Sample Sales This Week: August 15-21, 2011

Who: Morgenthal Frederics
What: Iconic glasses are marked down to $100-$150. Additional designer glasses are half off, and lenses are 20% off when purchased for sale frames.
When: August 13-28, 2011. Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun noon-6pm
Where: 399 West Broadway (at Spring St)

Who: Bird
What: 25-75% off on Rag & Bone tops, Rachel Comey blouses, Current/Elliott colored denim, Bantu bikinis and Steven Alan dresses and more. Acne crinkle trousers $189 (was $380), JBrand men's walker relaxed straight-leg jeans $99 (as $195), Girl by Band of Outsiders Allegra short floral-print skirt $149 (was $375).
When: Now through August 24, 2011. Mon-Fri noon-8pm, Sat noon-7pm, Sun noon-6pm
Where: Park Slope, Brooklyn - 316 Fifth Ave (b/n 2nd & 3rd Sts)718-768-4940. Williamsburg, Brooklyn - 203 Grand St (b/nBedford & Driggs Ave)718-388-1655. Cobble Hill 220 Smith St (at Butler St) 718-797-3774

Who: A. Turen
What: Discounts on Timo Weiland dresses and sheer cardigans, Current/Elliott cutoffs, MM6 Maison Martin Margiela and Iro blouses and Jarbo basics.
When: Now through August 26, 2011. Tues, Wed & Sun 1pm-8pm, Thurs-Sat 1pm-9pm.
Where: 85 Stanton St (at Allen St )212-533-8200

Who: Loden Dager Sale
What: Menswear, art, objects, and accessories from the spring, summer, and fall collections at discounted prices.
When: August 15-18, 2011. Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm
Where: Vogt Gallery, 526 West 26th St, Suite 911 (nr 10th Ave)

Who: IF Sample Sale
What: 70-85% off merch from Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela, Comme des Garcons and more. Martin Margiela caped jacket $480 (was $1595), Yohji Yamamoto long pleated tunic $486 (was $1620), Rick Owens leather zip motorcycle jacket $816 (was $2718).
When: August 15-21, 2011. Mon-Sun 11am-7pm
Where: 94 Grand St (nr Greene St)

Who: United Nude Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off architectural statement making shoes
When: August 15-21, 2011. Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun noon-6pm
Where: United Nude Flagship Store - 25 Bond St (nr Lafayette St) 212-420-6000

Who: Issey Miyake Sale
What: Deep discounts on menswear and womenswear from his namesake label in addition to secondary labels Haat, Pleats Please and Cauliflower.
When: August 16, 2011. 9am-4pm
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion – 123 W 18th St. (b/n 6th & 7th Ave) – 4th floor

Who: One of a Kind Sample Sale
What: 30-75% off on merch from Ace & Jig, Erica Weiner, Mary Meyer, Tucker by Gaby Basora, and more
When: August 17-18, 2011. Wed-Thurs Call for Hours
Where: 20 West 29th St (nr Broadway) 212-679-1947

Who: Onassis Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off on menswear. Denim is $35, chambray shorts are $20, print tees are $15, and cotton-stretch point-collar shirts are $20!
When: August 17-21, 2011. Wed-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun noon-6pm
Where: 375 5th Ave (nr 35th St) 2nd floor. 212-965-8886

Who: Gargyle End of Season Sale
What: Up to 80% off! Vena Cava Cat People romper $175 (as $495), United Bamboo halter romper $75 (was $176),Ringleader shoes by Rachel Comey $125 (was $383)
When: August 18-20, 2011. Thurs-Sat 11am-7pm
Where: 16A Orchard St (nr Hester St)

Who: Project No. 8 Sale
What: The A Detacher Dagna dress $165 (was $550), Maison Martin Margiela distressed heel $280 (was $560), men's Adam Kimmel black canvas shirt $97 (was$363). Designers include Bless, Henrik Vibskov, Stephan Schneider, Tom Scott, Zero + Maria Cornejo, and more.
When: August 18-20, 2011. Thurs-Sat noon-7pm
Where: 38 Orchard St (at Hester St) 212-925-5599

Who: Cynthia Rowley End-Of-Season Sale
What: Up to 80% off on clothing & accessories! Includes exclusive archive & one-of-a-kind samples.
When: August 18-21, 2011. Thurs-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm
Where: 376 Bleecker St (nr Perry St) 212-242-3803

Who: Gemma Redux Online Sample Sale
What: 30-80% OFF Gemma Redux jewels! COLLEEN NECKLACE: Copper and gunmetal chains with faceted hemimorphite nuggets was $444, now $252. JAC NECKLACE: Emerald hydro quartz necklace with gold, gunmetal and green gold plated chains was $398, now $202. KARINA NECKLACE: Lapis stone necklace accented with gold butterflies, steel and gold plated chains was $532, now $242.
When: August 16-18, 2011. Tues-Thurs 12PM EST- 6PM EST
Where: Online Only www.gemmaredux.com/samplesale

Look for Less: Gemma Redux Cluster Necklace

Gemma Redux cluster necklace, $466
I'm a huge fan of Gemma Redux, but the pieces are a bit out of my price range. Perhaps I'll be able to afford $400+ dollar necklaces one day, but until that day, necklaces like this one from Urban Outfitters will have to do the trick.

Both statement necklaces would look great this season with a summer frock or even just a plain white tee. Just remember to be careful with costume jewelry in the heat. Sweat plus cheap metals can turn your skin green!


Urban Outfitters Modern Boho Bib, $28

Gen Art Shop NYC 2009

Last week I attended my second Gen Art Shop NYC. This year's event felt more like a trade show compared to last year.
The models were breaking down right as I got there, so I was only able to snap a shot of the menswear. I was really bummed because I saw some pretty amazing evening wear gowns and avant garde pieces.

I was really into the accessories at this year's Shop NYC. Sugar Rock Catwalk favorite, Hayden-Harnett was there with their amazing collection of handbags and leather goods.
Will you look at those studs and geometric designs? Love! I anxiously await the day when I have enough money saved up to get a second Hayden-Harnett bag.

New for me, but something that's been on Erin's radar for while, Gemma Redux was one of my favorite finds of the night. This line by Rachel Dooley embodies everything I look for in jewelry - bold, unique, colorful, and feminine without being dainty. Her pieces achieve the perfect balance of sophistication and edge, using beautiful natural stones and mixed metal chains.
My friend Katherine and I tried on (and played with) the Omne, which is one of Gemma Redux's most versatile pieces. It also happens to be one of the most affordable pieces as well, ranging from $98 to $158. There's a magnetic piece inside the web of chains, so you can wear the piece in different ways and various lengths. If you think about it and do the math, the Omne is kind of a deal.


My other favorite accessory find of the night was B-side by Ken and Dana Design. I literally stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the display of rings. I'm totally obsessed with chunky jewelry and knuckle rings, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw these!
They also had some great earrings and necklaces. My friend Katherine bought the necklace on the left. If you're looking for a geometric statement piece, B-side is definitely worth checking out.

My favorite apparel line at Gen Art was Sally Tseng. The collection was young, modern and sleek. My favorite pieces from Sally's line were her menswear inspired shirts and jackets - really nice cuts and tailoring.
This is Sally, wearing her own pieces including the amazing Ellington Tailcoat. The tail in the back is removable; 2 in 1!

Isn't she so cute?! She's a young designer, but her line has already been out for five years and some of her pieces have been worn by celebs like Charlize Theron. Quite impressive!
Here are a few of the pieces that I liked. I ended up buying a peach-nude version of the silk buttondown on the left and the two-toned oxford shirt below. I felt so guilty for wanting both, but my friend Katherine agreed they were both good finds, fun and versatile.

Overall, Gen Art Shop NYC was a great event, and I'm really glad I went because I'm not sure I would have found some of these other designers otherwise.