Bergdorf's of Thrift Stores Brings 'Bargain' Threads to UES Find out more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110804/upper-east-side/bergdorf-of-thrift-stores-brings-fashion-upper-east-side#ixzz1UWAlSZsI MANHATTAN ?a It is gucci shoes handbags store that could only be located on the Upper East Side. Rather than second hand clothes and cast-offs, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thrift Shop features Gucci, Armani, Pucci and Valentino ?a and value tags that do not cater to the needy. The annual ?°fall opening?± sale, which kicks off on Aug. 10, will have in all probability chic shoppers lining up on the block ?a as they do every year. Top of the East Side favorite on Third Avenue between 81st and 82nd streets is, in the end, also known as ?°the Bergdorf?ˉs of thrift stores?± and is known for its impressive list of benefactors. It?ˉs where socialite, philanthropist and fashion lover Nan Kempner ?a whose clothes were celebrated in a Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute show in 2006, a year after she died ?a bequeathed her designer duds that didn?ˉt end up in the Met. "People know it's going to be really exceptional,?± Ellen Haddigan said of the four-day sale that attracts gaggles of early birds. "There is really a sense of urgency since there are one-of-a-kind items." Haddigan, who in January had become the executive director of the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering ?a the volunteer organization that runs the thrift store and raises millions for the hospital's research, patient care and education programs ?a only ?°discovered?± the 55-year-old annual fall sale tradition 2 yrs ago. She was immediately enamored. "I got my boyfriend a beautiful cashmere dress coat for $55," she said. "I've gotten gucci designer handbags there. If only I had known about it in the era of Nan Kempner ?a just for the novelty,?± she added, ?°because I think she would be a size 0." Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center was a favorite charity of Kempner, a famously tall and thin clotheshorse whose Yves Saint Laurent suits, Pucci dresses and Valentino pants hit the store?ˉs shelves in 2007. The shop remains the place where high society types donate their Tiffany jewelry or Bottega bags no more in heavy rotation. Highlights out of this year's event include St. John jackets, dresses and pants marked at $175 to $700, down using their $395 to $1,495 prices. Carolina Herrera dresses and gowns, tagged at $495 to $3,900, will be sold for $250 to $1,800. There will also be Gucci, Armani, Pucci, Valentino, Bill Blass and Escada clothes selling at prices which range from $75 to $500. Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Prada shoes is going to be selling for $100 to $175. Hermes men's ties is going to be for sale for $85; Hermes women?ˉs scarves will cost $185. For the kitchen, there will be Calphalon and all sorts of Clad pots and pans still new in their boxes alongside Waterford, Lalique, Swarovski and Steuben crystal. The shop has curated its donations ?°to reflect the very best of what we have,?± Haddigan said of the fall opening, that is expected to generate an estimated $50,000 for that hospital. The charitable store brings in roughly $1.3 million a year, Haddigan said. The society gets great donations from benefactors, designers and stores, Haddigan said, because "the cause is really a universal one." But she's looking to gucci outlet handbags the link between the cause and the shopping. Starting this fall, she is looking to install videos within the shop that target the society's work for cancer center. "Right now, apart from the sign outside, people don't know this really is anything apart from a thrift store," Haddigan said. "We wish to tell your friends about the work from the society and why it's so important. There exists a great opportunity to bring people in to the cause in a significant way." The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thrift Shop, annual "fall opening" sale, Wednesday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 13, 1440 Third Ave., between 81st and 82nd streets. For more information visit www.memorialthriftshop.org or call ?212-535-1250. Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20110804/upper-east-side/bergdorf-of-thrift-stores-brings-fashion-upper-east-side#ixzz1UWAqacZQ