The Lauren Merkin Sample Sale Is Loaded With Clutches

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• $125 (were $295-$325)
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• $95
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Local handbag designer Lauren Merkin's sample sale kicked off this morning at the brand's Chelsea showroom. We stopped by shortly after the doors opened and were surprised to find the space nearly empty, save for a couple of other shoppers. This sale is totally worth checking out if you're on the hunt for a new bag—everything is up to 70% off, and there are tons of colors and pattern options available for each style.

Most of the bags here are on the smaller end of the spectrum: you'll find loads of clutches, such as the Mini Caroline for $100-$125, the pleated Ava for $125, and the slightly larger Paige clutch starting at $95. Many of these, including the Mini Caroline, come with chain straps so that they can be used as cross-body bags as well.

One table holds the label's minauderies, which are all marked $125. You'll find rounded calf-hair styles, as well as square-shaped suede bags and small rectangular styles in a host of patterns and colors—including one made out of a multicolored metallic leather that looked like a gasoline spill.

There's a solid selection of medium-sized day bags, including the Parker for $95 and the Piper for $100. There was a great variety of colors for the Piper bags—everything from playful star prints to refined black snakeskin.

The inventory of larger bags is limited, but you'll find slouchy Quinn duffle bags for $125 (from $525), suede Simone messenger bags for $150, and leather Reese totes for $175 in the mix.

There's several bins filled with heavily discounted gear against one wall. Some of these are damaged, but others are just older styles. These range in price from $20 to $70 and include a brocade Mini Caroline bag for $40, a calf-hair Iris clutch for $50, and a yellow Eve clutch for $30 (the low price on the latter is due to slight discoloring).

Next to these is a table for samples, including a few Reese totes for $250 and a shearling Iris cross-body for $125. The items here are certainly unique, but note that their prices are a bit higher than the rest of the stock.

Finally, there's a limited selection of wallets and smaller leather goods. These range from $10 leather card cases to large snakeskin wallets for $70. You'll also be able to find iPad cases—although they only fit the first generation model—for $20.

There's some additional stock held under each display table, but not much— so you might want to head in sooner than later. More markdowns are possible, but we couldn't get a straight answer from the staff, so check back here for updates.—Gillian Fuller
· Dealfeed: Lauren Merkin [Racked NY]
· Cynthia Rowley, Oak, Nanette Lepore: The August Sample Sales [Racked NY]
· All Sample Sale Coverage [Racked NY]