Deep Dive - Week of November 18th 2024 - Last launches in time for Thanksgiving Week
Collabs, launches, items that bring me joy, early revenue indicator at Walmart?? And lots and lots of sales.
Well, we’ve almost made it - to the official true true start of Holiday shopping. Surprised? It already feels like years have gone by. A marathon that is 26 days long. We can do it!
This Week's Topics:
New Collabs
New Launches
Finds I’m Obsessed With
New Store Openings & Pop-ups
The Business Section
Early Indicator of Holiday Revenue?
Fashion & Beauty News
People in the News
What else I ❤️️
New Collabs
Fashion
On the heels of the Madewell x Alexa Chung collab drop two launched last week, this week Madewell quietly launched a collab with Leset.
The Pointelle Capsule collection is four styles (pant with a long sleeve t-shirt, cardigan, tank, and short sleeve tshirt.)
The opening price point is $78 for the tank or short sleeve and the pieces come in white, charcoal grey and deep red. The best deal is the set (pant with long sleeve t-shirt) because it is $198 vs $208 on Leset’s site when you purchase a la carte. All other items are the same price and my assumption is the way they were able to get that price point below $200 (which was likely the goal) was to bundle together. Two of the colors (grey & red) are also special colors not currently available at Leset.
The goal is likely for Leset to broaden their brand awareness although it does not seem to be available in all stores (my local store will take 4-7 days to be available for pick-up.) This was also a way for Madewell to expand their Pointelle assortment. FWIW I do love the Leset products and I love Pointelle for layering under sweaters and loungewear. I also think it is a very popular material for the Gen Z-Alpha set so if you are looking for more clothing gifts I recommend these pieces.
Métier x Gohar World is launching a collab featuring the beautiful leather handbags and accessories with Gohar World motifs. The collab launches on December 3rd. For the fashion forward chef or entertainer this is a beautiful and thoughtful collab.
I’ve got my eye on this Tibi x L.L. Bean collab for a boat and tote that will be back for the holidays. The black belt is super cool and very of the moment (Prada belt bag, Toteme belt bag)
Emma Chamberlin x Warby Parker made a major splash too in collabs. The colors are great - something different for glasses but not too wild. Check out
’s styling of this collab on Instagram.Did you see the latest Dolce & Gabbana x Skims collab? It briefly crashed the site but either they bought enough inventory or the crash was driven by curiosity and not conversion.
Alex Mill x Jimmy Fallon for some holiday P’Jimmies. Cute mixed up plaid sleep shirt.
New Launches
Fashion Launches
Dorsey’s latest are perfect for collecting, gifting and upgrading any 5mm or smaller Riviéres you already own. The two row and three row pendants are shaped like beads that you string on a tennis necklace, collar or chain.
They can also work on any chain you already have. They come in lab grown tourmaline, lab grown sapphires (red, white, blue), lab grown diamond, lab grown black onyx (very cool!), crystal emerald and nano turquoise (whew!) See - so many options to mix ‘n match.
What I like is that you can add to your collection and have multiples. I love doing the diamond or lab grown diamond with lab grown blue sapphire for my kids birthstones. If you own multiples you can wear one at a time, pile them up, or keep mixing.
Also worth pointing out how they treated the PDP1 for these SKUs. Check out the right hand side from the Desktop view with “Complete The Look” so it removes the question about which necklace to add it with and makes it easy to add it all on one page. No extra clicks. Less opportunity to bounce. Brilliant. (Want to know more about Dorsey? Check out my Brand Crush and chat with Founder
here)
Victoria Beckham has been in a great moment with her business. MyTheresa launched a collection of exclusive items for VB. Key finds: Lamé gathered dress (like an LBD turned up a notch), or maybe black sequins, very into this smart green velvet blazer and matching pants, a unique faux fur jacket or an iconic jersey dress in this gorgeous “fig” shade.
- from put this cool launch on my radar from Moda Operandi. Desert Vintage and Ténéré. Check out this Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld 1973 Silk Chiffon Gown and this 1920’s beaded silk Fortuny gown belongs at the Met in a Costume Exhibit. You could wear to a Toga Party.
Doen Holiday Chapter 2 is now online and in stores. The lace skirt is sold out, but the lace top is delicate and can be paired with other bottoms if you don’t have the matching skirt. A party top and a mini skirt inspired by 1930s lingerie. This jacket reminds me of the fancy coats I wore as a child with patent mary janes.
Donni new launch includes my favorite silk pants reimagined in velvet and a perfect turtleneck (y’all, the baby rib material is so good.)
Kallmeyer Resort 2025 notes: Field Jackets spring forward, I love the high button silk wool blazer in navy, on my radar that airy skirts over pants will really be trending and the silk wool vest is cut incredibly well.
Beauty Launches
Rhode launched their new cinnamon roll peptide lip tint. I have been loving the shade I have (I bought the blush duo with sleepy girl + raspberry jam and I love both shades and formulas.) You can also order the new cinnamon roll peptide lip tint with your choice of a blush and I recommend ordering that way. A gift that both my daughter and I would be into.
Finds I’m Obsessed With
Last year I gifted the Kate McLeod Sleep Pebbles and kept some for myself. Now I’ve become more obsessed with her whole line. Kate McLeod's Daily Stone, is a concentrated waterless body moisturizer that delivers more nourishing ingredients in one application than your typical bottle of lotion. This female-founded innovation, crafted with pure cocoa butter and delicately scented with rose, frankincense, and neroli, transforms daily moisturizing into a luxurious ritual that leaves skin visibly soft, supple, and glowing – and a little truly goes such a long way. The subtle, sophisticated fragrance strikes that perfect balance – present enough to enhance your self-care moment but never overwhelming – while the beautiful refillable bamboo container and zero-waste format align perfectly with conscious consumption. Whether you're treating yourself or introducing a friend to this unique discovery (it makes the most thoughtful gift!), the Daily Stone creates a mini-sanctuary in your day, turning an everyday task into a mindful moment of luxury. Use code SARAH15 for 15% off your order. Sponsored by Kate McLeod, all opinions and reviews are my own.
Scarf as a sweater trend has gone further this winter with a scarf shaped as a sweater (or maybe half a sweater) I love to see the innovation of new products. But there is a sliver of me that feels this takes it a bit too far. Of course my merchant brain realizes it is a great way to increase the price of a scarf but decrease the price of a sweater. A new price point. See Kallmeyer, Jacquemus and Lemaire. (Three and we’ve got a trend!)
Since Bag Charms are still trending, how about this as a gift. It is under $15 and pretty iconic.
Retail Diary PSA
Made to Order Riviéres (14k) Dorsey order cut off is this Friday 11/22/24 to receive in time for Christmas.
Early Access starts now for the Freda Salvador Black Friday Sale! I have my eyes on these, if you don’t have a moto boot I highly recommend these or how about a shearling loafer mule?
Soldout.nyc has launched their Black Friday Sale Event. 25% off including so many of my favorites. Like this button up (I have black, but the navy is the newest and would look great paired with black or denim) and I have a few of the t-shirts and they hold up so well.
Make sure you are signed up for La Ligne’s SMS if you want first access to their Black Friday Sale! If you are looking for recommendations on styles, these are my favorites.
Shopping for the men in your life? Todd Snyder’s Black Friday Event starts 11/23 and is 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY30. If any guy has requested a shirt jacket, or shacket, this should be your shopping spot.
Roz Hair launches their Black Friday Event on Saturday 11/23/24. 20% off site-wide for Black Friday + all purchases over $100 receive a Free Full-Size Willow Glen gift ($48 Value). I use the Willow Glen Scalp Oil pre-wash. I’ll leave it in overnight or during a workout before I wash my hair.
MyTheresa sale page is a great place to visit. I like to go in and filter by designers and my size to weed through what I’d really love to find. Maybe a wool blend wrap coat, a Demellier handbag that is such a classic, a great deal on gorgeous mary jane flats, Tod’s Boots or Aesther Ekme mini handbag.
Away is 25% off. For a great gift at a sharp price point, I have multiple colors of the packing cubes and love them for organizing. For more about Away and travel gifts check out this post from earlier this week.
Vestiaire Collective has their Black Friday preview going on now.
Ring Concierge Black Friday Event is 30% off. If you are looking for a gorgeous tennis bracelet or studs this could be your sign.
Ariel Gordon Jewelry is already running 20% off with code CHEER20. Make sure you order any personalized pieces (like this classic disc) by 11/25 to receive in time for the Holidays.
One of my favorite sweaters, the Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan, is 25% off for Black Friday along with a ton of other great pieces.
Margaux has their Black Friday sale beginning Friday 11/22. This mary jane was featured in the WSJ last weekend for being handmade in Spain.
InnBeauty Project launched their Black Friday Sale with bundle pricing. 35% off custom bundles and 30% off all orders over $100.
Ami Colé has a deal running, Spend $75+ by Nov 27 & snag a FREE full-size gift:
Highlighter, Brow Gel, or Concealer Brush. Check out the Dream Date Multisticks for all over color (psst they’ve been on Oprah’s Favorite Things List.)UBeauty is 20% off and it would be smart to load up on the already discounted Beauty Kits and Bundles. I’m also loving this Resurfacing Flash Peel for party prepped skin throughout the holiday season.
Finding Ferdinand has a free gift with purchase for orders over $65. I would add this Holiday Duo Set (cool tubing mascara and their popular Black lip balm - doesn’t stay black on) and a Mon Cheri Delicious Lip Balm.
FYI - All the Retail Diary discount codes can be found here BUT (but but but!!) many won’t work in conjunction with deeper discounts for Black Friday promotions. Worth a try but if not this is why.
New Store Openings & Pop-Ups
Violet Grey, the luxury beauty destination, has launched its first retail expansion outside Los Angeles by opening an exclusive shop-in-shop at Hirshleifers, the iconic family-run Long Island luxury department store, marking a carefully curated partnership that brings Cassandra Grey's beauty expertise to a new, discerning audience. I’m obsessed that:
Violet Grey is expanding their physical footprint in a thoughtful way.
Partnering with Hirshleifers for this - a very cool, very high-end store that is special and not as exposed as a Saks or Nordstroms.
A great way to showcase this Violet Grey 3.0 chapter.
Telfar is opening their first location in NYC. Soho is the spot with an exclusive bag launching at the opening 11/23/24.
Rocksbox, a Bay Area start-up that was acquired by Signet Jewelers, has opened its first boutique in San Francisco. It will feature a curated selection of 13 jewelry brands including exclusive styles, pre-owned pieces, and lab-grown diamonds. The goal is for the space to feel intimate and personal. Like shopping in a friend’s personal collection - this is one way to help envision how the styles would fit into your own life.
Calpak opened their first store in Century City. Like Away, Beis etc it is smart to open a location for customers to check out the pieces in person. They also had the learnings from a pop-up in NYC. (PS their popular toiletry bag is up to 30% off for Black Friday.)
Lands’ End tote bag pop-up for DIY bags including bag charms. Brilliant and so so smart of the brand. Pop-up is at SoHo at 54 Crosby St thru 11/24/24.
The Business Section
Early Indicator of Holiday Revenue?
How much of an indication is it that Walmart feels bullish?
What’s going on? Walmart reported strong Q3 performance with 5% U.S. sales growth, raised annual forecasts, and is optimistic about the holiday shopping season, driven by low prices, convenient online shopping, and attracting higher-income customers who are trading down amid economic challenges.
Let’s dive into it…I have a few thoughts
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