Sample Sales NYC; Designer Sample Sale Listings & Fashion Reviews by Sample Sally
Elbowing our way through sample sales so you don't have to...
We continue our Barneys Warehouse Sale coverage with a look at women’s designer clothing… I was happy to see that the women’s stuff is back on the main floor – a much better location than the dingy basement level (organizers must have listened to complaints from last winter’s sale).
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBAAj-cPTnQ
Now onto the goods… which the first thing I noticed is the depleted selection of women’s designer duds. In previous sales, they’ve had racks and racks of merchandise. Not this year, just a smaller section near the exit. Plus, there wasn’t as many designers on offer. The selection was so limited this time around that the racks have been organized by size instead of label.
The high-end consignment shop, INA, is offering additional discounts of 25 percent off the already marked down goods through the weekend.
I stumbled on the additional reductions yesterday at the location on Bleecker Street in Noho. Items with the extra discount have a red dotted sticker.  Not many of the shoes were additionally marked down but I did spot quite a few designer dresses, tops and denim such as (after the discount): a Stella McCartney dress for $122, Jill Stuart dress at $72, See by Chloe tunic for $94, a Missoni top for $88, a Prada top for $225 and a linen Chanel dress tagged at $524. There were also a few handbags such as a Marc Jacobs bag for $175, and a Fendi tote for $123.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwA9N58LzDo
I ventured into the Barneys Warehouse Sale before noon today just to scope out the goodies. I rarely ever buy anything on the first day. I usually wait for the additional markdowns to take out my wallet. I found no line when I arrived. I came with a small bag so I didn’t have to check it in. Like most of the female shoppers, I made a beeline for women’s shoes. The aisles were crowded but manageable.
To my surprise, there was actually a pretty good selection in my size (37). I didn’t find any of the Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte, as Racked mentioned in its preview yesterday, in my size or any size other than a 36 and 36 1/2 (I wonder if their reporter bought a pair today). I spotted a pair of Derek Lam platform boots for $519 (was $1,290), Fendi suede high-heeled boots for $359 (was $900), Proenza Schouler boots for $419 (was $1055), Alexander Wang super-high platform ankle boots for under $500, Celine flats were now $239 (was $610), Proenza Schouler flats were going for $309 (was $775), Marc Jacobs pointy toed flats were $229 and a pair of Prada flats were also under $250. I had my eye on a pair of Marc Jacobs boots for $359 ($895) but I decided to wait and see what else would show up in the days ahead. The L-A BWS sale is still going on through February 21st. Sale organizers usually ship out leftover merchandise from the West Coast and restock the NYC sale. Let us know if you came out with anything on the first day…
Where/When: 255 W. 17th St. (b/w 7th & 8th Aves). 212-450-8400. Thurs February 17 to March 6th. Thurs & Fri (8-9p), Weekends (10-7p), Weekdays (10-9p).
While on Holiday in O’ahu, I stumbled on a discount designer handbag shop. It wasn’t much to look at on the outside but when I walked in, I couldn’t believe the finds. Lots of Louis Vuitton and Gucci – a few Chanels, some Prada and much more. We were on the way to the airport with only a few minutes to look… but I got a good idea of what was on offer.
The shop is called Paris Station and they specialize in buying and reselling pre-owned high-end designer handbags and accessories. As far as I can tell, the goods were authentic. Since I stopped by the day after Thanksgiving, they were having a blowout sale, offering 50 to 70 percent off the ticketed price. The shop has a website (worth checking out) where you can buy their merchandise.
Unlike Artsy Anna, I had to wait (not long) outside the Metropolitan Pavilion North at 6pm last night. The after work crowd were making the mad dash to the Fendi warehouse sale creating a line at the entrance.
Once inside, you’ll find a large area in the middle where the accessories – handbags, wallets and jewelry – are placed on tables. To the side against the wall, is the clothing hanging on racks. As Anna pointed out earlier, the discount starts at 65-percent and goes up to 90-percent. There were better deals set up on racks with basics (mostly black and cream): tees at $29, pants and skirts at $59, blazers and other pieces at $99, and leather skirts and dresses going for $199. The other more elaborate pieces were mostly in the 70-percent off range. I spotted cocktail dresses for $330 to $540 (were $1100 to $1800) and a skirt with strips of mink that was $4500 now at $1350. As for handbags, most were 80-percent off. That meant, the large bags were just under $400 and small ones were around $250. Wallets were $115. I ended up picking up two pairs of trousers – one for $29 (was $545) and another for $59 (was $560). When I was leaving last night, the racks were emptying out as well as the handbag tables. No word on whether they will be restocking. Only major credit cards accepted. No cash or checks.
Word is…