Now Wearing…

When I first saw this Marni x H&M silky cardigan in the ad campaign I knew I had to have it.  The dot print combined with 2-tone textured knit sleeves and back gave it a perfectly retro librarian sort of feel that I loved so I was super excited when I managed to score it at the 34th Street location early on the day of the launch.  While I never managed to snag those delightfully chunky necklaces I found a bracelet that I previously fashioned into a necklace that did the trick.

Silky Cardigan - Marni x H&M
Tank Top - Petite Bateau
Elastic Hem Pants - Richard Chai LOVE
Necklace - Subversive x Target Bracelet - transformed into a necklace w/ pliers & velvet ribbon
Rhinestone Disc Ring - Fallon
Colorblock Shoes - Nine West

Sample Sales NYC: April 30-May 6, 2012

Who: Norma Kamali Super Sale

What: Discounts on beauty products and womenswear.  Most styles will be under $100.

When: May 1, 2012. 5:30-8:30pm. 

Where: 11 W 56th St (b/n 5th & 6th Ave)

Who: Botkier Sample Sale

What: 50%-70% off all handbags.  Caravel Satchel was $575, now $180. Phoenix was $575, now $288, Turner $575, now $288.

When: May 1-6, 2012. Tues-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Where:  255 5th Ave (near 26th St).

Who: Inhabit Sample Sale

What: Women's cashmere is $80 (was $398), cotton apparel is $50 (was $298) and tank tops are $30. Men's cashmere is $80 (was $498) and cotton apparel is $50 (was $288)

When: May 2-3, 2012. 10am-6pm

Where: 320 W 37th St (near 9th Ave) - 14th Floor.

What: MCM Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off handbags, toes, clutches and wallets
When: May 2-4, 2012. Wed 9am-8pm, Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 135 W 52nd St - Suite 5B (near 7th Ave).

Who: Be & D Sample Sale

What: Up to 70% off.  Shoes start at $75, handbags start at $125, clutches and wallets start at $40.

When: May 2-4, 2012.  Wed-Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-6:30pm

Where: 260 W 36th St - 8th Floor

Who: The Hive Showroom Sample Sale

What: Discounts on sundresses from Herion 1886, True Royal pans, Avec Moderation sandals and Benedetta Novi leathers. CASH ONLY

When: May 2-4, 2012. 

Where: 544 W 27th St - 6th floor (b/n 10th & 11th Ave). 212-644-5077

Who: Vivienne Tam Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off womenswear
When: May 2-4, 2012. Wed 9am-8pm, Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 260 W 39th St. - 11th Floor (near 8th Ave)

Who: Vivienne Westwood Sale

What: Discounts on menswear, womenswear, handbags, accessories and shoes.

When: May 2-13, 2012. 10am-6pm

Where: 20 W 36th St (b/n 5th and 6h Ave) - 6th Floor.

Who: Just Cavalli, GF Ferre and Galliano Sale (hosted by CP Fashion Group)

What: 60%+ off menswear, womenswear and accessories. Handbags are $120-$400, Shoes are $90-$300, jeans are $40-$200 and dresses are $90-350.

When: May 2-13, 2012. 10am-6pm

Where: 20 W 36th St (b/n 5th and 6h Ave) - 6th Floor.

Who: Dsquared2, Maison Martin Margiela, Viktor&Rolf, MM6, & Just Cavalli Sample Sale
What: Staff USA is having its highly anticipated spring/summer sample sale. This season's mega sale will feature apparel and accessories for men and women.
When: May 3-5, 2012. Thurs 2pm-7pm, Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 12pm-5pm
Where: 220 W 19th St, 19th Fl (btwn 7th & 8th Ave)

Who: Saturdays Surf NYC Sample Sale
What: Discounts on menswear
When: May 3-6, 2012. 12pm-8pm
Where: 19 Kenmare St (near Elizabeth St)

Who: Jill Platner Sale

What: Up to 65% off current collection and one of a kind pieces

When: May 4-6, 2012. 12pm-7pm

Where: 113 Crosby St (near Prince St). 212-324-1298

Who: A.P.C. Overstock Sale

What: Up to 75% off the clean-cut French label apparel. Jackets and coats are $100, tops $45, bottoms $30, sweaters $55.

When: May 4-6, 2012. Fri-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm

Where: 51 Bergen St (The Invisible Dog) - 3rd Floor. Carroll Gardens - Brooklyn

Ongoing Sales:

Who: Simon Spurr + SPURR Inventory and Sample Sale

What: 70% off menswear including suiting, outerwear, leather and cashmere.  Prices will likely be reduced on Tuesday.

When: April 24-May-2, 2012. Weekdays 10am-6pm, Weekend 11am-4pm

Where: 210 11th Ave - Suite 903 (b/n 24th & 25th St)

Now Playing: Kishi Bashi

A little over a month ago I randomly stumbled upon Kishi Bashi on Spotify. Kishi Bashi is actually the pseudonym for Seattle born singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter K Ishibashi.  You might have heard Ishibashi before on tour with of Montreal or as a part of NYC based band Jupiter One (of which he is a founding member).

I was instantly grabbed by the richness of his voice, the focus on violin as the key instrument throughout the album and his ability to construct layers of sound using different techniques (plucking and traditionally playing) and with using his own voice (singing, beat boxing).  Since the album is a bit of an experimental project there is great variety of sound.  My favorite track Manchester is a slow but uplifting track. Conversations at the End of the World is somber but beautiful in a painful kind of way.  Bright Whites is a happy little track that makes me smile.  Quite of a few of these tracks are now a part of my regular rotation.

Earlier this month I saw Kishi Bashi perform at Webster Hall - he was the opening act for of Montreal, but I couldn't help but wish that he becomes the main event soon because a scant 4 songs weren't nearly enough to satiate my appetite.  His debut album 151a just debuted on April 10, 2012 and the digital download is available online for just $8.

Sample Sale Report: Fashionhaus

I stopped by the Fashionhaus Sample Sale in the afternoon and aside from a few shoppers and a friendly staff it was pretty quiet.  The large brightly lit floor was full of all sorts of current season merchandise at prices below wholesale – and for most part at 80% off retail.  There was a wide variety of labels spread throughout rack upon rack of merchandise.

There wasn’t a large selection of menswear at the sale but there were still some button up shirts, dressy slacks and suit jackets in Euro sizes 48-54.  Men’s suits were $595, Blazers $395, Pants $75-165, Ties $45, Shirts $75, Outerwear $395.

My personal favorite collection at this sale was Danish designer By Malene Birger. Dresses were $225, Basic Tanks $45, Jackets $325 and Outerwear was $395. If you like you can even dress like a princess. The 2nd dress pictured above was specifically designed for Kate Middleton and worn by her on a few occasions.

The vast majority of the sample sale was womens wear from companies like Harvey Faircloth with it’s vibrant prints and high quality fabrics.  Dresses were $195, the ikat coat was $295 and shorts were from  $75-115.

A couple of designers I didn’t know previously were Rene Storck and Rosanna.  The Rene Storck dresses above in their sumptuous silk and interesting cuts were priced at $395, Silk Jackets $595, pants $250.  Rosanna with the interesting and bold print combinations has been featured in Vogue and available from $25 for socks to $65 Tanks to $195 for shirts to $495 for suede or leather pants.  Sizes for women varied from Euro 34 to 42 but for most part size 36 had the largest selection by far.

There was also some merchandise by 0039 Italy from $75 for jersey tops and scarves to $125 for dresses and blazers.  There was also a selection of fine cashmere from Allude for $95 for sleeveless tanks to $275 for a cashmere dress.

There was a change area in the back and large mirror to review your selections.

While this isn’t a sample sale for everyone because it is not exactly wallet friendly, if you are a fan of current season luxury merchandise by European designers at prices well below wholesale it might be worth stopping by.

Who: Fashionhaus Showroom Sale
What: Discounts on womenswear and menswear.  Brands include Harvey Faircloth, Allude, Rene Lezard, vintage Pendelton outerwear (for men) and more.
When: April 24-27, 2012. Tues, Wed, Fri 9am-6pm, Thurs 9am-7pm
Where: 58 W 40th St - 9th Floor (b/n 5th & 6th Ave)

Sample Sale Report: Simon Spurr

If you were as dissapointed as I was in the Jil Sander sample sale - head on over to the Simon Spurr sale where there's PLENTY of amazing gear - all at around 70% off retail.  Similar to Jil Sander with Raf Simons exiting the label, Simon Spurr recently did the same thing, so items from Spring 12 on sale are one of the last collections designed by Spurr himself.

First off, the space is massive compared to previous sales.  It's held in the same location but has more than double the space (the office used to be partitioned off) and there's tons of merchandise.  Whether you're in the market for denim, blazers, outerwear, or shirts, this sale has you covered.  There's no coat/bag check, a couple rooms for you to change in, one giant mirror and the sale is organized really well by type of clothing and by size.  Sizing is generally available across the board with the majority of items coming in M /48.

  

Simon Spurr makes the BEST pair of denim hands down (in my opinion).  It's a straight leg pant with a slim leg that just works.  It's not loud, its not super skinny and flattering all around.  All Simon Spurr denim is going for $125 (retails for about $375-$495) and Spurr denim is going for $75 (retails for about $198-$225).  Again in terms of sizing for pants, there's plenty to choose from and lots of colors including a couple brighter options (red and blue shown above). 

 

There's one table with a few knitwear pieces and some polos.  The polo shirts are going for $95 (retails for $345) and are made out a super lightweight fabric that have taped seams which adds a nice contrast.

There are a few samples available which were never made it to production like this shirt with fabric cutout pieces with tinted edges.

If you're looking for dress shirts - again there's plenty on the racks and also a few bins sitting on the ledge by the window.  If you can't find your size on the rack don't forget to check the bins! Simon Spurr button downs are $125 and SPURR button downs are $80.

The outerwear was plentiful - and both Simon Spurr and Spurr lines have great pieces to choose from.  My favorite was probably this beige cotton coat (Simon Spurr) with a coated panel going across the chest.  Beautifully constructed piece.

If your looking to score a winter coat at a discount, there's a few wool pieces and also a small rack of ties and one shelf of accessories (sunglasses, bags, shoes and hats).

In terms of pricing, when I arrived, no lists/prices were posted so the sales person was everyone's pricelist.  They were in the process of making copies to be distributed/put up so hopefully it will be easier to gauge pricepoints soon.  As a general rule, I would say that prices are running around 70% off of retail (Mr. Porter and Park & Bond both carry Simon Spurr while Bloomingdales carries SPURR if you want to check beforehand to get a better idea of prices will be).

As usual, the people working the sale are amazingly helpful and nice which is rare in the realm of sample sales.  Definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the lines!  Based on previous sales, prices will likely get marked down towards the end of the sale.

Sample Sale Report: Jil Sander

I made my way over to the Jil Sander store in SoHo still half asleep - and was about the 15th person in line .  I got there at 8:05am...a little intense I know - but the last two Jil Sander sales were amazing.  So I decided to sacrifice the comfort of my bed for the prospect of some new threads.  Big mistake. 

This guy was a mad trooper - respect.  He was one of the first people in line with a busted up foot - cast and crutches in tow.  Even though my experienced blew chunks, I hope he found some stuff he liked in the end!

As everyone mentioned, the sale is invite only - but the door policy is pretty much non-existent (i.e. no one is checking for invites).  I ended up making it in the first group of people to be let in and the elevator was rammed so everyone started towards the stairs (this is where living on a 4th floor walk-up comes in handy).  It was actually really funny - you could sense the intensity in the air with everyone trying to look cool composed while trying to move as fast as they could up the stairs without running and looking oh so "un-Jil Sander like" (myself included).  After a quick bag/coat check, everyone gunned it to the back of the showroom where the shoes and bags were being kept. Shoes are now displayed with workers standing behind a ledge who will help you with your size.  The process is much slower than you rummaging through yourself as in previous sales, but it keeps the mess to a minimum.

Once the herd departed from the accessories/shoes I decided to make my way to the back to take a look. Shoes/accessories are 80% off which is pretty sweet - except for the fact that the merch wasn't the greatest. Definitely nothing to get excited over.  According to the sales people, all merch is out so there will be no restocking.

 Menswear and womenswear is priced at 85% off retail - again amazing pricepoints.  Unfortunately again, selection just wasn't up to par compared with previous sales.  There were about 4 racks of coats/blazers/jackets for men along with one measly table of knits.  Some of the knitwear was nice but on the colorful side - which may or may not suit you.  Personally, I'd rather not look like a pumpkin.

  

 

A lot of the men's outerwear was made up of quilted/embroidered pieces which was not my cup of tea.  If that's your thing there's a few more options available for you. Even more if orange is your thing.

The above two pieces I actually liked.  The shirt has a detachable collar in neon pink and will set you back $103.50 (retails for $690), and the leather jacket with wool cuffs/detailing (women's) is going for $300 (down from $2,000).

In terms of sizing, menswear was mostly around 48 (about a M) with a few others in the mix. For womenswear, sizing seemed to be either on the smaller side or larger side with little middle ground.

Overall if you're looking for menswear, don't bother with this sale. You'll wait in line only to be greeted with a healthy dose of disappointment.