Dolly Parton Recipes
1 week ago
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
My finds
So, here's what I got for myself. I also snagged a few items for friends that I'm not listing here.
New editions:
Josie romper, size 8 in black. I am very happy with this and grateful to Cindy for pointing its location out to me. These were at the front but because they were next to some other black recuts, I'd have not noticed it. There didn't appear to be too many of these and they are lovely--I wanted a Josie last year and I wanted a black jumpsuit this year and now I have the two in one.
Ilaria in pansy lace, size 6. Lovely dress but one that has to be kept away from the cats! The detail on this lace is amazing--it's the lace on the front panel on the Zhazra top. I loved the Sylvania on the postcard but love this even more.
Nieves dress in black, size 6. Sleeveless A-line dress that is in the same black silk as Josie and the Nieves top from SS 08. Marti got this with the red embroidery at the top. It also has pockets!
Resort 08
Jemeen in ivory, size 8. For some reason, the ivory seemed to be smaller than the black and white. I already had this in black and white but for $75 I couldn't resist. Plus it gives me something with a little ivory paisley on it (I love that fabric) and it is such a great easy dress as so many of us have noted.
Nia skort, size 10, black lotus print. Will be great with tights and will also be an incentive to me to get my legs back in shape for summer! I got something in the lotus print too although I had so wanted Zenith which probably went in F and F.
Holiday 08
Lena dress, size 8. OK, it was $200 but this was on my wish list and I know I'll wear it forever.
Zeta top in black, size 6. Love this top. Again it was one of the more expensive at $150, but it was always expensive, like its sister, Lena. It's also amazingly soft.
Otto coat. Thanks to Monica, I scored the only one in size 10 and can wear this for Rebecca's Bat Mitzvah in June. It is a work of art.
(Addendum: this means I likely have a greater percentage of the Holiday 08 items than any other Mayle collection. I now own the above plus Penilope, Thea in putty, Zora in black, Helen in persimmon and the Gaia pants).
Fall 08
Liliane dress, size 6. I feared I wouldn't fit into this but I actually needed the 6. Useful dress but I think it was cheaper in Barneys than at the sale ($175 here). I think this will get a lot of wear over the years. I love box pleated miniskirts.
Olympe coat, size 10. Someone snagged the black version I had intended to buy so I ended up with the ivory. I think I'll get a lot of wear as this is a very warm coat, but it doesn't thrill me the way Odette did, or Raisa and Vera for that matter.
Yves scarf in black. How could I resist for $15? I have the cardigan in the lavendery tan/black from pre-fall so I didn't go for that colorway.
Spring 08
Celia dress in ivory, size 6. Runs really large. I thought this would be too transparent but when I tried it on at home, I loved it. It will be a great summer basic and may even get an airing this week if our crazy sudden summer continues (91 degrees forecast high today and I was wearing my Vera coat earlier this week).
Araceli dress, size 6, in blue. Thanks to Cindy. This was the dress I wanted on ebay earlier this year and lost the auction--even before I bid, it was over the $150 I wanted to pay. I think this only just fits, but it can't be too lose as the front will gape and be really revealing. So I got the Mayle cotton dress I wanted--not Elvira, but I hope that will, one day, find its way to me, along with Izadora, Tana, Haverhill etc.
So, a nice stash of surprises and recent wish list items. I was surprised that some pieces weren't in the sale (like Marion), but that's how it always goes. I am satisfied.
Photos to follow.
Please share your own finds!
New editions:
Josie romper, size 8 in black. I am very happy with this and grateful to Cindy for pointing its location out to me. These were at the front but because they were next to some other black recuts, I'd have not noticed it. There didn't appear to be too many of these and they are lovely--I wanted a Josie last year and I wanted a black jumpsuit this year and now I have the two in one.
Ilaria in pansy lace, size 6. Lovely dress but one that has to be kept away from the cats! The detail on this lace is amazing--it's the lace on the front panel on the Zhazra top. I loved the Sylvania on the postcard but love this even more.
Nieves dress in black, size 6. Sleeveless A-line dress that is in the same black silk as Josie and the Nieves top from SS 08. Marti got this with the red embroidery at the top. It also has pockets!
Resort 08
Jemeen in ivory, size 8. For some reason, the ivory seemed to be smaller than the black and white. I already had this in black and white but for $75 I couldn't resist. Plus it gives me something with a little ivory paisley on it (I love that fabric) and it is such a great easy dress as so many of us have noted.
Nia skort, size 10, black lotus print. Will be great with tights and will also be an incentive to me to get my legs back in shape for summer! I got something in the lotus print too although I had so wanted Zenith which probably went in F and F.
Holiday 08
Lena dress, size 8. OK, it was $200 but this was on my wish list and I know I'll wear it forever.
Zeta top in black, size 6. Love this top. Again it was one of the more expensive at $150, but it was always expensive, like its sister, Lena. It's also amazingly soft.
Otto coat. Thanks to Monica, I scored the only one in size 10 and can wear this for Rebecca's Bat Mitzvah in June. It is a work of art.
(Addendum: this means I likely have a greater percentage of the Holiday 08 items than any other Mayle collection. I now own the above plus Penilope, Thea in putty, Zora in black, Helen in persimmon and the Gaia pants).
Fall 08
Liliane dress, size 6. I feared I wouldn't fit into this but I actually needed the 6. Useful dress but I think it was cheaper in Barneys than at the sale ($175 here). I think this will get a lot of wear over the years. I love box pleated miniskirts.
Olympe coat, size 10. Someone snagged the black version I had intended to buy so I ended up with the ivory. I think I'll get a lot of wear as this is a very warm coat, but it doesn't thrill me the way Odette did, or Raisa and Vera for that matter.
Yves scarf in black. How could I resist for $15? I have the cardigan in the lavendery tan/black from pre-fall so I didn't go for that colorway.
Spring 08
Celia dress in ivory, size 6. Runs really large. I thought this would be too transparent but when I tried it on at home, I loved it. It will be a great summer basic and may even get an airing this week if our crazy sudden summer continues (91 degrees forecast high today and I was wearing my Vera coat earlier this week).
Araceli dress, size 6, in blue. Thanks to Cindy. This was the dress I wanted on ebay earlier this year and lost the auction--even before I bid, it was over the $150 I wanted to pay. I think this only just fits, but it can't be too lose as the front will gape and be really revealing. So I got the Mayle cotton dress I wanted--not Elvira, but I hope that will, one day, find its way to me, along with Izadora, Tana, Haverhill etc.
So, a nice stash of surprises and recent wish list items. I was surprised that some pieces weren't in the sale (like Marion), but that's how it always goes. I am satisfied.
Photos to follow.
Please share your own finds!
Mayle Sample Sale Report, Part II
Most people would decide one day dealing with the lines and the frustrations of limited merchandise was enough, but I can get obsessive about things I love. Besides, I was curious to see if there was new stock (as there had been in previous years, like my beloved Sonya dress) and, moreover, I wanted to check back in for friends who wear small sizes. On Friday, I had seen next to no size 0 or 2s--except in items like Theodora and Helen that my friend already owns, and coats that she has no use for. There was also that temptation to see if there were any markdowns and to see what was left after all the shopping fervor had died down.
So I agreed to meet Cindy at 2 at the store--hanging out with her is always so much fun--and we're both curious about markdowns.
When I got to Elizabeth St., I was almost afraid to look. There wasn't too much of a line, but there was a line nonetheless. Within a few minutes, a Mayle representative counted the next ten people in. I was now third in line. I waited about another 15 minutes in the sun (not bad at all) and watched people leave with smaller bags (they only had the large ones out yesterday) or empty handed. I realized from this that stock had to be pretty low. People were still asking what was going on and why we were in line--it seemed funny given how huge the line was on Friday compared to Saturday.
When I got in, there was a lot of new re-edition dresses left. Very few bags--just two or three travel Billies, three baby Billies available for special order. I assumed they hadn't received the full size Billies. Little did I know that I'd missed them completely. I guess everybody missed something. While I'd have loved a bag, I would rather have had some of the archival pieces but Doris later assured me that they didn't have Izadora and that most were in 4s or smaller 6s so I wouldn't have fit into them anyway. I regretted not ordering the Fedosia coat on Friday--the ones I saw were lovely and they were all gone. I should have gotten one of those rather than Olympe, but that's the way things go. I nearly got another Raisa in gray (they were still there), but I don't need two nearly identical coats, much as I love them.
Amidst the new dresses were the Sylvania in pansy lace and the ivory gauze lace used for Pina and Pilar at $465 or $425 (I forget). These had come in, presumably that day, and were beautiful but wouldn't have fit me--the largest were in a size 6 and it was such a small 6 that I couldn't get the dress over my hips (had it not opened at the front, I wouldn't have got it on at all). This was odd as the Sylvania top fitted me fine. I think I prefered my Ilaria anyway--I love the button detail at the front, the lacy collar and the drape of the skirt. It was also $265 and a size 6 which fitted me well.
The Shijos were also in. Mainly in cotton prints like Via Rita, this also only went up to 6 (or that was the biggest size left). It didn't really fit me and was $265. I passed.
Two Pitsulas also came in--one in black with white lace trim and some black lace also on the sleeves. This was the same textured fabric as the original ivory but in black. There was something about it that reminded Cindy and I of Therese. The other Pitsula was very much like the Violetta from FW 07--it used the same white eyelet over black silk. Both were down to $100. Both were really nice and ran true to size but Pitsula doesn't fit me at all--my shoulders are way too broad. These were nice, very Mayle and probably very late in, hence the price.
Other than that, there remained a rack of re-editions, slightly picked over, but still the same price as Friday (about 40-50% off the original prices, bringing them in line with Shijo and Ilaria).
Josie rompers were all gone. Cindy wore hers yesterday (it looks amazing on her). I'm wearing mine now. I love it and Evan really likes it too (he also thought the Ilaria looked great). Two pairs of the black star clogs remained.
Back to the old stock. Prices were about the same as Friday--just a very few pieces were marked down, including the three remaining Tamas from F/W 08 which were now $100 not $175. I wished they'd had the 10 I needed but these were a 4, a 6 and the sample (6). I think that's all they'd had the day before.
Remaining were Betto and the top version, Theodora and Helen in size 4, Rosamelia in both black and white, Delaura, one grubby Josefina, two Ninon cardigans (one of which I snagged for a friend), both in brown, both smalls, very few Gia camis and one sample black Sabbia top with no embellishments, a few Zhazra, 1 size 4, mainly 6s otherwise (this runs small), Marie Laure and Eunice pants in odd sizes, incl. one Gaia that wasn't there yesterday, two Lana dresses in 6 that weren't there yesterday (still $200, probably the reason they didn't sell), a few Simone sweaters (again, runs small and was still $125), lots of Mariposa tops in all black (made specially for the sale) and 1 or 2 of the originals which were far higher quality, Vita pants in black and in white, 2 Suzelly jackets, 1 Hilaire dress, 2 Lucienne dresses (still $175 and ran very small), one Claudie top in cream and one Claudie short sleeved cream vest. That was about that. No 8 or 10s again, few large 6s, very few 2s (mainly in Betto or Theodora).
So, slim pickings really but there was some stock left and those who were in the store seemed content to pick up an item or two at these prices. I love Theodora and would have loved to have gotten one in size 10 but Jane never recut this in the larger sizes. I have to say that had she done this, there would be a lot of demand. Girls were trying to fit into this dress and couldn't--it always ran small in the back and arms. Still, these decisions are not mine to make.
The crowd wasn't such ardent fans--people were surprised they had to wait in line outside and some just walked away rather than wait 15 minutes in the sun. Many wore DVF or other designers, or just jeans. People seemed happy to get something or were not unhappy if there was nothing for them. One really nice woman was very happy with her Mariposa top in the bright colors, another was thrilled with the top in the Betto design, which looked great on her. The Pitsulas were the best new item.
I got nothing for myself. I would have got the Zhazhra but the 10 I needed had a large dust mark that was going to require dry cleaning so I passed (fortunately I discovered this as I was checking out, just before I paid).
I was pleased I went. It was fun to see Cindy, try a few things on, and get things for friends. I would have loved a leather Billie or Fedosia and was a touch disappointed--the first I thought should have been posted at the very least so we could order them, but the latter was my fault and mine alone. I suppose I wanted to stick to my list and didn't want to spend over $300 on a single item other than a full size Billie and a pair of clogs. But I don't feel the same regret as I did over putting Sascha back in 2007 or not getting the red resort gown. Those were silly decisions on my part and I would have loved to have gotten them had they reappeared at this sale or the last (I bet they went to F and F customers in 2008, the sale I had to miss because of my California conference).
I guess my main thoughts on the sale are that it was slightly disappointing. I wish archival promises hadn't been made, or that they had made enough Billies and Fedosias to match demand. Given that there wasn't as much stock as there was demand, I wish Jane Mayle had ran the F and F sale for only 2 hours or so, not a full day. I don't say this for me--I did as well as could be expected, given what was there--but for those other people who waited for hours to get in on Friday and left with very little. Some waited for over 6 hours and may have found little in their sizes. The postcard overhyped the sale--and it was a sale for which no promotion, no hype, was necessary--leading to some bitter discussions (see racked.com). Clearly, a brand like this, closed in its prime, has many followers who wanted to stock up while they could--F and F or not--and I am convinced that a postcard saying that there'd be some new stock because there was limited old stock would both be more truthful and allow people to have more reasonable expectations. Of course, this could have also backfired with people arriving at midnight. I guess there is no way to handle the limited supply/excess demand issue. Even new editions isn't always enough when people want stock that they missed like Haverhill and Elvira, and the fabrics may no longer be available, nor may it be cost-efficient to recut some items for a sale and sell them at the expected prices.
So, overall, I am happy. As with all sample sales, I didn't get all the items I'd hoped for and I got some pieces that weren't expected but I am very happy and grateful to get what I did. Still, if anybody doesn't pick up a full sized dark leather Billie or a Fedosia in 8 or 10, whichever would be my size, I hope that the store will contact me! Elise and Christina do have all my contact information, after all...
So I agreed to meet Cindy at 2 at the store--hanging out with her is always so much fun--and we're both curious about markdowns.
When I got to Elizabeth St., I was almost afraid to look. There wasn't too much of a line, but there was a line nonetheless. Within a few minutes, a Mayle representative counted the next ten people in. I was now third in line. I waited about another 15 minutes in the sun (not bad at all) and watched people leave with smaller bags (they only had the large ones out yesterday) or empty handed. I realized from this that stock had to be pretty low. People were still asking what was going on and why we were in line--it seemed funny given how huge the line was on Friday compared to Saturday.
When I got in, there was a lot of new re-edition dresses left. Very few bags--just two or three travel Billies, three baby Billies available for special order. I assumed they hadn't received the full size Billies. Little did I know that I'd missed them completely. I guess everybody missed something. While I'd have loved a bag, I would rather have had some of the archival pieces but Doris later assured me that they didn't have Izadora and that most were in 4s or smaller 6s so I wouldn't have fit into them anyway. I regretted not ordering the Fedosia coat on Friday--the ones I saw were lovely and they were all gone. I should have gotten one of those rather than Olympe, but that's the way things go. I nearly got another Raisa in gray (they were still there), but I don't need two nearly identical coats, much as I love them.
Amidst the new dresses were the Sylvania in pansy lace and the ivory gauze lace used for Pina and Pilar at $465 or $425 (I forget). These had come in, presumably that day, and were beautiful but wouldn't have fit me--the largest were in a size 6 and it was such a small 6 that I couldn't get the dress over my hips (had it not opened at the front, I wouldn't have got it on at all). This was odd as the Sylvania top fitted me fine. I think I prefered my Ilaria anyway--I love the button detail at the front, the lacy collar and the drape of the skirt. It was also $265 and a size 6 which fitted me well.
The Shijos were also in. Mainly in cotton prints like Via Rita, this also only went up to 6 (or that was the biggest size left). It didn't really fit me and was $265. I passed.
Two Pitsulas also came in--one in black with white lace trim and some black lace also on the sleeves. This was the same textured fabric as the original ivory but in black. There was something about it that reminded Cindy and I of Therese. The other Pitsula was very much like the Violetta from FW 07--it used the same white eyelet over black silk. Both were down to $100. Both were really nice and ran true to size but Pitsula doesn't fit me at all--my shoulders are way too broad. These were nice, very Mayle and probably very late in, hence the price.
Other than that, there remained a rack of re-editions, slightly picked over, but still the same price as Friday (about 40-50% off the original prices, bringing them in line with Shijo and Ilaria).
Josie rompers were all gone. Cindy wore hers yesterday (it looks amazing on her). I'm wearing mine now. I love it and Evan really likes it too (he also thought the Ilaria looked great). Two pairs of the black star clogs remained.
Back to the old stock. Prices were about the same as Friday--just a very few pieces were marked down, including the three remaining Tamas from F/W 08 which were now $100 not $175. I wished they'd had the 10 I needed but these were a 4, a 6 and the sample (6). I think that's all they'd had the day before.
Remaining were Betto and the top version, Theodora and Helen in size 4, Rosamelia in both black and white, Delaura, one grubby Josefina, two Ninon cardigans (one of which I snagged for a friend), both in brown, both smalls, very few Gia camis and one sample black Sabbia top with no embellishments, a few Zhazra, 1 size 4, mainly 6s otherwise (this runs small), Marie Laure and Eunice pants in odd sizes, incl. one Gaia that wasn't there yesterday, two Lana dresses in 6 that weren't there yesterday (still $200, probably the reason they didn't sell), a few Simone sweaters (again, runs small and was still $125), lots of Mariposa tops in all black (made specially for the sale) and 1 or 2 of the originals which were far higher quality, Vita pants in black and in white, 2 Suzelly jackets, 1 Hilaire dress, 2 Lucienne dresses (still $175 and ran very small), one Claudie top in cream and one Claudie short sleeved cream vest. That was about that. No 8 or 10s again, few large 6s, very few 2s (mainly in Betto or Theodora).
So, slim pickings really but there was some stock left and those who were in the store seemed content to pick up an item or two at these prices. I love Theodora and would have loved to have gotten one in size 10 but Jane never recut this in the larger sizes. I have to say that had she done this, there would be a lot of demand. Girls were trying to fit into this dress and couldn't--it always ran small in the back and arms. Still, these decisions are not mine to make.
The crowd wasn't such ardent fans--people were surprised they had to wait in line outside and some just walked away rather than wait 15 minutes in the sun. Many wore DVF or other designers, or just jeans. People seemed happy to get something or were not unhappy if there was nothing for them. One really nice woman was very happy with her Mariposa top in the bright colors, another was thrilled with the top in the Betto design, which looked great on her. The Pitsulas were the best new item.
I got nothing for myself. I would have got the Zhazhra but the 10 I needed had a large dust mark that was going to require dry cleaning so I passed (fortunately I discovered this as I was checking out, just before I paid).
I was pleased I went. It was fun to see Cindy, try a few things on, and get things for friends. I would have loved a leather Billie or Fedosia and was a touch disappointed--the first I thought should have been posted at the very least so we could order them, but the latter was my fault and mine alone. I suppose I wanted to stick to my list and didn't want to spend over $300 on a single item other than a full size Billie and a pair of clogs. But I don't feel the same regret as I did over putting Sascha back in 2007 or not getting the red resort gown. Those were silly decisions on my part and I would have loved to have gotten them had they reappeared at this sale or the last (I bet they went to F and F customers in 2008, the sale I had to miss because of my California conference).
I guess my main thoughts on the sale are that it was slightly disappointing. I wish archival promises hadn't been made, or that they had made enough Billies and Fedosias to match demand. Given that there wasn't as much stock as there was demand, I wish Jane Mayle had ran the F and F sale for only 2 hours or so, not a full day. I don't say this for me--I did as well as could be expected, given what was there--but for those other people who waited for hours to get in on Friday and left with very little. Some waited for over 6 hours and may have found little in their sizes. The postcard overhyped the sale--and it was a sale for which no promotion, no hype, was necessary--leading to some bitter discussions (see racked.com). Clearly, a brand like this, closed in its prime, has many followers who wanted to stock up while they could--F and F or not--and I am convinced that a postcard saying that there'd be some new stock because there was limited old stock would both be more truthful and allow people to have more reasonable expectations. Of course, this could have also backfired with people arriving at midnight. I guess there is no way to handle the limited supply/excess demand issue. Even new editions isn't always enough when people want stock that they missed like Haverhill and Elvira, and the fabrics may no longer be available, nor may it be cost-efficient to recut some items for a sale and sell them at the expected prices.
So, overall, I am happy. As with all sample sales, I didn't get all the items I'd hoped for and I got some pieces that weren't expected but I am very happy and grateful to get what I did. Still, if anybody doesn't pick up a full sized dark leather Billie or a Fedosia in 8 or 10, whichever would be my size, I hope that the store will contact me! Elise and Christina do have all my contact information, after all...
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Mayle Sample Sale Report, Part I
This was such an exhausting and insane event that I'm going to probably blog about it more than once. But I wanted to get something down before memories fade.
First of all, the lines and wait was intense. Some of us got there really early as adrenaline and anxiety won the day over sleep. I was 6th in line (I got there at 7.50 am). The line was probably 30 people long by 8.30 and stayed that way until around 9-9.30 when it exploded. I couldn't count the people (the line was at points 4-5 people wide) and it snaked down to Houston street by the time the sale opened at 11.30 (typically Mayle, it was a little late). Reporters from NY magazine and racked were there in force.
Crowd control was reasonably good. 10 people were allowed in at a time, with a few groups entering fairly quickly (I think they made sure there were only about 30-40 people in there at a time, but it was tough to tell). It was never empty in there, but it wasn't that packed or that panic stricken either. We were there for a shade under 2 hours (including bag check and byzantine check out process). By the time we left, the line was as long as before. Simply put, the demand way outstripped anybody's ability to service it. I think most people waited 3-4 hours to get in, whether they arrived 4 hours early like some of the first people, or got there at 11. It was surprising to see how some people drove up at 11 and looked aghast that they couldn't just park outside and walk in and shop.
As for the sale. It was a really mixed bag. It was not as good or well stocked as the legendary June 2007 sale, nor was the stock as cheap. The sale was/is being held in the back stockroom, so you entered through the office entrance to the side, checked bags in the big room that used to be used for old season's stock, and then entered the rest of the office area. First part of the staging area was for re-editions--the older ones were about half price/40% off--dresses averaged about $220-250; the new re-editions were full price (Vanya, Michaelas in another set of fabrics)--many around $400-475. Nobody paid attention to them. There were also some Olympe coats ($225), recuts of Fall 07's Raisa coat for $325 in black and in gray (lovely--I already own this--it runs a little smaller than the original, about a full size). There were also Josie rompers from SS 08 remade in black silk ($195), Ilaria (?) dresses based on the shirt from SS 07 for $265 in pansy lace and the Esperanza fabric, both the black and yellow colorways. Above these were new re-editions you had to special order: the new Florinda coat ($365? $325?), the pansy lace Silvania (over $400) and the Shijo dress in a variety of cottons (esperanza fabric, Via Rita and another white fabric). I think these weree about $265 too. Shoes and bags were also staged here. No Billies or Baby Billies made it to the sale. Jeanne had sold out on Friends and Family day the day before (more on that below). Huge Billie travel bags in leather and in fabric were $395 and were selling fast, especially the lovely purple one. The shoes were leopard clogs and a star version in black and silver and another matte grey pair (by far the most popular). These were initially going to be special orders as they only had the samples, but they came in around 12.30 and were immediately snatched up. They were $350 and had higher heels and a lower platform than the originals. They also ran narrower so they were no use to my wide feet.
The other staging area at the back was where you found older stock. Almost all the archival pieces had gone the day before during F and F. I doubt there were many such pieces there but it was a bit disappointing. Even if we hadn't been able to fit into them, many of us agreed we'd have loved to have seen them.
As for the stock. First of all, accessories. Slim pickings here. No belts, other than some made for reeditions. Only three pairs of ankle boots from the holiday reeditions--two white in size 36, one tan in 42 (alas, no 40 for me). $175. Samira soft-fold clutches in the satin--$50. A new lace clutch for either $50-$75--not the leather/lace one--black lace over green or pink fabric. Make up bags for $25. Madcap slippers for a song (nobody wanted them then or now), denim Jeanne bags for $75, Carribea suede bags for $125, Yves scarves in both colorways, $15. A few random old shoes in tiny or really large sizes that were immediately snatched up, along with the couple of belts that were actually real Mayle belts in fabrics from earlier seasons. Not much of any interest.
As for the clothing, not as cheap as 07, not as expensive as 08. No set price for all dresses, or all tops. Instead, styles individually priced. Basically there were 4 racks of styles--some restocking was going on, but there wasn't that much variety. Sizes 0, 2, 8 and 10 were in really short supply. I saw virtually no 10s or 0s (and I was looking for both). Most items were 4 or 6.
Knitwear. Virtually none. The new vests with the big woolen loops (not for me as they weren't my style) sold out within 10 minutes. From the old stock, the Ninon cardigan which was $75 and was not flattering on me (and too rough for my liking) was plentiful but few people were buying. A few Jeanne style sweaters with short sleeves in pink and ivory for $75. A few random ivory pieces in other styles which were snapped up soon--only in S.
Dresses. Here's what was plentiful, although sizes were largely 4 and
6. Most dresses were $125-$175, although some were $200. Lucienne
(which was an odd fit), Liliane were $175 which was odd as they were not
that expensive originally. The Lena from holiday was $200. All stock from SS 08, FW 08, Resort/Holiday 08. Note that most styles were not represented in the sale as they had sold out. Some items that were there when I first got in were snapped up within minutes:
Lucila dress (SS 08). Probably the most plentiful, although it looked like these were a little grimy but that could be the light--no windows in there and it wasn't that bright. $125
Mariposa dress--I think mainly 4s--I think these were $150. Stocked at the front by the coats.
Rosamelia (I didn't look at sizes, this one runs very big). No idea of price. Mainly ivory, some in black.
Ebba in black--runs smaller than the blue and I am not sure of sizes (I think I remember 4s and 6s). $125
Theodora dress--runs small, lots of tiny sizes. Both black and persimmon. No idea of prices as once I found no size 10, this was scratched off my list. I think people who wanted this already had it. Sample versions without the embellishments were available and I think were $125?
Tama dress--I think $150-175
Mirabella in the ivory/black colorway. These went fast. I think $175-$195.
One Kaori sample, no embellishments, $175
Jacinthe in black, in lavender/tan and a few ivory paisleys that were snapped up fast. Surprised to see this here because it was originally sold old before reductions. Must have been a recut from the original factory. I think this was $195. It runs short and a little small. I tried one on in a 6 which not only didn't fit me, it was horribly unflattering (largely because of the size issue).
Astrid--in lavender and tan and in ivory paisley. $375. Runs very big--4 fit me--and looks like a nightdress on. I passed. It is just not right for me.
Jemeen--$75. Both in ivory and in black and white, although the latter was selling out by 1.30 so I imagine this went yesterday.
Betto and the top version, Phoebe--nobody was interested in these.
$125 and $75 respectively. Fair amount of sizes but no Ls or XS.
Hilaire--I think this was $125
Lucienne in size 6 and 4. $175. Runs pretty small because of the way it goes in at the bottom. I couldn't get away with it because the bottom would have torn.
Celias in size 6 ($95) in ivory. Just a few of these. All size 6--and this dress runs large.
2 Reikos in buttercup, size 6--I think these were $195
There was also a black Nieves dress--a sleeveless dress version of the top in the black silk from SS 08 for $95.
Tops: Fewer styles, but more stock in most of these.
Paz camisole--lots of these, flimsy and in a beige. Probably cheapish
Gia camisole in blue, Gia in black.
A few ivory Zoia tops.
Delaura top--I think this is plain ugly
Zeta top (runs big)--most expensive top at $150
Helen blouse--black only. No idea of sizes or price as I have this in persimmon.
One or two of the Athenas in black and persimmon that are like Helen.
Dezhra--no idea of price, mainly in ivory
Claudie tops in beige and black--don't know sizes or prices. Sleeveless version also available.
ivory Paradiso Mitsuko, 6 only--several of these. This top is cut narrow in the back.
Mitchie in dove and rose, sizes 4 and 6. I think this sold out before I left.
Anahi in size 6 only (runs big but it is beautiful). $75.
Pants/Skirts--Other than Nia, very few of any of these
Nia skort--$75, both colorways
miniskirt from holiday/resort in both black and tan
a few random pairs of pants, mainly sizes 2-6
There were a few other isolated pieces that sold out or were grabbed in the first minutes. One black Thea ($125), a couple of Ottos in larger sizes ($195), Lena dress ($200--although a putty and black version that didn't go into production was also there when I left for the same price).
There were also random samples--Senna jacket (size 6) in gray gabardine with lavender lace centerpiece for $95. Just a little too small for me, or I would have got it.
Basically, if I hadn't got up early and had great friends passing finds to me, I wouldn't have got that much. I scored some nice pieces but this wasn't the sale for the ages that the 07 one was.
Payment and check out were in the shop itself (no stock there) and you exit through the store door.
First of all, the lines and wait was intense. Some of us got there really early as adrenaline and anxiety won the day over sleep. I was 6th in line (I got there at 7.50 am). The line was probably 30 people long by 8.30 and stayed that way until around 9-9.30 when it exploded. I couldn't count the people (the line was at points 4-5 people wide) and it snaked down to Houston street by the time the sale opened at 11.30 (typically Mayle, it was a little late). Reporters from NY magazine and racked were there in force.
Crowd control was reasonably good. 10 people were allowed in at a time, with a few groups entering fairly quickly (I think they made sure there were only about 30-40 people in there at a time, but it was tough to tell). It was never empty in there, but it wasn't that packed or that panic stricken either. We were there for a shade under 2 hours (including bag check and byzantine check out process). By the time we left, the line was as long as before. Simply put, the demand way outstripped anybody's ability to service it. I think most people waited 3-4 hours to get in, whether they arrived 4 hours early like some of the first people, or got there at 11. It was surprising to see how some people drove up at 11 and looked aghast that they couldn't just park outside and walk in and shop.
As for the sale. It was a really mixed bag. It was not as good or well stocked as the legendary June 2007 sale, nor was the stock as cheap. The sale was/is being held in the back stockroom, so you entered through the office entrance to the side, checked bags in the big room that used to be used for old season's stock, and then entered the rest of the office area. First part of the staging area was for re-editions--the older ones were about half price/40% off--dresses averaged about $220-250; the new re-editions were full price (Vanya, Michaelas in another set of fabrics)--many around $400-475. Nobody paid attention to them. There were also some Olympe coats ($225), recuts of Fall 07's Raisa coat for $325 in black and in gray (lovely--I already own this--it runs a little smaller than the original, about a full size). There were also Josie rompers from SS 08 remade in black silk ($195), Ilaria (?) dresses based on the shirt from SS 07 for $265 in pansy lace and the Esperanza fabric, both the black and yellow colorways. Above these were new re-editions you had to special order: the new Florinda coat ($365? $325?), the pansy lace Silvania (over $400) and the Shijo dress in a variety of cottons (esperanza fabric, Via Rita and another white fabric). I think these weree about $265 too. Shoes and bags were also staged here. No Billies or Baby Billies made it to the sale. Jeanne had sold out on Friends and Family day the day before (more on that below). Huge Billie travel bags in leather and in fabric were $395 and were selling fast, especially the lovely purple one. The shoes were leopard clogs and a star version in black and silver and another matte grey pair (by far the most popular). These were initially going to be special orders as they only had the samples, but they came in around 12.30 and were immediately snatched up. They were $350 and had higher heels and a lower platform than the originals. They also ran narrower so they were no use to my wide feet.
The other staging area at the back was where you found older stock. Almost all the archival pieces had gone the day before during F and F. I doubt there were many such pieces there but it was a bit disappointing. Even if we hadn't been able to fit into them, many of us agreed we'd have loved to have seen them.
As for the stock. First of all, accessories. Slim pickings here. No belts, other than some made for reeditions. Only three pairs of ankle boots from the holiday reeditions--two white in size 36, one tan in 42 (alas, no 40 for me). $175. Samira soft-fold clutches in the satin--$50. A new lace clutch for either $50-$75--not the leather/lace one--black lace over green or pink fabric. Make up bags for $25. Madcap slippers for a song (nobody wanted them then or now), denim Jeanne bags for $75, Carribea suede bags for $125, Yves scarves in both colorways, $15. A few random old shoes in tiny or really large sizes that were immediately snatched up, along with the couple of belts that were actually real Mayle belts in fabrics from earlier seasons. Not much of any interest.
As for the clothing, not as cheap as 07, not as expensive as 08. No set price for all dresses, or all tops. Instead, styles individually priced. Basically there were 4 racks of styles--some restocking was going on, but there wasn't that much variety. Sizes 0, 2, 8 and 10 were in really short supply. I saw virtually no 10s or 0s (and I was looking for both). Most items were 4 or 6.
Knitwear. Virtually none. The new vests with the big woolen loops (not for me as they weren't my style) sold out within 10 minutes. From the old stock, the Ninon cardigan which was $75 and was not flattering on me (and too rough for my liking) was plentiful but few people were buying. A few Jeanne style sweaters with short sleeves in pink and ivory for $75. A few random ivory pieces in other styles which were snapped up soon--only in S.
Dresses. Here's what was plentiful, although sizes were largely 4 and
6. Most dresses were $125-$175, although some were $200. Lucienne
(which was an odd fit), Liliane were $175 which was odd as they were not
that expensive originally. The Lena from holiday was $200. All stock from SS 08, FW 08, Resort/Holiday 08. Note that most styles were not represented in the sale as they had sold out. Some items that were there when I first got in were snapped up within minutes:
Lucila dress (SS 08). Probably the most plentiful, although it looked like these were a little grimy but that could be the light--no windows in there and it wasn't that bright. $125
Mariposa dress--I think mainly 4s--I think these were $150. Stocked at the front by the coats.
Rosamelia (I didn't look at sizes, this one runs very big). No idea of price. Mainly ivory, some in black.
Ebba in black--runs smaller than the blue and I am not sure of sizes (I think I remember 4s and 6s). $125
Theodora dress--runs small, lots of tiny sizes. Both black and persimmon. No idea of prices as once I found no size 10, this was scratched off my list. I think people who wanted this already had it. Sample versions without the embellishments were available and I think were $125?
Tama dress--I think $150-175
Mirabella in the ivory/black colorway. These went fast. I think $175-$195.
One Kaori sample, no embellishments, $175
Jacinthe in black, in lavender/tan and a few ivory paisleys that were snapped up fast. Surprised to see this here because it was originally sold old before reductions. Must have been a recut from the original factory. I think this was $195. It runs short and a little small. I tried one on in a 6 which not only didn't fit me, it was horribly unflattering (largely because of the size issue).
Astrid--in lavender and tan and in ivory paisley. $375. Runs very big--4 fit me--and looks like a nightdress on. I passed. It is just not right for me.
Jemeen--$75. Both in ivory and in black and white, although the latter was selling out by 1.30 so I imagine this went yesterday.
Betto and the top version, Phoebe--nobody was interested in these.
$125 and $75 respectively. Fair amount of sizes but no Ls or XS.
Hilaire--I think this was $125
Lucienne in size 6 and 4. $175. Runs pretty small because of the way it goes in at the bottom. I couldn't get away with it because the bottom would have torn.
Celias in size 6 ($95) in ivory. Just a few of these. All size 6--and this dress runs large.
2 Reikos in buttercup, size 6--I think these were $195
There was also a black Nieves dress--a sleeveless dress version of the top in the black silk from SS 08 for $95.
Tops: Fewer styles, but more stock in most of these.
Paz camisole--lots of these, flimsy and in a beige. Probably cheapish
Gia camisole in blue, Gia in black.
A few ivory Zoia tops.
Delaura top--I think this is plain ugly
Zeta top (runs big)--most expensive top at $150
Helen blouse--black only. No idea of sizes or price as I have this in persimmon.
One or two of the Athenas in black and persimmon that are like Helen.
Dezhra--no idea of price, mainly in ivory
Claudie tops in beige and black--don't know sizes or prices. Sleeveless version also available.
ivory Paradiso Mitsuko, 6 only--several of these. This top is cut narrow in the back.
Mitchie in dove and rose, sizes 4 and 6. I think this sold out before I left.
Anahi in size 6 only (runs big but it is beautiful). $75.
Pants/Skirts--Other than Nia, very few of any of these
Nia skort--$75, both colorways
miniskirt from holiday/resort in both black and tan
a few random pairs of pants, mainly sizes 2-6
There were a few other isolated pieces that sold out or were grabbed in the first minutes. One black Thea ($125), a couple of Ottos in larger sizes ($195), Lena dress ($200--although a putty and black version that didn't go into production was also there when I left for the same price).
There were also random samples--Senna jacket (size 6) in gray gabardine with lavender lace centerpiece for $95. Just a little too small for me, or I would have got it.
Basically, if I hadn't got up early and had great friends passing finds to me, I wouldn't have got that much. I scored some nice pieces but this wasn't the sale for the ages that the 07 one was.
Payment and check out were in the shop itself (no stock there) and you exit through the store door.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Updates
So,this month has been a mixed bag so far. One of my main stresses--and there have been many--lay with my health care termination. This weekend, I received a package from GHI. I got COBRA! So, hopefully, the big bills I received will now largely be paid. Still no news from my prescription drug plan (that can run thousands of dollars a month for IVF) but at least some of the news was good.
Still no news from the job I interviewed for last month. After a week of mourning, I've realized I likely came in second and will not be hired. So, I'm putting that one behind me and hoping that the future brings something even better. In the meantime, my classes for the fall are pretty much full, so that's pretty flattering.
Meanwhile, the weather has been alternating between spring and fall. After 78 degrees and sun on Saturday came thunderstorms and cool winds yesterday. My Mayle Vera coat is still drying out on a chair after I got caught in the rain on the way home from class last night.
Still no news from the job I interviewed for last month. After a week of mourning, I've realized I likely came in second and will not be hired. So, I'm putting that one behind me and hoping that the future brings something even better. In the meantime, my classes for the fall are pretty much full, so that's pretty flattering.
Meanwhile, the weather has been alternating between spring and fall. After 78 degrees and sun on Saturday came thunderstorms and cool winds yesterday. My Mayle Vera coat is still drying out on a chair after I got caught in the rain on the way home from class last night.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Discipline
I love Astrid, especially in paisley. I really want it. It would be easy to pick up the phone and buy it now, or rush into Elizabeth St., credit card in hand.
But with the sample sale looming, I am trying to be sensible and show the discipline I won't display next week. So, on that note, I'm at home with the cats. The windows are open, sun is streaming through. I'm wearing Melia and listening to Stereolab and putting the finishing touches to next week's lectures.
If it is meant to be, I will have Astrid next week, but I think I want Izadora, Elvira and a few other pieces even more.
But with the sample sale looming, I am trying to be sensible and show the discipline I won't display next week. So, on that note, I'm at home with the cats. The windows are open, sun is streaming through. I'm wearing Melia and listening to Stereolab and putting the finishing touches to next week's lectures.
If it is meant to be, I will have Astrid next week, but I think I want Izadora, Elvira and a few other pieces even more.
New Re-editions--pictures up on Picasa
Any thoughts? The beautiful blue fabric from my Sonya makes a comeback. The Reikos are quite different from the ones we've seen before. Other items that are in include nia skorts and Barcelona dresses, for those of you who don't get the tweets.
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