Maison Martin Margiela

WHAT: IF Boutique Basement Sale

WHY: Up to 85% off clothing, footwear and accessories from brands such as Dries Van Noten, Maison Martin Margiela and Comme des Garçons and more at the IF Boutique Basement Sale.

• Junya Watanabe crushed-velvet moto jackets: $458 (orig. $1,528)
• Maison Martin Margiela knit tube dresses: $426 (orig. $1,420)
• Men’s Rick Owens bomber jackets: $550 (orig. $1,830 to $550)
• Dries Van Noten double-breasted coats: $365 (orig. $1,215)

WHEN: 2/13 – 2/17

WHERE: If Boutique
94 Grand Street
at Greene Street
New York, NY

SUBMITTED BY: TheStylishCity.com

For the complete list of today’s sales and sample sales check HERE

After enduring two weeks of near fiction-like weather, we are rewarded this week with a forecast of sunshine and moderate temperatures in addition to an outpouring of sample sales from top designers. With so many unbelievably great sales to choose from in the next seven days, this is your perfect opportunity to score a fabulous outfit for Thanksgiving dinner. Next week you’ll be worried about baking pies, prepping your home for company, and revving up for Black Friday, so take use week to indulge in some “me-time” as you attend sample sales from some of our favorite brands such as Rebecca Minkoff, Anna Sui, Thakoon, Nanette Lepore, Theory, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Bulgari.

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale

Start your week off right with gorgeous, sunny weather and 70% off clothing, handbags, footwear and accessories at the Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale on 5^th Avenue hosted by the always organized 260 Sample Sales.

Anna Sui Sample Sale

When Anna Sui and $15 are featured in the same sentence than I am there. Monday at 8AM marks the start of a week long sale of 40-80% off women’s ready-to-wear at the Anna Sui Sample Sale, in addition to samples for as low as $15.

Thakoon Sample Sale

Thakoon’s most recent merchandise from Fall 2012 will be on sale at their SoHo sample sale beginning Tuesday at 8:30AM, in addition to past season’s wear. Last spring their sale offered sample pieces for as low as $50, so be on the look out for sample steals!

Nanette Lepore Sample Sale

Wednesday brings us bright colors, bold patters, and thick heels at the Nanette Lepore Sample Sale on West 35^th Street where they promise embroidered skirts for $100, jewel-tone velveteen pants for $125, and beaded silk frocks for $175.

Maison Martin Margiela H&M Collaboration

The Stylish City loves a good H&M collaboration. This time around, Maison Martin Margiela brings avant-garde to the floors of wallet friendly H&M, beginning Thursday, November 15th. If we’ve learned anything in the past, it’s that arriving early to H&M on the first day of a collaboration is an absolute necessity, if you want to be able to purchase the top styles in your size that is. Please note, the way it usually works in these cases is a certain number of wristbands are distributed well before H&M even opens. These will indicate what time you will be allowed to shop that day. So be prepared to line up early!

Theory Sample Sale

For diehard fans of the designer, there are two Theory sample sales taking place this week, beginning Thursday at 10AM. With cozy sweaters and ultra cute dresses, Theory may be your best bet in finding the ultimate Thanksgiving outfit that is flattering yet comfortable. Come Thursday, be sure to first drop by the true blue Theory Sample Sale, hosted by the brand at Privé located in the Chelsea Marketplace for deals up to 60% off their men and women’s collections. If you still haven’t had your Theory fill, take a trip uptown and visit clothingline on 36^th Street, where they’ll offer Theory’s fall merchandise, including outerwear, knits, dresses, blazers, and more at a discount.

3.1 Phillip Lim Sample Sale

There’s nothing better than alleviating your shopping guilt by knowing your purchase is benefiting a good cause, close to home. A portion of the proceeds from Thusday’s 3.1 Phillip Lim Sample Sale will be donated to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts. This sale is a definite Do Not Miss.

Alice & Trixie Warehouse Sale

To further benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts via shopping, head to SoHo on Thursday after the Phillip Lim sale where Alice & Trixie will host a warehouse sale with samples, stock, vintage, and one of a kind items, which will start at $10. 15% of sales from this event will be donated to the American Red Cross relief fund.

Bulgari Sample Sale

Early holiday shopping is in order on Saturday. Load up on goodies for your loved ones as Soiffer Haskin hosts the Bulgari Sample Sale, where jewelry, watches, handbags, accessories, and fragrances will be priced at an eye-popping discount.

After getting a jump on holiday shopping, donating to the Red Cross, and scoring a comfortable yet stunning outfit for Thanksgiving Day, I’d say this week was pretty much a success. Just don’t forget to wear your apron to protect that amazing new dress while fixing the turkey and all the trimmings next week!

By Caitlin Colford

Fashionistas can finally rest easy (and prepare to shop hard). Why? Because the highly anticipated Maison Martin Margiela and H&M collaboration collection will hit stores on November 15. The brand — adored for its truly art-over-function, avante garde aesthetic — has remained true to its nature for this collection.

All the pieces are wearable, but shoppers will find that most of MMM’s pieces are stop-her-on-the-street-and-take-her-picture worthy.

10 Things You Should Know About the Collaboration

1. With over 100 pieces, the collection is impressively comprehensive. It includes outerwear, shoes, accessories, bags, formal wear and everything in between.
2. Prices range from between $13 to $399.
3. The entire collection consists of re-issued, iconic pieces from previous Maison Martin Margiela collections.
4. You’ll notice many of the pieces have a slightly retro flare to them while others look quite modern. That’s because the collection covers more than two decades of fashion.
5. There are a number of “fusion” pieces in the collection. For example, a mens blazer that combines two different colors/silhouettes and a woman’s dress that’s one part knee length with shoulder and one part floor length with halter.
6. The collection features a wide range of shoes. They include a Plexi wedge pump in various colors, knee-high, heel-less leather boot, hand painted loafer and high top sneaker.
7. MMM’s collection includes clothing, accessories and shoes for both men and women. No sex-based exclusions in this collaboration!
8. Some of the more shocking pieces include a blanket coat, a nude bodysuit with printed black bra, a brown/black leather belt jacket and an over sized fanny pack that’s worn across the body.
9. The collection has caught the eye of even celebrities, including Selma Blair, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kanye West and Julienne Moore.
10. Each piece will include a unique tag that indicates which season the MMM piece is from.

There’s no denying it — this collection is downright cool. Even those who couldn’t care less about what’s happening in the fashion world have to be impressed and intrigued by what’s included in the collaboration.

What do you think about the H&M/MMM collaboration? Are you eyeing any pieces in particular? Let us know in the comment section below.

By Wendy Rose Gould

Surprisingly, there was no line to wait on at this sample sale, but that may not be the case as the sale continues through this Saturday. On the first day clothing was marked down to wholesale prices but discounts are expected to increase daily. The original prices have been removed, so true percentage off original price is unknown. No confusion though in item cost because every single piece has a clearly printed tag with the sale price. Based on sales past, the last day Saturday, November 10^th, will bring the largest crowd as well as the lowest prices. I think you should wait.

Be aware that the pieces offered at this sale do not come in complete size runs as they all seem to be real samples. Women’s sizing is as follows: 40-42 and 37-40 . Chances of finding multiples in any size are slim, so if it fits, commit.

Margiela Draped Zip Up Poncho
now $621 {size 42}

Dsquared Men’s Leather Spiked Jacket
$917 {size 44}

I started my shopping in the handbag nook and that was a bad idea, the selection was disappointing, at best. The shoe section saved my spirits thanks to few Viktor and Rolf and Maison Martin Margiela pairs. The shoe selection is likely the best category offered but size runs are also limited, so if the shoe fits, don’t put it down.  Shoe prices range from 200-400 dollars.  The assortment for both men and women offered an array of styles from casual to dress shoes.

All of the apparel was from the designers’ Fall/Winter 2012 collections, so a fairly recent collection, and weather appropriate, so one can prepare for New York’s influx of unpredictable natural disasters in proper fashion. Our opinion is that in comparison to previous years, the quality of this sample sale selection has declined. Now, the good finds are scarce and are obviously pieces that were not selling well. There are a few gems, but there are only 1-2 sizes per style. As expected, honorable mention goes to Maison Martin Margiela’s collection, which made the visit worthy, especially in regard to outerwear. Price points were still on the higher end, with nothing less than $200 and that’s just a basic t-shirt. Honestly, the sample sale was a bit of a disappointment leaving more variety and deeper discounts to be desired. Oh wait, maybe that’s why foot traffic is so low. Now, if you are a true blue fan of any of the brands, or are curious to see how Martin Margiela looks prior to their upcoming collaboration with H&M, stop by. At the end of the day, there are always lucky finds.

Please Note: NO fitting rooms and NO CA$H.

WHEN: 11/8 – 11/10; Th (2-7), F (10-7), Sat (noon-5)

WHERE: 220 West 19th Street
between 7th & 8th Avenue
10th Floor
New York, NY 10011
646-613-8457

By Michaela Boyd