Window on Italian Style : Westwood store brings the price of designer footwear and bags down to earth.
A large overstock of merchandise is a wholesaler’s nightmare--but it can be a consumer’s dream. The in ventory at Window Italy is made up entirely of a wholesaler’s overstocks, and the bargains are terrific.
Shoes for men and women, many of them big names in the shoe industry, are on the shelves. Sizes from 5 1/2 to 10 are available in all styles. Joan & David, Anne Klein, Perry Ellis, Stuart Weitzman, Giorgio Brutini and Paloma are some of the women’s shoe designers represented at greatly reduced prices, as much as 10% to 20% below wholesale.
Some Joan & David suede dress pumps that retail for $195 were $49.99, as were a pair of Via Spiga pumps that were in the stores for $135. The name “Stuart Weitzman” on the inner sole evokes a glint in many a shopper’s eyes, and they will be knocked out when they read the prices--for instance, $55 for leather dress pumps that retail for $225. I loved the Anne Klein flats at $35--and was pleased that I didn’t pay $120 for them a few months ago.
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Women’s shoes that retail for $75 to $110--such as Studio Paolo, Jazz, Van Eli, Palaizzio, Anne Klein II and Etienne Aigner--are at Window Italy for $25 to $40.
Most are current styles, and some are “gray market,” or made for the European market, which means that some styles reach here ahead of the local marketplace. Last season’s styles are further reduced and can be found in the $29 section.
Men will find some of their favorite designers as well--Bruno Magli, Mario Bruni, Stracam and BrassBoot, to name a few. For $75, you can have some $225 hand-crafted loafers by Mario Bruni; $50 is all you need for a pair of $135 Stracam slip-on dress shoes, and $70 gets you any style--Oxford, wing-tip, loafer or slip-on--from BrassBoot, which retail for around $165.
The assortment of women’s handbags is colorful, fun and $35, except at sale time--about four times a year--when they are marked down to $25. Most of the handbags are made in Milan and retail from $85 to $100.
If you’ve never heard of this place, the reason is that a clause in this wholesaler’s contract with other retail stores prohibits Window Italy from advertising its bargains. Manager Jonathan Kohan finds this a bit frustrating when he has such great deals to offer, but he knows that once consumers find this little spot, they generally become regulars.
Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Friday in Valley Life! Questions about shopping may be sent to her, in care of Valley Life!, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Letters will not be answered individually, but topics of general interest will be discussed in future columns. Geri Cook can be heard from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays on KIEV 870-AM.
WHERE TO SHOP
What: Window Italy.
Location: 10907 Weyburn Ave., Westwood.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, noon to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Cards: MasterCard, Visa.
Call: (310) 824-3451.
