Cindy Busis, executive director of the Pittsburgh section of the National Council of Jewish Women, knows firsthand what kind of bargains shoppers take home from the council's annual Designer Days fundraiser.
At last year's event, she picked up two dresses for her daughter by New York fashion designer Donald Deal -- whose clients include celebrities such as Bette Midler, Sharon Stone, Geena Davis and Barbara Walters -- for $60 each.
"It was fantastic," Busis says.
The council's 37th annual sale of new and gently worn designer and name-brand clothing will include some new features this weekend, including a preview party today for a $20 admission charge at the door.
"It's a little different this year," Busis says. "Friday will be more of a festive party atmosphere, and shoppers will get first crack at the best merchandise." On Saturday and Sunday, admission is free, and on Sunday, fashions will be sale-priced at 50 percent off.
Designer Days offers more than 150 clothing racks brimming with better-label men's, women's and children's fashions, and five jewelry cases filled with treasures. Busis says dedicated council volunteers work all year long to collect clothing items for the project that supports the organization's nonsectarian community service projects.
"It's very easy to find something specific" at the sale, she says. Women's clothing is arranged by sizes on racks according to groupings of dresses, "after 5," suits, coats and pants. A separate section will have vintage looks from the '60s and '70s, and a men's area offers suits, ties, shoes and accessories. Children's clothing, toys and games also are available for sale.
There's a section for plus sizes and a "better boutique" of true couture items, ranging from belts, purses, jewelry and accessories to pairs of high-fashion Jimmy Choo shoes, says Bonnie Rubin, the council's director of retail operations.
Popular designer labels are common on clothing items at the sale, according to Rubin.
"We get a lot of Giorgio Armani, Escada, Coach and Prada," she says. "We have a Louis Vuitton satchel worth $400 to $500." For men, a Charles Spiegel suit valued at $1,300 is available for $250, a $500 pair of Johnston and Murphy shoes sell for less than $40, and silk ties are less than $20.
Most fashion pieces are priced at less than $100, Busis says.
This year, in addition to furs that have been donated by individuals, Carl "Guy" Herrmann, president of Carl Herrmann Furs, Downtown, has been invited by the council to provide a special boutique with his own, mostly new and gently worn furs.
Herrmann says his assortment of furs will run the gamut of new and classic looks, some discontinued styles and capes, jackets and coats, in addition to leather and fur pieces and shearling outerwear.
"There are plenty of good deals," he says.
Rubin says there's something for everybody at the annual charity event.
"I think the merchandise this year is very nice," she says. "If you're a bit creative, you can find a treasure at Designer Days."
After the weekend sale is over, Rubin says shoppers will have an opportunity to purchase the remaining designer clothing for a discounted price. The unsold apparel will be returned to the council's Thriftique thrift shop in Swissvale, where prices will be marked down 50 percent through November.
Additional Information:
Designer Days
When and admission : Preview party, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. today, $20; general sale 1-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, free
Where : Pittsburgh Expo Mart, 105 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville
Details : 412-421-6118 or www.ncjwpgh.org
