Sale Away with Nicholas Kirkwood (London, UK)

The venue of the sale: Swarovski Crystallized Lounge (images: Swarovski)

Sample sales can be a scary thing... for a shopper. But what if you as a designer show up to your own sale? I always imagined I'd be somewhere between amused and disgusted at seeing people pounce on my wares like they were life-saving, while elbowing fellow shoppers out of the way. But I never imagined I'd eventually see the creative mind behind a fashion label show up to one of these events - until last Thursday that is.

When news of the Kirkwood sale fluttered in my mailbox I was pretty hyped - and petrified. I had visions of queuing up for two hours only to fight my way to a pair of heels that weren't even my size (friends had reported such stories about the Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane sales, which I missed as I was still in Paris). However when I showed up with a pal 20 minutes before the sale started, we were already allowed in and the swanky Swarovski Lounge was occupied by a mere eight shoppers. I guess few others had been cheeky enough to take a lunch break at 11:40...

So many shoes... I need more feet... And a view of the area when it got a little more crowded.

While I was arranging around a dozen shoes around me to try on, I noticed a nondescript guy with a shy smile helping the other SAs put out shoes and pile boxes. I recognized him instantly, but the thought seemed too bizarre. Things got even more confusing when more women streamed in to the sales area and Nicholas Kirkwood himself actually started fetching shoes for customers or rummaged through boxes looking for missing pairs. A few finally did recognize him and immediately asked him to sign their newly bought heels - which he obligingly did. At one point, when the room really filled up and SAs were running around like madwomen looking for footwear, he shook his head and slapped his hand against it, but all in all, he didn't seem all that fazed by the experience and chatted happily with acquaintances who had come to see him (and buy shoes of course). About an hour into the sale, it seemed he'd had enough - and I saw him sneak out the back exit.

Nicholas Kirkwood fetching shoes (left) and giving style advice (right).

Piles of boxes filled with shoes...

Shoe heaven. The heels span several seasons. Unfortunately I could barely walk in some of these.

The sale itself was excellent by the way. It did get very busy 30 minutes into the sale (when these pics were taken), but nothing I hadn't witnessed before. As some may know, I'm a huge fan of Kirkwood's statement heels, so seeing them go for high street prices was a dream come true. Even the FW10 collection was already available, including the pearl suspended sandals, and the incredible Rodarte shoes made an appearance as well - though most girls couldn't walk in them. If you missed the sample sale, don't worry, his shoes are marked down during the regular sales as well - but of course there's no guarantee Mr. Kirkwood will make an appearance then.

Nicholas Kirkwood was kind enough to sign a few of his shoes for customers queuing at the cash desk (left), which is where I found more heels standing in a row (right).

This isn't my pile, but it could have been... (left) and even the furry boot went on sale.

More eye candy including the famed Rodarte heel (lower left), retailing for 400 GBP (down from 2K I believe).