Sample Sale Report: Vivienne Tam

I dropped by the Vivienne Tam Sample Sale over lunch and was shocked to find such a calm scene. In the past, this sale has always been quite popular so I thought it would be full of ladies waiting to get their hands on some the latest beautiful butterfly inspired creations. Prints reigned supreme at this sale and added plenty of cheer on a day that started out rainy. Staffers were super friendly and willing to help shop and make recommendations.

It was very easy to breeze through this sale with almost no other competition. Although change rooms are not available, there are a couple of large mirrors available for shoppers to check themselves out in.

Merchandise was arranged by category (Jackets, Skirts, Dresses, Tops, Etc) and size. Sizes available at the sale were 0-2, 4-6 and 8-10. There was a large selection of all sizes but I felt that there was definitely more available on the smaller end of the spectrum.

There was no price list however merchandise was well marked on every item.
Prices were approximately as follows:
Blouses $50-95
T-shirts $45
Skirts $50, 95 or 130
Trench Coat $250
Dresses $95-230
Shoes $40
Belt $55
Butterfly Scarf $15 Cotton, $40 Silk
Chairman Mao Pillowcases $15 Small, $20 Medium

Some of my picks are below:

Butterfly print pieces from the Spring 2010 collection that matched Tam's Digital Clutch were available. Dress on the left was $495, now $180 (as seen on our friend Clutch 22). Dress on right was $795, now $295.

Super cute draped jacket was $550, now $165. Butterfly tank priced at $45.

Mesh ruffle sleeve top is now a bargain at $50 (was $275)! Applique Kimono sleeve blouse $95.

Mesh dress was $95 (?). Ruffle knit blouse was $350, now $140.

Small selection of accessories were well priced and displayed on a table with stock available from staff.

I think the best deal is for size 36 or 39 shoes! A small assortment of super cute shoes are now just $40! I think that they may have been fit shoes as the looked like they might have been tested but they are in relatively great condition. There were a couple random size 37s and a 35 thrown in the mix but 36 & 39 are the clear winners.

I contemplated going over-budget for this butterfly print trench that was just $250. Considering that come fall, trench coats are an item that could be worn nearly everyday, it's a purchase that would soon earn it's keep. But I decided that this time the budget wins and I reluctantly put it back for now!

I didn't have a chance to check out the sample rack but according to our friends at Racked.com they spotted a gown for just $30!

Bonus Points? Shoppers at this sale who spend $200 or more will be given a free butterfly print scarf in cotton! Also, if you sign up for the mailing list you have a chance to win a Digital Clutch of your own. Fingers crossed as I definitely entered :)

Go to this sale if you're looking for a pleasant sample sale that's anything besides bumping elbows. If you love digital prints or are looking for a super cute top/dress for summer there are plenty available at a great discount. Considering the quality of the merch, the details of design (cut-outs, embroideries,) and unique special items, this sample sale is very well priced.

Who: Vivienne Tam Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off 2010 Spring line. A silk chiffon butterfly-print tunic now $150 (was $375). Bonus. Shoppers who spend$200 or more will receive a FREE GIFT! (printed butterfly scarf)
When: July 14-16, 2010. Wed 9am-8pm. Thurs 10am-7pm. Fri 10am-6pm.
Where: 260 West 39th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave) 15th Floor. 212-840-6470.

HP x Project Runway Event

Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend a HP x Project Runway brunch where I got to see how HP's technology was being used on the show by the current contestants of Project Runway. Their most recent challenge was to create a print using HP TouchSmart PCs and bring them to life by first printing on fabric and then creating showstopping design. HP TouchSmart PCs integrate a high-definition widescreen display with a multitouch-enabled screen. Users can simply pinch, rotate, flip or drag a finger across the screen of the PC to create designs in a natural, intuitive way.

I met some of the contestants including Emilio, Jay and Seth Aaron and got to see their designs up close. Jay kindly explained how the challenge although not his favorite was definitely up there as it was amazing to see their original print designs come to life in the blink of an eye (or at least a 24 hr turnaround). HP had developed huge digital printers to print onto cotton sateen for a relatively soft fabric with super vibrant colors. Jay said the toughest part was actually picking the exact shade of green he wanted to use from thousands to create his perfect Ninja inspired corset girl look.

Emilio later showed me how to use the print creating program and set a repeat and it was as easy and fun as 1, 2, 3!

I tried my hand at creating my own print and only wish that I could have seen it come to life as I think it would have made for a fun dress. The touch screen took a little getting used to but it was fun to "draw" shapes with your fingers or even the end of a Sharpie to create something truly one-of-a-kind. Not too shabby, right?

I also got the chance to experiment a little with the HP TouchSmart tm2 notebook which features a screen that can be rotated around and converted to slate mode, morphing it into a sketchpad with digital pen. This notebook actually comes standard with this Corel Draw software so any aspiring artist can sketch their hearts out. To be honest, drawing on a computer vrs drawing on paper has a bit of a different feel but once you get used to it it can be quite fun. I think the freedom of knowing that no line is permanent as there is an undo button and the special effects really can add to a drawing.

Also, if you don't want to buy or have a million art supplies (perhaps due to a small NYC apartment) there are a wide variety of tools that you can play with from spray paint to sponge brush effects. I was thinking my next notebook might be a MAC, but this drawing program alone makes for a strong case to change my mind :) After all my current laptop (also an HP) has served me pretty well over the last 4 years.

Finally the highlight of my day was meeting designer Vivienne Tam. She is quite an extraordinary, intelligent woman. She makes me feel at ease by clasping my hand gently like a dear friend and asking if she has met me before.

She explains, "When I started my business I couldn't afford very expensive materials... so I created my own prints to make my designs special, and people recognize my designs and it has become my signature". She actually hopes that last week's episode of Project Runway, "inspires a lot of people to create their own prints, and create something for yourself...Make your own clothes, make something special and feel special. Because everyday of life if you are creative it will make your life fruitful and beautiful and enjoyable...Why play [video] games when you can play around with prints?"

Vivienne Tam not surprisingly is quite the tech savvy lady as she shows off her digital clutch and tells me how she works on prints digitally everyday! She starts telling me about the butterfly headphones that come with her clutch and I ask her if she is a big fan of music as I know that Beats by Dr.Dre was an integral part of her digital clutch. She enthusiastically shares, "Fashion plus technology plus music is Triple Happiness!". I can't help but agree!

Vivienne Tam for HP Digital Clutch Spring 2010

Hot off the runway from Vivienne Tam's Spring 2010 collection comes the designers latest collaboration with HP. The mini notebook PC or "digital clutch" is a match made in heaven for anyone who wants to pair sleek style with technology on the go. You might remember that Tam did a similar collaboration back in 2008 with a Peony design netbook but as technology and fashion both move forward, here is a brand new design and a more powerful little notebook.

“As a fashion designer I have always found inspiration in bringing contrasting worlds together,” said Tam. “I use computers in every aspect of my life so it seemed natural to marry fashion and technology. Together with HP, we created this movement of fashionable tech accessories with the second-edition digital clutch.”

Not only is the netbook beautiful but the it boasts a 5.5 hr battery life and super portable design at just 2.7 lbs and under 1" thick. It may be tiny, but it manages to have a 10.1" LED widescreen display and a keyboard that is 93% of the size of a standard notebook PC keyboard!

The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition comes with 2GB of memory and large hard-drive options up to 320 GB, automatic backup software and Microsoft Windows 7 Premium. It also features a built-in webcam that converts to a mirror, HP QuickWeb, which lets users post to Facebook, send a tweet, listen to music, browse the web, check an appointment, send an email or chat in seconds – saving time usually spent waiting for the computer to fully boot. Finally, this laptop also features Beats by Dr. Dre, a high-performance audio software that enables listeners to experience the way music the sounds in a professional recording studio.

This notebook was designed at the same time as Tam's Spring 2010 collection and the butterfly motifs and gold tones perfectly match the prints and fabrication from the very 70s inspired collection. Also available for purchase are matching microfiber suede sleeve, an optional Butterfly Lovers wireless mouse and Monster-branded headphones.

Reservations for the “digital clutch” begin Thursday, March 4 and will become available on March 19, 2010! U.S. customers can reserve their HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition by calling +1 800 230 5752 or by visiting www.hp.com/viviennetam. The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition also will be available at U.S. retailers including Neiman Marcus, Amazon.com, Best Buy and J&R Electronics. For additional retailers worldwide check out hp.com/viviennetam.
*Please note the link won't be live until 11am today! I apologize for any inconvenience!

The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition starts at $599 while the Butterfly Lovers themed HP Wireless Mouse is $39.99. Totally adding it to my personal wish list!