Bindra

Off Runway Sample Sale Review 11/1

1 November 2011

We need to talk about hotel sales. The redheaded stepchildren of the sample sale world, hotel sales can be great – we spotted some amazing budget engagement rings at one last year – but more often than not, they’re small, disorganized, and lacking in any of the professionalism of a sample sale put on in a designer’s office or one of the usual showrooms about town. Off Runway, the sample sale currently taking place at the Hilton on Sixth and 53rd, unfortunately fails to break the mold.

First off, this alleged sample sale is happening in a room the size of a conference room (and, given that this is a hotel, it’s probably an actual conference room). The room is lined with fairly anemic racks of mostly size zero clothing, with a small table of bags and jewelry in the center. Second, this is yet another bait and switch: the promotional material hawks Prada and Burberry, and, while those brands are vaguely present, the focus here is definitely on more mid-range brands.

Finally, the sale items are just not in great shape. The tiny shoe selection includes some that are legitimately dirty or otherwise damaged and the clothes don’t fare much better. That being said, there are some gems here, if you’re tiny and don’t mind shelling out for dry cleaning. We flipped for a fur bomber, a legitimate steal at $295. A Marc by Marc Jacobs back dress covered with gold squares ($200) would be a perfect winter office wear staple, as would an ultra soft brown Brunello Cucinelli dress ($500). If you’re planning to elope in Vegas, run now to grab an extraordinarily sexy Blumarine ivory minidress ($595). There were also some nice bags – blessedly unfussy Valentino clutches for $350-650 and a killer tiny Prada ($700) that seems like what you’d carry to a picnic in Seville.

These finds, however, are not really enough to warrant a trip to Off Runway. Give it – and most hotel sales – a break.

WHEN: 10/30 – 11/2; Sun (6pm-12am), M-Tue (9am-11pm), W (9am-12pm)

WHERE: Hilton Hotel
1335 Avenue of Americas, 42nd floor
between 53rd and 54th St

By Leila Cohan-Miccio