Big Bang for Buck at Ben-Amun: Report From the Front

A plethora of bangles, earrings and more high-fashion accessories (many at $5) await smart shoppers who are adding to their accessories wardrobe at the Ben-Amun sample sale. In a week packed with sales, some may dither as to how to invest their time and spend their savings - Ben-Amun is a must stop on the sample sale circuit. Tips: Decide if you are seeking colors or neutrals. Are you shopping for work or weekend? Will the pieces compliment your existing wardrobe?
Ben-Amun
246 W. 38th Street 12A, noon-6
 
/nancy brenner

Last night's Simkhai Show Debuted Collab with Ben-Amun

Inventive and certain to be conversation starters, the Isaac Manevitz collaboration for Jonathan Simkhai's modern Fall 2011 line showcases tassels - leather no less. Adorning wrists, fastening a draped dress
secured by a safety pin, or hanging seductively from leather cords coiling into necklines, tassels graduate into an accessory not just for exotic dancers. Also of note, metal upside-down T-shaped earrings.
The ever-versatile Manevitz and his amiable wife Regina showcased and viewed the presentation at the Zach Feuer Gallery last night.

~Nancy Brenner

Ben-Amun Sample Sale Today

Five dollar earrings and stop-traffic trinkets at Ben-Amun sample sale where shoppers as eager to see the affable designer Issac Manevitz and his wife Regina as the art deco collection which was selling quickly.  Issac has his tool kit ready to shorten bracelets and necklaces. Get the same service as Ben-Amun fan Kate Moss today at 246 W. 38th Street 12A.
www.ben-amun.com

~nancy brenner

Ben-Amun Sample Sale Devotees Get White Glove Treatment: Report from the Front

Beyonce, Leighton Meester and Rhianna have all been spotted sporting the funky line. If you're a regular Ben-Amun devotee, designer Issac Manevitz and his wife Regina are on hand to help you select your baubles, unravel a pearl necklace or even shorten a too long bracelet in a matter of minutes. Manevitz actually pulled out his tool kit in the midst of Ben-Amun addict mayhem - this is a designer always cares about treating his customers like jewels, even if they don't grace the pages of Vogue or In-Style. If you can't make it to the showroom, which you really should to discover one-of-a-kind treasures, bracelets starting in single digits - check out their facebook page where they have an item of the day offer for a green resin ball necklace going for $35, originally $180. Collectible looks range from the popular coins, to military to resin to crystal and everything in between.

• Coin bracelet $58, reduced from $145
• Hanging star pin, $24-$60
• Military hanging pin $30 from $75
• Yellow and red bracelet $10 from $25
• Crystal chain necklace $48 from $140

~nancy brenner

Ben-Amun: The eagles have landed

at Ben-Amun as part of the military look for Fall 2010 seen at the Coterie show at the Javits Center. Pins are big. The spikes that Jennifer Aniston wore in a necklace, now decorate a silver pin. Check out the military spread in the current Vogue. Their tribal collection includes Cleopatra gold spike necklaces and brass cuffs that are big - in impact and weight - several inches wide and long - you can skip part of your daily upper body workout. Tribal looks are part of nearly every accessory collection at the show. Their coin collection is still strong. Edgier looks in the industrial collection include necklace fashioned from brass and leather or gunmetal chains. And brides looking for beautiful bling for their big day without breaking the bank for the real thing, can pick up trendy, yet timeless rhinestones and pearls from their collection. Original updater looks from Ben-Amun last a lifetime.

...or so says Nancy Brenner...

Sample Sale Trends for 2010

The ever-anticipated year-end wrap up, care of Nancy Brenner:

- Showrooms vs. retailers - Many sample sales stated up to 80% off retail, when it was really only half off - sales like Botkier, Hype and Autumn Cashmere. Shoppers groaned that they could score better deals at dept stores "friends & family" and flash sales.

- Team hoarding - Highly orchestrated teams of four or more that stripped the shelves - antics that would rival the opening scene of James Bond flick. Even Daniel Craig wouldn't survive these renegade shoppers stocking up for resale on eBay.

- Sugar daddies - no bailout for men squiring their younger "friends," partners, wives to sales to foot the bill - when frocks start at $600 plus level; the "take my credit card honey" days are gone. I've yet to see a sugar mamma footing the bill at a sample sale.

- No inhibitions - women openly stripping in front to their bras and whatnots in front of of males at Proenza Schouler.

- Competition fiercer than femmes vying for Tiger Woods - as die-hard retail shoppers convert to frugalistas.

-Less merch - as designers managed their inventory, like Ben Amun, there was less to choose from at prime sales.

- Designers skipping sample sales - fashion faves like Rebecca Taylor, Cynthia Steffe (where I snagged a $5 patent leather jacket last year), Beth Bowley (where I picked up $25 skirts in seasons past) did not hold public sample sales.

- The waiting game - nearly every sale offered mark downs on the last day as merch didn't move at near retail prices.

- Longer hours - once restricted to "ladies who lunch," time slots, there were a number that stayed open until 8 or 10 p.m.

- Contact sport - Nanette Lepore's sale at progressive prices shoppers in training for the 45th Superbowl at Miami's Dolphin Stadium could show the leagues that sample sales are the ultimate contact sport.

Why does it still pay to go? The one of a kind of items. Instead of Rent-the-Runway, I own the runway. Great costume jewelry designers who will adjust their beautiful bracelets for tiny wrist. Supreme selection of a favorite designer, rather than hop-stopping at Fifth Avenue stores where each brand's space has been shrink-wrapped along with the economy. Garments, hats, leggings in colors, fabrics or shapes that were never mass produced because of the cost. Meeting the designers in person. And the savings, of course. Hurray for sample sale showrooms that still believe in sample sale prices - that means discounts off of wholesale!

What will next year bring? More shoppers competing for fewer sales, fewer choice and higher prices.