SaksFifthAvenue

Designer Baby Satchels at Saks

Even mothers want to make a stylish statement when pushing their prams and if they're going to be lugging around all of that baby gear it might as well be in a designer bag. I knew that more affordable designers like JP Lizzy and Vera Bradley made diaper bags but honestly until today I didn't realize such iconic names like Prada, Juicy Couture and Burberry were brandished on baby totes.

Saks Fifth Avenue has a large collection of designer baby satchels for the fashion forward mama ranging from $158 to $1,100. These bags don't look like any ordinary diaper bag and they definitely don't portray any pastel colored or yellow ducky themes. They are sophisticated yet functional and will blend into everyday life without shouting 'Baby on Board'! Peruse the gallery to select a fantastic baby bag for some lucky mom you know.

Gallery: Saks' Designer Baby Bags

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Tags: baby bags, baby satchels, BabyBags, BabySatchels, saks, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue

Department Stores Stock The Aisles With Fewer Items

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

For those still out shopping last winter, department stores represented a rare opportunity, tons of inventory marked deeply down. Don't expect that magic to happen again. More and more stores are announcing that they are reducing inventory so as not to be left holding the bag if shoppers fail to show up. Saks CEO, Stephen Sadove tells Bloomberg that "across the board you are going to find less of the sizes, less of the availability in almost all of the categories." He also says that markdowns won't be as dramatic as they were last year. While in previous years the buzzword was "masstige" offering luxury for everyone now Sadove says that "luxury has always been about scarcity."

The ripple effect of department stores cutting back inventory has already made it increasingly hard for some designer labels to survive. Neiman Marcus and Saks have both said they are cutting back on lines that don't sell well and linger on the racks. And the recession also seems to be stifling creativity a bit. Stores are looking for staples, classics and safe bets to stock their stores. The avant-garde, trendy and daring is too risky if there are fears that it won't sell. Brands are making one or two versions of a particular style rather than a wider range. Retail sales are expected to rise slightly by the end of this year but it won't be enough to make up for last year's sharp losses.

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Tags: department stores, DepartmentStores, luxury, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, stores

Saks Discounts Spring Clothes, Will Anyone Care?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

We've seen it for years, the rapid-fire rush through the seasons. We no sooner say goodbye to one holiday than the next one is already being pushed at us in retail stores. But now that the economic slowdown has created a logjam in the process of rapid acquisition and dispersion, the stores have a problem. How do they get the merchandise out?

The obvious answer is sales and as Fashion Week Daily reports Saks Fifth Avenue is already selling Spring 2009 merchandise at 40 percent off and Barneys is set to follow suit next week. The depth of the discount is no surprise. Since the screech-to-a-stop holiday season last year department stores have been sawing away at prices to keep people shopping. In fact, at this point one has to wonder if 40 percent is even enough to get people excited. NY Mag's The Cut said, "call us when they hit 75 percent." The bright spot for stores is that they were better prepared for Spring 09 than they were for Fall/Winter 08 so there is less inventory to get rid of which does mean the discounts probably won't run as deep.

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Tags: department stores, DepartmentStores, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, sales

Dior Two-Textured Leather Satchel, Handbag of the Day

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

The Dior Two-Textured Leather Satchel is an unusual find!

If you think you know Christian Dior, you're probably surprised. With its unusual shape, gothic buckles, and innovative texture, this purse seems to come from a whole new Dior genre!

Perhaps its a 1980s Vivienne Westwood inspiration -- the 80s is definitely back. In any case, this 20"W X 11"H X 4"D purse is crafted from pebble leather and croc-textured leather, giving it a truly unique look. The adjustable buckle strap, grommet and buckle details, and bold black shape make it truly anomalous.

That, along with the durable nylon lining and soft leather exterior make this a perfect bag for a night of rock and roll and unexpected excitement. The phrase "buckle up" comes to mind ...

The Dior Two-Textured Leather Satchel is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $2,950.

Tags: christian dior, dior, handbag of the day, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue

Saks and Neiman Marcus Announce Major Job Cuts

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

I mentioned back in November that Saks Fifth Avenue would be cutting capital spending in 2009. We are a few weeks in to the year and Saks Inc. has decided to cut about 1,100 corporate and store positions, which represents nine percent of its total workforce. The company has also taken away merit-based wage increases this year for all employees and suspended 401(k) matching. Saks will also be reducing inventory and trimming other expenses wherever they can.

The reason for all these cuts is the lack on consumer spending. Bloomberg quotes Pete Hastings, a fixed-income analyst with Morgan Keegan & Co. who says that this may only be the beginning of department store cutbacks. After the worst holiday season in around 40 years consumers haven't rushed into the stores in January. Saks posted a 20 percent sales decline in December even after major markdowns on their goods.

Neiman Marcus will also be making some similar changes. The company announced it plans to cut 375 jobs, or 2.3 percent of its workforce a response to their own December slump which saw a 28 percent drop in sales at stores open at least a year.

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Tags: department store, DepartmentStore, layoffs, neiman marcus, NeimanMarcus, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue

L.A. Fashion Fixture Tracey Ross Closes, Citing Economy

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Tracey Ross, which has held a prominent place in the L.A. retail scene for the past 18 years, has just announced it will close on New Year's Eve in a terse statement to WWD: "Of course it's the economy."

Known for its high-end collection of designers like Peter Som, Stella McCartney and Thakoon, the shop catered to celebs including Kate Hudson and many of LA's well-known tastemakers.

Owner Tracey Ross lamented that it has become "impossible to compete" when mega-retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue are marking down merchandise to 80% off retail.

Gallery: Brands in Trouble

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Tags: los angeles, LosAngeles, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, shopping, tracey ross, TraceyRoss

'White Christmas' Inspired Bags, Handbag of the Day

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Holiday Guides

'Tis the season for blankets of snow and frosted branches, ski trips and furry boots, and new handbags to match the winter white theme. Whether you are shopping at Saks, Bergdorfs, Nordstroms, Neimans or Barneys there are clean, colorless clutches, totes and hobos to suit the season. Here are a few of my favorites inspired by the holiday tune, 'White Christmas' that are chic, sophisticated and frosty including the Nablak Vernice Tote from Prada pictured above.

Coach's Op Art Sabrina - $298 at Nordstroms
Bottega Veneta's Medium Veneta Hobo - $1,550 at Barneys
Yves Saint Laurent Medium Calypso Bag - $2,095 at Saks
Dolce and Gabbana's Washed Leather Dome - $2,125 at Bergdorfs
Escada Ostrich Shoulder Bag, Small - $3,990 at Neimans

Gallery: 'White Christmas' Handbags

Dolce & Gabbana Washes Leather Dome in White

Tags: barneys, bergdorf goodman, BergdorfGoodman, bottega veneta, BottegaVeneta, coach, dolce and gabbana, DolceAndGabbana, escada, neiman marcus, NeimanMarcus, neimans, norstroms, prada, saks, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, white christmas, white handbag, white handbags, white-christmas, WhiteChristmas, WhiteHandbag, WhiteHandbags, yves saint laurent, YvesSaintLaurent

Glittering Ornaments Bring Little Luxuries

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Holiday Guides

We've already highlighted Swarovski's Annual Edition Ornament for 2008 but the luxury-minded shopper may have more sparkling needs in the ornament department. This iconic crystal company is offering sixteen other options for glamorous gifts or tree bling at your own home. Snowflakes are the most common design but angels, trees, stars and stockings with a touch of tasteful color will also ring in the holiday season beautifully. Even babies aren't forgotten with the pacifier- or duckie-shaped ornaments to commemorate a first holiday. Faberge's ornaments, available at Neiman Marcus, showcase a familiar egg-shape of mouth-blown glass with delicately handpainted designs. Jay Strongwater's Musical Ornaments at Saks add a sense of frivolity to your tree with a touch of Swarovski bling too. And Bergdorf Goodman is selling L'Objet's Pagoda Ornament which is14K gold-plated and adorned in freshwater pearls and, again, Swarovski Crystals.

A bejeweled tree is bound to make quite a statement during your holiday gathering and an even bigger impression as a gift.

Gallery: Premiere Ornaments

Swarovski Crystal 2008 Annual Angel Ornament

Swarovski Moments Samanta the Snowflake Ornament

Tags: bergdorf goodman, BergdorfGoodman, christmas ornaments, ChristmasOrnaments, crystal ornaments, CrystalOrnaments, faberge, jay strongwater, JayStrongwater, neiman marcus, NeimanMarcus, ornaments, saks, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, swarovski, swarovski crystals, swarovski ornaments, SwarovskiCrystals, SwarovskiOrnaments

Luxury Retailers Slash Prices to 70%

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

You almost expect a Prada-clad shopgirl to announce a blue light special in aisle 8. Except you're at Bergdorf Goodman, and they don't do that there. And yet, over the weekend Madison Avenue Spy reported that Bergdorf would slash prices to 70% off, likely to compete with Saks who'd gone that far the week before.

Those on Barney's email list learned this morning that the store would go to 60% off retail. And we're only a week into December.

According to the NY Times, the recent sales have induced a bit of a frenzy in Manhattan, where lizard-skin handbags are tossed together into bargain-bin like displays a la Wal-Mart...aisle 8.

Gallery: Luxury at a Discount

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Tags: barneys, bergdorf goodman, BergdorfGoodman, holiday sales, HolidaySales, luxury retail, LuxuryRetail, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue

Saks Fifth Avenue Sales Slide

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

As the holiday season looms ever closer, department stores are hoping against hope for a return to spending exuberance. And they will need the numbers. Department store operator Saks Fifth Avenue announced a wider-than-expected quarterly net loss today as the economic slowdown has now reached the more upscale shopper. The company reports that its net loss nearly doubled to $42.8 million, or 31 cents per share as compared to $21.6 million or 14 cents per share, a year earlier. Quarterly net sales fell to $698.0 million from $796.1 million a year ago. The company is planning cut its capital spending in 2009, from around $125 million to $75 million and is closing its Club Libby Lu stores that cater to young girls. The store will likely cut back on the more risky, trendy items and focus on classics that are more likely to sell.

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Tags: saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue

Mercedes Benz and Saks Support St. Jude's

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

Just before the holidays a premiere partnership between Mercedes Benz and Saks Fifth Avenue will benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital with an extraordinary item. The Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, with a fancy new metallic finish making it a true one-of-a-kind, will be featured in the Saks Holiday Catalog and auctioned off on November 20th. All proceeds over the $529, 500 price tag will provide important funds to help young ones fighting cancer at this famous philanthropic hospital. You can pre-register for this worthy cause as early as November 1st online at MBUSA.com and really make a charitable difference this holiday season while gaining a truly superb vehicle for yourself.

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Tags: mercedes, mercedes-benz, saks, saks fifth avenue, saks holiday catalog, SaksFifthAvenue, SaksHolidayCatalog, St Judes Childr, st judes childrens research hospital, StJudesChildr, StJudesChildrensResearchHospital

RNC Spends $150,000 On Outfitting The Palins

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Did the Republican National Committee spend more than $150,000 on Sarah Palin and her family since she joined the Republican ticket? Politico reports that according to financial disclosure records, bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York total $49,425.74 and there is also an astronomical $75,062.63 at Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis early September. The records also show that the RNC spent nearly $5,000 on hair and makeup in September. McCain-Palin spokesperson Tracey Schmitt has issued a statement chiding Politco for dwelling on the matter and saying that "it was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign." As you may recall, Cindy McCain's outfit at the RNC was worth over $300,000 but Mrs. McCain spent that money herself.

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Tags: neiman marcus, NeimanMarcus, rnc, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, sarah palin, SarahPalin

Gwyneth Paltrow Named Ambassador to 2008 Key to the Cure

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Charity, Big Givers

Saks Fifth Avenue along with the Entertainment Industry Foundation recently announced that Gwyneth Paltrow will act as the new ambassador for the 2008 Key to the Cure, a women's cancer initiative. Karl Lagerfeld has designed the exclusive tee for the cause, with all proceeds going to cancer research.

The weekend-long shopping event is slated for October 16 through October 19 at Saks stores nationwide and online at saks.com. Two percent of proceeds from the weekend's totals will be donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Now in its 10th year, the annual Key to the Cure event has raised over $28 million for cancer research and treatment programs.

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Tags: entertainment industry foundation, EntertainmentIndustryFoundation, gwyneth paltrow, GwynethPaltrow, karl lagerfeld, KarlLagerfeld, key to the cure, KeyToTheCure, saks, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, womens cancer research fund, WomensCancerResearchFund

Ruby Slippers To Benefit Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Shoes, Charity, Children

Nineteen to-covet designers including Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, Alberta Ferretti and Christian Louboutin are teaming up with Warner Brothers and Swarovski to reinvent Dorothy's ruby slippers to commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. This time, we're not in Kansas anymore. Based on some of the designer sketches we've seen, we're talking Swarovski-fied, ruby red protect-me-from-the-evil-witch stilettos. Basically what sweet little Anne Hathaway could have used in The Devil Wears Prada.

Each designer will craft a mere two pairs, and the shoes will make their debut September 4 during New York Fashion Week, posing in Saks Fifth Avenue's window before moving on to Miami's Art Basel and further appearances throughout 2009. The iconic slippers will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Tags: alberta ferretti, AlbertaFerretti, art basel, ArtBasel, auction, dorothy, elizabeth glaser ped..., ElizabethGlaserPed..., louboutin, manolo blahnik, ManoloBlahnik, oscar de la renta, OscarDeLaRenta, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, shoes, wizard of oz, WizardOfOz

Saks Fifth Avenue Stays the Course on Luxury

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

The luxury market may be floundering but don't look for Saks Fifth Avenue to go down market any time soon. In an interview with MarketWatch, Saks chief executive Steve Sadove said that he is going forward with plans to renovate the company's stores, spending a projected $150 million. He is also committed to luxury brands, expanding the distribution of top-tier labels such as Chanel and Gucci, a brave move at a time when the brands that are desired most by aspirational consumers might be vulnerable to the biggest hits. Consumer confidence among luxury consumers is at an all-time historical low. Unity Marketing's Luxury Consumption Index has shown that more than two-thirds of those with an average income of $155,700 believe the economy is in trouble. Sadove, however, is looking beyond this year hoping that his strategy will pay off in the long run. You may find some particularly helpful salespeople in Saks too, part of Sadove's strategy is to have as much as 90% of the Saks sales staff working on commission, up from about 50% three or four years ago.

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Tags: consumers, luxury, saks fifth avenue, SaksFifthAvenue, shopping, steve sadove

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