THIS WEEK ONLINE: Zac Posen, Burberry, Sandro, Ted Baker, Prada, TAG Heuer, M Missoni, Brooks Brothers, Versace, Cole Haan, Oliver Peoples, Baldwin, Vince

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. Shop well!

GILT GROUPE

Zac Posen, Portolano, Atelje 71 Shoes, Oliver Peoples, Fendi Watches, Sandro, Vince, Save Khaki, TAG Heuer/Omega Watches, Baldwin, Ben Sherman, Daily Commute, Victorinox Swiss Army Knives, Happy Socks, Brioni, Jan Leslie, Closette —join HERE

RUE LA LA

Burberry, Surya, Samuel B., Laundry by Shelli Segal, Hatchery, EPIC Shirtmakers, ThirdLove —join HERE

BELLE & CLIVE

M Missoni, MARC by Marc Jacobs, BCBGeneration, Prada, Swiss Legend, Burberry, Foley + Corinna, TOD's, Lacoste, Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna —join HERE

HAUTE LOOK

Cole Haan, Brooks Brothers, Sue Wong, Birkenstock, Lafayette 148, Natori, Skarlett Blue, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Rogue, Nat Nast, Black Orchid —join HERE

MY HABIT

Gucci, Les Copains, Armani Collezioni, Isabella Fiore, Stuart Weitzman, Koolaburra, BB Dakota, Michele Watches, Alessandro Dell'Acqua Rouge, DITA, Donald J Pliner, American Crew, Martin Gordon, VERSUS Versace Watches, DC Shoes, Onia Swimwear, Vivienne Westwood Shoes, TAG Heuer, Ted Baker, Raymond Weil, Ted Baker —join HERE

UNDERGROUND SHOPPING: The Columbus Circle Subway Station's Upcoming Retail Tenants Are More Chelsea Market Than MTA

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The Columbus Circle subway station has been under renovation for so long that we almost forgot that it was supposed to have shops lining the block-long underground walkway that spans Eighth Avenue from underneath the Hearst Building south of 57th Street to Time Warner Center at 58th. Today, however a list of the carefully curated tenants was released that reveals the elaborate plan to take advantage of the  90,000 people who pass through the 14,750 square foot space every day.
To be called Turnstyle, (see renderings above) the shopping complex will  include a mix of food and fashion retailers staring with a food court with seating on the southern side slated to include Ignazio’s Pizza, Gelato Ti Amo, MeltKraft grilled cheese, Bosie Tea Parlor, Ellary’s Greens organic café and an unnamed cupcake shop meant to replace Magnolia Bakery which pulled out of a proposed store. Live music will also be added to the mix according to Susan Fine, the developer of the concourse who revealed the plans to the Observer. On the north end, another grab 'n go food section will bring  Dylan’s Candy Bar, Georgia’s Café and Bakery, The Nut Box, Fika espresso bar,Just Falafel street food and By Suzette crepes. Connecting the food will be an "impulse buy" section expected to include Blossom Du Jour vegan fast-food, Spectre & Co. men’s accessories, Studio Manhattan handbags and accessories, Lush handmade bath products, Arth hats, Specs New York eyewear and Kit’s Underground Wine and Spirits. A lease is reportedly out for a Papyrus card shop as well.
Given the upscale improvements in the neighborhood such as The Shops at Columbus Circle and the highly anticipated Nordstrom flagship at 57th Street and Broadway with its vast luxury tower above, developers made a special effort to avoid the typical newsstand/candy store/shoe repair combination typically found in midtown subway stations. Of course, there is always the chance that no matter how affluent the commuters, sometimes all they really want or need is a newsstand, a candy shop and, most importantly, a shoe repair when they are coming and going from work. It is hoped that new stores will be opening by the end of the year, and then we will see if the Columbus Circle retail arrangement will become a template for other large subway stations throughout the city.

Slate of Hot Retailers Headed Below Ground at Columbus Circle (Commercial Observer)

ABRUPT DEPARTURES II: Kent And Curwen Shutters On Madison

What was supposed to be a grand relaunch and repositioning of a British heritage brand seems to have quietly fizzled as Kent and Curwen has just closed the flagship boutique it opened at 816 Madison Avenue just last year. Obscured by some unceremonious scaffolding when it opened, it was easy to understand why shoppers might have missed the store that was meant to launch the brand into the U.S. menswear market with creative director Simon Spurr newly installed to update the brand, but now, fully visible, it seems to have closed a couple of weeks ago. Spurr's collections have attracted good press and are currently hanging in Bloomingdales's and Saks Fifth Avenue for the Spring 2015 season as a worthy sequel to his own label from which he had previously separated. Exactly what is happening with the brand for the future seems to be unclear to the casual observer. Though there are still Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for the brand updated as recently as mid-May, the label's own website has vanished and now redirects to its parent company Trinity, part of apparel giant Li & Fung, which also owns venerable menswear brands like Cerruti 1881 and Gieves & Hawkes among others. Though there seems to be no evidence of a Fall 2015 collection to be found online except for a brief video interview with Spurr released by Forbes Magazine a couple of weeks ago, Kent and Curwen is still listed as a participant in the upcoming New York Men's Fashion Week for Spring 2016 set for July, so we aren't quite sure what the plan is for this brand. It seems obvious that a spacious boutique on the most expensive stretches of Madison Avenue was perhaps overkill for a little known English label, so maybe a move to a less rarefied spot downtown is in order? Time will tell, but as Spurr has engineered an appealingly stylish update of the brand for a younger, hipper market, it would be a shame to see it sputter out before it has really had a chance to catch on.

ABRUPT DEPARTURE: Band Of Outsiders Appears To Be Shutting Down

Perhaps that big Band Of Outsiders sample sale a few weeks ago was more of an effort to raise funds than just a warehouse clearance. Multiple fashion media sites are reporting that the widely admired decade old label has laid off most of its staff, cancelled Fall 2015 (pictured left) orders and is either closing down completely or undergoing a radical reorganization. 
While no official comment was offered, WWD managed to get ahold of the founder and designer Scott Sternberg who was also non committal. "Nobody knows anything at this point but me," he was quoted as saying, "and I’ve been advised not to comment at this time."

Just last year, the label appeared to be chugging along more than nicely with its first retail store recently opened in Tokyo, and another about to open in SoHo. Exactly what is plaguing the brand remains unclear, and while it appears to be folding, there remains the possibility that the label could be revived under a new business arrangement. The SoHo store is reportedly still open, and the entire industry seems to be awaiting an official announcement.

Band of Outsiders Reportedly Shuttering Business (WWD)

SAMPLE CIRCUIT: James Perse Redux Sale In SoHo + Buccellati, Tory Burch & More

The Holiday weekend hasn't slowed down the Sample Sale season too much.
Today begins a surprise second round of JAMES PERSE's seasonal sample sale which has migrated to Wooster Street in SoHo with new merchandise including shoes and the belated arrival home furnishings. Those waiting for the usual end of the week reductions in last weeks installment may have to hold out until this weekend for the deepest savings.
Uptown, 260 Sample Sale's home base is being taken over by Euro-prep label SCOTCH & SODA starting today through the weekend. expect an array of all the brand's products including the Maison Scotch women's collection.
Those in the market for some higher fashion will be heading to Northern Chelsea for sleek women's designer label OHNE TITEL's sale. Look for deep savings that will include both samples as well as overstock through Saturday the 30th from designers Alexa Adams and Flora McGill.
Got enough clothes? Soifer Haskin will be devoting its entire facility to Italian jewelry and silver master BUCCELLATI (pictured above) for three days starting tomorrow the 27th. The sale will cover everything from precious jewelry to watches to tableware and gifts to one-of-a-kind items in silver and precious materials.
Finally, Sunday will have the faithful lining up outside Clothingline in the Garment District for another TORY BURCH sale featuring shoes, accessories and clothing from last Fall and season before.
That's not all. Keep an eye out for sales from JENNY PACKHAM and FABIOLA PEDRAZZINI as well.
Next week, get ready for another big RALPH LAUREN luxury sale along with blockbusters from VINCE, REBECCA TAYLOR and more.
As always, keep an eye on our SALE ROLL sidebar at left for details and more late-breaking events.

THIS WEEK ONLINE: Anna Sui, Missoni, Versace, Hugo Boss, Rick Owens, Band of Outsiders, Marimekko, Prada, New Balance, Ermenegildo Zegna, Azzedine Alaïa

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. Shop well!

GILT GROUPE

Missoni, Splendid, Furla, Anna Sui, Pour La Victoire, House of Harlow 1960, Renvy, Azzedine Alaïa, Kate Spade, Kenneth Jay Lane, ViX Swimwear, Mono Maternity, Lifetime Collective, Andrew Marc, Ecoalf, Herschel Supply Co., Moods of Norway, Ermenegildo Zegna, WMF, Surya, Waterworks, Assouline —join HERE

RUE LA LA

Prada, BB Dakota, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hartmann Luggage, nuLOOM Rugs, Bruno Magli, Damiani & Bliss, Neck & Neck, Marimekko —join HERE

BELLE & CLIVE

IIIbeca by Joy Gryson, Chan Luu, Vanhi Jewelry, Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss, Gucci, TOD's Sisley Skincare, Wyatt, Amour Jewelry, Puma, Saint Laurent, James Jeans —join HERE

HAUTE LOOK

Versace, Hugo Boss Watches, Equipment, Current/Elliott, Elie Tahari, Adidas Y-3,  Calypso St, Barth, Dogeared, Badgley Mischka, Roxy, CATHERINE, Catherine Malandrino, Romeo & Juliet, 7 For All Mankind, L.A.M.B., Reef, TailorByrd —join HERE

MY HABIT

Zelda, Steve Madden, Donald J Pliner, Tahari by ASL, Cosabella, Cyclic, Stuhrling, 3X1, Oniss Watches, Rick Owens/Lilies/DRKSHDW, Custo Barcelona, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Prada, Perry Ellis, GEOX, Izod, Invicta, Band of Outsiders, Jimmy Choo, Stitch's, Jonathan Adler, New Balance —join HERE

MOLLY YOUNG GOES SHOPPING: Longhand Specialist Edition

In this week's Thursday Styles, Molly Young is less our Critical Shopper than she is our enthralled one.
Ms. Young has discovered the kind of arcane little store that chain stores and real estate investors have made increasingly rare these days. CW Pencil Enterprise is a tiny shop devoted exclusively to writing implements of graphite wrapped in wood —no fountain pens or magic markers, just pencils. It is clearly a labor of love, and what it lacks in commercial potential it seems to make up for in earnest charm, "as if Captain Ahab opened a boutique of whale trinkets," our shopper writes.
And who really wants to give a critical assessment of a store designed to preserve interest in a slowly dying writing tool? Certainly not our shopper. The merchandise is highly affordable and adds a nice touch to a desk. Our shopper is converted to a pencil believer mainly because they really are still useful despite our current cultural predilection with communicating by keyboard,

Because pencils have a credible use, this single-minded store is able to transcend its novelty status. It’s more like a guitar shop than, say, a place devoted solely to popcorn or ice cream sandwiches (both of which are actual stores that exist within a five-block radius of this one).

We're sold. hope they have good sharpeners.

Critical Shopper A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way By Molly Young (NYTimes)
CW Pencil Enterprise 100a Forsyth Street between Broome & Grand streets, Lower East Side

SAMPLE CIRCUIT: Pre-Holiday Sample Spree Starring Chloé, Phillip Lim & James Perse

After last week's Manolo Blahnik shoe battle —hey, at least it wasn't biker gangs— this week's Sample Sale schedule is a little lighter with some old favorites and a skittish newcomer.
The newcomer is CHLOÉ whose sale was supposed to start today, but moved back to yesterday for only two days at C21 Edition —which is fast becoming a sample sale destination for designer labels which don't often hold such events regularly in New York. If you can get there in time today, there may be something left, but we have heard that the handbag hordes have been hoarding the stock, and it has been kind of a mob scene.
Perhaps you will fare better at NANCY GONZALEZ at the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown. Gonzalez has been a favorite for her lavish but relatively  well priced exotic skin handbags and accessories in vibrant colors. Look for lots of Crocs, and we don't mean the rubber shoes, through Wednesday.
Sample size wearers will have a blast at the WANT AGENCY sale (pictured above) which we stopped by yesterday. There was only a smattering of bags and accessories from the covetable accessory brand WANT LES ESSENTIELS de la VIE, but there was a good amount of chic French-Preppy sportswear from MAISON KITSUNÉ along with elegant women's shoes form MICHEL VIVIEN and durable men's footwear from SWIMS. Keep an eye out for menswear from the up-and-coming Japanese men's label TOMORROWLAND and luxury technical wear from ARC'TERYX VEILANCE and more through Friday the 22nd.
Staring today, sportswear fave JAMES PERSE launches his big seasonal sale full of easy California casual wear for men, women and children at around 70% off to start. You can never have enough super-soft tees, tanks and sweats, so if you like to live in loungewear, or just need to stock up on cozy cotton knits, this is a sale you won't miss. It runs through Sunday at 260 Fifth Avenue and traditionally prices go down towards the final days. Check the gallery below for a glimpse at what's inside and the price list.
Down in SoHo at 260 Sample Sale on Wooster Street, look for more crowds at 3.1 PHILLIP LIM's sale promising savings on the designers' Men's and Women's clothing, shoe and accessory lines. Running through Friday, the sale will donate a portion of its proceeds to the RED CROSS to support its Earthquake relief efforts in Nepal.
On Wednesday, LELA ROSE will hold a two-day sale in the garment district featuring her Resort and Spring 2015 collections reduced up to 75% off retail, and also on Wednesday, THEORY starts off its seasonal sale series with a men's only sale in Chelsea Market through the weekend that promises up to 60% off but may well go lower as such things are inclined to.

Keep an eye on our SALE ROLL at left for updated details and information including the last minute late braking sales that will pop up at any moment.

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Click the thumbnails for a look inside the James Perse Sample Sale at 260 Fifth Avenue

COLLABORATION ANTICIPATION: H&M x Balmain Collaboration Announced On Twitter, Instagram & The Red Carpet UPDATED

In a first for H&M, the chain's big Fall designer collaboration was announced by its designer on the red carpet of an awards show. At last night's Billboard Music Awards red carpet, Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing  announced the upcoming collaboration flanked by models Jourdan Dunn and ubiquitous multimedia phenomenon Kendall Jenner (pictured below). His cohorts were reportedly dressed in looks from the upcoming collection, though it is unusual for H&M to release any kind of preview this far ahead of the launch date, November 5th. Further confirmation soon came from both Rousteing's and H&M's Instagram and Twitter feeds. While H&M has yet to issue a full press release, the only other bit of information we know is that the collection will include both women's and men's clothing and accessories, and, of course, can best be followed on social media with the hashtag #HMBalmaination. Will there be some good biker pants? It's a good bet, and something to ponder before the fast fashion giant opens its biggest store on the planet on Wednesday at the former Herald Center.
See some relevant embeds below, and stay tuned for updates.

UPDATED with the official images & video.
In an official statement designer Olivier Rousteing says, "I want to talk to my generation: this is my main purpose as a designer. H&M allows me the unique possibility of bringing everyone into the world of Balmain, getting a piece of the dream and creating a global #HMBalmaination: a movement of togetherness, fueled on a hashtag. The collaboration felt extremely natural to me because everybody can connect with the H&M brand. It calls for unity, and I am all for it."

Olivier Rousteing announces the upcoming Balmain x H&M collaboration on the red carpet at the Billboard Music Awards with Jourdan Dunn and Kylie Jenner dressed in outfits from the collection

FIFTH AVENUE FAREWELL: FAO Schwarz Officially Closing In July

We have been hearing about FAO Schwarz's departure from its longtime home in the GM Building on Fifth Avenue for months, years even, but now we have a more definitive date —and it's practically upon us. Bloomberg Business is reporting that the renowned toy store will be shuttering its iconic store sometime in July, well in advance of the end of its lease in 2017 leaving the company without a physical store as it searches for a new flagship. Toys "R" Us Inc,  which owns FAO Schwarz, promises that a new store should be open by late 2016, which leaves a long stretch for the company to be without an outlet. Recent rumors have had the company eyeing a large Apple Store-like space in the Paramount Building at 1633 Broadway between 50th and 51st Streets that is best known as the former home of space-age theme restaurant Mars 2112. The building itself is configured similarly to the GM Building with a front plaza and situated just above tourist friendly Times Square which would make the proposed FAO Schwarz store an appropriate replacement for the immense Toys "R" Us store that is also set to depart its home a few blocks downtown.
So far, the only thing that is confirmed is the Fifth Avenue store's impending closure, though a replacement site should be determined so. As for the expansive space in the GM building to be vacated, most speculation has it being subdivided to create a few separate retail spaces, although a big store with deep pockets could come along and take the whole thing. With Apple in front, and a temporary Cartier store on the other side that may become permanent, it will become one of the highest profile unclaimed retail sites in midtown.

FAO Schwarz’s Manhattan Store to Close in July as Rents Rise (BloombergBusiness)