Above the Fray: Save the Hipster, Save Fashion!

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

The L train must have been empty last night because it was hipster heaven down at INVEN.TORY in Nolita for the Save Fashion kick off party. For a second time this year, the Save Fashion sample sale pop up is offering from 50% to 90% off cutting edge designer goods. Think a more intimate and downtown Lucky Shops with a thoughtfully curated collection of independent designer womenswear and menswear (without an entrance fee and no map needed).

For womenswear, designers featured include the coveted Vena Cava (where a veritable crush ensued for dresses priced $75 to $250 —we loved the purple gold studded studded peekaboo back dress—and separates starting at $50), Katy Rodriguez (dresses marked to $99 from $1,080), Cheap Monday skinny jeans ($65), Lutz & Patmos (wool/cashmere bobble front tassle sweaters at $270 from $585), Rag & Bone (tanks starting at $32), Mara Hoffman (dresses around $175 and a lovely cream fall belted coat for $271 from $621), our Street Scenes-ter Thuy (tops starting at $54), Rogan, Steven Alan, Sunshine & Shadow, Filippa K and more. Also look out for the Urban Outfitters capsule collections with YaYa Nom de Plume, Rapscallion, Fletcher by Lyell and more with prices starting around $34 and proceeds benefitting charity: water.

Women's shoes on the floor last night included Devotte wedges—check out the snakeskin and the black studded ones for $85 and Marais USA booties, oxfords and boots starting around $85. Word on the street is that Edon Manor will be bringing in Spring 2009 shoes by Proenza Schouler, Vivian Westwood and Nina Ricci all to be marked around $150 a pair.

For menswear, designers include Rogan, Steven Alan (tweedy blazers at $109 and button downs in plaids and stripes at $68 from $168), Gilded Age ($95 for blazers and pants and jeans starting at $50), Cheap Monday (men have their own dedicated $65 jeans section and also look for coats and jackets starting around $130), Dunderdon (jackets starting at $50 for navy hooded plaid lined zip front jacket, down from $119) and more. Men's footwear includes floppy suede booties from 3:33 for $65 and Gram heavy ankle boots with subtle studding along the front for $250.

Also, on the floor are at least two hot secret designers. Let's just say they'll kill us if we name names, but some price tags are down to the double digits. Adding a nice twist to things, in the shopping frenzy last night, we spotted a pair of bare man pecs on the shopping floor, as opposed to already seen lady boobs. Don't worry, men's and women's communal dressing rooms will be available starting today. Sizes are very random, depending on the designer. Staffers promise that they will be replenishing the floor throughout the week, however, there is no confirmation as to whether it'll be the same styles or additional ones. Final word: Only credit is accepted. The sale runs through Sunday, November 22.
· RackedWire: Save Fashion Returns [Racked]
· Save Fashion [Official Site]