The first sample sale I ever went to, Stella McCartney’s in London four years ago, was a true sample sale.

They’d never had one and were anxious to clear out their archives. Translation: racks and racks of things that had never seen a runway, only seen a runway, half-finished, half ripped-apart treasures that I wish I’d bought more of.

Now, everything’s a sample sale.

So Abaeté’s going old school and hosting a proper sample sale of their archives and actual samples back from celebrity loans including this Rachel Bilson dress and the Rihanna swimsuit at left.

They’re kicking it off with a silent auction and cocktail party, open to the public, at 117 Crosby Street on June 17th at 6pm (rsvp@abaete.com). The rest of the dates are here.