Gently Worn Garments and Gowns at Michael’s

I wouldn’t exactly say that a recession is the ideal time to plan a wedding, but it isn’t the end of the world, either. Euphemistically speaking, right now is an opportunity for all of us, no matter where we are in our lives, to get a little more financially “creative.” I’m not alluding to Madoff-ian tactics…just good old-fashioned cost-cutting, keeping the pennies inside the piggy bank, and perhaps some unconventional consumerism.

This latter category is where I’d file my recent trip to Michael’s The Consignment Shop for Women, here on the Upper East Side. I’d heard that, among other items, this is where you can buy used high-end wedding gowns. Since I was on the market for a downturn-deal, I decided to go check it out.

Michael’s is located on Madison Avenue at 79th. Like so many good New York secrets, the store sits above street-level on the second and third floors. The name brands printed on the stairs – Prada, Dior, Marc Jacobs – promise that the walk upstairs will be worth it. I’m not generally very brand-centric but I have to admit that the prospect of not paying full price for these big names put a little spring in my step. It was a Saturday afternoon and the place was abuzz with shoppers.

Before heading up to the bridal salon, I poked around at the stylish everyday-wear: I saw Chanel skirts, Jimmy Choo shoes, and some other labels I’d probably recognize if I’d watched more Sex in the City. Point is, this is a "designer" consignment shop – the items were pretty fabulous to begin with, and now they’re even better (as far as I’m concerned) because they’re more affordable.

This place is a family affair, originally opened by Michael Kosof in 1954 and now run by his daughter, Laura Fluhr, along with her daughter. They only choose to re-sell items that are in mint condition and then they split the proceeds with the seller 50/50. The prices are set in conjunction with the re-sellers; it’s a collaborative process. Fluhr says that, indeed, they have seen an upsurge in both customers and in people bringing in clothes for re-sale in the last year. “We’re part of a bigger story,” Fluhr says. “This is a business model that works, especially right now.”

Fluhr says that their customers are stylish, and chic and, though she wouldn’t name names, also sometimes famous. In fact, while loitering, I did notice a highly-attractive woman both dropping off and purchasing some items. Despite all my gawking, I couldn’t place her face, but she certainly had supermodel proportions.

I sighed with a bit of envy then asked to see the bridal gowns, which are on the 3rd floor. Though I had the “salon” to myself that day, it’s sometimes so hopping that brides are limited to 30 minutes in the dressing room and a total of five gowns. Quite understandably, a sign on the wall requests that you wear no lipstick.

I was exited to see that there were several dresses in my size. It was reaching closing time, so I chose 3. When Genesis, my kindly sales assistant took them out of their plastic bags, I was pleased to see that they were as pristine as promised.

Fluhr accepts only high-end designers. She does not re-sell gowns made of rayon or polyester. Beyond this, she says that they have to reject a lot of dresses because they have been damaged during the cleaning process. Many women don’t even realize that the dry cleaners have mistreated their dress, leaving iron marks or various discolorations.

First, I tried on a Reem Acra gown with ruching on the bodice for $1200, then a Marisa dress for $895. Last, I tried on a beautiful Vera Wang ballet-style gown with mounds of poofy tulle for $1200. Not only did this dress stand up on its own when no one was wearing it (see picture), I felt as wide in it as I did tall. I imagined the guests at our reception parting like the red sea as I jeté’d my way across the dance floor in point shoes.

Before going into Michael’s, I wasn’t sure I’d really be able to buy a used dress, but all three of these were pretty dreamy – I did feel like a princess in them, not a second-hand Cinderella. Is it possible, though, to not wonder about the karma of the dress? I suppose you can’t think about whether or not the original owner is still happily married…and Fluhr isn’t going to tell you, anyway. She does say that, “women who buy here are the smartest brides in New York, because they’ve already made that mental adjustment. There are so many other things to spend your money on, right now.”

I agree. I’ve purchased many second-hand items and even picked a few (like the desk I’m currently typing at) off the street. Rather than obsessing over the history of these used objects, I’m more concerned about their cleanliness. All of the dresses at Michael’s have been thoroughly cleaned I suppose you could take them in for a second round of cleaning if you wanted. Keep in mind that they’ve only been worn for one day anyway. Okay, and also for a few fittings…

On that note, I recommend that if you go to Michael’s to try on wedding gowns, you start with ones that are a size bigger than your usual size (ego-bruising as it might be). Most of these have already been altered, and this usually means taken in. Tried as Genesis did, she couldn’t get the zippers up on any of those dresses I chose! I didn’t have time to try on more before closing. I had every intention of going back, but fell in love with another (new, yet budget-friendly) gown in the meantime. Still, I think this is a great way to cut costs, especially if you’ve always dreamed of walking down the aisle in Givenchy or Vera Wang. Come to think of it, perhaps I’ll stop by again anyway: there’s a rehearsal dinner and a honeymoon coming up and I’d like to dress for those in style…

Summer’s Back at LeSportsac

So I was walking down Madison Avenue here on the Upper East Side the other day when I noticed that the window of the LeSportsac boutique was looking a lot like a fruit and vegetable stand. As far as I knew, this store sells bags, so I was naturally curious why there’d be a cart containing citrus and greens on display.

Based on what has been an uncommonly dreary spring, it’s hard to believe that summer will officially commence on Sunday. The good news is that LeSportSac is ready. One of their new patterns, out this June, is called Farmer’s Market (hence the healthy display) and it sings the praises of summer even if the sun refuses to shine. There are carrots, blueberries, and radishes a-plenty on these colorful bags.

The first LeSportsac duffel was made out of parachute nylon and carpet binding tape here in New York City in 1974, making this their 35th anniversary. In their words: “35 Years Young…what was hip to zip then…is hip to zip now!”

Today, LeSportsacs are still known for their soft durability. They come in all different shapes and sizes, from toiletry bags to backpacks to coin purses and laptop sleeves. You can even get an extra long bag for your yoga mat in the Flower Power print, also new this month (pictured). Of course, these bags are sold all over the place, but there are only two LeSportsac boutiques in the city, here on Madison between 80th and 81st and one down in SoHo on Greene Street.

I think I got my first LeSportsac purse when I was about 12. I remember that it was navy blue: I thought it was quite sporty and spiffy and I liked the logo. It was purchased excitedly at the “fancy mall” near us in Madison, Wisconsin. Since then, I have carried around a few LeSportsac cosmetic bags. This brand slipped off my radar for a few years but I have been noticing it around a lot more and it seems like it is making a welcome resurgence. The store’s space is modern and crisp and I like the new designs.

Shopgirls Cyrena and Sara told me that this shop has been at this location for about seven years. They sell a lot of weekenders and, in the fall, they sell lots of tote bags to local schoolgirls. Remarkably, LeSportsac comes out with several new prints every month. Other summery selections right now include: Garden club, a black and white print with little watering cans and Adirondack chairs and Magic Garden with butterflies and a tiny bird holding a bouquet in his beak. I couldn’t decide if I liked May’s Paper Dots selections (pictured) better or another one depicting ice cream cones.

But what really caught my eye, and my imagination (and also perhaps, soon, my credit card number…?) was a print by LeSportsac’s current “artist in residence”, Fifi Lapin. This is a talented fashionista bunny who sketches herself in designer clothes from the latest runways. She has been named “the world’s most stylish bunny” by Elle Magazine and I have to agree. I especially like the print “Sweethearts” depicting Fifi and her equally-stylish beau, Sonny Hare, on the go. Hmm, don’t you think a tote or a duffle in this pattern would be just perfect for my upcoming weekend hop-along to Seattle where I’ll be crashing my bunny’s business trip…?

Culinary Pirouettes at Cafe D'Alsace

What is the most important part of a dining experience? Is it the flavors? The presentation? The setting? The service? The company? Well, I consulted my inner dine-o-meter but this proved to be far too difficult a question and it crashed. I suppose all these elements help to create that delicate dining balance.

I’m happy to report that each of these categories were more than satisfied when I recently visited Café D’Alsace here on the Upper East Side. Some friends of mine from Nyack had been telling me about this restaurant for months. They are longtime New Yorkers who make yearly trips to Paris to visit family. They know their food so I had every reason to believe their pick would be excellent; it was just a matter of finding time in our respective busy schedules when we could all meet.

So we all rushed to Café D’Alsace last Thursday after work. It’s located on the corner of 88th Street and 2nd Avenue and was opened by Simon Oren of Nice Matin on the Upper West and Marseille in Midtown.

We settled into the cozy front table and grinned. It was 9 pm and the place was full to overflowing. I love the cacophony of silverware and the lilt of merry conversation in New York City restaurants. Though I haven’t been to France (yet!), I imagine that their brasseries, bistros and cafes have a similar hustle and bustle. This space is sparkly and warm. I noticed that the bar behind me was ringed with colorful old seltzer bottles.

My friends explained that Alsace is a region on the eastern-most part of the country, abutting and influenced by Germany. They also informed me that it’s pronounced “alzas” and not “alsatchay” like I was erroneously saying, oops. Indeed, the chef, Philippe Roussel, is dedicated to replicating the dishes of his father’s homeland and giving them a New York twist.

For example, the menu offers some intriguing Specialties D’Alsace with obvious German influences including something called Choucroute Garnie (“dressed sauerkraut”). This has assorted sausages and smoked pork breast over sauerkraut with Reisling, juniper and potatoes. The Baeckeofe is a traditional Alsation casserole of lamb, oxtail, bacon, and potatoes braised in pinot gris with onions and thyme.

Things were going well. They got better when our server, Jamal, swooped in to describe the specials. This wasn’t your everyday here’s-what’s-cookin’-tonight monologue. This was more like a ballet performance: energetic, heartfelt, nuanced. He didn’t look to be wearing tights, but the way he moved his hands while describing the trout special and other selections was so graceful yet masculine, I swear he could give Baryshnikov a run for his money. Let’s just say he made it all sound delicious.

Even though it wasn’t exactly in keeping with the French/Alsatian theme, two of us ordered mojitos. When one of us apologetically mentioned to Jamal that there could be more citrus and more mint, the drink was quickly and pleasantly replaced with a better one. When one of our party ordered a glass of wine, a small taste was proffered, first. And Café D’Alsace has an extensive beer selection – one selection at our table was purportedly from the oldest brewery in the world.

Our hors d’oeuvres arrived and they were all manifique. Of course, I felt it was The Informer’s duty to sample each of them. My fiancé and I shared the Escargots, which came in a vibrant green butter and garlic sauce. Across the table, there were Soft Shell Crabs (one of specials) covered in chopped tomatoes and herbs, and Gnocchi Parisienne with wild mushroom gratinee and gruyere cheese. Most attractive was the Goat Cheese Tatin (pictured) with herbed goat cheese and carmelized onions.

Our entrees were also divine. That trout special Jamal tempted us with was definitely special (pictured). I ordered the Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli with a noilly-prat (vermouth) and leek sauce. Dare I say that the sauce – which was light despite the cream – practically danced on my tongue? A healthy serving of asparagus rendered this dish extremely fresh. Though I did not sample the red meat, my dinner companions reported that the Steak Frites with bone marrow and red wine sauce and Dry Aged NY Strip with bernaise were cooked to perfection. I did sneak a frite and can therefore confirm that they were as good as they looked.

One of our friends ordered a selection of fromage for dessert, which struck me as quite sophisticated. He is a bonafide connoisseur -- it's true, he used to select the cheese for a four-star restaurant in Tribeca. He enjoyed two out of three cheeses very much and the presentation, nestled amid fruit and walnuts on a rustic cutting board, was a nice touch. Whenever I see Crème Brulée on a menu I do not have the strength to resist – this was the case here, and I was not disappointed.

The whole experience at Café D’Alsace was great. The atmosphere was fun, and the service was precise yet easygoing. The night couldn’t have been choreographed better. As far as all that delicious food goes, I think this picture pretty much says it all.

We exchanged farewells with Jamal and vowed to revisit for an encore soon.