Sample Sale Report: Botkier September 2013

The Botkier Sample Sale is one that I make sure I never miss. You've probably heard me express in the past how much I love the supple leathers and lightweight well designed bags. The designs have shifted over the years from slouchy downtown girl to slick structured bags that have a more lady-like character but I am still an avid fan.

The sale is super organized with many staffers eager to offer their assistance. It was busy without being unmanageable and there was no line when I stopped by after work last night.

The sale tops out at $275 for the larger Legacy samples and at $250 the larger Rock Deco Samples and large Valentina Sample join it. But prices are as low as just $50 for the Valentina hipster and a reasonable $95 for the shoulder! Unfortunately a lot of the smaller size bags are already wiped out and staffers are uncertain whether or not they are restocking.

As for the Valentina satchel I only spotted two left at the sale. One on the sample table in a beautiful jade color that I was contemplating picking up at $133 and another in vibrant blue tucked under the arm of another shopper at $125.

There was a large section of Ryder and Honore styles in the $225 category as well as a few Legacy sample styles that are reminiscent of the bag that started it all - The Trigger, which was also at the same for $195. The Empire Satchel and Key Satchel joined it in the $195 category. For $150 you will find smaller crossbody Honore and Key in addition to photo print Horizon and archive leather totes. For $125 a glitzy woven metallic totes were plentiful but they were not my thing.

Sample Sale Report: Botkier November 2012

Last night I stopped by the Botkier Friends and Family sample sale to moderate crowds and plenty of bags as low as $50. I have been a longtime fan of Botkier handbags thanks to their lightweight nature and great design. I've witnessed the transformation from slouchy downtown cool to a simpler and more refined elegance and I'm still a fan.

Anyways as for the sale, it was held at Botkier headquarters in the showroom itself so it is a much smaller space than previous sample sales. The sale is set up into 2 rooms with many shelves of merchandise in addition to tables. The first room contained mostly stock while the back room held the one-offs and samples. Here I spotted mini pouchettes in metallic and camo print for just $50!

Studio Time with Monica Botkier

I recently had the chance to pay one of my favorite handbag designers, Monica Botkier, a visit in her Soho design studio/showroom.  We sat and talked about life, her family (she is the mother of 3!), how she fell into accessory design while working as a photographer and she even doled out some life advice for me in the manner of a wiser older sister as she showed me her upcoming Spring collection.  While I can't share images yet I can tell you about a design shift away from the downtown slouchy bags which the designer built her name on to more structured, luxe new classics.  The result is definitely very lady-like but with always an element of fun - like a pop of electric color or unique materials like rubberized leather.

While Botkier has always embraced unique Italian leathers, one of the big changes is that going forward all of the hardware is customized.  In fact I just learned that all of the gold tone hardware that will be used going forward is actually gold plated!  This results in a rich tone and very even smooth finish.  Even the nameplate and zipper pull are also undergoing a minor transformation from an oval to a more square shape!  Despite the changes the Botkier core commitment to lightweight, functional, quality handbags remains the same. 

Sample Sale Report: Botkier December 2010

Final Update! Shoe pricing added and all of the pictures are up.

UPDATE: Stopped by my apt real quick so I added more photos but even more to come!  I gotta run back out for a bday party! xo.

I literally ran to the Apple Store in Soho so I could give you all the 411 on the Botkier Sample Sale!
The Botkier Sample Sale is AMAZING right now! Maybe it's the eye of the tornado, but it was the perfect calm during my shopping trip. Not too many shoppers, everything perfectly organized. Friendly staffers ready to lend you a hand. Plenty of room in the wall mirrors to scope out your purchases. And finally something that I didn't think I would witness after the VIP night – Sample bags and loads of them!  Turns out that staffers held off on releasing all of them until today and they still may have a few more to be released tomorrow!

As, I’ve mentioned in previous Botkier Sample Sale coverage the sample section mostly involves a random mix of purses, sometimes in one-off colors that never made it to production.  These samples are usually in great condition and sold at great prices.  As with all handbag purchases make sure you test out all the zippers. Apparently the true samples that were released during VIP night vanished within 2 minutes!  But for today,  the sample table is laden with goodies including a football looking bag for $75, a denim colored leather Beck Satchel for $150, a gold tone Hugh for $95 (this one almost came home with me) and much more.   You might even have a better selection than the VIPs thanks to staffers.

Gifting options are plentiful with python look and metallic leather wallets for just $50!  The price list shows some items were $25, but I can’t seem to spot any of these around the cash.  I’m sure they went quickly.

Sexy shoes are plentiful and range in size from 6-11. I am told that what is left in sizes depends on the shoe. Watch out for the sexy Anya sandal ($175). The Holden boot($250) in black/brown is amongst the most popular styles at the sale.  The Tina sandal is $175 vrs the $300 they are on sale for on the Botkier website.  Flats and sandals start at just $100, shootie/ankle boots are $175-200 and knee high/tall boots are $250 for flat or medium heels and $275 for the high heels.  I also spot the Marni Boot with multiple zippers that I saw Monica Botkier personally wear a couple sample sales ago.I had promised myself to start carrying smaller bags.  So my rule going into the sale was small bags only.  I was originally looking for a Trigger Mini Moto (that I have been wanting for years) but unfortunately save for 1 yellow bag, they were sold out. However, the bag that caught me off guard was the Ava crossbody in Metallic Python finish.  Metallic + Python = Perfection. I had saw it online and thought it was cute but in person it knocked me off my feet and had me get my credit card out of the wallet. The Ava crossbody will cost you $200. Le sigh...I was so trying to be good after London! But this is the perfect weekend and everyday glam bag.

But seriously RUN don't walk because the samples won't last! Plenty of stock merchandise for $125-$295.

 

SHOPPING TIPS for a Botkier sample sale:  To prevent hoarders there is a 4 item at a time rule.  Don’t carry too many items or you will be asked to put some down. If you remember to check-in on Four Square they will hook you up with at 10% off discount at the cash.  Remember to hit up the ATM and bring cash for tax free purchases.

 

For more pictures checkout the slideshow!

		Botkier Sample Sale December ‘10 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Sample Sale Report: Botkier May 2010

So I dropped by the Botkier Sample Sale after work yesterday night and had a chance to snap some pics but was soon surrounded by a whirlwind of organized chaos. The popularity of Botkier has definitely skyrocketed and the friends and family sale which invited Facebook friends to join in had a line that wrapped around the block! So with all of these fans and a smaller space than previous years, there was the potential for sample sale disaster but fortunately Botkier fans are definitely more ladylike than other handbag sales I've attended. There was no pushing and no fighting! The purses are displayed on the tables by style and a visual price chart makes it easy to know what things cost for most part! Macarons and Champagne were a sweet bonus that kept shopping a fun girly experience.

With so many of my fave styles I really had a hard time narrowing down my purchases! People were going crazy over those Trigger Moto Clutches snatching up multiples in a rainbow of colors at $125 a pop. I spotted plenty of Taylor, Uma, Harper and Dion Styles in so many great shades. My personal faves were the naked lambskin and the washed denim lambskin! So beautiful.

Narrowing down our purchases in one of 2 mirrors available at the sale.

Just plenty of milling especially around the table of coveted sample bags. The table was emptied within 5 minutes but as the night progressed people would return bags that they were not going to purchase. The majority of bags at this table are samples or damaged and they were for most part under $200.

Prices were $295 and below for most part on stock items but small clutches are in the $125 zone!

Shoe sizes ranged from size 36-40 for stock but if you are a size 7 you're in luck as sample shoes were available at an even greater discount! Lucky Lani scored a pair of those zip wedges on the left! What was available was mostly sandals although there were 2 gorgeous pairs of knee high boots waiting to be taken home by a size 7! Sample shoes were mostly $50 & 75.

The majority of shoes were in the 38-40 size range. Sandals started at $95 with prices going up to $175.

I lucked out and found a version of the purse I've been dreaming about the past couple sales on the sample table! I totally wanted the Tao Crossbody but managed to find the Tao Convertible Satchel for $135.

I'm a huge fan of Botkier bags in general as I've previously mentioned they are light, strong and super functional for city life so I always enjoy this sale.

Remember to tweet or FB a pic with your mom to @botkierbags in order to get 10% off your purchases! They have a list that they check so do it! Also sign up for their mailing list (show some love and mention Sugar Rock Catwalk!) and you'll be entered in a draw for $1000 at the Botkier retail store! Let us know what you pick up!

Who: Botkier Sample Sale
What: One of our fav handbag brands at a major discount! One of a kind samples and stock.
When: May 6-9, 2010. Thurs & Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm
Where: 60 Mercer St. at Broome
Bonus: Happy Mother's Day! Share your favorite snapshot of you and your mom & receive 10% off your purchase. Tweet a picture to @botkierbags or upload to their Facebook page