Colette malouff 15 leather cuffs

Hair accessories are everywhere - from last night's closing number on Glee to Tony nominated "Anything Goes."  Head thee to premiere Colette Malouf where every look from bridal to tribal is interpreted in luxe materials like fox (a hair clip in white that retails for $225, here $50), leather and silk.  A sample sale priced better than bargain bins at drug stores with the look of Henri Bendel. True sample prices $1 - $75.  Lots in the $5 and $15 categories including jeweled head straps, earrings, silk pins, leather adorned bobby pins (you'll have to see them for yourself) and hair clips - ask Colette to show you how to style your hair in a French twist, chignon or any manner and she will show you tricks your hairdresser never will.  Your biggest dilemma will be deciding what not to buy - from selection which is so expansive it will require reviewing the room two or three times so you won't miss any treasures. 

594 Broadway (between E. Houston and Prince St.), suite 1216 - near Broadway Lafayette - today and tomorrow until 7p.

/nancy brenner

Tibi Twosome: Shop Sample Online Or In-Person

Imagine not dragging to the far west side for the Tibi sale. Or, being able to shop the online sample sale at tibi.com before the other one even opens? Out of towners, you don't have to worry about missing a sample sale, or scouring the sample sale aftermarket on eBay for rare Tibi finds.  Will other designers follow their lead?  The brick and mortar is at 348 West 36th St., ground floor, starting at noon today.  Thanks, Tibi. 

/nancy brenner

Preview from the front: Tracy Reese

Michelle Obama fans have the fashion find of the year at the Tracy Reese sample sale. So will followers of Billboard winner Taylor Swift, who was one of the first to wear the red polka dot frock. If you're an individualist, head to the sample sale racks (many size 4s) where you can curate a look from original samples in cool colors and combos that weren't produced en masse. Even with sample sale counts that seem higher than pollen, this will be packed with fashionistas.

264 West 40th 9-7:30 -- For anyone who likes to make an entrance and eschews basic black.

/nancy brenner

Snoozers Are Losers: Report From the Front Joseph Abboud

Where are all the men in NY? Well, on Sunday morning, the "I can handle a tech IPO and I've been up since 5 a.m." dressed-and-ready-for-anything crowd was at Joseph Abboud scouring for tailored blazers (even velvet) reduced from $745 to $174, or suits for $350. Chances are that if you're a size 36 or 38, or one of the larger sizes, you may have slimmer pickings by today.

Attentive staff, patient shoppers -- why can't women's sample sales be a little less bridesmaids' trip to Vegas? Head to 317 West 33rd St. for the sale, which runs through Thursday, when markdowns may ensue. However, if you are determined to add a new luxe tux or suit to your wardrobe, it's probably best not to wait. No shirts or accessories at this sale.

/nancy brenner

Report From the Front: Nanette Lepore: Must or Bust?

"This is expensive."  The refrain was uttered over and over again as shoppers sifted through the sample racks where prices ranged from $40 for a silk top to over $100 for a dress.  Mostly size twos.  And notable rejects from the last sample sale.  That being said, you never know when you'll discover that iconic Nanette Lepore embellished cardigan that will yield oodles of compliments (albeit at $65, rather than the $20 that the crowd has been conditioned to expect).  The lines were shorter to get in this year.  No mad crash at the elevator or line running up the stairs to the next floor.  Were the weather or not-so-super sample sale prices to blame, or the plethora of sample sales in general?  Dressing room had an imperceptible wait and no wait at checkout.  One woman even complained that this season's sale offered a poor selection compared to the Fall. Shoppers are definitely becoming more selective as prices rise. 
225 West 35th Street (between 7th and 8th Aves.)

/nancy brenner

Target® Announces Missoni® Fashion and Home Collection

Yes, it's straight from a press relase.  So sue me for lack of creativity:

Target^® is partnering with Italian luxury brand Missoni to introduce an affordable, limited-edition collection for fashion and home. Missoni for Target features apparel and accessories for women, men, girls and baby, as well as home goods including bedding, dinnerware, stationery and décor items. Ranging in price from $2.99 to $599.99, with most items less than $40, Missoni for Target will be available Sept. 13 through Oct. 22, 2011 at all Target stores and Target.com.

Gourmet at gilt?

Check out the careers page where you'll find a plethora of postings for all types of job opportunities including one for an experiologist. What's the major for that?  And another opening for a gourmet food specialist - a new expansion line for Gilt given the glut of online discounters?

/nancy brenner

Go Ga Ga at Gant: Report From the Preview

This sale had the eerie calm of a library from the era when people still went their to study - pre-Kindle and nook e-book check outs.  Busy. Studied. Serious. All business.  The opposite of a well-priced women's sale.  Go for yourself, Father's Day, or to scoop up presents for graduations, bar-mitzvahs or whatever may come your way.  20 West 55th Street, until 6:30 today.  Starts tomorrow through Friday.  Men's outerwear is $50 for a light piece, $98 for a heavy piece.  Ties are $19. Everything from socks to swimwear can be found.  Men seemed to be walking out with whole wardrobes for themselves and their families - immediate and extended.  Get there before the eye of the storm hits at lunchtime when chaos may ensue. 
/nancy brenner

Comme des Garcons Sample Sale Ends Tomorrow

I went this weekend and even bought something!  I will have to post a photo later (note: photos added 5/22/11!) - a coat with tails and velvet accents for 70% off.  Word is that prices have been slashed again.  But while we were there, EVERYONE was buying something, so I'm guessing the pickin's are slim by now!

The Croatian Church, 504 West 41st Street (@ 11th Ave)


Cash and Credit Cards

Report from the Front: Preview Wendy Mink

Prices start at just $4 at Wendy Mink's Mother's Day sample sale. One of the best bonuses of shopping at Wendy Mink, on sale, or even if I daresay full price, is the customer service. If you've spotted the perfect bracelet, but need it in a smaller size, they will it adjust it for you in a snap. Wendy also do custom work if you want a piece in a larger size, or a special setting. Whether your taste runs whimsical, or classic, this is a serene sample spot to put a spring in your step for yourself, or anyone who may be on your gift list.

72 Orchard Street
starts today at noon and runs through Sunday

/nancy brenner

CHANGE OF SEASON NEW ARRIVALS

NOW ON THE FLOOR:

• DRIES VAN NOTEN: MEN & WOMEN
• WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK: MEN
• ANN DEMEULEMEESTER: MEN & WOMEN
• BRUNO PIETERS: WOMEN
• MARIA ZURETA JEWELRY

Four, and only four, of the "ROBOT DENIM JACKETS WITH LEATHER SLEEVES"
One in BLACK, three in "RICK OWENS WHITE" sizes vary..
Original retail: $1255.00 CHANGE OF SEASON: $425.00

Sizing is a bit crazy, so these MUST be tried on in person.
 
* * *
 
Change of Season, a boutique outlet
341 East 9th St. NYC
http://www.changeofseasonnyc.com/

Men Frantic For Finds on Final Day: Hickey Freeman/Bobby Jones

An informant has shared intel on this sample sale. Men be forewarned - no official try on rooms. If you want to try on pants, head to the back of the big floor, where men have carved out  a space on the left where they can be slightly concealed from the crowds. Ladies - no peeping! Scoot over there before lunch if you can. What kind of breaks can you expect? A $1400 suit for $430. Second or third markdowns!   
317 West 33rd St.

/nancy brenner

Pre-View from the Front: Lafayette 148

While women are darting around the city chasing after samples sales touting the latest "it" darling of Fashion Week, tall, petite, plus size and regular ones (0-18) will line up early Thursday for Lafayette 148. Deals for leathers ($125 reduced from $998), novelty skirts selling for $45, originally $448, had women at the Friends and Family sale simply GLEEful about the prices and scope of selection. Even leather belts were $3, but don't get distracted. Lafayette 148 was just cited in Crain's NY Business as having successfully weathered the recession - no wonder - as they design for different shapes, sizes and height. Sold at Saks, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. Wendy Williams is a fan. Need I say more? And fashionistas if you are job hunting - there are five openings - just think of the employee discounts.

148 Lafayette (between Howard and Grand)
9 am

/nancy brenner

Scene from McQueen: Report from Post Exhibit Party

Naomi Campbell rocked McQueen two nights in a row. Why not? The hottest designer worldwide celebrated the The Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" last night by raising money for Japan at their 14th Street store. While admiring the limited edition prints for sale, women wondered if the designer's scarlet slash shoulder pencil dress or oriental red and gold bell sleeve coat could turn them into a future Kate Middleton. As if. The best dressed and tressed men in New York were well represented.
 
/nancy brenner

May 9-27 (No Sundays): SHOWROOM SEVEN SAMPLE SALE

SHOWROOM SEVEN SAMPLE SALE

MONDAY, MAY 9th – FRIDAY, MAY 27th

10AM – 7PM • SAT. 11AM – 6PM

Happy Hour 5 - 7 • CLOSED SUNDAYS

263 11th AVENUE - 3RD FL (BTW. 27th & 28th St.), NYC

DESIGNER CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES MARKED-DOWN UP TO 80% OFF WHOLESALE FEATURING: ODD MOLLY \ ERICKSON BEAMON \ ORLA KIELY \ ISSA \ TONY COHEN \ ROCKSTAR JEANS \ CHARLOTTE RONSON \ BLOCH SHOES & MUCH MORE

VISA, MC, AMEX & CASH • FOR MORE INFO: 212 643 4810

***Showroom Seven preview photos taken by Nancy Brenner

Calypso St. Barth: Enter to Win $1,000 Summer Shopping Spree

Visit Calypso's webpage to enter and win a $1,000 summer shopping spree: http://www.calypsostbarth.com/
(see the small box on the left hand side underneath the page's main photo).