On June 20th, 2009, the Style Bard was invited to attend a “VIP Shopping Event & Extravaganza” hosted by POSHGLAM.com. According to the e-vite, attendees could expect to encounter NYC’s “most sophisticated, stylish, and savvy women dining, mingling, and shopping in a five star purchasing paradise.” The event was held from 12pm-7pm at Studio 26 on W 26th St.
Intrigued, I RSVPed to the event (which cost $10) and decided that, given such a wide berth of time, I should arrive not at the very beginning or the very end, but sometime in the middle. Estimating that an hour-long window was needed to peruse merchandise, speak with designers and chat with fellow shoppers, I arrived at 3:30pm–right smack in the middle of the event.
Because an advance RSVP (and $10!) was required, I was a little disappointed when no one stopped me at the door to ask for my name or credentials. Anyone could wander in off the street? The small space was full of tables and racks of merchandise, from jewelry to dresses to shoes. A handful of women browsed the luxury merchandise, but the space was far from crowded. I suppose I expected to be elbow-to-elbow if I wanted to get close to on-sale emerging-label runway looks. But those hawking their wares outnumbered the shoppers.
Called an “ultra posh” setting in the e-vite, the studio space actually reminded me of the last Chamber of Commerce function I attended, where little more than folding tables and chairs designated boundaries from one entrepreneur to the next. And I believe that “ultra posh” event was held at a high school gym. I had to wonder if this would be just as fun.
But maybe I was just feeling cranky, since I’d entered the setting with an ugly thirst. It was a warm day, and the nearest subway portal was a few blocks away. Anticipating hors d’oeuvres and “tasty drinks” (non-alcoholic), I actually discovered what looked like warm sparkling juice in plastic cups on a tray on a shelf…was I supposed to help myself? If there ever were appetizers at this event, what I knew of them was crumbs and napkins in my periphery. No one tried to offer me anything; in fact, no one from POSHGLAM approached me at all, and I had no way to differentiate hosts from sponsors from guests.
Only the designers–or their representatives–seemed enthusiastic to talk to me, and happy to be there. After circling the room once to get a feel for the space, I made a second round, this time speaking with some of the sales people and learning about the small-label luxury brands.
Participants included Zhozet, Sukari, New York Couture, Sabido & Basteris, Andrea Lucille Designs and Nexus Showroom (home to labels such as Bete Noire, Jean Paul Knott, Sylvie Schimmel, Blessed & Cursed, O.P.X. and Farah Angsana). As for the apparel, I rummaged through racks and eyed some designs, but nothing more than a few chic leather goods (too unseasonal to even considering buying) earned a second look. Always a magpie, I tarried by a few tables featuring gem-heavy jewelry, but no one was available to answer my questions (much less take my money). Maybe they were out picking up more hors d’oeuvres?
But Style Bard faves at the event were (of course) the sole shoe sellers, Ganache Couture. This may have been due to my extremely obvious (and well-chronicled) bias toward shoes, but it also had to do with the fact that CEO Quiana Smith was not only on hand to represent her wares, she was also a friendly and helpful presence who explained to me that the shoes I most fancied at her “booth” were the ‘Peepshow’ booties worn by Keri Hilson in the music video for “Knock You Down” (check them out at timestamp 1:29). Who knew Keri and I shared similar tastes in shoes?
I ultimately left empty-handed, but it wasn’t a waste of 45 minutes; I familiarized with some new brands and ogled many a gorgeous item. It wasn’t exactly a big on-the-scene moment for the Style Bard, but from now on I will be a little more leery about replying to invites that look like there’s been a fire sale on superlatives.
Not that I’ll stop attending such events (especially now that I’m curious to see if this is what they’re always like), but I plan to view them as the opportunistic sales functions that they are. The promise to access designer merchandise at reduced prices was absolutely fulfilled–but the venue, victuals and visitors left something to be desired. With sponsors including TheFashionList.com, Emmett McCarthy, Avelle -The New Bag Borrow or Steal, Boom Boom Beauty Bar and My Daily Thread, I guess I was just expecting something a little more…fashionable? Upscale? VIP?
Besides, I never got my “tasty” non-alcoholic beverage. And it’s really hard to act like a “sophisticated, stylish, and savvy” shopper when all you want to buy is a tall bottle of ice cold water. Thus, upon leaving my very first “exclusive” shopping event in NYC, the day’s prize was purchased for $1 at a cart down the street–and I didn’t even need to RSVP.
