Sample Sale Report: Nicholas K

UPDATE JUNE 20, 2014: If you haven't had a chance to drop by the Nicholas K sale before or if things were slightly out of your budget before, now is the time to go back. Prices have been further reduced for the last days of the sale! Check out the revised price list below:

OVERSTOCK DESCRIPTION	WAS	NOW
LEATHER JACKETS	360	275
COTTON JACKET	250	175
HEAVY SWEATER	225	175
LIGHT SWEATER/SWEATSHIRT	160	125
SILK SYNTHETIC DRESS	175	150
COTTON DRESS/ SKIRTS	150	125
SHIRTS	120	99
T-SHIRTS	80	50
PANTS/SHORTS	85	75
HIGH BOOTS	180	99
SHOES	140	99
FUR SCARVES	110	99
SCARVES	35	25
BRACELETS	40	40
EARRINGS/NECKLACES	30	30

SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
JACKETS	175	150
SWEATERS	125	99
DRESSES	100	75
TOPS	80	70
SWEATSHIRTS	75	60
PANTS/SKIRTS	50	40
T-SHIRTS	40	35

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Original Post June 13, 2014

I stopped by the Nicholas K and Cardigan joint sample sale in Soho earlier today. The vibe of the sale was very laid back with super friendly staffers who leave you to your own business. There were a fair number of shoppers but the space was large enough to feel comfortable in your own space. Sizes ranged from XS to XL but they the quantities tended to skew towards the smaller sizes for women.

The sale is broken into about 3 main sections with Nicholas K men's overstock on the left, some knit pieces by Nicholas K and Cardigan straight down the middle, Nicholas K women's overstock and vintage/sample racks to the right.

As much as I like Nicholas K for women, I am always so impressed with how they handle menswear. Below are some of my favorite pieces for men at the sale. Perhaps you can freshen up the wardrobe of the special man in your life!

 These drop crotch knit shorts with utility pockets are so stylish and priced at $85. This unique take on a plaid shirt is really eyecatching but wearable and will set you back $120.

Alejandro Ingelmo Mid-Summer Sale

UPDATE: Just realized that you can snag these prices online too! So if you can't make it in person, now is your change to snag designer shoes and a fraction of the price.

Who: Alejandro Ingelmo Mid-Summer Sale
What: Snag sexy designer shoes at up to 70% off retail. Penny in Available in Black, Silver and Cognac was $556, now $179. Spider Wedge in Black was $795,  now $239.  Sophia in Black was $495, now $199.
When: Starts July 11, 2012.  Mon- Fri 11am - 7pm. Sat noon-6pm, Sun 1pm-6pm. 
Where:  Alejandro Ingelmo Soho Boutique, 51 Wooster Street


Peep some of the styles featured at the sale after the jump.

Sample Sale Report: Jil Sander (or lack thereof)

Headed down to the Jil Sander sample sale today and got in line around 4:20pm.  The sale was supposed to close at 6pm - but doors shuttered just before 5pm (right when I was at the front of the door)!  Needless to say it was irritating.  Don't get me wrong...I'm sure there were plenty of people up there but seriously - if you're going to shut down a sale due to high traffic, you need to communicate that clearly.  And by clearly, I don't mean just to the people who were within an earshot of the door.  Seriously, even Target has better PR tactics than this.  Put up a sign, have an employee man the exit telling people that the sale is closed....do SOMETHING.

And by something, I don't mean leaving the doorman to fend off ravenous bargain hunters looking to score some serious deals (i.e. 80% off).  Seriously, if you see this guy - cut him some slack.  He doesn't work the sample sale, or for Jil Sander so lay off of him.  He's doing his job.  Jil Sander's PR - that's another story...  

Shop: Aritzia Soho

The Canadian retail chain Aritzia opened it’s doors a couple weeks ago and I finally had a chance to check it out in person.  In case you aren’t familiar, Aritzia started in Vancouver in 1984 and slowly spread  to markets  in Vancouver, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Portland, Seattle and now New York.  The company thanks to it’s high quality clothing, great fit, trend right pieces at a relatively reasonable price have earned the boutique quite the following.

When I was living in Toronto, I would shop Aritzia often for merch ranging from perfect basics to work ready adorable wool pants and jackets.  Also, come winter, as far as the eye could see Toronto ladies have embraced the ubiquitous winter coat with faux fur lining as the puffer alternative.  I’m actually guilty of once upon a time owning this myself.  The house brands (including TNA, Talulah, T Babaton, Wilfred, Wilfred Free, Le Fou) encompass just about any need that the modern woman might need plus they curate a great selection of must have items from select designers.  Currently however the Soho store still is only carrying the house labels but that will soon change.

As for the store itself it is large and spacious (10 000 square feet!) with 2 levels of well placed merchandise to shop.  The feel of the store is very zen and airy with it’s textural stone walls, wood fixtures, crystals, touches of greenery and soft lighting.  There are screens displaying merchandise from a fashion show playing on some of the walls. The Manhattan flagship also includes an old bank vault that was discovered during renovations, carefully preserved, then repurposed as a fitting room.

While the main floor was dedicated to sporty, casual and slightly trendier clothes (including some uber cute brocade shorts) the second floor was a world of sophisticated calm neutral pieces that would look great in the office.  Great little silk blouses and dresses, a gorgeous little Battenberg lace tank, great little trench coats and so much more.

There is room to breathe, space to shop and most importantly great merch to check out.  I will definitely be adding the Aritzia to my list of stores that I visit on my Soho Shopping trips.

Aritzia Soho, 524 Broadway (at Spring St) 212-965-2188.

Mon-Sat: 10am-9:30pm, Sun: 11am-8:30pm

Pat McGrath x LeSportsac Launch

After working a nearly 12 hour day the question of stopping by an event after work was a big question mark in my head. But it was in Soho which is technically in the way home and it was for LeSportsac which has long held a soft spot in my heart for the durable lightweight bags that are perfect for traveling and life on the go. With only 30 minutes left I made it to the Penthouse suite of the Mondrian Hotel. I was greeted by a cheerful uber feminine suite full of fresh flowers and lipstick kisses on the walls and windows.

There was a CoverGirl make-up area where 2 make-up artists were on hand providing tips and little mini refreshers to guests, the bags prominently on display and a mini bar area.

After grabbing a drink I stepped out onto the balcony to experience a sweeping 360 view of the city including the Empire State Building, Downtown Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge while soaking in tunes from DJ Mia Moretti.

NickyDigital was on hand with a photo booth set up and while I was hanging around, I bumped into one of my fave blogger ladies Midtown Girl, Amy and her beloved Midtown Pup, Dolce (who was making a fashion event debut). Adorbs!

Although, I arrived late into the evening and they had previously ran out of gift bags, I did not leave empty handed after a super sweet make-up artist walked me through some of her fave CoverGirl products and loaded me up with some complimentary samples to check out. While I haven't had a chance to use many yet, I am already in love with natureluxe gloss balm. It's like a hybrid between lipstick and lip balm - it feels soft and not sticky but gives a fun hit of sheer color. It also has SPF 15 which is perfect for protecting your lips from sun damage.

As for the Pat McGrath collection itself, there were 8 pieces designed specifically with the organization level that a pro make-up artist needs. The pieces are convenient for life on the go. Who better understands that then the woman who is behind so many amazing runway looks at fashion shows around the globe and also the Global Creative Design Director of Proctor & Gamble – which of course includes CoverGirl.

“Between shows my team does not have a moment to second-guess where they’ve packed even just a single shade of lipstick. For this year’s LeSportsac collection, I incorporated some of the same techniques for product organization that we use backstage. For the 2011 collection with LeSportsac, I was inspired by the shade palette and sleek bullet of COVERGIRL LipPerfection lipcolor; it’s one of my backstage essentials.” – Pat McGrath

The collection will feature brand new styles from the small “Kiss Case,” ($25) that is designed to hold five favorite shades of COVERGIRL LipPerfection, to the “Professional Carry All” tote ($120) that can fit the seven other pieces of the collection. The lipstick print is so appropriate and ultra feminine in a non-syrupy sweet way.

The collection will be sold at LeSportsac boutiques and online beginning in June 2011 and a coupon for a COVERGIRL LipPerfection lipcolor will accompany each purchase.

My make-up collection is in need of a major organization overhaul as is my wardrobe! How are you keeping your cosmetics organized? Any tips?

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Go: Fine & Dandy Pop-Up Shop

Tonight I had a chance to stop by and visit a pop-up shop hosted at Onassis by a  couple of our favorite dapper gentlemen friends Matt Fox and Enrique Crane of Fine and Dandy - the online purveyors of all goods a fellow might need to be polished and well accessorized.  True to form, the fellows looked great in their signature bow ties as they sell their wares that now include brand new Spats!

From cuff links to suspenders, pocket squares and lapel pins – they’ve got you covered.  Whether you’re looking to up your clothing game or dress up your man, stop by and prepare to be charmed and become charming.

Fine & Dandy Pop-Up, Onassis 71 Greene Street (b/n Broome & Spring) - Saturday, April 16th, 2011 11am-7pm.

H&M: SoHo Re-opening Event

Last night I had a chance to drop by the H&M re-opening in SoHo. Both stores on Broadway were redone inside and today marked the official launch of their new looks. While I couldn't make it during the day, earlier in the morning, the stores were offering giveaways and red carpet prizes.

While the two locations are relatively close in proximity, they house slightly different apparel for menswear. If you're looking for more casual wear, check out the 558 Broadway location (b/n Spring and Prince St.) and if you're looking for outerwear, suits, or blazers, check out the 515 Broadway location (b/n Spring and Broome St.).

There were some great opening sales which were easy on the wallet ($3-$10) for both men and women. The cotton argyle sweater for men for $10 a pop was a steal!

The stores themselves were updated with an urban vibe and had paneled walls, graffiti work, wall decals and great accessory displays.

Both stores housed DJs which let you get your groove on while shopping around for stuff.

On a side note, I saw this piano in the lower level and initially thought it was fake. So I pressed a ton of the keys all at once...turns out it was real which left me with no choice but to run back upstairs and away from everyone who was looking at me (in hindsight - I probably should have pressed one key to test it out instead of 20).