Sometimes it feels like the internet is so chock full of flash sale sites and it’s hard to know which one to shop with. Let us make it easy for you: vente-privee was the first (they launched in 2001) and remains one of the best and largest on the web. After 11 years in business, Read more →
Flash sale sites come and go, but the original just can’t be beat. That’s why we still love vente-privee, the Parisian-based flash sales website that launched in 2001. Their concept was easy enough: each day the site would host a sale of a designer brand, available only to its members, taking the sample sale into Read more →
Even if you think you know the history–or myth, in some cases–of Tom Ford’s design career, it’s a unique experience to be able to hear it told in the first person, by the man himself. We got to experience it Tuesday night at the 92nd Street Y for the latest “Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis” along with a stylish group of vente-privee members (that’s right, the fabulous member-only shopping site with brands like Wolford, Cavalli and Miraval Spa also offered VIP access to this amazing evening – have you signed up for your trip to Paris yet?) The room was packed and the 92nd Street Y even opened up a room for people to listen to a live simulcast; the only other person the Y has done that for was Woody Allen. We were rapt listening to him chat with Fern for an hour and a half about his childhood, his long and influential stint with the Gucci Group, and his future projects (like doing three movies someday).
Is it just us, or do most of the flash sale sites pretty much look the same these days? Same brands, same discounts, same offers. Thankfully, vente-privee USA recently launched onto the scene, injecting some much-needed excitement and desire back into flash sale shopping. And starting today, we challenge all Fashionista readers to discover vente-privee for yourselves at http://www.venteprivee.com/takemetoparis and share the site with friends and family for the chance to go on an amazing Parisian getaway…with Fashionista!
Let’s start from the beginning… in 2001, Paris tech startup vente-privee came up with a novel idea: each day the site would host a sale of a designer brand, available only to its members, bringing the concept of the sample sale online. Voila, the flash sales model was born.
Now, eleven years, billions of dollars and several copycat sites later, vente-privee has finally brought its innovative approach stateside…
Maybe you’ve never heard of Vente-Privee, but if you’ve ever visited Gilt Groupe, HauteLook, Rue La La, etc., you know what they do. The French company launched a designer flash sales site back in 2001 (that’s six years before Gilt Groupe and HauteLook) and inspired the launch of Gilt. The firm is a huge player in Europe–they currently boast 13 million users and about $1 billion in yearly sales–but they’ve steered clear of the US. Until now.
This morning, American Express announced a joint partnership with Vente-Privee to launch an American site later on this year. (Each company owns 50% of the venture. And this is VP’s first foray into a non-European market.)
