If It’s Designer Labels You Covet, You Can Afford Them

Valentino, Ungaro, Escada, Jean-Paul Gaultier are names we know and covet. But with prices starting at $1,000, we can rarely afford them.

Unless you have a rich relative who tosses her castoffs away, your answer is resale. A wealth of top designer names graces the racks at Marga’s Repeat Boutique in Studio City, most of them gently used, but occasionally there’s one that’s never been worn, purchased by someone on a whim and later rejected.

So much the better for the fashion-conscious bargain hunter who wouldn’t blink at a $125 price tag on a colorful and reversible Escada Windbreaker or $175 for a dress with the St. John label and certainly not $50 for some new Escada blouses that originally were about $700.

Most of the fine collection is on consignment. A stunning black Scaasi cocktail dress that probably carried a price tag of $1,000 or so was $139. But now, because of a 30% off sale on selected merchandise, it’s $98.

Apparently, the death knell is off on furs these days, because owner Marga Karkenny says she sells about six furs a week, and her selection is prime. A full-length white fox coat with badger trim was $4,000, but for $800 you can feel like a princess in this.

A dark ranch mink coat that cost someone $8,000 not too long ago is now down to $1,250. But I had to get back to the racks and a smashing Norma Kamali matching jacket and vest for $125 or a deep plum Escada suit for $250. That black Adolfo suit that originally sold for more than $800 is a deal at $115.

Karkenny, a veteran of 21 years in the resale business, is most particular about the items she takes on consignment. They must be in mint condition and from designers she knows will sell. She gives a 50%-50% split on consignment and sometimes will buy items outright for this shop and another in Palm Desert.

Marga’s Repeat Boutique, 12610 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 763-5150. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Major credit cards. In Palm Desert at 73910 El Paseo. (760) 773-1988.

Valentine Weekend Super Sale: At Hello & Goodbuy, there are two excellent specials for gift-giving: Boxes of a dozen chocolate roses that usually sell for $45 are marked down to $20. And a chocolate champagne bottle with “Happy Valentine’s Day” written on it that regularly sells for $20 is $10 for the weekend.

Hello & Goodbuy, 17612 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 981-4955.