VPL Convexity Breaker Tanks $50

British designer, Victoria Bartlett, is hosting a sample sale at her Soho boutique on Mercer Street.  We checked out the goods before the doors opened to the public.

When we stopped in Tuesday evening, the racks were still in the back room of the studio space.  The VPL sample sale has lots of the designer’s signature pieces.  Pricing is fairly simple – color coded – starting at $25 and going up to $125 and up.

Let’s start with overstock items and actual samples (a few one-of-a-kinds can be had), which are the best deal at this sale.  Standouts include signature VPL Convexity Breaker tanks for $50 (orig. $195), the midi dress version for $100 (orig. $265), bottoms at $75 as well as jackets and sweaters (way too hot for now but winter will be here before you know it).  Undies (bras & panties) are $25 a piece.

Also on offer are current spring season ready-to-wear items, shoes and swimwear for 40% off the original retail price.  If you’re a fan of the brand, it’s worth popping in. We did see a few things we liked…

Where/When:  5 Mercer Street (Howard Street), NY, NY; May 22-23; Wed-Thurs (10am-7pm).

Spring 2013 Pieces at 40% off retail

VPL bras $25

One of our readers who is a big fan of the women’s clothing line, Tibi, stopped into the sample sale in the Garment District today… The doors opened to the public at Noon.  Our tipster, Christina, sent us a few photos (including the price lists) from there and gives us her take.

Today’s opening crowd is evidence that the brand – laid back femininity with a modern twist – has a large following…

“The sale was crazy!  It was super chaotic, but worth the aggravation.  I got in line at about 9:45 a.m. and there were approximately 20 people ahead of me sweating in the line.  Not a great day to wait outside.

The racks are semi-organized by style, but not by size which made it a bit difficult to find things.  It seems like they had more stock in larger sizes.  I saw a lot of 10 and 12s.  There were also 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8s though, but less so than most sample sales.  There was a large selection of tops, dresses, pants, shorts, and skirts (check out the price lists below).  The tops ranged from leather peplums to silk camisoles and unique linen patterns.  There were also leather skirts in darker colors for fall, but not a huge selection.  Like always, there were some really great patterned dresses in a variety of materials.  In addition, there were a few jackets in black, royal blue, and a floral print.

It was nearly impossible to get into the shoe area, but it looked like a small selection of mainly black and white shoes.  All shoes are $50.  The bins were also impossible to get to as many of the women were hovering over them for long periods of time.  It appeared that the bins had knits as well as dresses and other items.

The dressing area was a mad house.  Be prepared to throw all of your clothes on the floor and share two mirrors with at least 20 other women.  You may want to bring a friend to help decide what to purchase, because not only are there tons of items to choose from, but you may have trouble gaining access to the mirrors.  There are signs saying that you are only allowed 5 items in the dressing room, but no one was enforcing that.  Overall, a great sale, but be prepared to sweat and elbow through the crowds.”

-Christina

Where/When: Hartford Studio, 348 W. 36th St (between 8th and 9th Ave), NY, NY;   May 21-23; Tues (12pm-8pm), Wed (10am-8pm), Thurs (9 am-5pm).

Tibi Spring Runway 2013

A few notable sample sales taking place this week… Here they are:

Starting tomorrow, NYC- based women’s label, Tibi, is hosting its spring 2013 sample sale where shoppers will find deals of up to 70% off retail, including a color blocked sleeveless dress (ivory/black) for $125 (orig. $385), a variegated stripe knit pleated dress for $125 (orig. $385), solid silk pleated pant for $75 (orig. $350).  Where/When: Hartford Studio, 348 W. 36th St (between 8th and 9th Ave), NY, NY;   May 21-23; Tues (12pm-8pm), Wed (10am-8pm), Thurs (9 am-5pm).

Lingerie and ready-to-wear label, Araks, is also hosting a sample sale where clothing be up to 65% off retail and lingerie at up to 75% off, includes swimwear at $40.  Where/When: 137 Grand Street, 5^th Floor (b/w Crosby and Lafayette), NY, NY; May 22-23; Wed (8;30am-7:30pm), Thurs (9am-6:30pm).

Another NYC-based brand known for its edgy lingerie, VPL, kicks off its sample sale on Wednesday.  We hear that women’s apparel, swimwear and lingerie will be marked down up to 75% off retail. Where/When:  5 Mercer Street (Howard Street), NY, NY; May 22-23; Wed-Thurs (10am-7pm).

And, handbag line, Botkier, will feature tons of accessories at up to 60% off retail at its sample sale. Where/When:  Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue (b/w 15-16 Streets), NY, NY; May 21-23; Tues-Thurs (10am-7pm).

Click HERE, to see our list of sales in New York City…

Additional discounts on the last days of the Gant sample sale… Doors close at 7pm today (Sunday).  Fashionable Femme Jen checked out the offerings on Saturday when they had already slashed sale prices.

“Grey skies and drizzle didn’t stop shoppers from browsing the GANT sample sale at 260 Fifth Ave this weekend. There are many racks of men’s shirts, slacks, blazers, knits and outerwear. Near the back, there are a couple racks of women’s offerings and one scant rack of kid’s tees. There is also a table of accessories and two separate dressing rooms for try-ones. With only 2 days left, price reductions and a generous assortment of men’s style and sizing make this sale worth shopping!

Men’s items are separated by size and style with pants reduced to $30 and a rack of assorted shorts (plaid, plain, striped) at $15 a pair. I bought my honey a pair of teal shorts for $15 and a pair of mint leaf slacks for $30–both were originally $225! Gant Rugger shirts are always plentiful at these sales and this round was no different. Assorted plain, striped, gingham, plaid and mixed texture (plaid + corduroy) dress shirts are $20 a pop. I bought my man 2 long sleeve shirts–one in pink gingham and another in parsley for $20 each. Striped Rugby shirts and knits (solid, striped, argyle) at $25 apiece are popular among shoppers today as well.

Near the front, there is a small selection of blazers ($120), vests ($45) light outerwear ($60) and heavier jackets ($100). Leather items are $120 each and I didn’t see any suede or shearing at $200 each. Next to the fitting room, there is a slim selection of socks, belts and hats for about $10-$25 each.

For the ladies, there are about 4 racks of items that are already thoroughly picked through. Mixed in the assortment of items, there are a couple cute bright pink mohair sweaters for $25 (sizes XS, S and M), a khaki colored Gant by Michael Bastian Explorer shirt (sizes 6, 8, 10) for $25 (orig $180), and a Fringe Blazer (size 6) by Michael Bastin for Gant for $100. There is also a rack full of white or grey shorts in a range of sizing and a few silk dresses with a floral print ($45). I did spot women’s items in sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.”

-Fashionable Femme Jen

Where/When:  260 Fifth Avenue (b/w 28^th & 29^th Streets), NY, NY; Thru Sunday May 19^th; 11am-7pm.

]]> http://samplesally.com/apparel/last-day-of-the-gang-sample-sale/feed/ 0 http://samplesally.com/apparel/the-news-showroom-sample-sale-clu-common-projects-cheap-monday/ http://samplesally.com/apparel/the-news-showroom-sample-sale-clu-common-projects-cheap-monday/#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 14:44:40 +0000 SampleSally http://samplesally.com/?p=29255

Today, The NEWS Showroom opens its doors in Soho for its seasonal sample sale featuring Common Projects, Clu, Cheap Monday, Anniel and more… Yesterday, we stopped in and shot video of the friends & family preview. Check it out and see what shoppers have in store for them – lots of stuff!

This sale offers plenty of merchandise for both men and women… Cheap Monday items as low as $10, Common Project footwear from $50-$175, Anniel flats starting at $60, DESTIN scarves at $40 and lots of Clu soft knit pieces – many at $30.

Where/When:  495 Broadway (north of Broome Street), Fifth Floor, NY, NY; May 16-18; Daily (10am-6pm).

Theory, Theyskens Theory Sample Sale at Chelsea Market

This week, there are two Theory and Theyskens’ Theory sample sale taking place at different locations. As we mentioned before, one at Chelsea Market and the other at Clothingline in the Garment District.  We have reviews of each sale from two of our readers…

Let’s start with the sale taking place at Clothingline, which kicked off today.  Our tipster (Christina) has been going there for years and tells us that she has previously found “tons of great items.”  However, she tells us this sale was “seriously disappointing.”

And adds: “…Usually the best part of the sale is the large selection of dresses, but this year the long racks of dresses that usually take up the middle of the space were gone.  There were just circular racks of pants and jackets throughout the store and there were racks of blouses, shorts, and a few skirts along the perimeter.  If you are looking for blouses or shorts, it’s an okay selection.  There are also a few suits, but not the selection that there usually is.  Plus, there really wasn’t much leather.” Christina also tells us that there were also shoes, including Theory pointy flats and Theyskens heels. In addition, she managed to snag a photo of the price lists for both brands.

As for the sale in Chelsea… our other tipster got there at lunchtime on Tuesday when it was apparently “a madhouse full of women looking for bargains.”  She reports seeing “…tons of shorts, shirts and dresses. Prices ranged from $59-$399. All of the bags were around $150. The leather pants were $299 (available in a cognac color). Theyskens’ Theory shoes are all prices at $129.”

Staff told her that they will be replenishing.  From what we can tell, pricing appears to be similar.  Since we didn’t go to either sale, we’re not sure how the merchandise compares at both location.  However, it does look like lots of overstock at both places.  Both sales end this Sunday.

Where/When:  Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave (b/w 15 & 16 Streets), NY, NY; May 14-19; Tues-Sat (10am-7pm) Sun (10am-5pm); Clothingline, 261 West 36 Street, (b/w Seventh-Eighth Avenues), NY, NY; May 15-19; Wed (10am-7pm), Thurs (11am-8pm),  Fri (11am-7pm), Sat-Sun (11am-5pm).

Theory Blazer ($139) from the Clothingline

Handbags at the Theory Sale in Chelsea Market

Margiela Boots now $321 (orig. $1,070)

We’re a bit late getting out our sales roundup for New York City… Take a look at the list below of a few notable ones taking place this week:

Let’s start with the Aloha Rag semi-annual sample sale which kicks off this Thursday.  Shoppers can get up to 85% off new & old stock from current and previous seasons as well as samples from the AR’s house brand.  While sale prices are never as good as we hope at previous sales, we still like to check out this sale since the store features great labels such as Saint Laurent, Balmain, Martin Margiela, Celine and more… Where/When:  545 Greenwich Street, 2A, NY, NY; May 16-19; Daily (12pm-6pm).

Unless you’re on the list, the Christian Louboutin sample sale is one of the most difficult sales to get into.  Here the highly-sought after heels are usually marked as low as $200. Already we’re hearing of shoppers lined up today (Tuesday).  If you’re not on the list, you can try your luck on the last day of the sale – Friday afternoon when they’ve let the public inside in the past. Where/When:  306 West 38th Street (between 8th and 9th), NY, NY; May 13-May 17; Mon-Thurs (9am-6pm), Fri (9am-1pm).

Two different locations for getting your hands on bargain pieces from Theory.  One is downtown, inside Chelsea Market where women’s merchandise from both Theyskens’ Theory and Theory is marked down up to 60% off the original retail price. See our photos before they opened the doors this morning - here.  And the other is taking place at Clothingline where shoppers can get deals on spring stock merchandise for women & men (limited selection for the gents), includes footwear and handbags.  Where/When: Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave, NY, NY; May 14-19; Tues-Sat (10am-7pm), Sun (10am-5pm)  ; Clothingline, 261 W. 36^th Street, 2^nd floor, NY, NY; May 14-19; Tues-Wed (10am-7pm), Thurs (11am-8pm), Fri (11am-8pm), Sat & Sun (11am-5pm).

Click HERE, to see our updated sales listing for NYC….

A glimpse at some of the merchandise at the Theory and Theyskens’ Theory sample sale before doors open to the public on Tuesday morning.  Shoppers will save up to 60% off retail on pieces from the women’s collection.

Monday night, organizers emailed us photos of the sale space inside Chelsea Market. As you can see, there’s racks and racks of merchandise.  Pricing for some of the items include dresses for $159, leather pieces at $299 and tops/shirting at $69.  Check out the photos which gives you an idea of what you’ll find – lots of clothing and handbags.  We’re hoping to check out the sale this week… stay tuned!

Where/When:  Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave (b/w 15 & 16 Streets), NY, NY; May 14-19; Tues-Sat (10am-7pm) Sun (10am-5pm).

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Today (Monday) is your last chance at deals at the Comme des Garçons archival sale.  Doors are expected to close at 7pm tonight.  One of our readers stopped in this morning and gives us a report along with photos…

Our tipster tells us that sale organizers are only offering additional discounts on men’s pants, which are now 80% off retail.  Most everything else is apparently 70% off – same as when the sale started last week. She also reports of a bin filled with $20 sneakers (check out the photo) and around $80 for wallets.  A staffer also told her that they will not be offering further reductions today…

Where/When:  127 W. 30^th St (b/w Sixth & Seventh Aves), NY, NY; Thru May 13; Mon (10am – 7pm).

]]> http://samplesally.com/apparel/last-day-of-the-comme-des-garcons-sale-any-further-reductions/feed/ 12 http://samplesally.com/apparel/our-mans-take-on-the-epic-comme-des-garcons-sale/ http://samplesally.com/apparel/our-mans-take-on-the-epic-comme-des-garcons-sale/#comments Sat, 11 May 2013 14:57:28 +0000 SampleSally http://samplesally.com/?p=29192

Larry Label Whore spent his Friday afternoon rummaging through the much-hyped Comme des Garçons sample sale being held in an industrial raw space near the Fashion District.

“There was only one way to make me feel better after Angie’s unfortunate exit on American Idol and that was to go shopping! No better place for that than this highly-anticipated sale.  I read reports from that morning of hundreds of people lined up so I was very nervous about having to wait hours to get in. I’m still scarred from waiting 5 hours to get into the Jil Sander sale a year ago. I got to the sale at about 3:45pm and to my amazement the line wasn’t that long! The line was probably the most orderly line I had ever seen for a sale of this magnitude. Not only that, but it was very organized and moved very quickly. I would say they let in 10 people every 10 minutes. I got into the sale after a 45-minute wait.

Once I was in, I received a shopping bag and was on my way. The first thing that greets you is bins of accessories – most notably leather Made in Spain zip around wallets. Depending on the size the wallets cost $70-$90 after the 70% off discount. I then made my way to the racks of pants, shirts, sweaters, and jackets. The various brands were all mixed together. I found a lot some Comme des Garçons SHIRT brand Made in France shirts for about $70 after the discount. There were also items from the HOMME brand Made in Italy and France shirts that were about the same or a little more. The SHIRT and HOMME brands also had sweaters and jackets, but I was most interested in the Made in Japan Junya Watanabe stuff.

Since it was the late afternoon I noticed that either the Junya Watanabe stuff was depleted or there wasn’t that much. I’m pretty sure it was the former because that was the most coveted brand at the sale. While it was the most coveted, it was also unfortunately the highest priced merch. After the 70% off, shirts from the brand ranged from $135-$180, pants were $90 and above, sweaters were over $200, and jackets were at least $300. Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garçons is one of my favorite brands. BUT these prices are still way too pricey for me.

Now to the steal of the sale and the century! I went over to the shoe section, which looked like a twister rolled through it. There were different kinds of men’s and women’s shoes from the various CDG brands. I wasn’t that interested in any of the shoes until I spotted some CDG SHIRT brand low-top and high-top sneakers without prices. They had both greenish pairs and black with brown spots. I took a pair over to the nice people at the register and was informed that after the 70% off each pair was $4.50!!!!!!!!!! My jaw dropped and I had to ask them a few times if that was correct. I ran back and tried get each type in my size. In the end, I got high and low-tops in the black with brown spots and one pair of regular sneakers in the military green color. For the 3 pairs, my total was $13.50!!! I don’t think you’ll ever see CDG sneakers for that low again. There were some women’s sneakers too that went down to $33 after the discount.

They will be restocking every day of the sale so the shoes may be back, but a staffer told me they hadn’t replenished the shoes in the 2 days since the sale started. If you plan on attending the sale you should know there aren’t any dressing rooms so be prepared to undress in front of lots of people. I would definitely go for the shoes and the wallets.  However, if you’re after the clothes, wait until the last days of the sale to see if they drop the prices. Happy Shopping!”

-Larry Label Whore

Where/When:  127 W. 30^th St (b/w Sixth & Seventh Aves), NY, NY; May 10-13; Fri-Sat and Mon (10am – 7pm), Sun (12pm-8pm).