by Stevie Wilson / Issue 37, 08-02-2004

Learn how this cosmos of a company has changed the face of sample sales, and continues to take the concept to higher planes.

Being fashionably dressed is something many of us aspire to, though perhaps we can’t always whip out that platinum credit card (Don’t have one? Neither do I!) Finding the right fashions takes time and effort to make it happen. Get savvy and don’t pay retail. Scout out the bargains that you want at outlet stores, department store sales and boutique seasonal clearance sales.

A great way to score major fashion coups is to shop sample sales. L.A. sample sales sell more than just showroom samples; find odd lots, cancelled orders, over-runs and past season’s goods that vendors don’t want to carry as inventory. By shopping at sample sales, you can save anywhere from 30 to 90% depending on the sale, the merchandise and the time of year. Sample sales are a gamble. You may be rising at the crack of dawn, risk getting elbowed, and it takes bravery to change clothes and share mirrors with others. But it’s well worth the effort when you snag the dress, sweater or designer denim that you’ve been eyeing!

Where to find sample sales? Head to PlanetLulu.com. This sample sale company is the penultimate for fashionistas in search of ahead-of-the-curve apparel at bargain prices.

Welcome to Planet Lulu
Planet Lulu was started back in 1999 by Noah Soltes who realized that selling odd lots in a convivial atmosphere made a lot more dollars – and sense – because of the more relaxed atmosphere. Based on these “home-grown” events, Noah came up with a plan that seems to have blossomed into a phenomenal success.

Working with companies, jobbers and stores to clear out merchandise, Noah took his experience in cosmetic manufacturing and turned the sample sale world upside down. Counter to the usual clearance trend, Noah scheduled sample sales regularly as a bimonthly gig. Planetlulu.com was created to be the source and bulletin board for upcoming sales. His user-friendly site capitalizes on the power of girl-talk and female bonding. Visitors register for email notification of upcoming sales. Referring friends to register earns a person an “early in” pass for 20 minutes before the official opening. Through RSVPs, Noah estimates the amount of merchandise needed to ensure something for everyone – though not everything in every size and color.

Moving to the outer limits
Hitting the road, Noah took Planet Lulu to Orange County, San Francisco and Seattle. PlanetLulu.com opened its doors to shoppers nationwide for two days, bi-monthly. The Lulu Online shopping motto: grab it now or it’s gone! When one Lulu Online sale got hit with 900,000 shoppers in three hours (no lie!) and crashed the server, Noah and gang knew some serious changes to Planetlulu.com were in order. Thanks to a new server, Planet Lulu refined its web sales with faster navigation and checkout.

It’s all about the goods!
Shoppers have their pick of over 60 top brands from New York and Los Angeles: past season designer handbags and accessories; off-season intimate apparel from Cosabella; separates from lines you will recognize (e.g., Ella Moss, Eva Fortune, Serfontaine, Three Dots and more); the top four brands of denim that I dare not mention; jazzy jewelry that celebs covet (Trace, La Leona by Shari Wacks) – all at 50 to 90% off retail. (Translation: Save mucho bucks!) One San Francisco sale had a thousand people in one day! And it’s no wonder L.A. sales are SRO (that’s Standing Room Only) in line and in the group dressing room.

Online, they pulled a hat trick by creating a website featuring limited edition designs from cutting edge jewelry designers lulujewelryboutique.com. Pick a color, a stone or a designer to search and you will come up with some stunning jewelry at great values!

Here’s the scoop!
Online auctions are a fab way to find great fashions, but it takes work finding what you want in the usual auction sites. Problem solved with the launch of Planet Lulu Online Auctions. Vendors can sell direct to you without a sample sale event, plus Lulu Auctions are open to you to sell virtually new or gently used fashion mistakes. You can sell the jacket that never fit right; those pants that never made it to the tailor; that dress that makes you look ill. This uber user-friendly auction site has exceptionally low fees and there is a plethora of help. It’s a real Lulu of a spot. So drop on by Planet Lulu Online Auctions when it goes live on September 8. Register, explore and have a blast buying – and selling – fashion and beauty products.

Here’s another scoop – very hush-hush – Lulu’s going to find new digs for the store. With the popularity of its loft sales and pulling in top brand-name merchandise, a larger brick-and-mortar storefront with more parking has become essential. So stay tuned, and as Noah says, “See you on the planet!”

Stevie Wilson is a freelance writer covering beauty, fashion, fitness and lifestyle. She is based in Southern California.