The World of Upscale Consigment Stores
<p>Where Madoff victims and C-list celebs come to unload last season's clothes.</p>
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The Window of Designer Resale
Designer Resale on 81st Street, which sells the cast-off clothing of wealthy New York women, has been in business for twenty years. “I’ve never had a bad year in business,” said Myrna Skoller by phone, “it just keeps getting better and better. I just expanded and did a massive renovation.”
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People Are Crazy For Purses
"Accessories are the most popular item," said Milici as I gazed into the jewelry and Hermes scarf display. "People are crazy for purses." At 70 percent off the retail price, it’s not surprising. Used accessories appeal to women of every age and size: fat, skinny, old or nubile. Even seasons don’t matter that much.
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The Great Wall of Shoes
The Great Wall of Shoes, (paparazzi-style.) Said customer Charlotte Bryan, who purchased eight pair of unworn Manolo Blahniks recently: “I buy other people’s mistakes.”
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Red Satin Louis XVI-Style Shoes
I slipped on these red satin Louis XVI-style shoes with cupid appliqués (romantic and cynical!). But they were too big—even for stuffing. “Those belonged to a really chic designer,” said Mary, the clerk. “Who?” I asked. “Who, who?” She refused to answer. (Had these fit, I would have bought them; there was no price tag yet, they had “just come in.”)
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Hot Pink Ascent to a Second Chance
The hot pink hike up to A Second Chance on Lexington Ave., where Marie Riddolfi, the self-proclaimed “Chanel whore” lords over her collection of secondhand Chanel purses, belts, jewelry and the occasional suit. Many Madoff victims have consigned luxury item here.
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Resale Guru Maria Riddolfi
Resale guru Maria Riddolfi, posing with a 1980’s Chanel purse. (An ideal laptop/messenger bag—for anyone with $1700 to spend, that is.) She’s been in business 16 years.
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Erika in Chanel Earrings
Yours truly, modelling the iconic No.5 earrings. These belong to a “Wall Street Wife,” (not swindled by Madoff). The price? $750.
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Husband Dispatched to Haggle
“My wife is a Chanel whore too,” said Charlie Riess, jokingly. He had been dispatched to haggle and return home with a mustard-beige purse his wife had spotted last Sunday. Here also considered at earrings as a surprise, but decided only on the bag.
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Judith Leiber Minaudieres
Riddolifi’s collection of rhinstoned Judith Leiber minaudieres (with accidental self-portrait).
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10 of 10 All Sales Are Final!
All sales are final. (Well, there’s always re-resale!)
