Sep 8, 2014

*SAMPLE SALE* All Hail McQueen

Disappointed there wasn't an Alexander Wang sample sale in August? Well, good thing there is a different Alexander sale that should make up for the loss. The highly anticipated Alexander McQueen sample sale is finally here for its 4-day long session. Flushed with anticipation, New Yorkers gathered as early as 11pm last night to get in line to meet McQueen. Of course, I woke up bright and early as well to be part of the excitement.

Quite surprisingly, today's turnout wasn't as big as I first expected. Even though the brand hasn't hosted a public sample sale in over five years, it seems many McQueen fans decided to forgo the event rather than go through the grueling grind on this pleasant Monday morning. Thus, at 7:50am, there were less than 50 people waiting to enter.

VIP clients and Kering employees were allowed in at 8am sharp. Thirty minutes later, perhaps due to the low turnout, the sale organizers started letting in the public. I believe this was the first time Soiffer has opened its doors earlier than the advertised schedule. I was part of the first few groups to enter, so I started my thorough inspection of the goods as soon as I raced up the stairs.

Hands down, the highlight of today's Alexander McQueen sample sale was at the accessories section situated on the right side wall. From McQueen's iconic Knuckle clutches and Heroine totes to skull print silk scarves, everything was priced reasonably. After threading my way through the bustling crowd, I was able find a crack in the wall of engrossed shoppers and nudged myself in. Upon the long line of tables, I found silk scarves priced $100. I spotted a pleated version in bright yellow and a skull-printed silk square in a golden sun hue. Bracelet scarves were also available and they were $50 each. Adjacent to the scarves were bags and clutches. Here, I found several varieties of Heroine totes in exotic skins and printed styles. Prices on handbags ranged from $150 to $1,000. If you're interested in clutches, you have several choices like Britannia, De Manta, and Knuckle. In addition to bags and scarves, there were other accessories like $100 sunglasses, $150 zip wallets, $50 iPad/iPhone cases, and $50 enamel bracelets.

Women's shoes were located in the middle aisle and sizes ranged from 5 to 11. Flats were $150, heels were $200, boots were $350, Puma sneakers were $100, and special outlandish shoes were $350. Though prices were impressive, the selection on women's footwear was disappointing with only a few styles of pumps, booties, wedges, and peep-toes available.

Women's Ready-to-Wear was well stocked but not very sought after by bargain hunters. There were couture dresses appropriate for any glamorous occasion as well as daytime suitings. Prices on evening gowns and cocktail frocks were in the thousand dollar price range (down from the tens of thousands) while pants, skirts, tops, and T-shirts were $150 & under.

The sale also featured men's merchandise. At a quick glance, I found jackets, trousers, dress shirts, blazers, sneakers, and lace-up oxfords.

I asked several different associates about restocking. Unfortunately, all of them answered with a firm "no". The sale runs until Thursday but, if you can, I suggest checking it out sooner than later since prices are good and merchandise was disappearing fast. And do let me know if you found something to brag about. Happy Shopping!

27 comments:

  1. Way to go with photos Miz! I was too scared to even text on my phone since I saw them ask someone to leave at the last sale. You a super spy!

    I left happy. Scored a knuckle clutch in python that retailed for $3100 for $600. Pretty good deal to me. Plus a large folk tote for $350, Python heels that retailed $2800 for $200, three large skull scarves in black and tan for $100 each, a cute pair of studded gloves for $50 and 2 necklaces for $175 each

    Over all it was a great sale. But things were flying left and right. Buy the time I put all the accessories on hold and checked out the RTW and went back all the stuff I put on hold was sold out.

    Only sad there wasn’t more tees or sweaters - couldn’t find a single one. Or cute sneakers. None. Sigh. Can’t have it all I guess.

    Thinking of going back tomorrow for a fur coat I saw but passed on - now I'm kicking myself. Fingers crossed its still there tomorrow. Since I can't leave work early since I came in late. Ha

    If anyone who goes later can just let me know if the furs are sold out.... I would really appreciate it! Since they are not restocking. At least that's what the nice manager said. He was in a really good mood this morning.

    Thank you for all you do!

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    1. Really appreciate your comment and insight! Hope you enjoy your new scarves, shoes, jewelry, and clutch!!

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  2. I was in one of the first few groups - unfortunately, not early enough to get a bag in the style I liked. I saw a woman ahead of me in checkout with a BEAUTIFUL nearly weekender sized tan bag. The bag that got away! Wanttttt.

    I left with a chiffon scarf for $100, a pair of black suede pumps with spikes up the back for $200, and a ditzy skull polka dot bowtie for a dude friend for $50. (I considered the red bejeweled peeptoe heels in the third from last photo, in the size 8, but they looked too juvenile on me) I'm also sad there weren't any tops in my size.

    Props on the photo, Miz! You motivated me to get out of bed at 7A with a cup of coffee and a dream.

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    1. I saw that bag as well. Heart. Thank you for your comment and hope you enjoy your new goodies!

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  3. What a fabulous sale-- Miz as always, you RULE ;) Agree that the accessories were definitely where I had the most fun. I got in around 9:30-10a and there were still plenty of clutches and bracelets to satisfy myself. Scarves and leather bags were down to funky colors and personally I passed. Was v tempted by iPhone cases but the 6 is coming out so I resisted. Shoes weren't too shabby but def running low on flats and anything with a skull motif. I managed to get the same studded suede peep toes as above reader (yay). I was a little disappointed in the clothing-- priced very well but nothing very tempting left in the RTW. Embellished and runway pieces were stunning and good selection but still v pricey (average ~1500) and I have no galas coming up to use as an excuse ;) Thank you, thank you thank you for keeping us mere mortals in the loop. This was a fun one!

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    1. No, you RULE! Glad that you had a good time. The prices were good. Only downside was the lack of inventory. Thank you for commenting! It means a lot.

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  4. I went there around 9:30, and got into about 10:30. I didn't see any scarfs and the bags as two ladies upstairs said. But I don't like those handbags and scarfs

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  5. I got two pink handbags and I really love them.

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  6. What's wrong with my cellphone?!
    I got two de manta pink handbags. One De manta pink clutch( last one)! Several bracelets and scarf bracelets. Two sunglasses! I'm really happy with this sale! Thank you Miz

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  7. There are tons of RTW when I left 11:30.
    No skull bracelet left, still scarf bracelet I believe.
    Few pretty heels left.
    Several clutches left.
    Few cute sunglasses left.

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  8. I was surprised as how short the line was this morning at 7. I figured the line would be extreme, since the line started so early, this actually maybe why the line was short. Everyone thought it would be too long and opted out of it.

    Yet, a lot of stuff is already sold out with news that no restock would happen. Was told they don't have stock in the back of sold out items, just more of what they have out now and they don't expect a shipment.

    No more gloves, a lot of the bracelet colors and styles are gone, no more tshirts, no more leather large totes, a lot of the clutch styles are sold out, necklaces are sold out, a lot of the belt styles are sold out. Skull scarves are sold out.

    What has lots left - mens shoes , skinny belts, butterfly scarves, sunglasses, runway heels, basic clutches, basic heels and rtw priced in the 4 figures.

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    1. Really appreciate your detailed insight! Thank you!! :)

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  9. I'm just loving all the De Manta bags I got! Thank you so much, Miz!

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  10. So happy! This sale was much better then I thought it would be. A slightly higher price then the pass sale but that is to be expected with a different venue and after so much time.

    But prices were only slightly higher and the discounts were in many cases great. Some were well over 90% off. Most was in the 80% off range. A wide range of items to pick from - true not as wide as other sales but I've seen worse and especially at Haskin. Which has housed many disappointing epic sales.

    I got more then I thought I would and saved more then I thought I would so thank you Miz for your info and for all the sales you list. Which may not be great for my saving but is great for my closet.

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    1. Closet>Savings. That's my mantra. Enjoy your new McQueens!!

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    2. Love your mantra. I've adopted it. Your great!

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  11. Just left at 4pm. No line at all. i couldn't get out of work, so didn't get there until about 330. Really wanted a De manta clutch, but only Britannia box clutches and a few pink De manta small shoulder bags :( i didn't see any scarves or bracelets left either. I left empty handed, as no shoes or clothes really sparked my fancy.

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  12. Kudos for sneaking those photos!

    I was prepared for 3 hour waits and mediocre discounts but I'm so glad that I went early. I was upstairs by 9:30 and managed to buy two of the yellow dragonfly scarves, one of the last de manta clutches and two bracelets. My biggest steal were these black and eggshell leather lace-up wedges for $350 down from $6195! I'm usually not a fan of such high heels but these are so surprisingly comfortable and look amazing. My early birthday present :) Some of the couture pieces were drool worthy but you really need a worthy occasion to wear something like that.

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    1. Yes, the couture items were definitely drool-worthy. Enjoy your new shoes and Happy Birthday!

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  13. I knew you'd have photos! You never disappoint, Miz. :)

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  14. i went at 3 and managed to get one leopard pony hair clutch, everything else are in large sizes or simply gone :( i wonder how are they gonna continue the sale when most of the items are already sold out on the first day!

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  15. I agree. Kudo's on the photos Miz! You always deliver.

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  16. No restock today. Discounts started already on mens. Picked up a pair of runway heels I passed on yesterday. So it wasn't a totally wasted trip. Saved over $7k on a pair of shoes. Amazing.

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    1. Thank you for the update. Hope you enjoy your new shoes!

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  17. I went today the last day and nothing much left but still got myself a Britannia clutch for $500. There were only 3 left in each color (pink, beige/black, hot pink/ pink). The Britannia clutches are all defected by glue or pen mark. I got the the clutch with pen mark for $500 isn't too bad, I will try to clean it when I get home. Hopefully can fix it. I also saw De-Manta Pony hair Clutch Bag for $500 as well. No line at 1pm today. Still have a few stud sandals for $150 and RTW. I wanted to get myself a pair of skull pump, but no luck! iPhone case for $20 and wallet for $100, but not much choice. Last pair sunnie for $40 and it's broken.

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to comment and update us on the sale!

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