SAMPLE SALE PREVIEW: Excellent Summer Savings At The Shipley & Halmos Sale

There's a small but well chosen selection at the Shipley & Halmos men's sample sale starting this afternoon, and the prices are great. The Shophound climbed the stairs to the brand's SoHo showroom this morning to catch a preview of what's going to be available. There's a smattering of everything with a mix of Fall and Spring goods. You'll find great t-shirts and denim to wear now, and some classic knit pieces if are the sort who likes to stow away a great buy until next season. Prices start at about 60% off retail for sportswear, with even lower prices on shoes & accessories that run closer to 80% off (See the price list image in our gallery below). Sizes run toward the medium range, but if you are a fan of the label, then you should get there early. the sale runs through Saturday, but the best items will go fast.

Shipley & Halmos Sample Sale at 8 Greene Street (2nd floor) between Canal & Grand Streets, SoHo. See SALE ROLL at left for more details.

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BOUTIQUE WATCH: Saint Laurent SoHo Getting Ready To Open Any Day Now

It might not be making its reported May opening date, but the Saint Laurent boutique on Greene Street is thisclose to opening. The gold letters are above the door, and when The Shophound breezed by this morning we caught a glimpse of clothes going on racks through a briefly opened door —too brief, alas, to gather photographic proof, but you know we wouldn't make this up. It looks like the store might be open by this weekend if they're fast, and easily next weekend as long as they have enough new merchandise. Stay tuned!

Previously:
Sneak Peek: Peering Inside Saint Laurent's Greene Street Store

ALEXANDRA JACOBS GOES SHOPPING: Pre-Feminist Indignation Edition

By the end of her Critical Shopper column in today's Thursday Styles, Alexandra Jacobs seems positively offended by the new Kate Spade flagship on Madison Avenue. Maybe we should blame Mad Men, but, apparently, designers can no longer reference the styles of the late 1950s and early 1960s without somehow being believed to endorse the restrictive social mores of the moments just before modern feminism emerged.
Or mabe she just hates gingham.

Jewel tones, bad puns and smatterings of adornment on basic sportswear (contrary to the label’s origins, Ms. Lloyd finds minimalism “a bore”) — it was all a little J. Crew, but slightly askew.

That's creative director Deborah Lloyd she's referring to above, who is primarily responsible for the air of forced insouciance that has reportedly enveloped the new store. If you have a lingering obsession with Charlotte from Sex And The City or perhaps an attachment to Holly Golightly, then perhaps Kate Spade is for you, but it seems that Ms. Jacobs has already evolved beyond it all. Can't say we blame her.

Critical Shopper: Having Fun Is Hard Work By Alexandra Jacobs (NYTimes)
Kate Spade 789 Madison Avenue between 66th & 67th Streets, Upper East Side

FLAGSHIP UPDATE: Ralph Lauren Devoting Fifth Avenue Store To Polo Label + A Restaurant

An interesting twist in the Ralph Lauren Fifth Avenue flagship story has been uncovered by our friends at Racked. The 35,000 square foot store will focus exclusively on the designer's original Polo label and will include a restaurant. The information was revealed in a transcript of last week's management call:

We've... committed to open a 35,000-square foot flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City that will be a major brand statement, featuring a full assortment of Polo men's, women's and children's merchandise, as well as a restaurant. Scheduled to open in the fall of next year, we believe the flagship store will really set the stage for the broader global strategy, especially since it is located in one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

The Polo Store concept is a relatively recent addition to Lauren's extensive and growing retail network, but one that has been identified as a potentially strong vehicle for further growth. The first one was just opened in East Hampton, NY, and another is expected to bow in September at The Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey. Restaurants have also been included in Lauren Flagships in Chicago and Paris, but both concepts will be appearing for the first time in New York City at the Fifth Avenue store. Of course, Ralph Lauren's original retail stores also carried awnings that read "The Polo Shop", but that was years ago, when he only made one women's label, and the Polo brand, which he started his company with in 1967 encompassed all of his product offerings for men (The Ralph Lauren women's label and the pony insignia were introduced in 1970). Now, a profusion of brands has made the designer's original label the most affordable one that he carries in his own stores (The more moderately priced Lauren and Chaps brands were developed for department store distribution and are not sold in the designer's boutiques —yet). It makes sense to highlight it in his most tourist friendly store, while keeping the more luxurious Collection, Purple Label and Black Label lines in more rarefied locations like the twin mansions on Madison Avenue at 72nd Street. Of course, the Polo label is currently used only for Men's and Boys' products. Presumably, the new Polo Store concept will include the women's Blue Label collection which was created as a counterpart to the Polo label, although Ralph Lauren's president and COO Roger Farah intimated in a recent WWD article that the company was considering expanding the Polo brand to include women as well. As for the proposed restaurant, we don't yet know if it will be another version of the rather formal RL Restaurant found in other Ralph Lauren flagships (see menu HERE), or a new, more casual concept in keeping with the store's products (probably a lot of polo shirts and khakis) and clientele. Lauren and his team have plenty of time to decide. we will all see how it shakes out in Fall 2014 when the new store is set to open.

Ralph Lauren Fifth Ave Will Be a Polo Flagship (With a Restaurant) (Racked)
Ralph Lauren to Roll Out Polo Stores Worldwide (WWD)
Previously:
Flagship Fanfare: It's Fifth Avenue for Ralph Lauren

MOVIE TIE-IN DU JOUR: Warby Parker Meets Superman With Limited Edition 'Man Of Steel' Frames

Now that we are pretty much finished with the epic "Gatsby" hype, it's on to the next summer blockbuster. Warner Bros.' Superman reboot "Man of Steel" opens in a couple of weeks or so, and we can all expect the promotional frenzy to start ramping up right about now. While most of the films marketing is aimed at traditional superhero-themed product like action figures, t-shirts and the like, the film has looked beyond the Comic-Con crowd by teaming up with burgeoning eyewear brand Warby Parker to offer two styles of eyeglass frames for men and women inspired not so much by Superman, but by his mild mannered alter ego, Clark Kent. The squared-off Chamberlain and more rounded Percey models are suitably classic (though interestingly not made of steel at all) and feature discreet slices of color at the temples that reference the colors of Superman's classic costume (both pictured above). Like most of the brand's other frames they are available through the brand's website as well as, presumably, at its new SoHo flagship for $95 each including prescription lenses. As per company policy, Warby Parker continues to donate a pair of glasses to someone in need for each frame of any kind it sells, but for these two limited edition styles, the company will also add to that an additional $15 donation to 826NCY, a not-for-profit organization that helps students from age 6 to age 18 to develop their writing skills —so perhaps they too can one day write for the Daily Planet even if they don't happen to have a secret, superpowered sideline in heroics.

Warby Parker x Man Of Steel (Official Site)

SALE CIRCUIT: Sportswear Samples with Shipley & Halmos, Vince, Helmut Lang, Ralph Lauren & More

The Sample Sale Schedule takes on a sportier vibe this week with an even mix of sales for men and women. Shipley & Halmos kick off a highly anticipated sale on Thursday in SoHo (see above images for items that may be available), while vince. will take over Chelsea Market's sale space at midweek. Fans of emerging designers won't want to miss Archetype Showroom's multi-label offerings in NoHo featuring the latest #menswear darlings Public School alongside a host of edgy brands. The big events will happen over the weekend when Soiffer Haskin unveils its seasonal Ralph Lauren Collection sale. Expect the usual lines as America's biggest designer unloads overstock of apparel, shoes and accessories from his most exclusive collections. Look for more lines a couple of blocks uptown at Clothingline at the Helmut Lang sale. Keep an eye on our regularly updated SALE ROLL sidebar at left for details and more upcoming sales.

THIS WEEK ONLINE: Proenza Schouler, Tom Ford, Givenchy, TechnoMarine, Fendi, Ray-Ban, Prada, ZZegna, Persol, Lanvin, Adidas Y-3 & SLVR, Gant, Gucci

Here is your weekly sampling of some of the brands you can expect to find on the bigger online Flash Sale Sites this week. You should click over to the sites themselves for a full schedule of events, and be sure to check for the correct start time for each sale. Happy clicking!

GILT GROUPE

Boutique 9, Adrienne Vittadini Luggage, St. Tropez Tanning, Mayla, Saint Laurent, Moncollet, Karen Zambos, Stuhrling Watches, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Björn Borg Underwear, Just Cavalli, Bed:Stu, Wingtip Clothiers, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ben Sherman, Paul Smith, WeSC, Ike Behar, Schott, Punto Socks, Earnest Sewn, Americana Art —join HERE

RUE LA LA

Charlotte Olympia, Fendi Shoes, Jeunesse, Lily Nily Girl's Jewelry, Proenza Schouler, Gucci Watches, Magaschoni, Max & Cleo, Boby Jones, Tweezerman, The Laundress, Brookstone, Joyfolie, Vera Bradley, Andrea Candela, Stretta, Jean Dubost Lauguiole Cutlery, Matisse, TechnoMarine Watches, Vince, Anne Klein, Lilly Pulitzer, Givenchy, Calvin Klein Underwear, Joan & David, Overture Judith Leiber —join HERE

BELLE & CLIVE

Fendi, Invicta, Romeo & Juliet Couture, Socheec Fine Jewelry, Loloi Rugs, Prada, Ray-Ban, Jack Victor, Kenneth Cole, Tailor Vintage, Julieri Fine Jewelry, Gucci, ZZegna, Chan Luu —join HERE

HAUTE LOOK

Adidas SLVR, American Apparel, VanEli, TART, Y-3 by Adidas, Fergie, Bucco, Stitch's, Stuhrling Watches, Persol, Segolene, Giles & Brother, Lanvin Sunglasses, Eileen Fisher, Docker's, Calvin Klein Underwear —join HERE

MY HABIT

Ravi Ratan Cufflinks, TAG Heuer, Hamilton & Versace Watches, Joseph Abboud, Badgley Mischka, Kelsi Dagger Handbags, Knot Girls, Magppie, Savannah by Chortex
Illuminate Small Spaces: Chandeliers & Pendants, ESQ by Movado, Robert Graham Accessories, Hale Bob, Laura Ashley, Momeni Rugs —join HERE

VENTE PRIVEE

Valentino, Denon Headphones, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Barbara Rihl, Adidas Golf, Gant, Cutter & Buck —join HERE

COURSE CORRECTION: Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply Takes Over For Rugby

Yesterday saw the completion of Ralph Lauren's real estate remedy as his more popularly priced Denim & Supply brand took over the space that originally held the designer's defunct Rugby boutique on University place. It's as if he got rid of his fantasy version of collegiate wear and replaced it with something somewhat closer to what college kids actually wear. Whether the built-in NYU client base for the location will be shopping up a storm at Denim & Supply remains to be seen, but promoting the more casual, jeans-based brand seems to be a better strategy for the designer to court a younger customer.

This will be the first Denim & Supply shop in New York and the second in the U.S. after the recent Boston Rugby-store-conversion, with more to come as other locations of the folded chain get retrofitted for a new brand. Lauren's smartest move was to strip the former store's interior of its cluttery, whitewashed fixtures to open it up. The gutted aesthetic naurally works better for the new line, but of course the folks at Ralph Lauren turned around and fitted the newly stripped interior with more, different clutter. They are, after all, junkies for clutter at Ralph Lauren, but the new aesthetic at Denim & Supply is more surplus store-inspired, and not entirely unlike the way his RRL shops looked when that sub-brand debuted about 20 years ago before eventually morphing into a vintage-based collection (following the evolutions of Lauren's myriad brands can be exhausting).

Denim & Supply may well succeed as the Abercombie & Fitch/American Eagle killer that Rugby failed to become. The store is brimming with denim in every possible stage of distress from lightly faded to fully shredded with Indian fabric patches to multicolored paint-stained to brightly hued garment dyed versions. Then there are the cargo shorts in every possible camouflage or animal pattern, to be topped with chambray or maybe a polynesian print western shirt. Add some randomly placed American flags and plenty of bandannas and voilà! You have the Ralph Lauren formula for casual wear with a rock/hippie/boho edge. Expect to aee it replicated widely soon, possibly at a mall near you as the company is pushing hard for more freestanding shops for its own labels. With Abercrombie experiencing yet another wave of unfavorable PR on several fronts, The time might be right for the original Americana designer to step in and bring them down a peg or two.

Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply 99 University Place at 12th Street, Greenwich Village

NOW OPEN: A Cool Reception At SoHo's Pas De Calais

What is The Shophound to make of SoHo's newest Japanese import, Pas de Calais, which opened last month at the corner of Broome and Wooster Street? The sleek, French-inspired sportswear label that deftly mixes contemporary Gallic style with innovative Japanese textiles has launched its first international store with a sleek interior that makes the most of the space's high ceilings and long, narrow footprint to create a modern setting for the label's collections. Why, then did the sales staff respond with such a lack of enthusiasm when The Shophound wandered through the door a couple of days ago? Were they tired after a long day? One would think that as we carefully examined nearly every item on the rack featuring the men's label, Sage de Crêt (relaxed and stylish with the inevitable Japanese fascination with military garb), someone might try to engage our attention or possibly tell us something about the store's brands which most people (including The Shophound) have never heard of. It's not that we expect to have our feet kissed every time we darken the doorstep of a retail establishment. In fact, we typically like to be left alone to explore on our own, but by the same token, we don't expect to be treated as if we aren't there at all while a nearby sales associate busies herself with what must have been some very important staring off into space. There is, at least, a modicum of warmth and acknowledgement one should reasonably expect from even marginal service. Finally, as we turned to leave, we heard an icy "Thank you for coming," in a tone that could easily be interpreted to mean, "you can leave now." When we dared to ask when the store opened, since we hadn't noticed it before, "A month," was the terse response. Well, goodbye then, Pas de Calais. Good luck to you.

Pas de Calais 482 Broome Street at Wooster Street, SoHo

SHINY THINGS: Go See Liberace's Real Costumes At The Shops At Columbus Circle

If you subscribe to HBO, you couldn't possibly be unaware that the channel is finally debuting the Liberace biopic "Behind The Candelabra" this weekend, but you might have missed the notice that a small but very, very sparkly exhibition of the flamboyant pianist's actual costumes and other effects are on display this week on the second floor of The Shops at Columbus Circle. Six full costumes (including crystal encrusted footwear) loaned by the Liberace estate are on view as well as other selected memorabilia to promote the film, and they are worth seeing if only for their sheer bats#!t craziness. They are so elaborate and intricately constructed that they were actually too heavy and expensive to replicate exactly for Steven Soderbergh's film. Though the appeal of Liberace as a personality and performer defies contemporary showbiz logic, he certainly was beloved enough in his day to go as far over the top as he wanted —and his costume designers were able to take him, leaving an incredible collection of things that are peculiar to his own, unique aesthetic and worth seeing just for spectacle's sake, or maybe just a good laugh. Look at it this way: When are you ever going to get another chance to see an automobile entirely covered in Swarovski crystals?

The Behind The Candelabra Exhibition through May 27th at The Shops at Columbus Circle, Second floor