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Jimmy Choo Sample Sale Draws Hundreds of Shoe-Crazed Shoppers to Chelsea

By Mathew Katz | April 13, 2012 6:42am
Maria Couture, 28, shows off two of the twenty pairs of shoes she bought at the Jimmy Choo sample sale on April 12, 2012.
Maria Couture, 28, shows off two of the twenty pairs of shoes she bought at the Jimmy Choo sample sale on April 12, 2012.
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DNAinfo/Mathew Katz

CHELSEA — Choo on this, shoe-lovers.

Hundreds of heel-loving shoppers braved rain and wind for the chance to buy discount designer footwear Thursday at the Jimmy Choo sample sale.

The event kicked off at the Metropolitan Pavilion on West 18th Street, featuring the popular designer's shoes, bags and accessories for a fraction of their retail price. Choo's shoes are a favorite of celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé, who don them for red carpet events.

The shoes — which can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 — were discounted to $225 for a new pair or $75 for a used one. Handbags get even pricier, and were available for $300 to $400 a piece.

"It just makes sense. It's Jimmy Choo," said a 28-year-old banker, the aptly named Maria Couture, carting away 20 pairs of heels and 15 leather handbags — totalling thousands of dollars — which she said were all for her.

"I just love these shoes. You do the math."

The lineup began on West 18th Street at 11 a.m., with the doors opening to the public at around 2 p.m. Patient shoppers waited in line for up to three hours outside, and about two hours to pay after finding for the best deals. At one point, the line stretched down the street and up Sixth Avenue.

"I think it's worth it if I get a few pairs," said Sandra Wilmner, 43, who took the day off to check out the sale.

"If I don't get anything, I might stab someone," she added, looking at the dozens of people lined up in front of her.

The sale will continue into Friday, but with the zeal that customers were picking over the selection, one Jimmy Choo staffer said he doubted the sale would last past the morning.

Many shoppers were there both for their own closets and also to snag up deals for friends.

Kim Lee, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mom living in Chinatown, took home a $1,300 worth of shoes and bags for four different people.

"They're all fans and I could make it here, so why not?" she said.

One woman, who identified herself as Eridania from Washington Heights, carted off four handbags for a total $1,700.

Her friend, Tracy Brathwaite of Flatbush, only managed to get one.

"I'm a bit jealous of her haul," she said. "I'm also upset I didn't get any bags for $75."

Nelly Liang, 32, showed up at 11 a.m., and finally emerged with a single $350 handbag at 4 p.m.

"You gotta do something like this once in your life," she said.

"Besides, if my boss asks, I've been on a lunch break. A very long lunch break."