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.

Inside the Sam Edelman Handbag Sample Sale

UPDATE: Prices reduced for the rest of the day:
Odette Saddle Bag in Terracota NOW $50
Hugo Messenger in Cafe Au Lait NOW $75
Armand Satchel in Cafe Au Lait and Nuit NOW $75
Marianne Tote in Nuit & Python Naturelle NOW $100

Thanks to the folks at The Savvy Co we get a good look at what’s inside the Sam Edelman Handbag Sample Sale.  Merchandise looks well organized and there appear to be table after table of well laid out merchandise.  There is a fair assortment of color and quite a number of faux python and pop color purses.
If you need a wallet, you can snag one for $50 or less!  These wallets normally retail for $148.

Sample Sale Report: Botkier, May 2012

The Botkier Sample Sale is amongst the small handful of sales I make sure that I never miss. If you get there early there is no telling what sort of delicious gems you can unearth on a sample table or what purse from stock is going to suddenly steal your heart and open up your wallet. Since I’m currently on the job hunt I am fighting myself against running over tomorrow morning to snatch up a few beauties.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at 260 Sample Sale I got to have a peek inside the sale tonight before the crowds are sure to attack the perfectly laden tables.
 
As per usual there is a photo pricing guide posted on walls that take you from $125 for smaller pieces like the Evans Clutch to the Turner iPad Case to Charlotte Crossbody. $150 will take you into the slightly larger Nicola and Stella clutches and the Leela Satchel.

Rebecca Minkoff: Holiday/Resort 2011

A few weeks ago I was invited to the Rebecca Minkoff Showroom for a Girl's Night Out event where attendees got to sip on Skinny Girl cocktails (which were dangerously delicious) and snack on girly treats like Macarons and really pretty cake pops from Goodie Bites! It was a blast catching up with some of my favorite ladies while admiring some of the new pieces from the Holiday/Resort 2011 Collection.

Some of my favorite pieces included these stunning pony peep toe shoeties with the subtlest hint of metallic shimmer.  I also couldn't help but like the Sweetie Bow Clutch in beige with rose gold hardware.  I know that sometimes too much hardware can start to look cheesy but this little bag was so over-the-top that it was just right.



Throughout the night they kept things interested by giving away Mini MAC Clutches to some lucky attendees who got a chance to have them personalized with initials by Jenni of I Spy DIY.  And while this particular night wasn't lucky for me I still had a blast.

Kotur Clutches

A while ago, I was introduced to a line of beautiful clutches, purses and handbags by New York City born and raised designer Fiona Kotur.  Since 2004, her collection is sold under her maiden name Kotur has been sold by retailers all over the world.
 
She walked me through the beautiful collection and explained that her inspiration for her Spring 2012 collection was derived from architecture, particularly that of Zaha Hadid. Kotur first encountered Zaha Hadid with the the awe inspiring Chanel Mobil Art Exhibit.

One of the first things I noticed as I looked around the showroom were the remarkable illustrations of the purses that were created by her mother, the remarkably talented fashion illustrator and interior designer Sheila Camera Kotur. I'm always fascinated when talent and creativity run in the family.

You can definitely see the architectural influences in the some of the clean modern shapes - especially the Seno Minaudiere.  The designer uses unexpected materials like Perspex acrylic to inlay into some of the minaudiere (clutch case) creating a very beautiful and quite unique multi-faceted jeweled effect.  The pieces just seem to glow in a way that makes them look almost like little works of art.

"Overall the season's motif is about contrast: classic silhouettes in industrial materials, natural fibers creating abstract forms, organic shapes with synthetic materials. The palette is bright and optimistic, but always played against neutrals; Cerise against Sand, Saffron with Bark, Ocean paired with Naturals. As for materials, I played with Perspex like melted marbles, color-wash straws and buntal dip-dyed in acid colors. The frivolity of contrasting one style against the other."

These are pieces that look classic enough to be kept for generations and unique enough to be noticed, even on special occasions.  Since the designer is a believer in high-low, every collection has bags available in a wide range of price points from $300 to $3000. Kotur handbags are sold at fine retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales in NYC.  For a full list of retailers click here.

Mini Mac Attack! Win a Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac

Calling all Minkettes aka those with an obsession for Rebecca Minkoff's fabulous handbag aesthetic.  In honor of the launch of the newest member of the the ubiquitous Morning After Family, the Mini MAC, Rebecca Minkoff is giving away 30 Mini MAC bags throughout the month of November to randomly selected lucky Minkettes who fill out the form here. So what are you waiting for?

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Alexandra Satine - Spring 2012

A few months ago I introduced you to, my friend and former co-worker, Alexandra Satine's handbag line.  With styles that are light weight, stylish and many with the ability to transform into multiple looks/sizes her handbags are a win-win investment.  Recently she showed off her upcoming Spring 2012 collection.  And while a few of her most popular styles are made up in new materials she also had some completely fresh designs to share.

Sample Sale Report: Tusk

If you’re in need of an affordable lightweight handbag at a great price the Tusk Sample Sale is definitely the place to go.  While the handbags may be manufactured in India – fine Italian leathers are used in combination with handcrafted hardware from Italy or Japan.  Each piece is sturdy yet super lightweight so the bag itself won’t weigh you down. 

As for the sale itself it was brightly lit and well organized by bins and racks with clearly marked prices. Staffers were super friendly and knowledgeable about the products.  Everything is marked significantly off retail at 50-75% off  and  if you spend $300 or more you get an extra 10% off!

There are also plenty of small leather goods at this sale that start at just $15. With a wide assortment of affordable items like card cases, jewelry boxes, iPod cases, wallets and clutches – the Tusk Sample Sale is a great gift giving destination.  Most of what is available to buy is carefully wrapped in plastic to protect the items from being touched and torn apart by rabid shoppers.  An example item of each is displayed on top of each bin so you can look inside and get a feel for the item.  The same goes for the handbags – everything that is currently out on the floor are “display models” - the staffers have brand new inventory in the back that they will bring you for purchase until they reach the last item/floor model that they will offer at a discounted price.

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: Be and D

I managed to make it to the sale at the tail end of the day with just 10 minutes to spare I swung by the sale in a whirlwind. Maybe I didn’t catch everything but from what I did see, there were bargains aplenty for those in the market for shoes or a new handbag. Since photos weren’t really allowed at the sale, I snuck a few shots when the opportunity arose! For large bags I spotted plenty of studded and patent varieties for $100 a pop or 2 for $175. for smaller bags there were several boxes of assorted varieties for $50 a pop or 2 for $75. I spotted some cute metallic ruffled clutch varieties. For smaller accessories patent leather wristlets were $25 each or 2 for $40 while studded bracelets were $10 a pop. Some other small leather goods were $40 a pop and 2 for $75, studded coin purses were $50 and the prices topped out at $150 or 2 for $250 for the Garbo and Kan-Kan wallet.

When it comes to shoes there were plenty of options. I noticed some studded canvas espadrilles as I walked in for around $18 a pop. If you are a size 37 however, it’s your lucky day as samples were marked at $50 a pop or 2 for $75! If you are not a 37 though fret not as they have other styles including many a sexy studded pump in a full size range from 36-40. Shoes were most plentiful in between sizes 36-38. Unfortunately I have size 35 feet, or else I would definitely have left the sale with some shoes. For stock shoes prices hovered from $75 to $225 for knee high boots with most in the $125-175 category.

While I didn’t have a chance to check out the backroom at the sale where most of the stock purses were kept, according to Be and D’s tweets The Donnington bag down to $575 from $1325.

PS Watch out for the adorable curly haired white & beige puppy at the sale that will steal your heart!

Who: Be & D Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off handbags, footwear and small accessories. The Genesis bag in prailine is $495 (was $1,095), the Joe ballet flat in leopard is $175 (was $350) and the Woodstock homo in tiger is $795 (was $1,495).
When: May 23-25, 2011. Mon-Wed 9am-7pm
Where: 260 W 36th St. - 8th floor (b/n 7th and 8th Ave).

Alexandra Satine Fall 2011 Collection

How rare is it that you find out that someone you know has been quietly working on a side project, all the while that I’ve been quietly working on this blog, and then suddenly find each other out one quiet morning? Truth be told, handbag designer Alexandra Satine and myself used to work in the same office for quite a few years without knowing what the other was doing. So it was a happy re-union when I was invited to check out her Fall 2011 collection of handbags a couple weeks ago. Alexandra walked me through the collection and told me how she got started and how her handbags are uniquely convertible and can change from day-to-night in the blink of an eye. A satchel becomes a belt bag and a tote becomes a clutch. This was important in her development process personally because after leaving the office she hated taking a big bag with her to after work plans. She didn’t want to always be carrying multiple bags either so she thought, “How cool would it be to have one purse – and that’s it…My customer is someone who needs an accessory that can be adjusted at the last minute for a cocktail event, or a busy woman who has no time to purchase five bags, and instead, buys one bag that gives her five options”

For Fall she was loving Dark Green and Grey so that became the basis of her color palette. She uses an incredibly soft Italian Leathers and New Zealand Lamb leathers to craft her bags. Although there is a slight metallic quality to some of the skins, it’s very subtle and not at all in your face – making it totally appropriate to use during the day.

The original purse she started with was the Love My Bag (5-in-1) which comes with a separate chain strap that you can use to transform your bag into a variety of options and the front pocket comes off to create a mini bag or even a clutch.

Her newest convertible bag is the 7th Ave (2-in-1) which the front pocket pulls out easily to become a clutch. Alexandra says that, “This is perfect for Holiday because people go to more evening events”. I have to agree that the transformation of this bag in particularly really impressed me because it was almost seamlessly fluid.

The Brickel Satchel (3-in-1) comes with large outer pockets that can easily be transformed into a belt bag with the option to use both pockets or just one. You can also use the belt as a longer strap for the tote itself.

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While the Lexington Ave is not convertible I love the use of 2 textures of leather to create a sporty luxe bag that could probably fit an iPad.

The designer’s personal pick for Fall is the Rio Limon which she assures me was designed with a gusset on the side to allow them to expand and hold more stuff than you might imagine for their size.

The Michigan Ave is another gusseted clutch with bead detail to take you into the Holiday season. Although it’s not a convertible bag, it still comes with a couple of strap options to change up the way you carry it.

Alexandra Satine handbags are also very light - although there are some hardware and embellishment details, they still are light enough to carry around all day without weighing you down. Lightweight bags are always a selling point for myself personally! Women have enough to carry without having to carry an extra 5 pounds worth of hardware on some designer purses. The handbag collection is reasonably priced at $255-288 for a clutch, $380 for the Lexington Ave up to $495 for the Love My Bag and Metallic Brickel styles. Considering that you can get multiple looks for the price of 1, if you are on a budget and can splurge on only 1 bag, you have some great options. Alexandra Satine is available at Zoe Boutique in Alexandra, VA or at Fablogue online.