Live from the Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale
By PAPERMAG Editors
Here's a report from PAPER's shoe-obsessed account manager Michelle Lindsay...
The Manolo Blahnik biannual sample sale was this morning. For those of you who haven't been, it is a place where classy ladies get mean, evil and downright bitchy! While the doors open at 9 a.m., rabid Manolo-loving women and John (who is always the first one there, holding two seats) line up at 4 a.m.! My friends and I got there at the slightly-more-reasonable 6 a.m., where we sat in a room (seated according to the time you arrive) and waited for the Manolo girls to come and give us our "A," "B," "C," "D" or "E" ticket. "A" goes first; "E" goes last.
When the clock struck 9 a.m., the group headed to the door to be counted out one by one to go to the next room. This is where it got ugly. Women were pushing and shoving to get to the front of the line so they could be the first to enter into "Manolo Heaven,” a room filled to the brim with shoes ranging in price from $100-$500. The shoes were all piled up on tables according to size. This was my second time at the sale, so I knew the protocol and ran straight to the size 40 table. The trick is to grab as many Manolos as possible, rush to the middle of the room to dump them, while your friend keeps an eye out for you so you can go back for more. Then it’s time to sit down and try on the shoes. At this point, women are grabbing, taking and eyeing your goods, so you have to be very careful. But it’s not all evil at this event -- we had a close-knit group and we all watched each others’ backs and gave advice as to what looked good and what didn't.
All in all, this endeavor took about four hours, but it was well worth it. I love the shoes I got, and for price I paid, you better damn well believe I’ll do it all over again when the next sale rolls around!
More photos after the jump.
Your Comment
Posted at 10:34 on May 11, 2007
When is the next darn sale????
Posted at 11:46 on Jun 24, 2007
In 6 months, at the Warwick Hotel in Manhattan.
Posted at 8:42 on Aug 04, 2007
say, i was wonderin' would there be any sale goin' on for manolos mid december this year? i'll be in NYC durin' that time.
thanks.
Posted at 3:41 on Aug 22, 2007
when is the next sale after Jun 2007
Posted at 10:41 on Sep 11, 2007
has anyone heard any thing else about the manolo sample sale--is realy going to be in novemeber --i want to get some close friends together and drive up from virginia
Posted at 8:55 on Oct 17, 2007
Hey, I was just researching for the November sale, and run into your blog. is there anything left for the general public(i heard it's open to public after 11am or something)?
Posted at 7:48 on Oct 24, 2007
Nov. 3, 2007 at the Palace Theater in Waterbury Connecticut is when the sale is going to held just say a ad in the newspaper. From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The ad said 1,000 to 1,500 pairs!!!!!!
Posted at 5:12 on Oct 31, 2007
The Manolo Sale was yesterday Oct. 30 in NYC! Check out the maddness on our Papermag.comm blogs.
Posted at 2:01 on Nov 03, 2007
What's the exact date of the next sale? I am so pissed I missed this one. Was informed that it should have been on Nov 7th and I missed it. Would appreciate the info for the next one.
Posted at 8:59 on Nov 17, 2007
To Paper Mag Editors
If you can take me to the next Manolo sample sale I will trade you my 50% associate discount at Calvin Klein Boutique on Madison Ave or tale you to the biannual 90% of retail in exchange---I'm size 5.5 ot 6 in shoes.
E-mail me
Posted at 12:35 on Nov 20, 2007
please,please let me know when is the next one i just missed the october sale
Posted at 3:22 on Jan 29, 2008
Please kindly let me know where the next sales going to hold and where.I am an enthusiastic european addict.I can actually buy off anyone that attends but later changes mind.I am a UK size 41 slippers and 42 shoes.
Thank you
Posted at 12:31 on Jan 30, 2008
someone please email when the next MB sample sale is in NY. please please. thank you
Posted at 4:55 on Feb 04, 2008
Hi,
Can someone tell me when the next MB sale is and where. I am from Canada and I want to plan a trip to NY surrounding the date of this sale. I am a size 36 are there any shoes left in that size when it is open to the public?
Thanks you very much
Posted at 7:59 on Mar 20, 2008
Does anyone know when the next MB sample sale is? Please e-mail me.
Posted at 10:58 on Apr 04, 2008
I'm hoping there will be a sale in May in NYC. My question is how/where to see the announcement? Can I sign up somewhere to get it? Have to look in a particular newspaper/magazine?
Posted at 7:32 on Apr 16, 2008
How I can know about this event?may be you can to send by e-mail
Posted at 10:36 on Apr 17, 2008
I have heard MB sample sale is on May 2nd? Any precise information would be appreciated.
Thanks
Posted at 7:05 on Apr 19, 2008
when and where is the MB sample sale, thanks!!
Posted at 7:22 on Apr 21, 2008
Kasia, where did you hear that? I heard it was going to be on a tues just a few days ago
Posted at 11:23 on Apr 21, 2008
Hi,
I've heard the next MB sale is on May 2nd but don't know if its a rumor, if it's in NYC or in CT this time. In exchange for accurate sale info, I'm happy to give you a ride to Connecticut. Please let me know asap.
Thanks
Posted at 2:01 on May 01, 2008
heard its today, may 1st, 2008
Posted at 7:49 on May 02, 2008
When will their be guys shoes?
Posted at 9:12 on Jun 08, 2008
hi
I noticed someone mentioned the 90% off calvin klein retail sale. I used to go to the boutique end of season f&f sale all the time and the warehouse sale in nj... lost track of opportunities, can someone tell me how it works now?
thanks
Posted at 1:00 on Sep 25, 2008
When is the next (Fall 2008) MB sale going to be? Is it still going to be the Warwick hotel or another location?
Posted at 9:03 on Sep 29, 2008
The next fall Manolo Blahnik sale will definitely be at the Warwick Hotel--most likely in early October (as in within the next couple of days).
Posted at 11:57 on Nov 04, 2008
hearing rumors of the next sale coming up...maybe tomorrow or thurs? Anyone have a solid lead??
Posted at 2:58 on Nov 05, 2008
it is on today until 4 pm at the warwick hotel.
Posted at 2:47 on Nov 15, 2008
I missed the sale too, but found some sample sale Manolo shoes posted at this shoe market.. Worth checking out...
www.stilettomarket.com
Posted at 2:18 on Nov 19, 2008
WHEN IS NEXT MANOLO SAMPLE SALE?
Posted at 5:29 on Apr 29, 2009
does anyone know when this year's manolo blahnik sale will be? i figure it should be sometime this week or next week.
Posted at 2:32 on Jun 11, 2009
im going to new york this december in 2009 and i want to get my first pair of manolos anyone know when and where is the next sample sale please?
Posted at 9:08 on Apr 03, 2010
Anyone needs MB shoes, i have some for sale. Email me for pics or more information