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Dara • Sunday, May 18, 2008 •
In the shameless act of self-promotion, I thought I’d share the latest FashionJunkie.com press mention with everyone. In case you forgot to read Sunday’s Wall Street Journal, FashionJunkie.com was featured in an article about bargain shopping in the depressed economy.
Sadly, even I’ve experienced the ugliness of the recession first-hand. Case in point: my brand new Sidi spin shoes were just stolen at the gym! If you happen to find a pair of size 6 black and red Sidi’s (each shoe has a pink breast cancer tag) at Equinox on Broadway & 19th Street, they’re mine and I want them back! But I digress…
Here’s an excerpt from Wall Street Journal article, which is entitled “Where to Find a Break on Prices” and was written by Ruth Mantell.
Appealing for apparel discounts. Dara Fleischer, founder of FashionJunkie.com, an online style source, says clothing shoppers can ask stores to cut prices.
“You can bargain,” Ms. Fleischer says. “Negotiate with a salesperson about a particular item, and they’ll likely shave off a few dollars. The retailers are so desperate to sell stock, you really just have to ask.”
Stores want to keep you not just as a customer, but as a returning customer, she says.
“Especially with independent boutiques, if you are a good shopper, if you mean business, they will definitely shave off a few dollars,” Ms. Fleischer adds.
For the shave-off strategy to work, it’s important to do some comparison- shopping first – try other stores and the Internet – and be nice, she says. You can also ask for a discount of 10% to 15% off a price tag on merchandise with a little mark or a loose thread.
Click here to read the entire article.
By the way, how have you changed your shopping habits during these tight economic times? Don’t be shy… share your thoughts with the rest of the Fashion Junkie community!
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Dara • Friday, May 16, 2008 •
As a New York-based shopping editor, I’ve seen many cool retail concepts in my time. But the one I’m about to tell you about totally blew my mind. Frugal fashionistas, better get your flats and MetroCards ready!
Rather than head to the Lower East Side for my usual Saturday shopping sojourn, tomorrow I’ll be trekking north, thanks to the launch of Harlem’s Uptown Emerging Designers Market (UEDM). A hot new retail destination for cutting-edge wardrobe essentials, the UEDM is a bi-monthly market that will feature 50 of the country’s top emerging designers’ wares, including apparel, handbags, jewelry and décor.
Held at Harlem’s Hip Hop Culture Center, a massive gallery space, the UEDM will be previewing a plethora of mouth-watering merch at prices that won’t break the bank. Some designs I can’t wait to check out: Jamhuri Wear (funky African-inspired street wear), Mifflin Jewelry (a luxe bauble line with beautiful vintage details), Harriet’s Alter Ego (one-of-a-kind frocks for forward-thinking peeps), Denise Beckford (stylish safari blouses) and so many others.
If that wasn’t enticing enough, this high-energy buying extravaganza will also feature live DJ beats, complementary cocktails, swag bags and a Hip Hop History Exhibit, all of which will be held under one roof! Judging from the buzz surrounding the UEDM’s debut, you’d better show up at least 30 minutes before doors are scheduled to open. See you there!
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The Retail Details!
- What: Uptown Emerging Designers Market Launch!
- When: Saturday, May 17th & Sunday, May 18th
- Time: 11am-7pm
- Where: Hip Hop Culture Center, Magic Johnson Theatre, 2nd Floor, 2309 Frederick Douglas Blvd., NYC
- Website: uptownedm.com
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Dara • Thursday, May 15, 2008 •
Circa Now, my favorite Manhattan stomping ground for emerging labels and gently used frocks, is throwing an in-store shindig next Thursday in honor of their 4th-year anniversary. Aside from an open bar and jammin’ DJ beats, Circa Now will also be discounting all their vintage wares up to 50% off!
Despite the boutique’s pint-sized space, Circa Now carries a surprisingly large assortment of coveted labels, making it all too easy to drain your savings account (trust me on this one!). Having ventured inside the store numerous times after dining down the street at Frank (my favorite Italian resto), I’ve managed to fill my closet with a host of flirty dresses, butt-firming vintage blues, haute handbags, belts, baubles and dreamy Dolce Vita pumps (my latest impulse purchase).
If you’d like to stop by next Thursday’s Circa Now anniversary soirée, please make sure to RSVP to Kendall Roberts at kendall@circanownyc.com
Hope to see you there!
The Retail Details!
What: Circa Now Anniversary Sale
Where: 238 E. 6th Street, NYC
When: Thursday, May 22nd
Time: 12pm-8pm
Phone: 212-254-2555
Website: circanownyc.com
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Dara • Tuesday, May 13, 2008 •
Call me crazy, but doesn’t it seem as if everyone in the art and design world has been jumping-in on the superhero bandwagon lately? First came New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala, “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” and now, Diane von Furstenberg is paying homage her favorite superhero, Wonder Woman, by debuting a capsule collection in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products (on behalf of DC Comics). DVF’s haute heroine lineup includes ready-to-wear, small leather goods and footwear inspired by the iconic female superpower.
Why exactly is Furstenberg so smitten by Wonder Woman? For starters, the fictional Greek Goddess happens to share the same first name as the designer, Princess Diana. In fact, Furstenberg has kept a picture of the comic heroine in her notebook for years and her staff even once gave her a framed photo of herself in the likeness of Wonder Woman as a gift. But I digress…
Far from cartoonish, the DVF Wonder Woman collection will feature eye-catching frocks, from signature wrap dresses to shifts with corsets, adorned with shimmery sequins and, of course, stars – the ultimate symbol of empowerment (an attribute that Furstenberg is extremely passionate about). DVF boutiques will also carry a coveted assortment of Wonder Woman-inspired collectibles that go beyond bulletproof bracelets and headbands (ker-pow!). Proceeds from the sale of select items will benefit Vital Voices Global Partnership, an organization von Furstenberg is committed to that identifies and empowers emerging women leaders and socially-minded entrepreneurs. This limited-edition collection will debut in DVF boutiques as well as specialty stores worldwide in October ’08… just in time for Halloween!
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Dara • Wednesday, May 7, 2008 •
If you happen to live in or around the NYC Metro area, here’s something you might wanna check out.
Sally Tseng, a Big Apple-based designer who’s known for her meticulously tailored and fashion-forward frocks, is throwing an exclusive trunkshow at Jirisuda (a hot NoLita boutique) tomorrow night.
Round-up your posse and head to Jirisuda to sip some bubbly, schmooze and of course, shop! Plus, you’ll receive a 10% discount on all Sally Tseng items purchased at the event.
Happy shopping!
The Retail Details!
What: Sally Tseng Trunkshow
Where: Jirisuda, 248 Elizabeth Street, NYC (btw Prince & Houston)
When: Thursday, May 8th
Time: 5-8pm
Phone: 212-941-1101
Website: sallytsengny.com
