WHY: ESCADA Clothing up to 70% off!

WHEN: 8/19 9am – 8/22 9am

WHERE: Gilt.com

*To sign up & access the sales, please click here.

Join Gilt to find the best brands at 70% off – no coupon needed!

WHY: Sophisticated Luxe Feat. Escada Clothing up to 70% off!

WHEN: 7/2 8am – 7/5 8am

WHERE: Gilt.com

*To sign up & access the sales, please click here.

Join Gilt to find the best brands at 70% off – no coupon needed!

Like most of us, I too have reacted with shock and disbelief at the news of Kate Spade’s death. The brand’s ubiquitous presence in New York made me feel somehow connected to the woman who had envisioned and created it. The moment I read the news I felt a painful sense of loss—the kind you’d feel for a friend. That got me thinking: she could have been my friend, a woman I could have learned from only if I’d had the chance to meet her. I mean, we were almost the same age, both transplants in New York, living just a couple of blocks away from each other. It could have happened, right? I know it’s absurd but grief wields immense power and often plants in us crazy seedling ideas that often begin with that small but might word, “If…”

I had been carrying this sadness around for the last two days, not knowing what to do with it. Today I realized that I could use it as fuel to raise awareness about other women designers and founders of successful companies on my little megaphone here… and while we’re at it, talk about their upcoming sample sales too, of course.

Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia and her intricate esthetic are well known to New York shoppers. What started as a student’s search for the perfect pair of pants ended being a $200 million company of which Ms. Bendet is CEO and creative director. This year sample sale (we have pics!) presents a gorgeous colorful collection and we are certain the magical world of Alice + Olivia will draw a large crowd ; we hope that crowd will be less rowdy than it’s been in the past. As you might recall, last December a fight broke out at the Alice + Olivia sample sale that made headlines on “Page Six.” The Alice + Olivia Sample Sale starts today,  June 11th at 260 Fifth Avenue.

The La Perla name is synonymous with sexy so it might come as a surprise to you the fact that the company is over 60 years old. Ada Masotti, an Italian corset-maker, nicknamed “golden scissors” for her extraordinary talent, had dreamed to start her own company, and her dream became reality in 1954. Although the company is no longer managed by Ada’s family (they sold it in 2007), she should be acknowledged as a visionary that understood that lingerie is not only functional, but also fashionable and seductive. The good news for us, bargain aficionados, is that the company has new owners as of February, which means there is a good chance this is going to be a great sample sale. La Perla Sample Sale starts on June 12th and it is hosted by 260 Sample Sales at 260 Fifth Avenue.

The list continues. Pauline Nokios is the owner and creative director of Lilla P and Leo & Sage, their sample sale takes place at 32-34 Little West 12th Street, and it is starting on June 12th. Megha Mittal is the chairwoman and managing director of the German fashion luxury brand, Escada. The Escada sample sale will be hosted at Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33rd Street starting June 9th. There are so many more incredible women with incredible stories behind these designer tags, so although our list of sample sales stops here, the exploration behind them doesn’t have to. Your legs might give out from shopping till you drop, but your fingers are nimble enough to Google more. Go forth, learn about these genius ladies, and may your closet overfloweth to honor them!

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WHY: Escada Clothing up to 70% off!

WHEN: 4/25 8am – 4/28 8am

WHERE: Gilt.com

*To sign up & access the sales, please click here.

Join Gilt to find the best brands at 70% off – no coupon needed!

I’ve used Rent the Runway in the past. I am sure you have too. After all, why would anyone want to buy an haute couture dress that would most likely be worn once? It makes sense to just “borrow” it. You rent it, twirl around in it one night, send it back. No strings—or typical price tags—attached.

Now Rent the Runway wants you to give up on your closet, and replace it with their “Rotating Dream Closet.” “I want to put H&M and Zara out of business,” said Jennifer Hyman, CEO and co-founder of this disruptive company. Its new program allows members to rent four pieces each month for only $89. This is no surprise since the company is marching toward an IPO. It’s on a mission to attract millennials, grow into an empire, and own as much media buzz as possible.

How am I reacting to this news? Well, ever since I read Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I have been flirting with the idea of decluttering my apartment and keeping only items that—in her words— “spark joy.” Despite my many attempts to downsize, my small Manhattan apartment continues to have a rather cozy, non-minimalist feeling to it. So… when I read this news about Rent The Runway, the Marie-Kondo-part of me considered their offer for a split second. But then I quickly dismissed it. The name “Rent The Runway” makes sense when you’re literally renting the runway. When you’re borrowing evening dresses you’ll wear only once, this brand is the way to go! But… the concept doesn’t really hold up when it comes to a Nike hoodie. The thought of sweating in somebody else’s tank and leggings makes me a little queasy. Even wearing somebody else’s jeans feels… wrong. But maybe that’s just me! There’s no doubt that I love the thrill of finding a designer item on sale and then making it mine. Without shopping, I’d miss that.

What about my aspirations as a minimalist? I guess I can start with the kitchen. Because there’s no way I’m giving up next week’s sample sales:

Women’s Clothing: Escada Sample Sale
Women’s Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood Sample Sale
Cocktail and Evening Wear: Romona Keveza Collection Sample Sale
Handbags and Jewelry: Bulgari Sample Sale

For many more sample sales, here is the complete list.

I believe there is a nice, happy medium between “The Rotating Dream Closet” and your pre-Marie Kondo overstuffed one. You find it by shopping responsibly. Know your wardrobe—what you have and what you need. Set a budget before you go shopping and make sure what you purchase is a good deal. But most importantly, do some preemptive Marie Kondo work by buying only items that truly spark joy.

Happy shopping.