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

Nanny Lepore - Sample Sale Update

You may be need to draw a safety perimeter around you if you buy the touchable Incognito pony jacket. It was the biggest markdown - $395 from over $1,400. The legendary sample sale rack is back - mainly size 2 or a size 4 with some serious Spanx layering. Prices for samples are $60 and tops are $40 - many Nanette groupies regaled tales of previous $20 bargains - ah inflation. Die-hard Nanette loyalists were doing their part to boost the economy including a newbie with sky high Loubies. Swaps of intel on which department stores had already lowered their prices..compare before you go.
Nanette Lepore 225 West 35th Street
 
~Nancy Brenner

Running the NYC Marathon? Try this Sample Sale Marathon --

You may need a zipcar to lug around your sample sale booty next week. If you have on extra vacation day, take it on November 10.  Strategize: sales start at Malandrino at 8, Vivienne Tam at 9 and Moschino or Vivienne Tam at 10. Why is there always sample sale clumping?

November 9th
Nanette Lepore 225 W. 35th Street 9 am start
Tibi 260 W. 39th 10 a.m. start

November 10
Catherine Malandrino 123 W. 18th 8 am start
Vivienne Tam 260 W. 39th Street 9 am start
Moschino, Ferretti 30 West 56th Street 10 am start
Shoshanna 231 W. 39th Street 10 am start

November 11
Lafayette 148 - 148 Lafayette Street 9 am start

Expect long lines to get in just about everywhere. Let's hope Nanette Lepore brings back it's legendary sample sale rack.

~nancy brenner

Bergdorf Goodman - Something for ALMOST nothing

The Andy Open Back Dress by Oonagh for Nanette Lepore in size large (10-12) for $59. With the gift card, that will be $9 plus tax, originally $118.

~Nancy Brenner

THE FASHION CENTER SIDEWALK CATWALK

THE FASHION CENTER SIDEWALK CATWALK PRESENTED BY LF USA is a one-of-a-kind public art exhibit, featuring New York City’s top fashion designers and free to the public all summer long in the heart of New York City’s Fashion District.

Patriotic fashionistas celebrate the 4th of July strutting down Broadway posing next to patriotic designs displayed runway-style on custom built mannequins. 32 designers are participating, including Nanette Lepore, Carlos Falchi, Catherine Malandrino, Elie Tahari, Rebecca Taylor and Diane von Furstenberg,

That being said, the mannequins' flashy leggings, custom armor-like metal patterns, and the fresh flowers festooning Betsy Johnson's very sparse ensemble are guarded - so don't pick the daisies!

And Tommy Hilfiger designed the pictured flag outfit (why is the woman's face totally obscured - are all women faceless?)

For more info http://www.sidewalk-catwalk.com/

~Nancy Brenner reporting, GSNYC editing...

Nanette Lepore Sale - No Amazing Deals

kay so, the crowd was clamoring for the renowned racks stocked with samples at $20 and $30.
There were none.
Many shoppers clicked their heels and disappeared - even the infamous Cynthia Steffe hoarders. If you are an absolute die-hard (and this sale has many devoted fans), you should stop by before noon and see what the early birds left behind after deciding if they wanted to spend $150 on dresses or $95 for cardis.
Best buy: white leather lambskin jackets that were selling for a little over $200 and retailed for close to seven.

225 West 35th Street.

~Nan Brenner

May 18-20, 2010: Nanette Lepore Sample Sale

Straight from Paper magazine's VIP newsletter:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19: NANETTE LEPORE SAMPLE SALE

If the flirty, spring weather has you feeling flirty and springy then head to the Nanette Lepore sample sale to get some flirty, spring dresses to match your mood! Ms. Lepore's kicky dresses are in the $150 department, trench coats are going for $230, and cardigans are $95.
Nanette Lepore Showroom, 225 W. 35th St., fourth floor. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Through May 20.

Update!: http://www.thefabulousreport.com/0505/nanette-lepore-sample-sale-may-18-20.html

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.

REPORT FROM THE FRONT: MEN WHO LOVE CASHMERE -- CHECK OUT AUTUMN

Nancy Brenner say:

Autumn Cashmere where there was just a lone male shopper this morning. There are only two racks for men, but everything was under $200, with prices much better overall than for women.

Women's samples prices higher than in the past -- about $99 for a novelty sample that retailed for more than $200. Shoppers were grumbling about discounts that weren't solid sample sale prices - seems to be a trend this season following the Nanette Lepore sale when just last season samples were $20 and $40 and then upped to $75 and $95 last month.

Cottons for women: best deal. Ladies hope you did your squats --check lower racks with the orange tags for top deals. Sample sale prices still better than retail, but no steal according to the regulars. Sold at better stores and boutiques.

Today through Friday, December 11th (no weekends)
231 West 39th Street, Suite 924.
Hours: 9a-7p

Report from Nanette Lepore Sample Sale: July 14-16

Nancy Brenner reports from the floor...

Nanette Lepore Sample Sale
225 W. 35th St nr. 7th Ave, 4th floor
July 14-16, 2009
Tues-Thurs, 9am-7pm

Die-hard Lepore aficionados you know you can't resist - so just head over there. Prices are around $40 for holiday/resort, $40 for a Fall silk piece and $40 for a cotton cardi which seemed pricey compared to the dressy dresses. That is if you're a size - sample size. Then head to the left for the sample rack. Non-sample dresses are expensive for this environment, but if you really love Lepore, go for it. The skirts were $100 (retailed for $275). Lepore is the go-to designer that when I meet with an exec at a Fortune 500 firm, or run off to a BBQ or a wedding - people of all ages, or even a job interview where you want to stand out - both men and women come over to me from across the room or on a city sidewalk to compliment me - even strangers. They admire the cool, striking looks that aren't one-season wonders. Shortest line ever to get in to the sale, space in the dressing room - it doesn't feel that claustrophobic crowding like two females are trying to put their head into the same dress. Staff was sweet and honest - actually told you whether the stuff was fit for your figure and flattering for your coloring - priceless in this economy. Other sample salers had been eyeing the shoes and clothes at retailers like Saks - shoes were in the $50-$75 range. Women who came and said "they need nothing," and "really haven't needed nothing in over a year," walked out with arm-loads.

La Boutique Resale - Madison Ave.

One of the best things about being a woman living on the Upper East Side - or so I have been told - is the easy access to scores of resale/consignment shops filled with last season's top designer castoffs.

So this past weekend among the Puerto Rican Day parade, I did my own parading along a few Madison Avenue blocks. After perusing Dolce & Gabbana (where, incidentally, there's a 40% off sale on shoes, bags and 'ready-to-wear') and falling dangerously in love with a pair of $275 sunglasses, I came upon La Boutique Resale. I think that is French for "The Resale Boutique."

Located on the second floor of 1045 Madison Avenue, LBR immediately struck me as particularly well-organized, something I very much appreciated. It is basically run and set up like a real-live retail store, making it very easy and enjoyable to peruse...and ultimately BUY. A brilliant marketing tactic, indeed.

While many of the choices seemed a bit "old" at first blush, a bit of digging revealed some fresh gems. I scored the pictured Nanette Lepore skirt for $47.20 and Fendi shoes for $74.40. I also purchased a brand new Andrew Urbain top for $35.40 - who knows how old it actually is, but it goes with the outfit! So for a total of $157 I own my first Fendi anything, my first Nanette L. skirt and my first (and probably last) Andrew U. anything. Not a bad accidental score.

Other locations include: 803 Lexington Ave. @62nd St., 2nd Fl. and 160 W. 72nd St. near Broadway (for men & women). The store manager explained that the west side location has "younger" styles and that I should go check it out. Bless him.