tis the (sample sale) season

Here is a long list from various sources (mostly new york magazine) about the samples sales occuring in early-mid december in new york city:

12/1-... Zero by Maria Cornejo goes on sale!!! Their website already lists the reduced prices (around 45% off original), with more reductions as the days roll. Alas, although on sale, my dress is no longer available in my size.

12/1–12/4 Theory is taking 50 to 75 percent off men's basics; suits were around $995, but will start at $399 at the sale. 520 Fifth Ave., at 43rd St., third fl. (212-398-2777); 12/1 and 12/4 (10–8); 12/2 and 12/3 (10–6).

Shoshanna's flirty chiffon party dresses (now $125), swimsuits (now $50), and jackets (now $100) are on sale. 231 W. 39th St., nr. Seventh Ave., Ste. 422 (212-719-3601); 11/30 (10-6) and 12/1 (10-4).

11/28-12/2 Bundle up with Meg Cohen's colorful cashmeres that are on sale from 50 percent off; scarves are now $155. 920 Broadway, nr. Fifth Ave., Ste. 905 (212-473-4002); 11–7.

11/30–12/15 If Balenciaga is ordinarily beyond your budget, make sure to hit the 40 percent–off sale; leather riding boots were $1,345 but are now $799. 542 W. 22nd St., nr. Eleventh Ave. (212-206-0872); Mon.–Sat. (11–7); Sun. (noon–5).

12/2 and 12/3 Legendary for catfights and long lines, the Vera Wang bridal sale has gowns and bridesmaids dresses for 35 to 75 percent off. The New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave., at 34th St. (917-438-4690); 9–5.

11/30–12/2 Christopher Fischer’s men’s and women’s cashmere clothes and home accessories are marked down by up to 80 percent ($30 to $150). 80 Wooster St., nr. Spring St. (212-965-9009); 11–7.

12/1 and 12/2 Insiders snatch up batik dresses and gauzy tops at the private sale the day before, but Tocca reloads just in time for the public. 542 W. 22nd St., nr. Eleventh Ave., third fl. (212-929-7122, ext. 230); 11–8.

12/4–12/8 Theory now has stylish ballet flats (from $100), slouchy bags (from $125), and blazers (now $149) on sale. 261 W. 36th St., nr. Eighth Ave., second fl. (212-947-8748); 12/4, 12/6, 12/8 (10–6); 12/5 and 12/7 (10–7).
*Shhh* the three presale days are unadvertised: Friday, December 1st, from 10am - 5:45pm, Saturday December 2nd from 10am - 4pm, and Sunday December 3rd from 12pm - 5 pm. This advanced schedule is NOT posted on the sample sale company's website, as they are only announcing these advanced dates to their e-mail subscribers. The Theory sale will then continue to the public. No special pass is needed to attend. Just show up during the hours listed.

11/30–12/1 The store just opened, but alice + olivia is already trimming prices by 40 to 70 percent on trendy leggings, sweater dresses, and jackets. 80 W. 40th St., nr. Fifth Ave. (212-840-0887); 11/30–12/1 (9–7); 12/2 (noon–5).

12/4–12/21 Snuggly Armand Diradourian cashmere sweaters and pillows are 40 percent off. 160 Fifth Ave., nr. 20th St., Ste. 901 (212-924-5437); Mon.–Sat. (noon–6).

12/4–12/9 Shop for holiday getaways at the Alvin Valley sale where the winter and resort collections are up to 80 percent off; coats are now $199. 552 Seventh Ave., nr. 40th St., third fl. (646-228-0815); noon–6.

Anni Kuan’s smart, colorful separates are up to 60 percent off. 242 W. 38th St., nr. Seventh Ave., Eleventh fl. (212-704-4038); 11/30 and 12/1 (10-6).

12/12-12/19 Tory Burch's kaftans and other peices from last season's collection will be reduced about 60 percent. 261 W. 36th St., nr. Eighth Ave., second fl. (212-947-8748); 12/13 and 12/15 (10–6); 12/12 and 12/14 (10–7).

12/19-12/ Ben Sherman and Evisu for men and women will go on sale, about 60 percent below retail. 261 W. 36th St., nr. Eighth Ave., second fl. (212-947-8748); 12/20 and 12/22 (10–6); 12/19 and 12/21 (10–7).

11/13–12/22 Linda Richards’s classic coats in wool, cashmere, or microfiber are reduced by about 60 percent and perfect for mom. 256 W. 38th St., nr. Seventh Ave., eighth fl. (212-382-2257); (Mon.–Fri. 9–6).

11/9–1/31 Prep for holiday parties at Ghost, where lace and tulle cocktail dresses and beaded cardigans are 60 to 70 percent off. 28 Bond St., nr. Lafayette St. (646-602-2891); Mon.–Sat. (11–7); Sun. (noon–5).

11/4–12/24 Cozy cashmere sweaters from the Henri Bendel house label are marked down by 25 percent. 712 Fifth Ave., nr. 56th St. (212-247-1100); Mon.–Sat.(10–8); Sun. (12–7).

Wait for more specifics on Nanette Lepore, Catherine Malandrino, and Alexander McQueen as soon as I know them. Happy shopping!

prada's primary colors

On Black Friday I walked by the Prada store in SOHO. I was so pleased to see simple frocks in simple colors. The contradiction of the rich fabric and the repetition of the dresses in the window lived up to the design legacy that Rem Koolhaas has set in the space. Don't these mannequins look just like Crayola crayons lined up alongside each other?



It is certainly a change from the black and beige on the runways of the fall collections. The silk/satin gives the colors so much more "pop"--and a completely different range of shades. It is much more difficult to get this amount of saturation with cotton.

zero by maria cornejo

I am in love with this dress by Maria Cornejo. I think that it best captures the spirit of the season. From its folkish winter colors (ivory and wine), to its composition (wool with cotton embroidery), I believe it is the one winter dress that you could own and never wish for another. I love that it has both western and eastern influences stemming from the kimono and the new "tulip" shape that many european designers have been using. The embroidery reminds me of folk mexican and eastern european embroidery. If only the price tag was not two months' rent. Rumors are that Zero by Maria Cornejo sales start in December.

proenza schouler for target

Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, the boys of Proenza Schouler, are starting a collaboration with Target. The collection should hit stores around February. Hernandez had an interesting inauguration into the world of fashion. At a Miami airport, he spotted Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue. Hernandez asked a stewardess to pass the editor a napkin on which he’d written a note about himself, his love of fashion, and his admiration for her. A few weeks had passed when, out of the blue, Hernandez got a call from Michael Kors’s office. “Anna Wintour says you should work here,” he was told. And so he did. The duo met at Parsons and have been turning in hit after fashion hit, season after season.

I was lucky enough to run into the pair dining at the restaurant atop Barney's. I was seriously starstruck. I can't wait to get my hands on one of their beautiful bustier dresses.