We know you want to go out and get your Kir Royale on but it's sample sale season and because the weather is turning we think it's pretty valuable to get that ball rolling. Last we checked, by the end of the Summer we'd worn through many a shirt dress and pair of vintage shorts. We wouldn't be surprised if other busy fashionistas were in our boat.Today there's a Showroom Seven sample sale and you've still a few hours to wrap up those emails and hop in a taxi to the 7th avenue festivities. Just kidding! This one runs until the 15th. With the likes of Tony Cohen, Charlotte Ronson, and Sue Stemp on sale you'll likely get a few summer frocks you never knew you needed. On Tuesday it's up to 80% off Lewis Cho. That's a lot of Cho, man. It will be current season and pre-now but like, dresses are dresses right? See you there. When one of us told the other about the Sigerson Morrison sample sale on Wednesday , the other (involuntarily) replied: 'OMFG'. Yeah, you know, gorgeous summer sandals do pull at a fashionista's heart strings. The price point is around $100, the place will be packed. 
Then, Reiss, modern purveyor of all things office-appropriate, is having their very own sample sale on Thursday so stock up on some sensible pencil skirts and really make a statement before the weekend hits. This sale requires an RSVP and, thankfully, they understand their position in the fashion world by holding the event from 6-9pm. On Friday, Rogan hits Barney's. Prepare a safety bag with first aide kit and some paper fans--this one's going to be a doozie.
Tuesday: Dear fashionable ladies, the Chaiken sample sale starts today. With dresses for $125 and trousers for $100, we're pretty sure this whole rain issue we're having here in New York won't be too much of a bother. And, sure, Chaiken can be kind of boring, but simple clothes are often the best sort for a sample sale, 'cause there's nothing like grabbing a blouse for $80 that you end up wearing for 3+ years.
Wednesday: Meet the designers of Rag & Bone, Marcus Wainright and David Neville (left), at Barney's and see the Fall 08 collection up close and personal (that's nice because at Coterie Rag & Bone was like Fort Knox, which is annoying because, uh, it's Rag & Bone). It's a trunk show ladies and gents, ditch work and go see some clothes.
Thursday: Think it's too much to hit up Barney's two days in a row? Nah. I mean, this 'aint no Rag & Bone, this is Louboutin. Take that security deposit you've been holding onto and go grab a pair of heels. It's Thursday, there's a trunk show, and it's supposed to rain so might as well hole up with some tea and drop some cash.
Friday: Olga Kapustina is having a sample sale this week which commences on Friday. Slip over and treat yourself to up 70% off her Summer collection. The rainbow and cocoa combination is really sharp, check out or spread of some the looks you can hope for at the event.
Coutorture Cocktails is our little rundown of what fashion parties and events you might want to drop in on during the week. We encourage comments on goings' on in other cities, or, you can just read on for the fun of it. You may not go out every night of the week but drop it in your planner because you might be in the neighborhood and fancy a glass of bubbly. Okay, let's get down to business...
Monday: Tying the knot? Er, interested in this bazaar spectacle called The American Dream? Well, today there's a giant wedding trade show happening over at Gotham Hall. It's called The Wedding Salon and we're guessing there will be free champagne and cake. Hey, we know a thing or two about priorities. It's on until eight so you can head over after work unless you're busy cooking supper for your man.
Tuesday: Happy eco-fashion day! Eco-friendly brand Ryann is holding a trunk show at swank health club, Clay, including the Spring 08 RTW styles and the basics that Clay normally carries. Goody bags will include health food and samples from Sonya Dakar Beauty.
Wednesday: Design Cares is putting on A Night Of Thousand Lights with benefits going to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Marchesa will be featured in a runway show and wine tasting, silent auctions, dancing, and food will be plentiful. The event will be held for the second year at Roseland Ballroom, tickets around $200.
Thursday: It feels like Dolce Vita is in constant sample sale stasis, or maybe it's just that theirs has such visible results (indeed, the next day you will see many a stacked sandal or python gladiator) that it feels like it's never ending. Welp, Thursday marks another round of mark downs. In case you aren't familiar with their Ludlow stations, 149 Ludlow street is the main shop where you'll find the current collection and their boutique offerings, two doors down is, like, their mini-shop which is meant to stock cheaper, younger styles in both clothing and shoes (as if the brand were too mature?), and then across the street is their showroom where they hold the beloved sample sales. Just knock on the sketchy metal door, it's number 156.
Friday: If you're gearing up for a personal makeover before Summer hits, check out this tutorial at Saks Fifth Avenue. Rick Dicecca, an Estee Lauder National Makeup Artist will be talking complexion and makeup tricks from 10-6. There's no better way to spend a lunch break, especially when you ate your lunch at 1030 because you were, um, starving.
Another week, another round of parties and goings' on. Strap on your new spring shoes and your weather-appropriate pre-summer layers, and hit the street.
Monday: Today marks the first day of Opening Ceremony's Super Scary sale, where new Spring merchandise is marked up to 75% off. The sale will last for the rest of the month with new deliveries being marked down upon arrival. Maybe it's the recession, maybe it's just Opening Ceremony's way of getting us in the door so that we can fall in love with all of the full price merch. Either way, 'Super scary' is an appropriate title for a month-long sale at every fashionista's favorite New York boutique.
Tuesday: Take a long lunch and visit The International Textile Design Show which runs through the 16th. If you're at all interested in trend forecasting, or are simply a textile nut, this show will have stalls of manufacturers from all corners of the world.
Wednesday: Our network partner, The Fashion Bomb, is throwing a party with Te Casan. Spring 08 shoes will be marked 20% off, The Fashion Bomb's curator, Claire Sulmers, will be djing, and cocktails will be in abundance. Te Casan, if you remember, is the label to host Natalie Portman's vegan shoe collection (100% of proceeds donated to charity). This collection, is not that which will be marked down at the party, but you know, just sayin'.
Thursday: Clothing brand Dangerous Mathematicians, in spirit of the quickly fading Lower East Side music scene, is throwing the Dirty Salsa Party at their Rivington Street boutique. Expect the usual saucy mischief as they've been known to throw some benders. The party starts at 8pm so you've plenty of time to have dinner and pop in after the party gets underway.
Friday: Technically just a regular old party, Studio B's Mighty Healthy Spring Release Party will probably produce more wild outfits than any of the week's parties combined. We therefore dub it Coutorture Cocktail worthy. What convinced us to include it is when we realized that Slick Rick would be doing his thing. Slick Rick, one of Studio B's many mascots, always inspires the bebe fashionistas to break out their crazy-gear. You could go, if you feel like it.
As part of the Fall 08 Alice + Olivia collection, designer Stacy Bendet showed this hot pink number. The line first came to fruition by way of low rise trousers and has since grown to encompass a full ready to wear collection with additional denim retail stores to boot. For her Fall 08 presentation Bendet took care of full boudoir arrangements, proving that bright colors and formal frocks need not be reserved for the red carpet (thank god). It's nice to know hot pink will be sticking around a little bit longer as it surely compliments the backdrop of a New York City street. Or maybe that's just us being a bit greedy. Truthfully, this would be a stand-out look just about anywhere. Seven Eleven anyone? Hmm..we think we feel a shoot coming on.
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