November is turning out to be the trifecta in shoe sample sales. Manolo, Louboutin and Olypmia have have all planned to unload their overstock this coming month. Like any triathlon these sales will test your endurance and your loyalty to sample sales.
In light of the current onset, we thought we would create an official survival guide. Anyone who is adverse to long lines or crowds is better waiting for a good markdown. Read on if you’re willing to take the plunge and play footsie with the big girls.
Manolo Blanhik
Tuesday, November 8
Doors open to the public at 11am
Warwick Hotel, 65 W 54th St. & 6th Ave, 2nd fl.
Manolo Blanhik is one sale that treats its sample sale customers like, well, customers. Attendees are invited to take a number, in this case letter, and come back in a specified amount of time. Alterntivily, shoppers can wait in the ballroom.
Most shoppers usually start arriving by 7am and watch the VIPs walk away with bags of loot. As you would expect, a morning of editors shopping with Andre Leon Talley can wipe out a lot of merchandise.
Charlotte Olympia
Thursday, November 17th
11am—7pm
Roosevelt Hotel, 45 E 45th St (btwn Vanderbilt & Madison Ave) Vanderbilt Suite
Madison Avenue Boutique
Harlene 347-307-0145
We couldn’t be more excited to grab shoes from the quirky Brit. At the last sale, Kitty flats were $250 and more ornate style boots ran up to $600. The best styles get snatched up quickly. If you want the best selection we suggest you don’t hesitate– there isn’t any restocking.
We are told that most of the selection will be from this past spring/summer season. There will also be bags and other great accessories.
This sample sale will be quite busy and we expect there will be a bit of a wait. If that’s not your style, you can head to the Madison Avenue boutique starting November 7 and pre-saling fall styles priced at 50% off.
Christian Louboutin
Date: TBD
Daily 9am to 5pm
307 W. 38th St.
The Christian Louboutin sale is the most difficult to infultrate. To break into this vault of red soles you’re going to have to leave the cyber world and make some real world friends. Lucky we have good friends who pass on the info.
This sale is invitation only and invitees are not even allowed to bring a guest. We suggest that those who are clawing for an invite reach out to anyone they know who has a relationship with the company. That means Louboutin retailers or those at the top ranks of editorial.
Lucky we have good friends who secretly pass along the details. We will be sure to post more information as soon as they become available. The sale usually takes place in November but last year, we were thrown a curveball with the December sale. Unfortunately, we were blacklisted from attending and aren’t able to help anyone (including ourselves) get into the sale.
Prices at Louboutin usually start at the $225 mark go up to $550 for boots. There’s no restocking and by mid-week most sizes are almost completely sold out. Those who wear a size 6 or below or 9.5 and above usually can take adavantage of the most fuitful selection.
