And La Carmina’s fancy lightly turns turns to thoughts of… updating her wardrobe! The timing is propitious: there are several designer sales in NYC this weekend. I went to the VIP Preview of Billion Dollar Babes, an ammasment of samples and overstock from over 40 contemporary designers.

Sample sales require Sonic the Hedgehog skills. One must zoom through the racks and grab every gem in sight, or there will be nothing left but linen muu-muus. My visual heuristic: a) black; b) fine materials such as silk; c) elegant detailing. This dress (by Vanessa Barrantes for Shumaq Millma) meets all the criteria and was a steal for $100. It’s hard to see in the photo, but the dress has a sheer front, Peter Pan collar, and butterfly cap-sleeves.

This silver halter dress ($150) appealed to my nerdish love of disco. I slipped it over the black one; both are by the same designer. The detachable collar looks too clown-like, so I’ll wear it as a giant hair bow.
By now, you must have guessed that there a communal dressing room. One giant basement, a dozen racks and mirrors, and a hundred women with infinite permutations of cellulite.

Sheer, layered, and gathered – this blue/black CandelaNYC dress would make a nice base for a Gothic Aristocrat outfit – and it’s only $60. The fit wasn’t quite right, so I passed on it. (The crucifix necklace is my own.)

Andrea and I arrived at noon, right when the doors opened for Platinum Members and press. Our eyes went to these short, black leather jackets with military collars and buttons down the front (by Bensoni, $240). We weren’t alone; ten minutes later, not a single one was left.

As if the event wasn’t girly enough, there were complimentary glasses of Pinky vodka/champagne topped with a flower. Are those open-toed lace up ankle boots? Yes, but the wearer admitted that they’re Balenciaga knock-offs from eBay.