It’s all relative…

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Sample sale season in London and Paris is ahoy and I’m really trying to be selective seeing as I don’t have a bottomless bank account.  However, I’ve been very good and haven’t REALLY shopped in the past month what with the weekends away from London.  Therefore, the stash of cash is coming rather handy this week.  Especially when it was the Relative PR sale yesterday.  I’d click through on the link just to see what wares the sale was touting but in short, it’s one of London’s biggest fashion PR offices getting rid of their press/catwalk samples mainly from SS08 from the labels they represent (ok… I’ll list for listing’s sake…Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders, Jean Pierre Braganza, Emma Cook, Louise Goldin, Nathan Jenden, Nicholas Kirkwood, Poltock & Walsh, Todd Lynn, Emilio de la Morena… all the goodie stuff that I like to harp on about…).  So unlike other public sample sales, this is truer to the real definition of sample sale in that, the sizes are all pretty much modelsque.  Someone trying on Christopher Kane’s SS08 frayed jeans squealed ‘What model could get into these?!?’, herself being rather svelte.

Still, racks and racks of all those labels’ very recognisable collections with prices that are up to 90% off… triple quadruple perusing was necessary.  Christopher Kane’s SS08 denim tiered ruffled skirts were popular buys at ¬£150 a pop.  Jonathan Saunders AW07 gradiated maxidresses were tempting.  A lot of Todd Lynn sharp black blazers were snapped up.  Emilio de la Morena’s SS08 patchwork denim coloured waistcoats and skirts were also skimmed over quite a bit.  Antipodium had the bargain buys.  So, I could have been a bit smart and gone for perfect Todd Lynn tailoring, on-trend (urgh… no, not that word….) light denim to see me through the summer, shirt dresses from Miki Fukai, Jean Pierre Braganza skinny trews or some Nicholas Kirkwood ‘fierce’ black pumps for the new season…. ok, must stop listing and get to the point. 

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In the end, I did what I always do at these affairs and plumped for what the heart desires and not what the head thinks I need.  ‘Umming’ and ‘Ahhing’ and not wanting to queue for changing rooms mean that these Pierre Hardy for Louise Goldin ankle boots that were used in the AW08-9 catwalk show, were pretty much instant-love.  The funny thing is, as soon as I saw these, I remembered the story behind them which was that Louise Goldin begged Pierre Hardy to collaborate with her for AW08-9 and he kindly obliged, and these shoes represent the collaboration between something of a 21st century shoe king and an up and coming designer whom Hardy DIDN’T have to help… plus, they’re peep toe, in grey patent combined with a wicked space-knit stretch fabric and of course…there is that signature Hardy engineered heel…

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The second buy was again a bit of a catwalk showpiece but deceptively versatile.  Only a few days ago KOS heaped some love on Poltock & Walsh’s SS08 ruffles and likened their take on this seasonal trend to ‘Beth Ditto’ proportions…as in big and bold.  So this Poltock & Walsh ruffle neck piece (chest piece?) was a no-brainer.  I had accidently left my Forever 21 clear paillette grey dress at my boyfriends house and having been back at home too try it on over some other things, it seems this ruffle piece can go over a great number of things with the fit of the straps providing a very elaborate way of belting things up.

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A decorative haul that will look very pretty once I move out of my hovel and I start arranging things more artfully than um …..the shitty pile on the floor that is in front of me….

54 comments

  1. susie,
    hi I’m extremely jealous.
    Do u need to get invited for this sale ? Is it still going ?
    Thank you !

  2. I actually squealed out loud at those shoes. Why can’t I live in London? Or at least not across water. 🙁

  3. SUSIE! Amazing buys, they’re drop dead gorgeous and so very you. I’m not quite sure I understand those heels but I know they’re good. Mmmm gray patent…

  10. It was a one night only thing and yes, also invite only… I actually only got the invite late afternoon and I was thinking ‘This could possibly make my day…’ and it did….
    Wish these type of sales could be publicised but sadly that isn’t the case…

  11. I did go in the end, got J.Saunders transparent/gradiated dress, Emma Cook denim skirt and Adele Clarke ‘patchwork’ shoes…so glad I decided to go, but went late so the shopping was a bit frantic! Wish I could have combed through a bit more. Was tempted to buy the bargain C.Kane to sell on ebay (prices went even lower at the end), but that’s not really in the spirit of things, is it?
    xj

  16. fabulous buys…I especially love the shoes…Very you…I can imagine they’ll go with so many tings as well!

  19. I’ve never commented here before but read all the time….AND I LOVE THOSE SHOES!

  20. How do you find yourself getting invited to these sales Susie? Is it through your blog? I’m so jealous! I love the neck/chest piece.

  21. I wish I was there to visit the sample sales! What I really enjoy about your style is that you really seem to be having fun and these new pieces and your write-up really solidifies that feeling for me.

  22. Well… it’s not really directly because of the blog… but sort of…. !
    The shoes are being pampered but will be aired as soon as I find myself some proper space knit to wear with them…

  23. Well, I think following your heart is a great way to shop! Sample sales are like “kid in a candy store” moments, surely not a time to be practical! I honestly can’t decide whether I like the shoes or the neck piece better…I tend to always let shoes win though 😉

  26. wow! 90% off… how I wish sales in my side of the planet could go as much as that. haha
    Anyways, I love your use of colour in that ensemble! Great buys, indeed!

  28. Love the ruffles, and your last pose (it’s great to see you having fun posing, and it’s too cute for words).

  29. Incredible! Hooray for your F21 dress being that perfect “blank” canvas for your ruffles and awesome boots. You’re going to have so much fun with those pieces, I can tell.

  31. ah I love it all! It’s very ‘you’ but more refined. It’s everything you love; interesting shapes, bright colors, layering but done in a sharp way. I hope you wear it out like that! I esp. love the shoes!

  33. Wow! I have such a lust for those shoes! The ruffly thing is great as well.

  36. Oh god Susie you are killing me! I got that email about the sample sale and immediately thought about those exact ankle boots. Those and any piece from Christopher’s collection. But I’m not in London again. Worst! Maybe I’ll give them an email and see if they have any left overs…
    Can’t wait to hear about the new job! Good luck in whatever you are up to.

  40. Hello I am a big fan of your blog I think you have some really awesome and clever things to say.
    I am a design student and I was just wondering what you do, how do you manage to pick up these amazing clothes?! I can’t afford jack-squat 😛

  41. I am so envious!!!!!!
    I unfortunately live in Memphis TN (I can’t complain too much, as it is my choice to be here right now) and we don’t have sample sales.
    Oh well, congrats on your finds, they are totally you (even though I don’t really know you). I do know you will put them to good use however, and they will not get stuck in your closet, wishing and waiting to be worn. : )

  49. Omg, I love this outfit so freaking much. I just want to steal the whole thing from you!!!

  50. love the shoes, really unique. i can’t believe they sell all the stuff so cheaply, i know fashion moves 6 months fast but these are s/s08s and it IS almost summer 🙂

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