Sample Sales This Week: NYC

Sample sale mania!!! OMY!

Who: Rebecca Minkoff sample sale
What: Deals on lovely handbags including distressed-leather Morning After Bag $350 (was $635), leather Nikki hobo $350 (was $595), and patent-leather Morning After Clutch $195 (was $330)
When: November 18-22, 2009. Wed-Sun 10am-8pm.
Where: 17 West 17th St (near 5th Ave)(212-677-7829)

Who: Gucci Jewelry and Watches
What: Up to 90% Off Retail. Cash & Credit Cards
When: November 19-20, 2009. Thurs-Fri 10am-8pm.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street (B/n 6th & 7th Ave)

Who: Mara Hoffman and Isabelle Fiore.
What:Mara Hoffman Fall 09 styles - amazing coats, dresses and shawls that will be marked up to 70% off retail. Isabelle Fiore for up to 80% Off handbags and one-of-a-kind bags.
When: November 19-21, 2009. Thurs-Fri 10am-8pm. Sat 10am-7pm.
Where: Savvy, 42 Greene Street, 2nd Floor (B/n Grand & Broome Streets)

Who: Kid Robot Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% Off. Hoodies are $25, T-shirts are $15, and hats are $10.
When: November 17-18, 2009. Tues-Wed 11am-8pm
Where: 56 West 22nd St (near 6th Ave), 2nd floor

Who: Kooba Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% Off Current & Past Season Merch
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-2pm. 3pm-8pm. (Closed 2pm-3pm)
Where: 141 West 36th St (near 7th Ave) 19th Floor

Who: Scatola Showroom Sale
What: Up to 75% Off Fall merch from Vivienne Westwood, Iodice, Bliss Lau, and Ilaria Nistri
When: November 17-20, 2009. Tues-Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 544 West 27th St (near 11th Ave) 6th floor

Who: Twinkle by Wenlan
What: Up to 75% Off Dresses, blouses, sweaters, coats, and accessories. Silk-georgette dresses $114 (was $335), wool coats $165 (was $484), and knitted accessories $40 (was $120)
When: November 18-19, 2009. Wed-Thurs 10am-7pm
Where: 545 8th Ave (near 37th St)

Who: Yigal Azrouël
What: Up to 70% Off Womenswear, menswear, YYigal items, and accessories. Tops $125 (was $430), dresses $235 (was $790), and knits $170 (was $575)/
When: November 18-19, 2009. Wed-Thurs 9am-7pm.
Where: 225 West 39th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave) (212-302-1194)

Who: Nanette Lepore Sample Sale
What: Over 50% Off. Dresses $140 (was $335 to $595), skirts $100 (was $195 to $295), jackets $190 (was $285 to $495), and tops $95 (was $215 to $340)
When: November 18-20, 2009. Wed-Fri 9am-7pm.
Where: 225 West 35th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave) 4th floor (212-594-0012)

Who: Tracy Reese Sample Sale
What: Discounts on Tracy Reese, Plenty and Frock. The first 150 customers will receive a gift bag of full-size beauty products.
When: November 19-20, 2009. Thurs-Fri 9am-7pm.
Where: 260 West 39th St (near 8th Ave) 19th floor (646-438-6928) CORRECTION

Who: Reem Acra
What: Up to 90% Off ready-to-wear and eveningwear samples from current and past seasons
When: November 19-20, 2009. Thurs-Fri 9am-7pm.
Where: 53 West 36th Street (near5th Ave)

Who: Ali Ro
What: Over 65% Off merch
When: November 19-20, 2009. Thurs-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm.
Where: 530 7th Ave (nr 39th St) 14th floor (212-575-2550)

Who: Armani Sample Sale
What: Men's and women's clothing and accessories are up to 80% off.
When: November 19-21, 2009. Thurs 3pm-8pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th St (near 6th Ave) 4th Floor

Who: Hickey and Original Penguin sample sale
What: 60-80% Off men's fall samples of button-down shirts, suits, ties, polos, coats, and more. Hickey ties $19 (was $125), Original Penguin hoodies $35 (was $98), and Cold Method long peacoats $95 (was $315)
When: November 19-22, 2009. Thurs-Sun 10:30am-7pm
Where: Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave (near 15th St)

Who: Strenesse Sample and Stock Sale
What: Up to 80% Off outerwear, sportswear, and dresses
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 50 West 57th St (near 6th Ave) 8th Floor. (212-920-1211)

Who: Nancy Gonzalez Sale
What: Up to 50% Off Classic crocodile clutches
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 50 West 57th St (near 6th Ave) 8th Floor. (212-920-1211)

Who: Marlies Dekkers Lingerie Sale
What: 70% Off Samples & Stock
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 50 West 57th St (near 6th Ave) 8th Floor. (212-920-1211)

Who: MCM Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off Handbags, totes, clutches, and wallets
When: November 17-19, 2009. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 50 West 57th St (near 6th Ave) 8th Floor. (212-920-1211)

Who: Rubin Chapelle Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off
When: November 19-21, 2009. Thurs-Fri noon-7pm, Sat noon-6pm
Where: 410 West 14th St (near 9th Ave) (212-647-8636)

Fashion Suffers Bad Markets

If you were hoping to catch the Chanel Mobil Art Exhibit in London, Paris or Moscow, sorry to disapoint in a moved relating to the crumbling of the global economy, New York's showing ending last month will now be the stopping point of the costly endeavor.

A Chanel spokeswoman told WWD, "Considering the current economic crisis, we decided it was best to stop the project. We will be concentrating on strategic growth investments."

This is yet another reflection of how bad things are getting in the fashion industry as countless labels are now canceling their Bryant Park runway shows in favors of presentations and small parties. DKNY, Vera Wang, Carmen Marc Valvo and Betsey Johnson will not be showing at Bryant Park. J. Mendel, Monique Lhuillier and Reem Acra are also considering other options for February.

On the plus side, much at Barney's is now 75% Off! If you're above the economy and have money to spend, now is the time to do it.