A tag sale at my offices - Prada, Escada, Ralph Lauren and more
Last Friday, we held our annual tag sale at my offices in the Starrett Lehigh building in Manhattan. What we were selling was my television wardrobe from last season. Many of these items were only worn once and are of very good quality. The idea for this sale is to offer employees a really great deal for this merchandise. The clothing was placed in bins and moved from the TV studio. At Starrett, it was arranged on long tables, organized by sweaters, blouses, pants, shoes, etc. My executive assistant, Jessica, helped me price and tag everything. The sale began at noon and as tag sales go, it was quite a scene. I was happy to see that people were very happy with their finds.
1 This is the clerestory. As you can see, it is a wonderful space for large events. The tag sale only took up one corner of this room. On either side of the clerestory, there are busy work areas behind the scrims.
2 The tag sale drew quite a crowd.
3 These gentlemen each have an armload of clothing! I wonder who the lucky women are?
4 The shoes were displayed in zipper bags and priced very reasonably.
5 All good tag sales have a give away area. This one featured assorted yarns, fabrics, and trimmings.
6 The clothing was displayed neatly folded upon long tables.
7 Simply stated
8 Doreen Hunt and Lee Evans tallied up the sales.
9 Ralph Lauren jeans
10 A great buy on Ralph Rucci silk pants!
11 White Escada trousers
12 I can't believe these prices!
13 This group of shoppers wanted free arms and stacked their finds on the floor.
14 These are the bins that the clothing was transported in.
15 A quick try on
16 Lisa just loves this Brooks Brother's shirt.
17 Tori is crazy about this bright pink Façonnable blouse.
18 Lynn plans on giving this silk yarn to her cousin to knit into an afghan.
19 Tana and her son, Dana - she is happy about her shoe purchase.
20 Claudia is browsing
21 Elizabeth, from the test kitchen, strolling by and taking a peek
22 Stephanie - another browser
23 Helene is contemplating this pair of Donna Karan tweed slacks.
Lovely clothing. Recycle, reuse, yes! Isn't it fun to share the cheerfulness of a pretty piece of clothing. And done in a way that's affordable for your employees. A very kind and a very good thing! Kudos to you Martha.
Posted by: Penny | November 17th, 2009 at 1:41 am
thanks Martha! Again this year I added some staples to my wardrobe! ox
Posted by: Kristin st. clair | November 17th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Hi Martha
Wish I could be there to buy these affordable and good quality clothes.
Nice idea...
Thel
Posted by: Thelma | November 17th, 2009 at 10:01 am
What an amazing operation you have Martha! The guys are funny! All of your staff seems wonderful! I was at your show a couple weeks ago. I can confirm they are great...just like you!
Posted by: Melanie Sirois | November 17th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Hi Martha,
Now that's one sale I wouldn't mind going to but I can just see me in a pair of your slacks if I could even zip them up - they would be about 9 inches too long! Just call me Shorty! Anyway, that's a big wardrobe when you think of an outfit a day for at least 175 shows. I think it is great that your employees were given an opportunity to buy everything at a very reasonable price. I remember Aaron buying one of your shirts last year and wearing it on the show. I also see that your grand clerestory gets a lot of good use. Thanks. Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 17th, 2009 at 10:55 am
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Nice idea,to pass on the goodies,I think Martha is a wee bit of a softie too.
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Childhood Memories (a)
.
Who can forget their first trip to an orchard?
Stepping into that magic of manicured trees,
Rosy or green apples so round, crisp n hard.
That pleasant smell that floats on the breeze;
How kind of the orchardist to invite me
And let me wander around this special place.
Each perky apple says without doubt, bite me!
Just the thought brings a smile to my face.
So much work, so necessary, for such a prize,
Those pretty blossoms caressed by the bees,
The transformation as the flower dies
Those rosy cheeks from an arousing tease.
Hours of endless pruning, at just the right time;
Born free! Craving the warm sun, how time flies.
Many hands to do the picking, that's a good sign
How apropos, just in time for one of mum's pies.
. cms
Posted by: celia stock | November 17th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I have became a tag sale phile. Great photos. I did love Mrs. Johnson, the pecan pie maker from Minnesota. I have known a couple(well maybe more) men from Minnesota,too. What is that special charm? My recipe for Pecan Pie is from book THE YEARLING and have relived that scene by Marjorie Kinan Rawlings more than once.
Posted by: ann | November 17th, 2009 at 11:25 am
oh wow!!! what a fun thing to attend!!!
Posted by: Diana Evans | November 17th, 2009 at 11:43 am
How fun! I love tag/yard/rummage sales. Do you advertise this sale, or is it by word of mouth? I wish I could be there for one!
Posted by: Amanda | November 17th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I could see some shoes only being worn once, but if they were comfortable no one would get them off my feet. Unfortunately I would behave the same with the jeans and tops. And then there would be no tag sale.......... But who did the men's clothing belong to?
Posted by: Margie | November 17th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
What a great ide.! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
xo,
cristin
Posted by: cristin @ simplified bee | November 17th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
UNREAL $$$$$
Wonderful...what size do you wear ???
Great post,
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | November 17th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
This is a wonderful idea! I wish people here in Nashville did this, only letting people like me, (a schoolteacher with not much money) a chance to buy pretty things too!
Posted by: June | November 17th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Martha,
I LOVE that grey sweater that you have on today with the ruffles an velvety trim, where did you get it?
Posted by: Brigette | November 17th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
It's cool that you do that. I still think it would be cooler to donate it to charity or something, but very cool it does not just get tossed,
Posted by: Mitchell | November 17th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Wish I could have been there! What a great idea!!
Posted by: Alexa | November 17th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Great idea. Where do the profits go? I hope to a charity?
Posted by: Ann | November 17th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
How lucky are all the employees!! What fun!
This is a great idea.
Posted by: Suzanne Morelli | November 17th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Who wouldn't want to own garments and/or shoes that Martha Stewart wore?!!! [giggle] My problem? I'm not your size! Nor your inseam length! [giggle, then a big sigh]
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A girl can dream, can't she?!
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Sunshine, my friend,
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 17th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
How fun is this?! And the best part is that each season you get to choose a new wardrobe and so you should!
Posted by: sherey | November 17th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Hi Martha, There are times when I wish I lived in or near New York City and this is one of them. Years ago, I almost moved to Westchester County to continue my teaching career. For some reason I decided not to go and I finished my career here in Washington state. I would certainly enjoy being near to where you are so I could attend such events as your tag sale and be closer to attend your TV show. We had 2+ hours of sunshine today and I went out to cut up more firewood. The gusty wind started again and we will have more rain tonight. Sure hope this unpleasant weather ends soon. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 17th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Martha:
I love the clothes that you wear on the sets of Martha Stewart Living everyday. When I'm shopping for clothes I just can't find your outfits.
Please, Martha, can you tell us where you purchase your clothes? You should be winning the award for the best dressed popular person!
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy Mech | November 18th, 2009 at 10:21 am
There should be a contest and the winner gets to attend this tag sale!
Posted by: Kim Edsell | November 18th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Glad to see someone else thinks sarah palin is stupid.Good job martha!
Posted by: susan longley | November 20th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Wow! I wish I lived closer, I would love to own anything worn by Martha Stewart. I wouldn't even care if it didn't fit. I would hang it on display just so I could look at it and touch it.
Posted by: Martha Lynch | November 20th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Hey Martha,
Wished I had been there for your tag sale..I recently moved and would love to know if you have any unused household items or furniture you might wanna give up..I lost everything recently..that would make my 15 year old daughter so happy to have a home finally. Happy Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Margaret Fetty | November 24th, 2009 at 2:40 pm