How to bag a bargain
Published on Tuesday 17th April 2007
I love designer clothes and am happy to pay for the quality and unique design concepts. But if I can get designer clothing at a discount it’s even better! There are a few places to bag a bargain.
London Fashion Weekend  Held twice a year following London Fashion Week at the Natural History Museum. It’s a mammoth event with around 14,000 people attending over four days. Around 130 designers have stands offering clothing, shoes, jewellery and other accessories all heavily reduced. I find it a bit of a free-for-all and would only brave it on the Friday whilst most people are at work. But those looking for a real bargain and who are prepared to elbow their way through the crowds should go late Sunday where retailers are more likely to mark down prices so they don’t have to carry the stock home. Don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price!
Secret Sample Sale With it’s location at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane it’s the perfect sale to pick up samples and excess stock from new designers such as Aimee McWilliams, Bërubë, and one of my personal favourites, Katarzyna Szczotarska. Also on offer are Celine, Tods and Marc Jabobs handbags and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Fashion Forward This is an interesting concept. While it ‘s a sample sale, it’s a forward sample sale meaning that it’s the next season’s stock rather than past season stock like the other sample sales. I snapped up a Missoni long padded parka from the autumn/winter 07 collection for just £157! The Valentino and See by Chloe sales are on soon.
Billion Dollar Babes You have to become a member to go to these sales but it’s well worth it. They hold invitation only (to members) sales in the US and UK throughout the year featuring high-end, contemporary and emerging labels such as Vivienne Westwood, Rebecca Taylor and Tocca.
Another way to either buy past season stock, samples or forward order straight from the catwalk is to get added to designer’s email lists. That way you’ll be in the loop if they have their own sample sales or season previews. However you buy it, the pleasure and quality of designer clothing is worth paying the premium for.
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