todays wwd
DESIGNER DISCOUNT: The irony. Notorious for its vertiginous price tags, Rochas, whose clothing business is in the process of being shuttered by owner Procter & Gamble, is to be the focus of a massive sale in Paris of past couture, ready-to-wear and accessories collections starting Jan. 25. The four-day event, which is to be held at the former Rochas couture atelier on Rue Nollet, will mainly feature pieces from the Olivier Theyskens and Peter O'Brien eras, with prices lopped up to 80 percent off boutique prices. "Certain major U.S. clients have been granted early access," said Véronique Masson, who along with her twin sister, Valerie, organized the sale. The pair is scouting a partner to hold a second sale in New York. Certain sought-after pieces, however, such as the gray bird-on-a-wire column worn by Kirsten Dunst at the Cannes Film Festival last year, are being offered to museums, said Stéphane Lemonnier, finance and administration manager.