NYC Sample Sales: December 16-22, 2013

Who: YUMI KIM Warehouse Sale
What: Save up to 75% off tops, bottoms and dresses. Inspired by vintage prints and silhouettes. Cash and credit cards accepted. All sales are final.
When: December 12-19, 2013. Thurs-Thurs 12-7pm
Where: 1331 Third Avenue (b/n 76th & 77th Streets), 212.249.0998 or 105 Stanton Street (b/n Ludlow & Essex Streets), 212.420.5919

Who: DELICATE RAYMOND Sample Sale
What: Over 1,000 pieces of 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s vintage costume jewelry at $5. Clip-on earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches and pins.
When: December 9-24, 2013. Mon-Sun 12-7pm
Where: Delicate Raymond Jewelry Bar, 73A Orchard Street (b/n Broome & Grand Streets)

Who: NILI LOTAN Sample Sale
What: Fall and Pre-Fall collection of ready-to-wear including sweaters, coats, tops, bottoms now 60% off. Cash only.
When: December 14-17, 2013. Sat-Tues 10am-7pm
Where: 48 Walker Street (b/n Church & Broadway). 212.219.8794

Who: Jason Wu
What: The designer's first ever sample sale! Snag a striped sweater for $160 (was $795), color block handbag $359 (was $1,795) and shoes for $197 (was $985)
When: December 16-17, 2013. Mon-Tues 10am-7pm
Where: 225 5th Ave (b/n 26th & 27th St)

Who: CHIBI JEWELS sample sale
What: Designers include Chibi Jewels, Stephani Johnson, Skeem, Emi & Jay, Cotton Citizen, Bliss in Live, Charmed Circle. Prices 50-90% off retail.
When: December 16-20, 2013. Mon-Fri 10am-8pm
Where: 611 Broadway (b/n Broadway & Houston) Suite 321, 212.243.3575

Who: BOCHIC sample sale
What: One-of-a-kind fine jewelry pieces. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings. Prices up to 70% off.
When: December 16-17, 2013. Mon-Tues 11am-5pm
Where: 12 West 57 Street (b/n 5th & 6th Avenues) Suite 806

Who: AMRITA SINGH Sample Sale
What: Save up to 90% off bangles, necklaces, earrings, rings and handbags. Costume jewelry $5 to $40. Sterling with semi-precious stones $75 to $250.
When: December 16-18, 2013. Wed-Fri 11am-5pm
Where: 580 Broadway (b/n Prince & Houston) Suite 1109

Who: COCO AND BREEZY sample sale
What: Up to 70% off eyewear for men and women by twin sisters Corianna and Brianna.
When: December 17, 2013. Tues 1pm-10pm
Where: The Soho Art House, 138 Sullivan Street

Who: ALOHA RAG Sample Sale
What: Up to 90% off on Ready-to-wear from 3.1 Phillip Lim, Carven, Thomas Wylde, Jil Sander, Dosa, Peter Cohen, Faliero Sarti and more
When: December 18-22, 2013. Wed-Sun 12-6pm
Where: 545 Greenwich Street (b/n Vandam & Charlton Streets), Suite 2A. 212.925.0882

Who: EDMUNDO CASTILLO sample sale
What: Pumps, booties and sexy stilettos at 60-70% off. Cash and credit cards.
When: December 18-19, 2013. Wed-Thurs 9am-7pm
Where: 601 West 26 Street (b/n 11th & 12th Avenues), Room M252 (on 2nd Mezzanine)

Who: FRETTE sample sale
What: Fine Italian linens for bed, bath and table. Also giftware and Frette-to-wear. Credit cards only. No strollers allowed in the sale. No children under the age of 12 will be admitted.
When: December 18-22, 2013. Wed-Sat 9am-6:30pm, Sun 9am-5pm
Where: Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33 Street (b/n 8th & 9th Avenues)

Who: JOIE, EQUIPMENT and CURRENT/ELLIOT sample sale
What: Save 50-75% off retail outerwear, sweaters, silk tops, tees, denim and more.
When: December 18-22, 2013. Tues 9am-7pm, Wed-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Where: 260 Fifth Avenue (b/n 28th & 29th Streets)

Who: BOTKIER sample sale
What: Up to 75% off on handbags, classics and one-of-a-kind samples. Cash and credit cards accepted.
When: December 19-22, 2013. Thurs-Sun 10am-7pm
Where: 225 Fifth Avenue (b/n 26th & 27th Streets)

Who: PROENZA SCHOULER sample sale
What: Fall 2013 collection overstock and one-of-a-kind tops, bottoms and dresses. Up to 85% off. Prices from $65.
When: December 19, 2013. Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 76 Mercer Street (b/n Spring & Broome Streets)

Who: MAVI sample sale
What: Save up to 70% on clothing for men and women. Snag jeans, tops and dresses. Jeans $20. Jackets $25. Dresses $15.
When: December 12-17, 2013. Thurs-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Mon-Tues 10am-5pm
Where: 550 Seventh Avenue (b/n 38th & 39th Street), 23rd Floor

Who: REEM ACRA sample sale
What: Prices up to 85% off retail on red carpet worthy looks and bridal, from $200 to $3,000. Sizes 2-14.
When: December 20, 2013. Fri 10am-4pm
Where: 240 West 35 Street (b/n 7th & 8th Avenues) 7th Floor
917.747.3410

Who: ULLA JOHNSON sample sale
What: Fall and holiday collections at up to 70 percent off.
When: December 19-20, 2013. Thurs-Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 270 Lafayette Street (b/n Prince & Houston), Suite 1403

Who: VERA WANG sample sale
What: Bridal gowns at deep discounts. All sales final. No children. No strollers allowed.
When: December 16-18, 2013. M 4-7 T 10-7 W 10-3
Where: Studio Arte, 265 West 37 Street (b/n 7th & 8th Avenue), 17th Floor. 212.920.1211

Ongoing Sales:
Who: ACROBAT, Hanky Panky and Shui Chen Sample Sale
What: 60-80% off retail on Fall sweaters and knitwear from Acrobat. Thongs, bras, camisoles and sleepwear up to 75% off from Hanky Panky.
When: December 12-16, 2013. Thurs-Fri 10am-8pm, Mon 10am-8pm
Where: 215 West 40 Street (b/n 7th & 8th Avenues), 12th Floor

Who: RALPH LAUREN Sample Sale
What: Fall/Winter 2013 collections for men and women. Credit cards only. No strollers or children under age of 12 allowed in the sale.
When: December 13-16, 2013. Fri-Sun 9am-6:30pm, Mon 9am-5pm
Where: Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33 Street (b/n 8th & 9th Ave)

Who: PORTOLANO Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off on gloves with both silk and cashmere lining. Pashmina shawls from Nepal, cashmere scarves, hats and gloves, handbags, small leather goods, handmade Italian silk ties, cashmere sweaters, plush shawls and coordinating hat, glove and scarf sets. Also Portolano Kids. Check out the November sample sale report for details on what to expect.
When: December 2-18, 2013. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 15 West 37 Street (b/n 5th & 6th Avenues), 2nd Floor

Who: QI and AINSLEY Sample Sale
What: Save up to 70% off all inventory. Cashmere sweaters and accessories from Qi. Tops, bottoms, jackets and outerwear from Ainsley.
When: December 11-20, 2013. Mon-Sat 11am-7pm
Where: 260 West 39 Street(b/n 7th & 8th Ave), Suite 1500

Who: YARNZ Sample Sale
What: Cashmere scarves and wraps $20 to $80 (retail $90 to $200). Cashmere hats and gloves $20 to $30, (retail $70 to $110). Leather printed totes and clutches $60 to $100 (retail $150 to $300). All sales are final. Credit cards accepted on purchases over $250.
When: December 4-19, 2013. Mon-Fri 10am-5:30pm
Where: 260 West 36 Street(b/n 7th & 8th Ave), Suite 201. 212.868.5883

Jason Wu X Target: What's Left in Queens

So every few months I end up renting a Zip Car and making a massive Target run with my roommates to grab as many household items as we can possibly carry.  Today we decided to hit up the Target in Queens (8801 Queens Blvd) and out of curiosity I checked to see if any of the Jason Wu collab was left in stores.  Lo and behold a few items were on clearance and marked up to 30% off.

Similarly to when Erin first checked out the collab, only L or XL were available.  The dress pictured above with the pearl necklace was available in size 8 or 16 and was going for just $31.48.

Spot Check: Jason Wu for Target at Atlantic Terminal

After a 3am online shopping failure of items not adding to my cart, sizes not found and going in circles I gave up at 3:32am for the comfort of my pillow.  Unfortunately my online failure left me unsettled and wanting a piece of Wu even more.  While lines at Atlantic Terminal began at 6am, by the time I headed over they were completely wiped out of sizes XS, S and M.  If you are a size L or XL, the world is still your oyster with racks still laden with dot printedand striped dresses and tie neck blouses.  If you are looking for the floral print illusion top, pearl neck floral dress or floral pleated skirt, you're out of luck.  Ditto on accessories. Nary a scarf or purse to be seen.

Lack of sizes didn't stop women from hoping as they rummaged the racks in hopes of sizes.

One style there was plenty of was the tie neck blouse.  I even found a couple size Smalls unfortunately one had a mysterious stain on it that appeared to be morning coffee spilled during the early am shopping scuffles.

A trip to the change room revealed a rack full of unwanted merch - mostly Jason Wu for Target but unfortunately all in sizes M-XL.  A lady in front of me scored the last size small illusion top as staffers helped organize and sort out customer wants.

If you were thinking of heading out to the Target by Flatbush/Brooklyn College, don't bother unless you are a size XL - a most wonderful gentleman volunteered himself to attempt to snag a few items for me but was left empty handed (still thankful though that he tried :)!).  Apparently it's a bi-coastal phenomenon as my friend in Seattle did not have better luck.  Did you manage to snag a piece of the collaboration or is there still any left where you live?

Chicago Shopping: Jason Wu for Target

This morning my friend Rachel and I met at the Target in Logan Square 15 minutes before doors opened. This was the line at 7:45AM.  It was mostly women ahead of us, but around 9:50 a huge crowd of women pulled into the parking lot with their significant others and even children.  And if the security Segway was any indication, we could tell we were going to be in for a little madness.

There were fully stocked racks to start.  By 8:10AM, they were almost completely ransacked.  Dozens of women running, grabbing, squealing... it was so intense!  I picked up the signature navy striped dress, which Rachel ended up buying, but I had to fight a man for it.  We both grabbed it at the same time, and I had to give him the look of death.

By 8:45AM, only a few lonely pieces were left and mostly in size L or XL.  As for the accessories, the scarves and wicker bags were gone almost instantly.  When we left, there were a few small racks of unclaimed black clutches, canvas totes and flower satchels.

With some determination, speed and agility, we each took home a few pieces from the Jason Wu for Target collection.  The quality is consistent with previous designer collaborations; the sizing however varied from piece to piece - some true to size, others a bit large.

I am so excited to own two blouses from the collection.  I think both of them will work well tucked into skirts and high waisted jeans and untucked with skinny jeans.  As for the skirt, I love it because I've been wanting a longer pleated skirt, but it's actually a bit large on me so it would need to be taken in.  As much as it is, it does seem a bit silly to spend money tailoring skirt from Target.

Left: Jason Wu for Target yellow peplum blouse and Loeffler Randall black zipper skirt

Right: Jason Wu for Target mesh floral top and H&M lace skirt

Jason Wu for Target pleated skirt.  Marni heels and Tashkent wedges.

Jason Wu for Target Full Lookbook

After seeing last week's teaser images pop up all over the internet, I was more excited than ever to have a look at what all 53 pieces of the Jason Wu for Target collection would look like. Glad to say that my anticipation was not without reason. The collaboration is simultaneously classic, modern and charming. The pieces look like a welcome addition to any woman's wardrobe and they look more expensive than the under $60 price tag they are retailing for

“By working with Target I was able to create an accessible collection that reflects my sophisticated design aesthetic” said Jason Wu. “As with my main collection, special attention has been considered into every detail and I can’t wait to see girls wearing and enjoying the collection.”

First Look: Jason Wu x Target

Today seems to be the day that the world is a buzz with the first look at the much anticipated Jason Wu for Target collaboration.  From Fashionologie to Glamor.com to T Magazine, everyone is giving us just a little taste of what to look forward to come February 5, 2012.

True to Wu sensibilities the collection has a very lady-like flair with it's Peter Pan collars, nipped in waists, nautical stripes and floral ditzy prints.  Everything looks very fresh, very French and very clean.  The styling is classic and sure to be a hit with everything priced accessibly at under $60 a pop.

I'm personally enamored by the little striped number in the Ad campaign.  Do you have any personal favorites?

Target x Jason Wu

The next designer collab up for Target is Jason Wu. The collection is set to launch on February 5th, 2012 and include ready to wear and accessories with a price cap of $60. Items will be available in select stores and online.

I don't think this will overshadow the Missoni madness - but Target has exactly 5 months and one day to work out some MAJOR kinks in their logistics and supply chain processes. That's all I have to say about Target before I lose it...

Pre-Fall 2011 Trends: Cherry Bomb

I’ve previously wrote in Pre-Spring 2010 that red shoes were a definite trend to keep your eye on, but now the designers have taken it from the feet and moved on up, many creating bold head to toe color outfits in all shades of red.  From Cherry to Pimento, Apple to Beet the reds are all here to stay and making a statement. 

Pre-Fall 2011 was an explosion of red all over the runways, regardless of occasion or fabrication.  Deep red tones from Adam, Armani Collezioni and Elie Tahari look great for eveningwear, while classic reds at Jason Wu,  Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang look great for cocktails and making a statement.  My personal favorite use of red is the top and bottom combos that have a slight menswear feel by DKNY, Jenni Kayne and Thakoon.  If you are feeling lady like though Oscar De La Renta, Nina Ricci and Reed Krakoff looks might fit the bill.  If all that red makes you nervous though, just try on a red jacket ala Preen, Stella McCartney or Michael Kors. 

Would you wear head to toe red or is it a look for runways only?

Adam, Armani Collezioni, Elie Tahari

Jason Wu,  Carolina Herrera, Vera Wang

DKNY, Jenni Kayne, Thakoon

Oscar De La Renta, Nina Ricci, Reed Krakoff

Preen,  Stella McCartney, Michael Kors

Kirna Zabete's FNO Designer Exclusives

Last year's Proenza Schouler FNO Bag

So are you filling up your calender for Fashion's Night Out this September 10? Just got word that luxe Soho store Kirna Zabete will be filling up with exclusive FNO out merchandise by various designers. Last year's FNO merchandise included a $65 limited edition Proenza Schouler bag!

So who's participating?
The list of designers include Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Thakoon, Peter Som, Jason Wu, Aurelie Biderman,Chrissie Morris, Elise Overland and TRACY ANDERSON will be at Kirna Zabete to meet clients and launch exclusive products. And according to Facebook, Frank Tell is also working on a special collaboration with details to come.

What's the story on the goods?
Proenza Schouler: mini PS1 wallets, Thakoon: wave print top and tap pants, Jason Wu: owl scarf, Aurelie Biderman: swan feather earrings, Peter Som: fashion-y cocktail napkins, Elise Overland: sleek tunic. Plus an Exclusive CELINE purse. Kirna Zabete designed a limited edition iPad case.

Everything will be launching exclusively in store and at Kirna Zabete.com.

CFDA Awards Winners & Red Carpet Trends

The CFDA Awards last night celebrated designers and members of the industry across various categories. Congratulations to all the winners!

The CFDA Award Winners:
Marc Jacobs - Womenswear Designer of the Year
Marcus Wainwright and David Neville for Rag & Bone - Menswear Designer of the Year
Alexis Bittar - Accessory Designer of the Year

The Swarovski Award (honors emerging talent):
Jason Wu- Womenswear
Richard Chai - Menswear
Alexander Wang - Accessory Design

L’Oréal Popular Vote Award:
Ralph Lauren

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award:
Michael Kors

International Award:
Burberry’s Christopher Bailey

Eleanor Lambert Award:
Vogue’s Tonne Goodman

Eugenia Sheppard Award:
Paper magazine’s Kim Hastreiter

Fashion Icon Award:
Iman

The Board of Director’s Special Tribute:
Alexander McQueen

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So with it being such a designer-centric fashion affair you would expect that the fashion would follow suit but I found that most people took a safe approach to their dressing and black, white and silver were the dominant dressing themes.

Sparkling Sexy Black

Left - Michael Kors with Gwyneth Paltrow in custom Michael Kors and Fred Leighton.
Center - Lara Stone in Calvin Klein Collection and Fred Leighton.
Right - Molly Sims

Textural White Minis

Left - Amanda Brooks in Thakoon.
Right - Hana Soukupova in Marchesa.

Shining in Silver

Left - Constance Jablonski
Center - Donna Karan
Right - Whitney Port in David Meister.

Printed Columns

Left - Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen and Stephen Russell.
Right - Jessica Biel in Diane von Furstenberg.

Left - Diane von Furstenberg
Right - Tory Burch

Blush/Nude

Left - Linda Fargo
Right - Alexa Chung in Marc Jacobs and Atelier Swarovski.

Left - Brooke Shields in J.Mendel.
Right - Maggie Grace in Notte by Marchesa.

Left - Alexis Bledel in Benhaz Serafpour.
Right - Carmen Kass in Michael Kors.

Statement Necklace

Left - Jessica Stam
Right - Sasha Pivavarova in The Row.

My Personal Favorite

Rachel Weisz in Jason Wu.

All images courtesy of WWD