Mayle Spring 09?

KK just posted that Refinery 29 announced Mayle would be doing another highly limited collection and staying open until April. Obviously, it's thrilling news for us obsessive fans. While I was making dinner yesterday, I thought about how there would be no new lookbooks to flick through, no more planning and strategizing about which items to buy and when to get them. Then, last night, I dreamed that there was another final Mayle collection and, on waking, I thought it would even be great if she even remade some of her greatest hits (resort 06 please!) the way she did with the sandals and boots this season.

Getting this news gives me hope--and makes me wonder if I'm psychic (joke), if dreams come true, and if odds can be overturned. All of which takes me back to the baby stuff and makes me hope that one can work out in the same way.

But I also had a few other thoughts. When I was in Mayle a couple of weeks ago--the first day of the fall 60% markdowns--I spoke to Elise and asked when in February they were closing. She said no date had been set and it would be at least the end of the month. Given the real estate market, I'm sure that tenants aren't lining up to rent a small space, even a beautiful one, in Nolita. I also noticed several other shuttered/for rent storefronts near Mayle. While Elizabeth Street is lovely, most of the other boutiques are pretty dismal and seem to have little foot traffic. Mayle, Steven Alan, possibly Lyell, the gross Tory Burch and the sneaker store seem the exceptions, along with the perenially crowded Cafe Habana. So, it's possible a month-by-month lease extension was offered.

Secondly, business has been great for them as the recession killed other stores/designers--no elaboration needed. While we all have likely spent more on Mayle--buying before final markdowns, getting items we loved but might have otherwise skipped--we're not spending elsewhere. Fall 07 was one of her most amazing collections and much more went on sale--and was drastically reduced. This year, items have flown off the shelves. Maybe the closing down notice was good for sales (I'm sure it was), but regardless, she's done well when nobody else could sell items even at 80% off. This must have factored into the decision to stay in business.

Third, this will likely be really limited as most of her stockists aren't even selling resort/holiday. As I discovered in the UK, her international distribution has already pretty much ceased--Harvey Nicks didn't carry any Mayle after resort/holiday 07. So I imagine most of these pieces will be solely for the boutique and maybe Barneys/Opening Ceremony LA.

I anticipate this means there won't be much in the way of reductions. But on the positive side, I think it could mean resort/holiday gets another discount as people decide whether to get the really new items or go for the resort/holiday pieces on 30% markdown.

This may, of course, mean no final sample sale to close up house, especially as stock is pretty low. I'd even imagine that the new collection may revisit older styles, older fabrics, unless this was planned months in advance.

It could also mean that the idea of leaving refreshed Jane Mayle's desire to stay in business. Maybe hearing/reading various laments caused her to reconsider. Certainly, the girls at the store seemed a little happier than one would expect for people losing their jobs in a recession.

Mayle Sale at Coplons

Thanks to Christina and Susie, I just splurged again. Christina pointed out that Coplons in Virginia (coplons.com) have Mayle at 70% off. This is fall only--they didn't receive resort or holiday, a refrain we've heard before. On a tangent, I don't get why stores like Jake in Chicago that were so loyal to Mayle weren't able to get these last collections.

So, I just spent $308 on the Paradiso top at $125 and Harumi Kiyoko--the Kiyoko dress with Eden print inserts (which I have never seen) for $165. I hope it isn't just Harumi which I own. Shipping is $15. They are very friendly--Southern hospitality isn't a myth--and apparently they have some Eniko dresses left, although not in my size I imagine (I already own it in Paradiso anyway).

Also, eluxury has 30% off sale Mayle items, but most of these can be found cheaper elsewhere at this point.

So, at this point, I have 12 items from Mayle's Fall collection, including Billie Doux in suede. But I'm so disinterested in everything else out there that I imagine it will be a lean shopping year, with just a few Steven Alan pieces added to my closet. Even recession sales aren't tempting as I just don't want the items at any price.

Lyell sample sale

Usually, I'd get up super early and rush over to this by 11 am. But with Mayle closing, IVF costs and the recession, I wasn't sure if I wanted to drop hundreds of dollars earmarked for Zora, Hera and their friends. So, I watched Beverley Hills 90210 on SoapNet (my Saturday morning ritual--watch a few episodes, TiVo the rest for later in the week), worked on the book and finally made it to Lyell around 4.30 p.m.

There was a lot of stock, but mostly items I wasn't interested in. I don't buy silk camisoles--it's too hot and humid to get decent wear out of them in the summer and they just seem too late 1990s-early 2000s to me. There were many of them here. Other items in good supply were the blue evening gown (beautiful but something of no use to me), pencil skirts (which I don't need), thin glittery knit sweaters and the moon-print dress and shirt from resort. Evidently, there were other pieces in shorter supply that I would have possibly purchased, like the red blouse from resort, but they'd all sold out early on. The blouse I got from Barneys is being remade and wasn't reduced, and the skirt wasn't in the sale either so that was good. And the smocked blouse from holiday/resort is also being continued for spring so that wasn't reduced either--and it was the main item I wanted.

Lyell runs small and I am still a bit heavier than usual after eating too much chocolate over Christmas. Most items went up to an 8, which was really a 6. I could tell I wasn't going to leave with a big bag of clothes. I ended up getting the moon print dress from resort for $110. It is a tiny bit small but I'll likely lose the weight or get pregnant, so I went for it. It seems pretty timeless and more versatile than some of the more ornate items.

Maybe I should have gotten up earlier, but I'm relieved I didn't spend a fortune after last week, especially with Mayle's closure coming up ever faster.

An insane week

If last week was one of many posts and too much fun shopping, this week was one of brutal reality. I worked on the problem chapter from the book--one on film censorship that I was not sure I wanted to keep, got it in shape, read through (most) of the book and cut about 50 pages so far and realized it was pretty good. The book is on 1910s cinema and Progressivism, looking at how its ideology structured texts/contexts, so it is pretty dry. No fashion, I'm afraid, although I have written about early cinema and fashion elsewhere, as well as male fashion, film and sexuality.

Then there was yesterday. My not so great IVF clinic visit where I was basically told I may have left it too late. But there is a chance and I am determined to buck the odds. I had no idea fertility really did fall after 35--I assumed it was ideology, not biology. But I can't go back in a time machine and get pregnant at 34. Believe me, I would if that was possible! So I am hoping that I can buck the odds. It's horrible but I think I am at a global leading clinic so maybe they can do what others cannot. I have to think positively about this.

So, tomorrow I am going to the Lyell sale. Their email stated there would be more stock than usual because of returns, given the economic situation. It's cash only so I am only taking $200-$250. Given the costs I face to get pregnant, one last hurrah seems to be in order. I have to keep telling myself I can be one of those who bucks the odds--I am in good shape, keep healthy and that has to count for something.

Afternoon Mayle

I am not doing very well in my resolution to cut back spending. The main reason is Mayle's closure and my inability to resist the beautiful items on sale.

I was stunned when I entered the Elizabeth Street store--there was a lot of fall and holiday stock I hadn't previously seen. Opening Ceremony LA have shipped all their stock to Mayle, including items that had sold out so early in the season I never saw them like Kaiya, Yves in dove, Harumi in Eden and in Black, Amandine skirt, Mariko in rose and Michi in rose (beautiful but not available in my size). There were also some prefall shirts in black or white silk jacquard and little pleated soft cardigans with short puffed sleeves that were evidently pre-fall but had sold out immediately. They also had the Marie Laure and Eunice pants. Both were horrid on me. Eunice in 8 were too small (while the 10 was huge) and made my hips look big; Marie Laure just didn't look good. Rex in size 10 looked hideous on me, so I guess I'm not getting any Mayle pants.

The stock was pretty extensive and while the shop had customers, it wasn't crazy. Most of the customers were really friendly and we bonded over our love for Mayle, the line's imminent closure and commented that Mayle was really the only label we'd buy right, given the credit crunch.

I tried on a few items--Harumi in size 0 which fit. It's supposed to be huge but I liked the slightly tighter fit. By this I mean it is still really loose and would work if I got pregnant. The Eden print is very pretty and the silk very fine. I got the little pre-fall cardigan in a lilac/tan shade with a black border. It is incredibly soft and I love it. Harumi was $224 at 60% off, the cardigan was $170 (originally $420). I also got my Billie Doux in the sable suede for $260.

I tried on the flat knee high boots. They felt like slippers and I love them but they are $585 and that would mean no more Mayle. I put them on hold and think I'll just have to pass, especially as I got these boots (above) from Belle for $180 on my way back to the subway--again, 70% off. I loved the Mayle flat boots but these were a lot cheaper. I do want a pair of flat boots but do I want the Mayle boots because they are Mayle and comfortable or because they are beautiful? I think it is all of the above.

Jane Mayle was in the store when I was there--but she seemed busy and so I didn't speak to her. I tend to subscribe to my friend Sean's theory of "never meet the band." If you like their work and they aren't pleasant, then it sullies everything.

I imagine there could be another round of discounts on holiday/resort. Fall is in short supply and people were buying cardigans, boots, and fall stock. I saw a few people buying resort and virtually nobody buying holiday. Most of the fall bags are gone, including the Jeanne in Loden that I'd hoped to find. All the sandals sold out when I was in the UK.

My wish list remains
Zora in Black (and if not, orange or putty). They recut this so there is a lot in stock.
Hera blouse
Melia
Mirabelle (if I can find it in black)
Asina (if they have it--I think it may be sold out)
Thea in putty or black
Theodora in black
Helen Blouse in persimmon
Zeta blouse
Maybe Astrid

Accessories
The knee high boots
Agnes bag in either color
Any belt


I know I'll only get a fraction of this. It would be nice to have something from both resort and holiday (and I guess I have one holiday item). Resort may end up being the season that got away. It looked more picked over and seemed to have fewer items remaining--not surprising as it is intended more for everyday wear than holiday.

So,this week I ended up spending over $1,100 on clothes and accessories. Not good even for the sales. I'm going to enter a spartan period soon and post pictures of my closet, what I have done to mix things up, etc. It will be Steven Alan outlet and the Lyell sample sale and that will be that.

On a related note: I got my Steven Alan hats and cannot praise my beret too much. The other hat is great but the beret is the softest and most beautiful hat I've ever had. If you have $19 to spare, get one. You will love it.

Mayle Sale

I just got an email announcing the Mayle sale (interrupting my writing about film censorship in Chicago in 1907-14...). It sounds OK but not necessarily splendid. Here goes:

Starting tomorrow, Fall clothing 60% off; Holiday & Resort clothing 30% off

Select accessories are also on sale.

Susie--are you up for meeting in the frigid cold? I don't know if I need more Fall, and I want more than 30% off Holiday and Resort. Still, it is a start.

That said, the last Mayle sale at 40% off was not only a zoo, but the items were available elsewhere for less. Totokaelo and Hush have their resort and holiday stock for less. And I just got Penilope yesterday for over 60% off. Just a note, I feel illiterate typing Penilope and cannot understand why the dress wasn't called Penelope. I guess this is what happens when you are a professor and one of your responsibilities is teaching writing.

Barneys Finds

I guess I missed most of the deals while I was in England, because there was very little stock in Barneys. The entire Mayle and Lyell remnants were on a single rack--and it wasn't full. Julie at Barneys was great, collecting all the size 8 and 10s for me, but there wasn't much to deal with. She said Mayle had sold quickly once it had gone on sale as it was the final collection. I have a feeling the Elizabeth Street store won't have huge reductions and will be pretty picked over, but there may be some items left. I'll post what I find when I go there, maybe later today on the way to meet Evan (we have to go to Macy's to get a new comforter) and he has to go into work. He knows I am watching my spending because of the IVF so I don't want to look irresponsible.

First of all, the Eunice pants run very large--I tried on a ten and could have got them on and off without unbuttoning them. I needed maybe a 6. It was a shame because I imagine they would have looked great otherwise. The fabric has quite a bit of stretch in it, so maybe a 4 may have even worked. It was disappointing but that's sale shopping.

Olympia is a great dress--on the hanger. I am tall and flat chested. It made me look stocky as there is so much draping around the chest. Enough said. I think you have to be a model to carry this one off. Certainly, I rarely look stocky or chunky on top.

The only other items in my size was Penilope (size 8) which I bought. It is soft, fits and drapes really well and I can imagine it will work well in the summer as it isn't silk. Also, for $109, I couldn't say no.

Basically, I missed the boat. I imagine these reductions were in place over the weekend when I was so jetlagged I thought I was in England and tried explaining American TV to Evan (who is from Long Island) as I was surprised to see American commercials. Maybe it was for the best I didn't go shopping then.

As for other sizes, if you are a size 4 or 0, the white pre-fall top is in stock. There are blue Gia camisoles. Size 0-4 Rex pants from resort are also plentiful and Miho tops. One Ebba in black, size 8 (this dress didn't work on me as it was too baggy in the chest and too narrow on the hips).

I did break my vow and spend some money, though. I tried on two Lyell items--the black silk A-line skirt with scalloped insert detailing from holiday (reduced from $435 to $129). It draped beautifully, has great details and will be a great basic. It was one of those pieces I didn't want to get--I wanted to save the money for Mayle, but it worked so well it made me rethink my recent disappointments with Lyell. As did the top above. It is less silky--I think it is a medium-heavy silk-wool crepe--and it drapes beautifully. It was $179, which is a lot, reduced from $585, but I loved it and will wear it forever.

I will post pictures of these and other finds as I get my camera to work (still trying to work out the logistics of taking my own photos as I cannot turn off my flash).

So, I am beginning to resign myself to getting very little from the last two Mayle collections. I hope I can pick up a couple of pieces and it would be great if Hera, Zora, Melia and the Rex pants were among them, but I'm not particularly optimistic about this. Still, in a week I have my first appointment to see if I can get IVF, and a baby is a far higher priority than clothes. At this point, I'm trying to be positive and thus enjoying my body and clothing while I can. Hopefully, I'll be pregnant soon and living in Steven Alan shirts and maternity denim.