In Milan, the second and third weeks of January are coveted. No, not because some patron saint of the city was canonized in a morbid tale of bravery and courage, and not because a soccer championship has turned ordinary businessmen into chanting zombies – but rather because it’s seasonal sale time, when the previously-eyed winter offerings from Chanel, Prada, Miu-Miu, and Gucci are marked down to more affordable payments (as opposed to monthly rent checks).
OC, who's one of the luckyduckies (and ur not *:-p~~~*) who gets invites to some sample sales and, ahem, certain pre-sales (no we're not gonna tell you which ones), being a little bit of an addict was nevertheless among the throngs of tourists who pushed their way through the sales racks at Costume National, Prada, Etro, and Balenciaga (although their store on via Santo Spirito is always pretty vacant, the Milanese have a way of punishing some Frenchie brands), all offering the past winters styles at a remarkable 50% discount (usually it’s a paltry 20-30% at best).
One of the better haunts this saldi season was the brainchild of the very awesome Miss Carla Sozzani, who runs the boutique (cum bookstore cum art gallery cum café), 10 Corso Como, a must-visit destination on any trip to Milan -- heyll, a must-see destination on any trip to Italy. Boasting slashed prices on Ms. Sozzani’s Garage Sale (as I am fond to call it), Chloé and Prada bags were a steal at 700€, Manolo Blahniks beckoned at 300€ (although in Milan, at this point they are so undesired, you can’t even give them away), and Alexander McQueen’s silk screened tee-shirts were down to 150€.
OC couldn’t resist (I’m only human), and stocked-up on the basics… Comme des Garçons white t’s, Stephen Jones winter skullies, and a few Balenciaga knits to name a few. The best purchase from the winter sales? A kickin pair of Louboutins for that sweet, sweet reminder that one of the more satisfying trade-offs for suffering through periods and 24-hour labor pains is being able to feel that silky, light as air, delicate as a kiss, *yet firm* ensconce of Christian Louboutin’s creations hugging your ecstatic little feet. Check dem sh**ts out:
