Mikimoto

I think it’s safe to say that summer is here to stay! Get those toenails ready and summer dresses pressed, because it’s time to kick back and relax in the sun as you treat yourself the summer of your life, drink in hand of course. Be sure to take some time for yourself during these warm days – go on day trips, take a dip in the ocean, and splurge on bright colored bags and cute wedges. This week, it’s all about the casual cool wardrobe, so don’t miss J.Crew, Cynthia Rowley, Mikimoto, Lilla P, and Label+thread.

SAMPLE SALE ALERT: ORANGE

Casual Tuesday Threads

Spend your Tuesday with sample sales and a stroll on the Highline. Start off near Madison Square Park and make your way down to the Meatpacking District thanks to the perfectly arranged line up of sample sales.

T’S BACK! The J.Crew Sample Sale has returned to 260 Fifth Ave to bring us 60% off retail prices of dresses, shoes, denim and jewelry. This is an extremely popular sale — namely in the Spring when all are after the perfect beach look – so make it a point to get there well before 10AM when their doors open. Note that there is typically a large offering of samples at the JCrew Sale, so be on the look out for something original to stand out from the crowd. Last year, we found some classic summer steals during their June sample sale, including pebbled leather handbags for $120, shoes for $65, swimwear for $25 a piece, shorts for $25, and day-time dresses for $60. Don’t forget to scope out their Madewell selection as well!

Hop on down a few blocks to the Label + thread Sample Sale where apparel will be marked 80% off and samples will be offered for $50 or less. The NYC based up-and-coming brand has amazingly soft and comfortable cashmere and cotton knits as well as scarves, t-shirts, and gorgeous summer dresses that will be on hand for under $100.

Once you’ve had your fill, cross town and take the Highline downtown for a scenic stroll to the Lilla P Sample Sale in the Meatpacking District. The Lilla P Sale will offer rock bottom prices, ranging from $10 to $60 of her fabulous casual classics including flattering tees, lightweight sweaters, dresses and skirts.

Mikimoto Sample Sale

You’re going to need some elegant jewelry to spice up all of that casual wear you have just purchased. Pearls are the perfect addition to a beach-y summer dress or a pastel linen tee, so why not head to the Mikimoto Sample Sale on Wednesday for 50-70% off cultured pearl jewelry. Earlier this year, the Mikimoto sale brought on long lines but offered great deals including a black south sea strand of pearls for $5,200 (orig. $13,000) and a classic strand of pearls for $917 (orig. $2,620).

Cynthia Rowley Sample Sale

Wrap up your sale week with the Cynthia Rowley Sample Sale where the Bleecker Street sale will offer 85% off ready-to-wear and accessories, in addition to one-of-a-kind Spring 2013 collection samples. Did I mention 85% off yet? If that’s not reason enough to attend, expect to find crew neck sweaters for $109 (orig. $295), confetti shorts for $99 (orig. $145), jeweled collar trophy dress for $99 (orig. $595) and double knit dresses for a special buy one for $99 and get a second style for $49 deal.

And with that, I’ll leave you with a quote by Maud Hart Lovelace, from Betsey-Tacy and Tib: “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”

By Caitlin Colford

Image credit: J.Crew

WHAT: Mikimoto Sample Sale

WHY: 50-70% off elegant cultured pearl jewelry at the Mikimoto Sample Sale.

Expect to find long lines at the first day of sale.

WHEN: 6/19 – 6/21; W (11-7), Th-F (10-7)

WHERE: 680 Fifth Avenue
between 53rd & 54th Streets
4th Floor
New York, NY

SUBMITTED BY: TheStylishCity.com

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

A shocking number of jewelry fans braved one of the longest waits in the history of sample sales, waiting in two sets of lines that moved at a snail’s pace before they were able to gain entry to the Mikimoto Sample Sale, also known as the “Employee Sale.” The average wait to enter the sale was two and a half to three hours, and I endured just that. Lucky for all of us the line resided indoors, but it was incredibly frustrating to discover that they were only allowing two people in every ten minutes. Security expects the long wait to remain through Friday, given the small showroom that only holds a dozen shoppers at a time.

Perhaps I was naïve to assume the crowd would be manageable at this historic designer’s sale. Mikimito is not only known for his high quality luxury pearls, but he also essentially launched the entire pearl industry in the 1890’s. He is the Walt Disney of pearls. Regardless if that analogy makes sense or not, Mikimoto invented the cultured pearl, which is a pearl created under controlled circumstances. This is the technique that nearly all jewelers use today. For those science nerds out there, a cultured pearl is raised mimicking the natural birth of a pearl through raising the oyster and implanting the nucleus.

OK fashionistas, I hear you. Enough of me being a nerd and get to the good stuff. After a very long albeit warm two and a half hour wait, I was finally allowed in to the already picked from showroom on the 4^th floor of 680 5^th Avenue. Please note, all bags and coats must be checked in an unmonitored area, so be sure not to bring any valuables. Cell phones are not allowed in the sale. If you are caught, it will be assumed you are taking photos and your phone will be confiscated. Which brings me to my next revelations that sadly, absolutely no photos were allowed. Sorry shoppers.

The sale reductions are indicated by colored dots. The following are the price deductions:

Red Dot: 50% off
Blue Dot: 60% off
Green Dot: 65% off
Yellow Dot: 70% off
Light Blue Dot: 75% off

To begin, I started with browsing two cases in the right rear of the display cases, which feature Mikimoto’s Blue Lagoon line. For those seeking a good deal, perhaps it is best to end as the Blue Lagoon line offers wallet friendly prices. Reading these price tags followed by the others may induce stress. A pair of classic pearl studs will run you only $68 (orig. $170), while a single pearl pendant hanging beautifully on a sterling silver chain will only cost $104 (orig. $260). Another ideal option from the Blue Lagoon line is their classic multiple strand pearl necklace ($1,040, orig. $2,600).

Now for the big leagues. The main attraction of the sale was certainly the collection of traditional strands and I must say, I died over Mikimito’s signature gold bow clasp. This eye catching clasp seriously makes the already gorgeous necklace that much more appealing. Lusted after strands included the Black South Sea Strand ($5,200, orig. $13,000), the Classic Strand ($917, orig. $2,620), Golden South Sea Strand ($12,250, orig. $35,000) and the stunning Freyja White South Sea Strand choker ($57,750, orig. $165,000).

I fell in love with the single pearl pendants, many of which were accented with diamond chips. The rule of thumb here seemed to be the simpler, the better as the crazier the design, the less appealing they became. An absolutely beautiful Black South Sea Pendant was $323 (orig. $850).

There was a large selection of jewelry with heart accents, as well as a great deal of modern pieces. Considering pearls are a classic affair, I wasn’t too thrilled with these collections as some came off as tacky, rather than being an eye-catching piece.

The ring and earring section was being ignored as I was browsing. The rings, which are tucked into the left corner, featured a nice variety of black south sea pearls and classic pearls with diamonds. A number of hanging pearl earrings were on hand, but be sure to focus on the classic studs, which are available for as low as $122.59 (orig. $350), as well as the studs with a single diamond accent ($343, orig. $980). Also being tried on was the pearl and diamond embellished hoops, which were 70% off ($1,200, orig. $4,000).

If you are a lover of pearls, a mother of pearl, or a girl with a pearl earring (anything else?) and in the market for some new additions to your jewelry box, then this is the sale for you. Hopefully the wait will decrease as the days go on, but if you are not a fan of hanging out in line nor have two hours to spare in your day, you may have a serious anxiety attack as you twiddle your thumbs in anticipation of being let in to the Mikimoto Sample Sale. Word to the wise: Bring a good book.

WHEN: 1/16 – 1/18; W (11-7), Th-F (10-7)

WHERE: 680 Fifth Avenue
between 53rd & 54th Streets
4th Floor

By Caitlin Colford

Two weeks off from sample sale shopping allowed us to pack up our holiday decorations, work off those extra pounds, and replenish our rainy day fund, AKA our shopping allowance. Now that we are well into January, stores and brands are trying to force their winter wear on us, in order to make room for their bright and cheery spring lines. Ah, spring clothing and warm weather, doesn’t that sound heavenly? So this week, let’s assist stores and brands such as Journelle, Mikimoto, Calvin Klein, Theory & Helmut Lang, and Zutto Yellow, in cleaning house. It will provide us with a silver lining and help us to see clearly into our warm weather future.

SAMPLE SALE ALERT: YELLOW

Calvin Klein Clothing & Accessories Sample Sale

Start your shopping week early on Sunday with Calvin Klein. Beginning at 9AM Soiffer Haskin will host the Calvin Klein Sample Sale, which will offer up to 75% off retail prices. The sale, which has in the past been occupied mainly by men’s suiting, will also offer women’s clothing, accessories and handbags.

Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale

I’m sorry, but isn’t there a Helmut Lang Sample Sale going on as we speak? Why, yes, yes there is. Until Sunday, Helmut Lang is holding their bi-annual Sample Sale within their usual sale home, 93 Mercer Street. If you plan on visiting the sale this weekend, be sure to “retweet” Helmut Lang’s tweet found here to receive an additional 10% off. For fans of the brand who can’t make the tail end of the sale this weekend, Clothingline will be hosting a Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale beginning Monday. Although the sale may simply feature left overs and scraps from sales in the past, there is hope that prices will be more reasonable than what we found at the Theory & Helmut Lang Sample Sale this past summer.

Journelle Designer Lingerie Warehouse Sale

Va-va-voom!  Tuesday brings us Journelle’s Designer Lingerie Warehouse Sale within the spacious 260 5^th Avenue showroom. Featured designers such as Stella McCartney, Lascivious, La Perla, and Elle Macpherson will bring us 50-70% off high-fashion lingerie we won’t mind showing off. Hopefully 260 will allow dressing rooms at this sale otherwise it may be advised to bring an eye shield along.

Zutto Yellow Showroom Jewelry & Accessories Sample Sale

Zutto Yellow’s funky and bohemian collection of jewelry, accessories, and home goodies will be on sale in their West Village showroom. The Zutto Yellow Sample Sale boasts sale items from indie designers such as Necks Tuesday and Prariefunk, assuring from their names alone that this will be the hottest place to pick up some original pieces for you and your home in one shot. Like them on Facebook and receive an additional 5% off.

Mikimoto Jewelry Sample Sale

Close out the week with 50-70% off Mikimoto jewelry at their Sample Sale on 680 Fifth Avenue, between 53^rd and 54^th Streets. Mikimoto offers fine quality cultured pearl jewelry, from classic strands to pearls in motion. Various pearls are featured within Mikimoto’s pieces, such as conch, baroque and akoya.

A calm week in sample sale shopping will help you to get your sea legs, after having been out of the game for what feels like forever. Picking up a piece or two during this week’s roster sample sales will provide you with your shopping dosage, and keep your pockets full and purses heavy in preparation for the continued inundation of stock up sales ahead.

By Caitlin Colford