with additional sizes and selection.
Elizabeth: 212-255-1556

Matthew Williamson
Heading next door to Matthew Williamson, we were surprised to find the discount is still only 60%. Unfortunately, the designer’s signature flowy maxi dresses from the Escape collection are not included in this markdown but will likely go on sale at the end of August. Expect to find loads of bright colors and prints, including cowl neck silk blouses for $330, but the real deals are on $171 bikinis and $235 for one-pieces.
Tommy: 212-255-9881

Moschino
Moschino is also offering a 60% discount on their spring and summer collections with plenty of styles and sizes to choose from. A black crepe shift dress with gold bobby pin embellished shoulders is now $357 from $895 and a Balenciaga-inspired version adorned with gold thimbles and faux pearls is now $638 from $1595. The sale ends next week so hurry over before items are shipped out.
Niko: 212-243-8600

Alexander McQueen
The nearby Alexander McQueen has their runway collection marked down 60% but we have to say that selection is very limited. A double buckle belt is $339 from $845, skull flip-flops are $199 from $495 and pencil dress is $829 from over $2000. If you’re really interested in great McQueen prices we suggest you shop the boutique as soon as the markdown begins.
Mosell: 212-645-1797

Hugo Boss
Hugo Boss is also advertising a sale. The discount is 40% to 50% off but the discounted merchandise is not delineated in any way and is mixed in with full priced items on the racks. The worst of the Hugo Boss experience was its snooty sales associates. Not necessary.
Don’t Bother

...

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July 21, 2011

UES Welcomes Fairway

As of today, the banana market drastically changed with the opening of Fairway Market on 86th Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenues. Now neighborhood residents, and visitors, can bypass the fruit vendors and overpriced neighborhood convenience stores for their produce and specialty food needs.

In addition, the supermarket will open the first "Fairway to Go" café with coffee, bagels, sandwiches, chopped salad and more next store in the old Circuit City space. That's another huge undeserved market.

We sent out in spies this evening, specifically Dr. Five Hats and her first response was that the store was "f*cking awesome." If you're looking for cheap groceries you might need to shop elsewhere. "It's not badly priced but not great either," she says. "The quality is just amazing and variety can't be beat anywhere in the neighborhood."

Dr. Five Hats was specifically impressed with the variety of kosher foods, which includes meat and a vast amount of baked goods. In addition, there is a large organic department, dried fruits section, three cheese areas and the coffee and tea selection.

Most impressively, the store is open until midnight. (Most other stores in the neighborhood confuse the area for the suburbs and close at 9pm). Delivery between 81st and 91st streets costs $4.95 or $5.95 for anywhere in the city.

Fairway Market
240 East 86th Street
(between 2nd and 3rd Aves)
212-327-2008
7:00AM – Midnight Daily...

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July 20, 2011

Robert Marc Sale

The high-end optical store, Robert Marc is starting their summer sale. Handmade corrective glasses and sunglasses for men and women will be 40% to 50% off.

Robert Marc glasses are both fashionable and high quality. The best part is that there are no obnoxious logos. Faithful customers include, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore, Uma Thurman and Matt Damon. Prices start at about $400 and work their way up to very expensive. In addition to the house imprint, Robert Marc stores carry hard-to-find brands like Lunor and Retrospecs.

In our case, it's always when the sale ends that we realize we need new glasses. So if you're optically challenged, this is truly a good opportunity for eyewear rebanding.

Locations:
190 Columbus Avenue (between 68 & 69), 212-799-4600
400 Madison Avenue (between 47 & 48), 212-319-2900
551 Madison Avenue (between 55 & 56), 212-319-2000
782 Madison Avenue (between 66 & 67), 212-737-6000
1046 Madison Avenue (between 79 & 80), 212-988-9600
1300 Madison Avenue (between 92 & 93), 212-722-1600
386 Bleecker Street (at Perry), 212-242-6668
436 West Broadway (between Spring & Prince), 212-343-8300...

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