384: There's a non-zero chance an SSENSE x Forever 21 collab is coming
Plus lighting fit for monarchs, Trevor Houston's star power, and some Labor Day sales.
Find a list of only-here discounts up to 25% off in the Magasin Code Index.
Lots to catch up on, not least of which SSENSE’s imminent bankruptcy…forced sale…dissolution? A dozen people texted me when the news broke, and while I was still in the spinning Chair-O-Plane of processing what it could mean for the shopping space and this newsletter in particular, I attempted to initiate a return on some Auralee jeans, only to receive notice that, “Due to disruptions within our courier partner’s network, we’re currently unable to issue a return label.” We’re very much already in it.
If…or when…SSENSE’s creditors legally out-arm wrestle the Atallahs, we can look to the closures of Matches and Barneys for a taste of what to expect: a surreal scene in which Emily Dawn Long Wandas are sold on Walmart through liquidation vultures and an SSENSE x Forever 21 collab resulting from the sale of the retailer’s IP to some brand opportunist. Bleak.
In cheerier news, I spent last week in Copenhagen with sesquicentennial lighting company Louis Poulsen enjoying a 3 Days of Design of our own creation. The brand’s fixtures are a part of that city both inside and out—from the municipal street lamps to the pendants and table lamps visible through almost literally every window. Someone in our group likened it to the George Nelson bubble lamps littered around Cobble Hill-Fort Greene-Bed Stuy, but even that doesn’t come close to the CCTV-like grip Louis Poulsen has on Denmark’s power grid.
A hot piece of gossip I picked up is that two of the brand’s iconic PH5 pendants were on their way to the royal palace, via a request that came through a mutual friend of the king and queen. I had the chance to assemble one of these on a visit to Louis Poulsen’s factory and archive, and it’s now en route to my address. Looks like my new kitchen light will be one thing I have in common with the Danish monarchy.
Between sporadic shopping moments in Copenhagen, and the spot of retail therapy I’ve done since arriving in Paris for the weekend, I have a couple more pieces of commercial intel to share:
Toteme is about 30% cheaper in Copenhagen, plus detax, so it’s a bit silly I didn’t buy anything. One thing I’m still thinking about at full dollar value, though, is this evolution of the country jacket (think Barbour) with a more fashion-y cut and funnel neck. Haven’t seen it done until now and it has the potential to be the brand’s next scarf-coat sensation.
Le Bon Marché is carrying exclusive styles of newly revived, hotly anticipated brand Herbert Levine’s freshman shoe collection—the only other place to get it is from MyTheresa, where my favorite satin mules (in red!) are dangerously low in stock. The brand’s new creative director, Trevor Houston, is the guy behind Khaite’s Loop Sandal and…dare I say…The Row’s Jelly Flat (just brought back for another season), to offer a measure of the star power the excavated brand is set to possess.
Finally, between the fall shopping spreadsheet and the approach of fashion month, I have been allowing myself a few indulgences from my wishlist (and a few poached from others’). I’m ECSTATIC. And dying to tell you about them. But I’ll be wearing and documenting everything very soon, so I’ll instead leave you with a few hints: the number-one bag of my desires; not the shoes I thought I’d get from a certain young brand, but an even better pair; and a sold-out-everywhere peak-French grail I stumbled on in my size from The RealReal.
What’s new
Nili Lotan launched bags, an appeal to high-end shoppers peeling away from luxury’s swollen prices (Métier and Savette—new collection just out—are also here), with styles in the $1,000-$2,000s. Alo, as in the yoga apparel brand, also thinks it belongs in this line up, soon introducing a collection of leather bags to be listed for up to $3,600…dubious if you ask me, but I’m watching this space!
Kallmeyer is on all of our wishlists (as evidenced by the spreadsheet), and there’s a new collection here to satisfy our fall personas. My top three: a superfine wool tee, wool version of the floor-length dinner trench, and double-tassel cord as belt, bag charm, jewelry, etc.
J.Crew Men’s might be in trouble for AI-ifying its heritage-trained campaign, but J.Crew Women’s just released a lookbook future generations will pin to their own nostalgic moodboards. It’s so 2025, with shades of Americana and Miu Miu alike, and worth marveling over are the Italian leather bags, none of which crosses north of $300.
The new Manolo is very good, thought you should know. I already bought these flocked slingbacks (also in red), but am feeling crazy enough to consider going back for another pair. Maybe these gold-threaded ones, or these vaguely motocross-y satin pumps, or these ultra-low-cut vamped mules.
There’s also: What to wear with Jamie Haller shoes? Jamie Haller cashmere socks; new gen of High Sport pants + paraphernalia are here, but I still want these slinky slacks the most; first looks at Sarah Burton’s Givenchy are pre-orderable from Moda; and likewise the Cowichan cardigan is on pre-order at Old Stone Trade (it’ll sell out again, so this route is recommended).
Men’s releases
Currently only available in the brand’s Soho store, but Lauren Manoogian men’s is finally here. It’s less Lemaire-y than you might think, more Japanese meets skater boy, as embodied by founder Chris Fireoved.
What’s on sale
Extra 25% off Bergdorf’s 70% off sale right now…you almost hate to see it, knowing the time-squandering and the tabs about to happen. I should know, I just went through all that. The abridged version is: Le Monde Beryl flats for under $200, generous amounts of 6397…should I get this Zankov dress?? I’ll play chicken and buy it if it’s still unsold by EOD.
La Garçonne is running 20% off all sale right now with LABOR20LG, which includes The Row Sophia bags, Sophie Buhai sterling silver boxes, my Lemaire trench coat about which I woke up in the middle of the night to write an outfit idea…
COS is running 25% off some 500 or so pieces for Labor Day with SHOPLDW, some of which are brand new to the site. With an eye to fall, I’m pulling out gray jeans, low-slung burgundy pants, whipstitched sandals. It’s COS, so things end up largely under $100.
So many of my favorites from past-season Leset are included in this weekend’s Labor Day sale, most notably the swimming pool-blue Kyoto jacket and brushed jersey Lauren pants. As for basics, I will likely re-up with a fresh James turtleneck to wear under everything this fall.
I know a lot of you wait all year for the Skims sale, so I’m happy to report it’s finally on. It spans swim and lounge, but even puts some core on discount, like the Scoop and Strapless bras.
Thistles sunglasses are so powerful, like the Jacques Marie Mages of Dimes Square. Also, conveniently, 20% off this weekend with SERATONIN.
Excellent elevated sweats and basics are listed under $100 at Body of Work’s archive sale—this v-neck men’s sweatshirt in pond blue is mega, I had to get one for myself.
There’s also: Many a Labor Day sale over at No. 6 Store, CO, Gil Rodriguez, Alex Mill, Eckhaus Latta, Ralph Lauren, and Goop.
Home sales
Danny Kaplan (who makes my dream bed frame) is running a “Seconds Sale” on mostly side tables and table lamps for about 50% off.
Irish furniture brand Orior has about 15 in-stock pieces of big furniture (armchairs, credenzas, sofas) on sale for thousands off each.
Autumn Sonata, towel and table linens brand, doles out 20% off everything. Not to be missed!
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Absolutely love SSense - what a loss.