Buying Cavalli cheap in Italy. Part2
KP journalist (left) helps her friend, actress Yulia Ferrara pick out a dress to impress.
Contination. See the previous installment in KP's May 20 Issue.
A short summary of our how our story began:
A KP correspondent flew to Italy to visit her friend Yulia Ferrara, an actress and model. Yulia agreed to show her the best buys in town. Realizing the boutique discount season had ended, they headed to outlets where goods are sold straight from manufacturers.
Day Two:
Best outlets on Earth
«Yulia, I've got an address here,» I said. «for one of Europe's biggest outlets — Serravalle Scrivia. They say everything's cheaper there. Should we go?»
Serravalle is 108 kilometers from Milan, so we took the train at 7 euro per person. When we got off, there was nothing in sight but a plywood bus station. I stood by the side of the road with my hand stuck out hoping to flag down a car. But the Italians reacted strangely, carefully looking me up and down but not stopping.
We went and knocked on the taxi garage around the corner. The owner shrugged. All the cars were at the outlet.
Yulia went into the bar and came out followed shortly after with a dark brunette.
«Get in the car!» he said. «I need to get back ASAP!» We hopped in his white Fiat with a broken spoiler.
«О-о-o, you're wearing Roberto Cavalli glasses!» I said to him.
«Genuine Cavalli. But not from this outlet. Why do you like this one so much? For us it's expensive,» he said. «A lot of Russians fly in from Milan in the morning, take a cab here for 500 euro and then fly home in the evenings. I drove a Russian lady once. She has her own company in Russia. I asked her why she had so many sunglasses. She said: 'I'm going Nice. I need a new pair of sunglasses everyday of the week or they'll think I have no money.»
We lucked out. He didn't charge us a cent although sometimes cabbies can take up to 30 euro.
Inspection
The outlet looked something like Moscow's Krokus City Mall. Brands for anyone and everyone. First we went to D&G. I had never seen such cheap prices on Dolce & Gabana in Moscow. And the selections were huge. A violet dress for 280 euro. A tulip-pattern dress — 250 euro. Leopard style pants — 390 euro. Jeans — 270 euro. Shoes — 250 euro. We also found W. Westwood sunglasses for 60 euro, ETRO cardigan — 150 euro and Pollini sandals — 110 euro. And there was a 50% discount on goods from last season.
«Our clothes and footwear come right from the manufacturer,» a salesman told us. «That's why the prices are 30-70% cheaper than in retail stores. And the rent is far cheaper here than in Milan. That also makes a big difference.»
A young couple on the street lifted their child out of their baby carriage, stuffing it instead with clothes.
Day Three:
Sales beneath the Colosseum
We got up at 05:00 in the morning and took the first train to Rome. From there we planned to go to a factory near Naples owned by a relative of Yulia's husband. We figured we'd spend about 6 hours and 100 euro on the trip. Yulia put on a clear blouse. I was wearing a bright-colored dress. Watch out you sexy Naples men!
The first thing we noticed at the train station in Rome was that the purses were twice as cheap as in Milan. A crowd of Arabs swarmed around us at the Colosseum with D&G belts and other trendy items. They were obviously fakes. I tried on a belt from Louis Vuitton. The logo looked real enough. So I paid 15 euro. Let someone in Moscow prove it's a fake!
«Why are the prices so much cheaper here than in Milan?» I asked Yulia.
«Because 'Milan' is a brand in itself. The further south you go in Italy, the cheaper it gets. But you can buy anything you want in Naples. Even a copy of yourself!»
KP Guide
There is an elite chain of boutiques in Rome on Via Del Corso. Gucci and Armani are located in the Spanish Ladder district and Valentino on Via Condotti. There's neat accessible clothes at the train station in Sisley.
Where to go:
Serravalle Designer Outlet (Milan)
Biggest outlet in Italy. 150 stores with brand clothes and accessories. Discounts: 30-70%.
Address: Via della moda 1, 15069 Serravalle Scrivia.
Center The Mall
(Florence)
Thirty minutes from the city. Nearly 50 stores with prestigious brands.
Address: Via Europa 8, 50060 Leccio Reggello, Firenze.
Outlet DOLCE&GABBANA (Florence)
Company's biggest outlet with discounts up to 70%.
Address: Via S. Maria Maddalena 49, 50064 Pian Dell'Isola Firenze.
Outlet PRADA
(Florence)
Discounts: 30-70%.
Address: Via Levanella 69, 52025 Montevarchi, Firenze.
FRANCIACORTA OUTLET VILLAGE
Near Milan and Lake Gardo. Nearly 50 stores with brand clothes, footwear and jewellery. Discounts: 30-70%.
Address: Piazza Cascina Moie 1/2, 25050 Rodengo Saiano (Brescia).
Stay tuned for the next installment.
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