Bargains in London Town - The Macandi Sample Sale.

Macandi is one of the UK's leading sales and distribution agencies for contemporary fashion.

Established in 1999 Macandi represents several brands from our showroom in Central London. The diversity of our brands and our long-standing relationships with stores attracts over 250 buyers to appointments in our showroom. Our customers span the full range of the UK market from the premium department store to the independent boutiques.

The UK is our main market but we also attract buyers from Japan, the USA and Europe to view collections in London and through our network of agents across Europe we can assist a brand in selling to all the major markets on the continent.

We pride ourselves on our ability to develop and build long term distribution strategies for the brands we work with which is aided by the knowledge we gain from running our own independent label, retail stores and ecommerce website alongside the agency.

We see ourselves as an extension of the brands we work with and offer design, PR and retail consultancy in addition to a pure sales role as and when required.

Ahhh, London Town... How I love its many offerings and delights. This weekend just gone I was lucky enough to catch the Macandi Sample sale down in Holborn, A stones throw away from Lambs Conduit St, where Oliver Spencer and Folk each hold a residency.

With a variety of labels on offer, from Carbourn to Penfield and Folk to Universal Works, this was most definitely something I wasn't going to miss. However, having spent a pretty sum on records and clothes this month I landed on the Emerald Street showrooms with a kitty of about £180 to spend. Having already scoped out the ridiculous 45-80% discounts that were being offered up, I was confident that my pretty pocket of paper would more than secure me a few tasty bargains.

After arriving at around 11.30am waiting for the doors to open at 12, we decided that freezing our bollocks off stood among a load of preppy style Toff types decked out in an almost identical look of Penfield Gillets and an array of hiking boots wasn't really a viable option, so we shunned the cold for a quick bite at a near by cafe. Mistake.

When arriving back to the queue suitably refreshed and warmed, our place had been relegated about 50 places towards the back. This bothered me not, there was some pretty dapper chaps on display with some nice Jacket porn for my lusting eyes to feast upon, not to mention the array of well worn denims with some killer fades turned out and the numerous pairs of ace footwear struggling to keep their owners upright on what would have been a suitable suface for a figure skating championship.

After what felt like an eternity waiting patiently, I was ushered in by a Gentlemen wearing a rather fetching vintage Patagonia smock and I soon sobered in thought as racks upon racks of Shirts, Knits and jackets, not mentioning the avalanche of Grensons all being molested by the hardy souls that had entered before me, making it a jumble sale type atmosphere, stood there before me. Usually, being the laid back cat that I am, I would probably coyly browse through a few racks and opt for a few minor purchases but on this day something urged me to just start barging people out of the way to get to the bits I wanted... With slick haired city boys and mummsy wummsy types flying left right and center, I managed to land a few cracking bits to make the Macandi Sample Sale a very pleasurable experience for yours truly.

The following rail-picks are the fruit of a hard days work... Phew!

Clae McQueen Hemp Boots (Sample) - £20

I've never invested in any Clae footwear before, I've always found it a bit too street-ish for my liking, but these Hemp sample boots really caught my beady eyes and for twenty sheets It would have been rude not too. I'll keep these in storage till the summer and then bust them out for a few wears. A cool option that swings away from my chukka boot fixation.

Folk Riding jacket - £50

I fancied the Riding jacket from Folk when it first hit the shelves. As one and all know my undying love for a hooded jacket, this is something that caught my eye for its undeniable quality and attention to detail. Cut in a fine slim silhouette, not only does it suit my frame impeccably well, but makes me look like a rather respectable young man... What with a cheeky smile and my boyish charms, I can see myself leaning at a bar and ordering a Martini in this little number...
Shaken or stired though? I have absolutely no idea...

Folk Slash Pocket Check Shirt (Sample) - £40

While fighting my way to the shirting rack that had been meticulously compiled by the lovely people of Macandi, I instantly spotted this little gem nestled among the plain and quite frankly boring old men shirts more suited to a 45 year old office worker called Bob than anything I would sport while on my rounds. With the confidence of youth put to one side, this is a proper top shirt - made even better by the fact that I copped for it in a gorgeous mustard and navy sample check rather than the green version I've shown here (you get the picture though yeah?) Looks rather belting when on and comfortable as cotton wool...

YMC Printed Cardi (Sample) - £35

This was something that I probably wont wear too often, out and about anyway. More for lounging around in as it's super soft inner makes this one of the comfiest pieces of clothing in my wardrobe. It's proper nice and cosy, perfect for maxing and relaxing in on cold winter days like today... Just for lounging in I hear you say?! Well yeah, It was only £35 quid... Real Nice.

God Bless Sample Sales eh?

Saul Wilks.