I waited 5 f**king hours in line in hopes of getting some cute shit!
But first, this necessary TikTok, because we needed the thoughts and prayers while waiting in that line in the heat!
Ahh, yes. The closet sale or sample sale heard all around the world. Well. At least, at the very least, heard all around New York City, and a niche part of New York city where the fashion world, fashion enthusiasts and the very specific fanbase of an actress still thriving off of her ’90s it girl stardom, merged.
The Chloe Sevigny fanbase.
At the The Chloe Sevigny Closet Sale.
Or, as Liana Satenstein, former American Vogue staff member called it the #saleofthecentury.
I first saw it on Sevigny’s Instagram. I was like, “What?!” This sounds cool. And wow, is she really plucking items out of her closet for us to shop from??
And Sevigny promised the following: “selling everything from #neverworns to everyday staples, Victorian to indie sleaze, designer & tons of denim. Something for everyone.”
Sevigny has been heralded as a fashion icon since the mid-1990s, and was bestowed the title before she was famous and booked any work as an actress. Her early acting work would eventually consist of indie/art house films like the infamous Kids.
But she’s also done mainstream work such as Zodiac.
She’s also been nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the 1999 film Boys Don’t Cry and won a Golden Globe for role on the show Big Love (remember that one?)
On the fashion side, she’s modeled for Miu Miu, Chloe (naturally), and most recently, Proenza Schouler, and has done capsule collections for stores like Opening Ceremony.
But you can say, it all began when author Jay McInerney wrote an article based on her, and at the time, Sevigny was an intern at beloved magazine Sassy, and how she was at the forefront of Manhattan it girls of the moment. Hailing all the way from Darien, CT. (Though she was born in Springfield, MA).
This #saleofthecentury was also going to feature pop up shops with items from the closets of Mickey Boardman, known in the editorial space for his work at the recently folded Paper magazine. And Vogue contributing editor and writer Lynn Yaeger. Yaeger’s best known for her years-long dedicated style of applying lipstick in the shape of a kewpie doll. Or, an exaggerated cupid’s bow. Sally Singer was also scheduled to be there with her stuff!
I already knew that I wanted to go. This was going to be a potential shitshow. And maybe, just maybe, I would find some Imitation of Christ pieces.
Let me go in detail about IOC.
IOC was a small, fashion brand that despite being small, showed at New York Fashion Week a handful of times, and IOC was best known for their upcyling of garments. On the runway, Scarlett Johansson once modeled and Sevigny was at some point Creative Director of IOC.
Founded by Tara Subkoff and Matt Damhave back in the 2000s, I was a little obsessed with IOC. The label was right up there with Anna Sui, Betsey Johnson, and Jeremy Scott for me. But because of the scarcity of the items and limited production, oftentimes, an IOC item could potentially cost a pretty penny, giving Gucci-level prices.
In 2019, Vogue.com published a retrospective of IOC and their Spring 2001 fashion show held at a funeral parlor. Yes, of course I wish I was there and it was quite bold of Fashion File to state that the price of a $4,000 IOC dress was “ironic.” The brand reportedly closed some years ago.
But, flash forward to spring 2023, I debated going to the #saleofthecentury because the funds were, per usual, low, and it was also being held on Mother’s Day, which frustrated me.
Like, regardless of your standing with your mother or parents, it’ll always feel kind of weird to be doing something like attending a shopping event or a party that isn’t for said folks, on such a regarded day as Mother’s Day. My mother and I were not at our best around the time of the closet sale announcement, so I felt unsure. I decided to wait until the weekend to see how I felt. And in general, how things would be.
Fast forward to the Saturday before the event, I couldn’t get up. As in, I felt exhausted. So, so sleepy. Hell no, I wasn’t going to haul ass to get on no bus at 8AM! (Not this time, anyway).
The semi-plan, if I went, was to head to NYC the day before (that Saturday) as my friend had kindly offered his place for me to crash so I could wake up early and join the fashion girlies at the closet sale location on Sunday.
Before bedtime, on Saturday, I would stop by another sale, the Area sample sale at one of the 260 Sample Sale locations, we would kick it a bit in the city, maybe grab dinner, go to bed. And then boom, Sunday!
Here’s what realistically happened: I was up by 9, but still could barely exert the effort to put an overnight bag together. I checked the buses. The latest I could take one and still get some nightlife in would be 12 noon. Somehow at 9:30, I gathered my things into a JansSport backpack. I didn’t need to bring a lot this time, and I made sure to leave my mother a Mother’s Day card in the kitchen. I had bought it days earlier at Brookline Booksmith. A beautifully illustrated card that featured a black woman and two young black girls with her. I thought it was lovely and heartwarming. Representative of mama, my older sister and I.
I’m glad I bought it for her.
I left it in the kitchen, took my keys and by 10:45 was out. I purchased my bus ticket while in transit on the train (I was so indecisive that day. I still wasn’t sure I was going to go). But after making a pit-stop at Gracenote Coffee, latte in tow, I walked to the bus depot and somehow made it on the bus to New York City.
It was a peaceful ride and I was able to have two seats to myself. Off and on, I read The Woman Destroyed by Simone de Beauvoir, as well as the latest issue of New York Magazine and its cover story The New York It Girl. Coincidentally, the library copy I borrowed had Sevigny on the cover. (Eight covers in total were released). I was actually really enjoying the issue.
From the moment it was released, there was a ton of chatter about the subject, the definition of an it girl (THIS I need to talk about at some point because most are completely confused as to what makes or determines an it girl. It is a title with an amorphous element to it), and who was selected to represent the it girls throughout the decades, with ties to New York City of course.
I unabashedly wish I was an it girl. I like to say I was an underrated one, haha. But the issue spoke to me and even put me on to women I had no idea once ruled the island of Manhattan and were a part of the, yes, I’m about to say it, the GLITTERATI.
Here comes Saturday night. We didn’t end up going to dinner or hanging around Forest Hills in Queens (next time!) I met up with my friend at an Irish bar and his co-worker near 5th Avenue on the east side. It wasn’t hot out, but it was warm enough. Summer was around the corner for sure.
Once in his Queens neighborhood, we stopped by 7-Eleven, shooted the shit at his place, and got some sleep. I was so thankful I had a place to sleep at! (By the way, my mother had texted me thank you for the card. <3)
Like on Saturday, on Sunday, the day of the #saleofthecentury, I couldn’t get up. Nope. I just turned my body to the other side, even though, as I had guessed, at around 6AM, it was later confirmed that people had already started gathering at 676 Broadway. I was hoping to at least make it out by 9AM. I didn’t arrive in Soho until a little before 11AM.
I knew it was near the Lafayette restaurant with their cult Supreme Croissants. (I personally prefer their “L” sugar-stamped brownies). I released tons of sighs during my breathless walk to the street as I could see the line was already long, but I had made it. But it was going to be a bit of a wait. Here we go.
Only in New York.
I had a full bottle of water and some snacks from when we had gone to 7-Eleven yesterday, so I wouldn’t go completely hungry or thirsty. As the line slowly moved up here and there (it did move which was good. You ever been in a line for something and the shit just did not move?!), I attempted to pass the time by continuing to read The It Girl issue, even as the sun was starting to beam.
Post 12 noon, it really started to get hot and me and a girl behind me turned our backs to the sun. Someone across the street and in one of those apartment loft buildings hollered at us to ask what the line was for, which became a regular occurrence. This one I didn’t answer, but others I answered a few times and kept it short to being a sample sale as I couldn’t assume everyone knew who Sevigny was.
If they knew, they were likely already in line. I don’t mean that in a bitchy way. Just that I could tell most that were told it was Sevigny’s went, “Who?” or “What?” The best responses were: “In this heat??”
As I was reading about Edwige Belmore, an it girl by way of France that was a part of the 1970s it girl section, a woman came up to me and asked, “Are you reading the it girl issue?” with an air of excitement.
“I am!” I responded, returning the energy back. It was nice to not be judged.
“I took that photo!” Referencing the image of Sevigny on a rooftop taken in 2004.
A lot of OMGs and wows were followed by me and her, as Lizzi Bougatsos said it was her friend on the phone that told her it looked like I was reading the issue. (They must’ve been FaceTiming or something because the photographer was by herself). Bougatsos even offered to sign it but I told her it was from the library. Still, I debated having her sign either the cover or something inside, but chose to be respectful of the library!
We shared some giggles and she carried on with her conversation. She was nice and she seemed sweetly proud that her image was on the cover. I immediately texted my friend and he stated I should’ve let her signed it!
A moment! I was in line for the Sevigny closet sale and just met the photographer whose image of her was on the cover of the it girl issue that was inspired by New York City in New York City.
Only in New York.
The line moved, but we were still in line. I had become buddies with the girl behind me as while we were already exasperated after two hours, we were determined to get in.
By the time we reached the Atla restaurant, a group of girls left in front of us, stating it wasn’t worth it, as one had asked a girl upfront what was going on and was told they were letting people in one at a time. (Not true). We were happy to see them go.
I was not happy to see brunch-goers wine and dine at Atla, though, while I was craving a lemonade and a real meal.
I took out a rice cake. As I was about to pop half of a second one in my mouth, I offered my Sevigny line chum one. She was grateful.
By the Acme restaurant, two girls were being interviewed and photographed. I had no idea for what but I knew enough to know it was because they either looked the part, looked cool, or their outfits were approved by someone. So shit like that. Around Acme, I took every chance I could to sit down. We were closer but still had a ways to go. OMG. It was at least 2:30 now. I am insane, I thought to myself.
Around this time, my Sevigny line friend and I were chatting it up with three other girls and we were all on the same page: this line sucks, we’re tired, hurry up, let us in, what the f**k am I doing here, and please let there be some clothes for us!
I had also started to watch some TikToks for updates and gags. Everyone seemed to agree that not only was waiting in the line ridiculous (at some point, it wrapped around the block almost twice) but that the event was New York City iconic.
What was fun, off of social media, was seeing those that got in before us and their willingness to show what they purchased! We needed proof that after three hours, there were still (cute) items to be bought at the #saleofthecentury
One of the girls, Gabrielle Richardson, I had even watched on TikTok! She got a really cool Supreme coat. The coat is above and one of her TikToks from that day is below.
Later on Sevigny’s Instagram, she mentioned selling a bag made out of, I believe it was the band Cheap Trick shirts, and she’s glad out of the girlies got it at the sale! That was wild because I saw the exact bag she was talking about from the girl that bought it. I had taken a picture of it, but deleted it, not knowing the significance of it all, as far as it being something Sevigny was happy/sad to see go.
Let’s fast forward a bit to being about twenty persons away from the front door. A security guard starting gleaning the line and counting. We all collectively started to sweat because at this point, we were cutting it close. The #saleofthecentury was scheduled to end at 5PM. It was nearing 4 at this point.
You know that 2002 track “Pussycat” in which Missy Elliot rapped/sung “… Pussy don’t fail me now” Maybe??? Haha!!
Well, that’s how I felt when the security guard was acting as if he was counting how many would be allowed. Shit. Nevermind the fact that the line was still wrapped around a bit.
After about ten minutes, at last, we were gained entry, and as I nearly hopped to the elevator, I shouted, “We made it!” and seven of us cheered. Hunger Games? Nah. More like the Fashion Games.
Once the elevator door opened, we scrammed, going our separate ways as while it was clear so much was wiped out. We had to weed out thegems in the room. I felt some disappointment only because I knew that the shit I probably would’ve loved was probably gone by 1PM. I still wanted to leave with something.
So, lots of back and forth with the hangers, eying items and debating if they were worth the price. I did see some Gaultier, but also, something to factor, Sevigny and I are different dress and shoe sizes. The hope was to also find something that would fit. I already knew the cute bags were dunzo with this crowd.
It was slight mayhem. People weren’t rude, like grabbing things out of someone’s pile, or playing tug of war. But it was packed, busy. Some were behaving panicked.
After awhile, I held to a smaller than I would’ve liked sweater from her collaboration with Opening Ceremony (I believed I was living in New York when it was originally released), a snapback from New York Academy (that I ended up putting back), and what turned out to be my most ultimate find: a WuWear windbreaker.
WuWear was founded in 1995 by the iconic rap group the Wu-Tang Clan. And while the brand is still out, which was a surprise to me when I looked it up, its peak was certainly in the ’90s.
On the tag read the price, “CS” meaning it was Chloe’s and the original attached sticker was still there. This was a find! But the suggested price was way too much for me!!
I held on it as I thought how I could, maybe, get the price lowered. Clearly, I would have to negotiate but with who?? After about ten minutes, I saw who was one of the helpers at the event, a girl who was, appropriately, wearing the Chloe Sevigny and Supreme collab jersey. She looked effortlessly chill and she actually came up to me just seconds after I had picked up the windbreaker and exclaimed how thrilled she was that someone was buying it because how did no one snatch it yet! (Probably because of the price!)
When I saw that she was passing by my way again, I decided to hang tough and ask her, kindly, if I could negotiate a price. She gave me a sweet smirk and asked “How much?” I said a lot less than what was marked, and she said, “Okay!” and just to tell the people running the makeshift cashier to let them know she said it was fine. I thanked her a great deal and I was happy I said something! My money was tight, but this was something to be excited about leaving the sample sale with!
I browsed for another fifteen minutes or so, and the space was just getting wiped out. Everybody was trying to find something. I was good with my two pieces and went to go pay. The transactions went smooth and it was confirmed that a portion of proceeds were going to charities. I was happy to hear that because it was awkward sending my money go to Sevigny’s PayPal. Like, babes, I need this more than you but joke’s on me because I’m here!
Afterwards, Sevigny was near the entrance/exit, still chatting with people here and there, and taking photos. I played it cool for a bit and then asked for a photo as well. At that point, I was aware that she was smiling, chatting, and taking photos all day with fans and shoppers.
She was opened to taking a photo with me as well and also noticed that I had bought the WuWear windbreaker. To paraphrase, she said something like, “Oh, thank God, someone bought it! I was like, why is that still here?!” (Were there more Gen Zers and the youngest of millennials here than I thought??)
I also made a quick joke about the lighting inside being bad, which I meant, and she agreed with chuckles. We both smiled as I took two snaps. After about a minute or two, I then awkwardly proclaimed, “Now, I can go!” And what I meant by that was that after waiting in line for so long, managing to pick up at least two items from this sale and getting a picture with Sevigny, the mission was accomplished. I needed a sigh of relief!
I can’t remember what I did after the sale. I believe my bus back home was around 7 or 8. I could imagine that I got some food to eat on the way back.
Post the #saleofthecentury, it was fun to read the commentary on social media and video clips of what people bought. All in all, it was more worth it for the experience and being able to say I was there versus the shopping. And that’s mainly because the selection was extremely limited when I got in.
By no later than Tuesday, articles were online about the mayhem the sample sale ensued in Soho. Two friends sent me an Harper’s Bazaar article about how a writer sent her boyfriend to the sale. I personally wouldn’t do that because as well as people may know you and your style, something like this you should do yourself!
For the article, the writer shared her personal connection to the actress and the following snippet is very representative of the average Sevigny fan.
“For many fashion fans, Sevigny’s style was formative. I grew up deeply insecure and painfully shy; I often felt trapped in myself, like I was screaming under my skin. And I’d spend hours on Tumblr at night as a teen, reblogging photos of Sevigny’s outfits. I remember I was struck by her confidence, the way she would style tiger-print stockings with cocktail dresses and vintage sailor-collar tops with cut-off denim shorts. She never looks like she’s trying; she just looks like she’s being. Adopting her eccentricity into my own wardrobe made me feel safe. It helped me crack the code for becoming who I felt I actually was. So, yeah—she was Mother for that.”
Tara Gonzales also included some OMG tidbits from the sale, such as the the tenth person in line scoring a Vivienne Westwood bag of Sevigny’s that had a tampon inside. (While clearly it was wrapped, and we don’t menstrual-shame here, you would think checking pockets would’ve been handled before the sale. And I say that because, what if Sevigny left a Bulgari bracelet by accident in one of those bags??) And Gonzalez never shared why she sent her boyfriend to the sale and chose not to brave the nonsense herself, despite having been such Sevigny devotee. She also admitted to feeling that Sevigny’s brand of it girl had died some time ago. And we both referenced Richardson’s TikToks.
Has Sevigny’s brand of it girl flown the coop? To be honest, what does that really even mean? She’ll always have her personal style whether her admirers try to emulate her or not. To suggest her brand has died really only means that maybe her core fanbase has moved on from trying to dress like her so much. If anything, based on Gonzalez’ hot take, I’ll say, have your inspo and icons of fashion, and be your own it girl.
All in all, it was a day full of New York City moments, which was fun. I may resell the Opening Ceremony sweater or cut it into a vest. I’m definitely keeping the windbreaker and I’m looking forward to wearing it this fall.
And while Gonzalez made a sassy point of wondering if Sevigny didn’t want those items at the closet sale, maybe she wouldn’t or shouldn’t want them either.
If based in New York City, in my best SJP as Carrie Bradshaw voice, I can’t help but wonder, is she suggesting she wouldn’t be caught dead at, NYC-fave and thrift haven of the fashion girlies, Beacon’s Closet????
Lavish Rebellion [DOT COM] 
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