Sample Sales NYC: September 17-23, 2012

Who: Brooklyn Industries Sale
What: Up to 90% off men's and women's apparel
When: September 19-20, 2012. Wed-Thurs 11am—7pm.
Where: 20 Jay St (b/n John and Plymouth St), Brooklyn, NY. Suite 1120

Who: Malia Mills
Wjat: Up to 75% off swimwear separates, one-pieces, tankinis, and cover
ups. Sizes 30AA to 40E, and bottoms and one-pieces in
sizes 2 to 16. Malia Mills ready-to-wear will also be included, along with
merchandise from Inhabit, Raquel Allegra, Kain, Gary Graham, and more
When: September 19-21, 2012. Wed-Fri 10am—6pm.
Where: 263 West 38th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave). 16th Floor.

Who: I Don't Like Monday's Warehouse Sale
What: Up to 80% off merch from designers like from Alexander Wang, Jeffrey Campbell, Cheap Monday, United Nude, Melissa Shoes, Unif, Warriors of Radness, Robert Geller, Nicholas K, and more.
When: September 20-22, 2012. Thurs—Fri 12pm—7pm, Sat 12pm—5pm.
Where: 157 Bowery (b/n Broome and Delancey St). 646-559-2046.

Who: The Row Sample Sale
What: Snag clothing and accessories from this year's CFDA Womenswear Designers of the Year
When: September 20-23, 2012. Thurs—Sat 9am—6:30pm, Sun 9am—5pm.
Where: Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33rd St. (b/n 8th Ave & 9th Ave)

Runway Review: Armani Privé

Armani Privé was the bringing together of the glamour of the 30's with a heavy dash of chinoiserie. Armani told WWD this collection was an ode to a China, “that does not exist anymore." And perhaps this is where imagination takes over as a couture collection should. This is the China that was stylized, generalized and absolutely fascinating to the Western world. Models for most part were decked out in doll-like blunt cut bobs with heavy eyeliner.

Throughout the collection you can see the heavy importance of the high shoulder, which is shown on nearly every look. Slit necks/V-necks paired with slim below-the-knee skirts amped up the sex factor without looking trashy. Other key details include tassels, fringe, frog closures and heavy plastic jewelry reminiscent of wooden brackets on traditional Chinese architecture. Prints included fan motifs and very Asian inspired florals.

Lace continues to be a key fabric, whether it be in white, black or gold.

Colors for most part stayed within the realm of black, beige and greys with hits of red. However during the middle of the collection there were a few power brights shown in purples and yellows that really jumped out. Perhaps the purple alone would have been okay, but combined with the yellow was a bit overpowering.

The theme only gave way at the end, to create some red carpet worthy sparkly/frothy numbers.

Overall a very unified theme throughout but not sure about all the flipped out hems on peplums, sleeves and skirts. Some may argue that the big shoulder look might be difficult for the average woman to pull off, but I think it may be easier than the padded hips at Dior. Perhaps, the shoulders are best left to willowy frames? I do particularly like the first suit shown in grey at the very top left, as the billowy sleeves lend some softness to a predominantly precise cut/rigid looking collection.

Trend: Smooth as Velvet

Guilty pleasure; I love Gossip Girl. Aside from Blair, my favorite character has to be Chuck Bass. His love of purple, neck scarves and other dandy fashion never fail to amuse me. I guess I'm not the only one who loves Chuck Bass as nothing screams Chuck better than Velvet that the Fall 2009 runways were chock full of. While this won't be a look for everyone, I don't despise it, as long as the pants are a tailored fabric instead of velvet and other apparel is masculine sleek, I think it could work.

Left to Right: Roberto Cavalli, D&G, Dolce & Gabbana

Left to Right: Gianfranco Ferre, Giorgio Armani, Burberry