Sample Sales NYC Jan 14-20, 2013

Who: Calvin Klein Sale
What: Snag men's & women's Suits, Sportcoats, Outerwear, Shirts, Knitwear,
Accessories & handbags at up to 75% off retail.
When: Jan 13-17, 2013. Sun 9am-6pm, Mon- Wed 9am-7pm, Thurs 9am-5pm
Where: Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33rd Street (b/n 8th & 9th Ave)

Who: Journelle Sample Sale
What: Snag discounts on lovely underpinnings by Lasvicious, La Perla, Eberjey, Elle Macpherson Intimites, Stella McCartney Lingerie, Cosabella, Lou and many more all 50-70% off retail.
When: Jan 15-19, 2013. Tues-Fri 9am-7pm. Sat 10am-4pm.
Where: 260 Fifth Ave (nr 29th St)

Who: Norma Kamali Warehouse Sample Sale
What: Shop archive pieces, samples, and one-of-a-kind items from past collections.
All items will be under $100 with prices ranging $5, $15, $25-$99.
Special event on Thurday, January 17th from 5pm-7:30pm showcasing additional surprise selection. RSVP required for the event. RSVP at marissas@normakamali.com.
When: January 12-19, 2013. Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Closed Sundays.
Where: 11 West 56th Street (b/n 5th & 6th Ave). 212-957-9797

Who: Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale
What: Samples and slight irregulars for women and men at a discount at the Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale. All sales final.
When: Jan 14-17, 2013. Mon-Thurs 11am-7pm
Where: Clothingline, 261 West 36th Street, 2nd Floor (b/n 7th & 8th Ave) 212-947-8748

Who: Zutto Yellow Showroom
Wha: Up to 50% off jewelry, accessories, and home goods from Andrea Bocchio, Prairiefunk, Necks Tuesday, Possum Hollow Farm, and more. Like Zutto Yellow on Facebook for an extra 5% off.
When: Jan 14-17, 2013. Mon-Thurs 11am-8pm.
Where: 611 Broadway (b/n West Houston & Bleecker St) suite 321

Who: Mikimoto
What: Snag deep discounts on luxe pearls. At a previous sale the jewelry was discounted 50% to 70% off.
When: Jan 16-18, 2013. Wed 11am—7pm Thurs—Fri 10am—7pm.
Where: 680 Fifth Ave (b/n 53rd & 54th St) 4th floor

Who: Gary Graham
What: Up to 50% off the fall collection. Samples and past collection pieces will be included and marked down up to 90% off.
When: Jan 17-19, 2013. Thurs 11am-7pm, Sat noon-7pm
Where: 176 Franklin St (b/n Hudson and Greenwich St) 212-274-8940

Kamali Kulture by Norma Kamali

Recently I had the chance to meet with Norma Kamali to discuss her Kamali Kulture collection, blogging and self confidence. I was a little nervous meeting someone who is a bit of a design legend.  Add to that the fact that I admire her style and own a few pieces that from her past collaborations with Everlast and Walmart and my nerves are floating around my stomach. While sitting in her Wellness Cafe and sipping on some delicious fresh pressed green juice,  Ms Kamali enters the room and grabs a Chia Seed snack. She introduces herself and quickly explains that travelling between 3 time zones has her starving as she gently takes a few bites.

Almost like an old friend she talks about her filming experience on VH1 and how amazing the women were who personalized and styled pieces wearing them in totally new and chic ways. She shares how she was most impressed by a young lady who took a top and turned it into pants by putting her legs through the sleeves and letting it create a unique drop crotch effect.  As she chats with me I quietly notice that somehow age hasn't affected her virtually lineless face and super shiny head of hair.

Kamali explains that when she started her Walmart collection she had not planned for it but initially everywhere she went people would tell her how they used to wear Norma Kamali but could no longer wear it. As her customers grew up, their bodies and wallets changed after children. When Walmart approached her they told her to do her thing, gave her a brand manager and the next thing she knew online sales were growing rapidly. Women who never shopped at Walmart were scooping up items and it broadened her audience immensely.


It was here that Kamali learned the importance of having great suppliers and she built strong relationships over the 3 years.  She knew that what she wanted to do next would require changes and her time with Walmart was over. Although the quality and price of the Walmart collection was quite astonishing, having to keep the collection primarily at under $25 really restricted her vision. Keeping the budget conscious every woman in mind, Kamali decided to create a collection that fit a large range of sizes from size 0 to 18 all for under $100. Instead of trying to compete with fast fashion the collection would be comprised of classic staples that any woman can build her wardrobe around. Clothes that a woman can look at and feel they were smart in their decisions and therefore in their appearance. Clothes that would empower a woman and build her confidence. Women all around the globe face the same issues with being judged for beauty, self confidence, success. Kamali has a democratic vision for this collection, a common experience that sets the stage for a global vision.

Kamali and I share the belief that clothing can provide as much excitement, energy and empowerment as any therapy session. How a woman feels in their clothing can uplift her entire day. She also believes in keeping material things in check and only keeps what she wears and loves instead of letting material goods own and consume her. She found it very cleansing to eliminate all of the chaos from her life. As I make my seasonal closet edit they are words to think about. Do I own this top because I love it or because I think the color is great and it lifts my closet?  Words I've been thinking about critically.

She also shares how her boyfriend said the phrase shit to share in conversation and how she immediately thought it was a brilliant phrase.  Kamali trademarked "Shit to Share" as a platform to give her customers a voice.

Classic Kamali All-in-One Dress creates a multitude of different looks

She also says to expect shoes that will be comfortable coming soon to  Kamali Kulture.  One day when Kamali was caught in the rain, in heels with her dog trying to run to catch a cab because her dog had accidentally consumed several pounds of chocolate she found herself thinking how comfortable and great the shoes she was wearing was.  This lead her to seek out comfort as a necessary component in the design of her new venture into footwear.

I had a chance to view the collection and try on one of the pieces.  It was super comfortable and I felt effortlessly chic in the dress.  Somehow there was just the right of sexy attitude while covering up my belly in a uber flattering manner.  Although the collection is value priced – details are not skimped out on.  Jackets have real functioning plackets and buttons, skirts have kick pleats and the sunglasses are actually manufactured at the same factory that the collection frames are produced – which makes them an incredible bargain.  The fabrications also lend themselves to easy travelling.

Kamali Kulture is available online at KamaliKulture.com, Amazon.com and Zappos.com.

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)