SAMPLE CIRCUIT: ETRO's First U.S. Sample Sale Leads The Week With Helmut Lang, Montblanc, Buccellati, Isaia & More

It's a big sample sale week for luxury fans, and the main event kicks it off today. Here are some highlights:

ETRO is has become more than just a cult label for people who love prints. It now ranks among the most coveted luxury brands which, like Loro Piana, evolved out of its original fabric business and remains one of the most skillful producers of intricately printed silks. Now they are everything from knitwear to footwear to jewelry and fragrance and accessories, most of which will be found at the Metropolitan Pavilion when its first Sample Sale in the United States opens its door to the public this afternoon. Lazar Media group has been aggressively promoting the sale, so it will be a must-shop for New York's Etro fans —of which there are many. Yesterday's VIP preview was full of the brand's signature prints ranging from the classic paisleys that are its signature to all manner of other patterns making for a nearly psychedelic array of apparel for both men and women. Needless to say, this is not a sale for minimalists looking for basics, but it is full of special pieces. Nearly everything they make is a showpiece of sorts, and the assortments covered multiple seasons and collections. The venue was split down the middle evenly divided for men and women. Shoppers found plenty of Sweaters and other knitwear along with apparel and lots of shoes (see a glimpse of the tables pictured above). Conspicuously missing, however was a broad assortment of the label's core categories, scarves and ties. Those items, perhaps are strong enough sellers that only a handful of each were left, but there is plenty of everything else for Etro fans at a blanket 80% the original prices for all merchandise. That still leaves some special pieces at lofty prices, but by and large shoppers should not be disappointed. Shop through Wednesday.

That's not all for Italian luxury this week. On Tuesday, in SoHo, Neapolitan hand-tailored clothing label ISAIA (which has its own enthusiastic cult of followers) opens its seasonal sale along with its slightly more directional and ever so slightly less expensive little brother EIDOS. Expect the usual selection of sumptuous suiting as well as the full lifestyle collections of sportswear, shoes and accessories from both labels. The sale takes place through Saturday at spacious 151 Wooster Street which suggests that there will be a lot of goods to choose from.

Up at 260 Fifth Avenue, MONTBLANC will be launching a four-day sale through Friday featuring watches, leather goods, jewelry and, of course, those famous writing instruments. Strategically scheduled right before Fathers' Day, this will be a popular stop for last minute gift shoppers.

A few blocks uptown and across town, Soiffer Haskin will be filling its display cases with art crystal, silver and jewelry from France's DAUM and Italy's BUCCELLATI. The three-day sale (through Thursday) completes the Euro-luxury theme of the week, but there is still plenty more on the schedule.

HELMUT LANG will take up residence at Chelsea Market once again starting on Wednesday the 7th featuring up to 60% off women's and men's collections from the Spring Season. Fans of the current incarnation of Helmut Lang should make sure not to miss this , since the label is transitioning into yet another concept this fall featuring capsule collections with guest designers. Shop through Sunday.

Finally, on Saturday, ESCADA will make its seasonal appearance at Soiffer Haskin through the following Wednesday rounding out a very full week.

See our SALE ROLL sidebar at left former sales, locations, hours and other details as well as any late-breaking events as we update regularly this week.
Next week, contemporary powerhouses Alice and Olivia and Theory (again) arrive along with more to come.