Botkier Bargain Bin: Report From the Front

Summer can be full of unexpected surprises like a quiet sample sale bin with buttery lambskin leathers primarily priced at $75 and $100 at Botkier's store at 246 Mott Street. Fans should head to Noho tomorrow at 11 am before handbag fanatics pillage the pickings.
 
/nancy brenner

Lulu Guiness Handbag Sale

...is starting tomorrow (June 16). SS10 and HR09 handbag collections will be 30% off online (luluguinness.com) and in-store (394 Bleecker St, NYC, phone 212-367-2120).

Botkier Preview Report: Yellow Tags Hottest Items...

...at this sample sale. "Damaged" discounted cousins ($150-$175), these samples are the best value at this expensive sale. Check the table in the back, or look for ladies holding an armload who may decide to save for a down payment on a house and put some back on the pile. Props to Botkier sales staff who posted a "no holding more than 4 handbag limit" sign.
Line started at 4:15 for a 6 p.m. VIP start. No one checked names at the door - guess everyone is a VIP these days. Discounted damaged bags will be restocked - few could be found today after a 90-minute wait to get in. Good luck to hearty souls tomorrow.
Save your soles and leave your Louboutins at home, Bring your kindle, or maybe start a novel... the wait will be long.

60 Mercer Street
11a-7p

~Nancy Brenner is everywhere

Botkier VIP report

Botkier from the front: VIP night with line curling around the block with more than 100 women and a few men wishing they had margaritas for what seems to be a long wait to get in. Get ready for your close up as fashion bloggers snapping pics of groups of friends hoping to bag a bargain, but wondering if they will make it in before the 8 pm close.

60 Mercer
 
Runs through Sunday
 
c/o How does she do it? Nancy Brenner

Bag a Botkier Hobo...

...for free by entering the online contest celebrating their new website at http://blog.botkier.com/2010/02/16/enter-to-win-our-harper-hobo.  You could be the lucky winner of the pictured bag!

and while she's at it, Nancy Brenner suggests:

If you don't have the budget of Botkier fans Michelle Trachtenberg or Angelina Jolie, save Botkier bucks by using one of their cosmetic bags as an evening one - I've used a metallic gold one for weddings and no one has ever outed me.  The Maddie cosmetic bag in red snake Italian fabric for under $100 can double as an evening option. If you're craving purple, which is in every collection for Fall, select the Sophia cosmetic as your double duty bag in metallic purple lambskin with antique nickel hardware, also under $100.  Save your sawbucks for their Fall 2010 Prince Crossbody bag which comes in two trend hues:  Army camouflage in lambskin/calfskin or Amazon snake calfskin.  Its larger cousin, the Prince Satchel in black lambskin with antique nickel studs, will be a workday workhorse. 

Major ideeli Score: Hobo Handbag

And for the final Xmas present of the season...(drumroll) I received a truly groovy Hobo handbag.  And it was the best kind of gift because it was a good deal!  Oh, and I really like it too.  It's black patent leather and has a great interior with all the right compartments for phones, blackberries and pens.  It is also devoid of blaring logos and ostentatious hardware that makes me hate PURSES.  Quality and style speaks for itself.

Thanks to ideeli, this bag that normally retails for $238 was gotten for $129 - and that includes tax + delivery. 

Dec 17-18: Be & D Sample Sale

Be & D Sample Sale


When: Thursday, December 17 & Friday, December 18, 9am to 7pm
Where: 35 West 36th Street, 10th Floor West, NYC (between 5th/6th Avenues)
Take B,D, F, V, N, R, Q, W to 34th Street/Herald Square

Cash and major CC accepted.

30-75% off Bags, Belts, Shoes, and Small Leather Goods

Special editions including the Kan-Kan Portfolio, Perry Satchel, Garbo Shoulder and Cosette Hobo.

Range of shoe sizes but lucky 37s will have additional choices.

Examples:
-Be & D Perry Day Satchel in White Calfskin/Suede Trim - Original Price $995, Sample Sale Price $250
-Be & D Garbo Studded Shoulder Portfolio in Turquoise Lambskin- Original Price $995, Sample Sale Price $400
-Be & D Ruffle Kan-Kan Portfolio in Red Patent Leather - Original Price $595, Sample Sale Price $300

For more info call 212 629 3242 or info@beandd.com

REPORT FROM THE FRONT: MAXX NY Bargain Bag Bonanza

Fancy Nancy Brenner has the low-down:

Have you been bumbed by designer "bargains" that are a bust? Head to Maxx NY where my friend emerged victorious. Her tale:


"Just wanted to let you know that I went to the Maxx NY (one of my fav handbag labels) sample sale last night! To quote my 8-year old niece, 'O-M-G'. My all-time favorite accessory in the world besides shoes are handbags. Overwhelmed by all the options, I was like a mouse chasing cheese. But like the a true shopping diva that I am,

Within minutes I had five bags hanging from each arm and three in each hand (now if only men were that easy to find and made my outfits look as fly, I'd be happy…but I digress).

Everything from leather to suede, east-west styles to doctor bags; totes to messengers, and every color, style and shape. I didn’t think it could get any better until I saw the pricing: bags from $30 - $100! I was so ver-klempt, I almost wept. I finally narrowed my nearly 20 choices down to two (I know - I even surprised myself with that one). I ended with a gorgeous rich brown croco bag and a large east-west style quilted black patent bag with stitching and gold chain strap - both for $60!

They say you can't take it with you when you die, but all I know is there is going to be a U-Haul filled with my shoes and handbags behind my hearse. If not, heaven better have a shopping mall that accepts credit cards."

One of the best bag buys of the season.

Maxx New York 385 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor
Mon.-Thurs., 10-6, Fri 10-5, Sat 11-5
Now through the 19th

Good Sales (Furla) & NYT Article

These sales seem great: Furla! http://www.thesavvy.com/all-sales/

This article is good!: "Secret’s Out: Sample Sales Move Online"  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/technology/internet/07private.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=online%20luxury%20shopping&st=cse (...But now the mobs are moving online, to sites like Gilt, Rue La La, One Kings Lane, Ideeli and HauteLook. On the Web, the shopping is just as competitive, but it is no longer a blood sport.)

Botkier Bags No Bargain at $175-$275 - but better than Minkoff prices...

Nancy Brenner, when does she sleep?:

...and sample sale sections bags were $150 and still leftovers last night - because $150 for samples is pricey - last year you could find a slightly damaged bag for $50. They will be adding new "sample" bags - but get there when they replenish stock in the morning. This year a puny nothing tagged for $75. One man guarded his stash of about nine bags like they were Chanels.  Can you spell eBay? Last night there were fresh eBay postings - probably straight from the sample sale - of course those prices are closer to retail, but if you don't feel like dragging downtown to Lafayette Street in a hit or miss expedition, and don't mind paying a premium try eBay or some of the upscale online boutiques that are slashing prices bringing them close to (or in some cases lower) than sample sale ones.

Darren Wallace: Handbags & Subway Signs (?)

I just visited the incredible secret lair of Darren Wallace: handbag designer, interior decorator, industrial artist, and who knows what else he's got up his sleeves. If you want one of his bags - some pictured here - or if you're in the market for old subway signs that have been revitalized and fierce-ified with hundreds - nay THOUSANDS - of individual, hand-affixed crystals DW is your man. Check here for other items and contact info.

VOTE: Independent Designer Handbag Awards

Hi all - see this handbag a.k.a. backpack? See it!? Well you can vote for it and ensure that my friend Darren Wallace wins the award for: Best Handmade Handbag at this year's Independent Designer Handbag Awards.

Made of royal blue cayman crocodile backpack and lined with black embossed cow hide, it has a zipper up the middle of the reverse side as well as a small pocket. It also features small embellishments including Swarovski crystals.

You can buy his wares...as well as other commissioned items of pop art, which I will include in another post.

TODAY ONLY - Cole Haan 40% off Online Sale

I am not loving Cole Haan's spring/summer collection, but at 40% off, it may be worth investigating further: http://tinyurl.com/qnw29s

May 13-14 Be&D Sample Sale

Matt & Nat's New Vegan Line: samsāra

Canadian outfit Matt & Nat has just created a new line of bags - the samsāra collection.
Even though not available in the U.S. until mid-July (and in NYC?...TBA), I thought I'd let y'all know because the collection is not only produced with the environment and animal welfare in mind, but also one dollar from each bag is donated to charity - helping to affect change globally. So far more than $15,000 has been raised and will be donated to four charities working on issues such as international aid, domestic violence, animal welfare, and environmental issues.

But back to the wares. The collection includes a range of bags, wallets, clutches and belts. Prices range from $40-$140. The bags are 100% vegan so there's no tanning process, and they don't use any leather.

Other interesting note: the photos you see here were shot by famed fashion photographers Leda & St Jacques.

Oh Furla: Sample Sale, April 22-24

FURLA SAMPLE SALE, IN HOUSE AT SAVVY & CO. NY

what: Handbags, Shoes, Accessories and Small Leather Goods - up to 70% off retail

when: Wednesday, April 22nd 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Thursday, April 23rd - Friday, April 24th 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

where: in-house: 145 West 18th St (6th and 7th avenues)

why: Elegant, contemporary, stylish – beautiful: Capture the essence of Italian craftsmanship at its finest with Furla’s outstanding collection of handbags, shoes, wallets, belts, jewelry and key rings.

I Bought a Joe's Handbag off of Ideeli

The need for a new spring/summer bag with a shoulder strap converged with a need to try out ideeli last week. Ideeli describes itself as: "the first invite-only shopping community in the US." Anyway, I saw the pictured bag from Joe's at a huge discount. Something like regularly $179 for $79. And while Joe's isn't really my style, I kind of liked the look, function and green color, so I went for it.

Well, in the end after delivery and taxes, that $79 turned into $96.45 - not so cheap after all. And in person the bag is a little bit "mid-quality" with too many logo embellishments (some I can thankfully remove). And the shoulder strap - a main selling point - hooks 1/3 the way down the item, making it kind of fold-over in an inconvenient way. HOWEVER! I think I shall soldier through and use it for the upcoming season(s) 'cuz I still really like the color. You can call me Sprout, just don't call me the Jolly Green Giant.

Matt & Nat Eco-Friendly Handbags and Such

Matt & Nat design their bags so you shouldn't have to make a choice between being chic and eco-friendly/responsible. These designer bags cost around $300 and smaller items like wallets are approximately $80. Their vegan bags and accessories sell online (mattandnat.com), in boutiques like Fred Segal and Holt Renfrew, and in department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks and Bloomingdale's.

Depending on the size, 15-55 recycled plastic bottles go into the material used to make their bags. The bags are 100% vegan, and don't use any leather.

And they've got a bunch of stuff on sale too!: http://www.mattandnat.com/product/search/all_rebate/0/sale/

LA Was Not a Total Loss: Hotels & Handbags

I know, I know...you missed me terribly. And I, you. But I am back from that city on the other side of the country. I stayed at the London yet again, and aside from the biggest bug that was hiding in my bath towel, the experience was great. And, we are all fortunate because while dining han-solo-style at the bar at Gordon Ramsay (which is on the ground floor of the hotel), I met a NYC-based handbag designer named Darren Wallace who I am now extremely anxious to see more from. The pictured bag is Parker Lamb Clutch - Redwood and if you go to his site you will see a couple other bags - including an award-winner that was featured on CBS this morning. Now, you all know that I am not a fan of the PURSE, but I am a sucker when meeting an artist in person! Stay tuned on this newcomer - he promises that his site will soon be more robust!

Dec. 7-10: LeSportsac Sample Sale

LeSportsac

"Return to Classics"Sample Sale

December 7-10, 2008

Sunday: 10am to 7pm

Monday: 8am to 7pm

Tuesday: 8am to 7pm

Wednesday: 8am to 7pm

Metropolitan Pavillion123 West 18th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues)

4th Floor Gallery

212-736-6262 x 2007

60%-80% off Current and Past Collections

Classics - Beach - Artist in Residence - Men's - Guys'
Visit LeSportsac.com

Cash, Mastercard, Visa and American Express accepted. No checks. All sales final. No exchanges. No refunds.