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The Look Book Goes to the Rachel Comey Sample Sale

We talked to shoppers on day two.

Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland
Photo: DeSean McClinton-Holland

Elaine Davis (pictured above)
Nurse, Manhattan Valley

Is this your first Rachel Comey sample sale?
My second. I was downtown last year and I saw this long line outside the Old St. Patrick’s church. I just said, “What are you guys in line for?” They said, “The Rachel Comey sample sale,” and I was like, “Oh my God.” I blew off my friend for lunch and got in line.

And how was it in there?
It’s so fun because everybody’s trying things on in the aisle, running around in their undergarments. I was trying on this dress and a young guy walked by and goes, “I think you should belt it around your hips. Make it a little looser.” I was like, “That’s right, I should.” Next thing you know, I’ve spent $880. Pretax.

Madigan Pizzella

Student, Soho

Clara Markowicz

Nonprofit-board co-chair, Noho

Hallie Boas

Therapist, Greenwich Village


Did you have a plan of attack?

Yeah. My friend and I showed up at 9:30, then I went section by section; we split up and then came back together. Also, I wear spandex under my clothes so I don’t show my ass to everybody. I ended up changing by the shoes, which felt like a secret. I didn’t wanna tell anybody. There was no one over there.

Samantha Chertoff

Lawyer, Westport, Connecticut


You came in from Westport?

Yes. It’s worth the schlep. The sale is all lovely, like-minded women, and everybody’s just chatting. I made a new friend. We found each other inside, tried things on together, stripped right down to our underwear, and helped each other decide what to get. She gave me her card, and now we’re buds.

Alex Escribano

Merchandising assistant, Crown Heights

Minka Sicklinger

Tattoo artist and illustrator, Greenpoint

Carlyn Schlechter

Art educator and designer, Greenwich Village

Karen Milano

VP of physician services, Long Island City

Catherine Antoine

Stylist and actor, Bushwick

Brenda Lau

Urban planner, Prospect–Lefferts Gardens

Shachi Dave

OB/GYN, Westchester

Deanne Cheuk

Artist, Lower East Side


What were you doing before this?

So, actually, I was taking my kids to the Mulberry Street Library across the street, and I saw this huge line of all these cool-looking girls in the middle of hard-core construction work that was happening. Of course, I got into the line. I’m not gonna lie: I didn’t even know what I was lining up for.

McKenna McKetty

Designer, Ocean Hill

Beth Cruchley

Occupational therapist, Toronto, Canada

Michelle Benzer

Photo art director, Soho

Beth Saidel

Freelance writer, Soho

Miles Raymer

Magazine editor, Bushwick


How would you describe your style?

I dress kind of aggressively — either really campy or really slutty. Rachel Comey has a reputation for making stylish normie-girl clothes, which is true, but there’s always 10 percent of every collection that’s just, Wow. I have these boots from her that really give Bushwick trans lesbian techno girl.

Charity Gates

Lawyer, Prospect–Lefferts Gardens

Photographs by DeSean McClinton-Holland

Madigan Pizzella

Student, Soho

Clara Markowicz

Nonprofit-board co-chair, Noho

Hallie Boas

Therapist, Greenwich Village


Did you have a plan of attack?

Yeah. My friend and I showed up at 9:30, then I went section by section; we split up and then came back together. Also, I wear spandex under my clothes so I don’t show my ass to everybody. I ended up changing by the shoes, which felt like a secret. I didn’t wanna tell anybody. There was no one over there.

Samantha Chertoff

Lawyer, Westport, Connecticut


You came in from Westport?

Yes. It’s worth the schlep. The sale is all lovely, like-minded women, and everybody’s just chatting. I made a new friend. We found each other inside, tried things on together, stripped right down to our underwear, and helped each other decide what to get. She gave me her card, and now we’re buds.

Alex Escribano

Merchandising assistant, Crown Heights

Minka Sicklinger

Tattoo artist and illustrator, Greenpoint

Carlyn Schlechter

Art educator and designer, Greenwich Village

Karen Milano

VP of physician services, Long Island City

Catherine Antoine

Stylist and actor, Bushwick

Brenda Lau

Urban planner, Prospect–Lefferts Gardens

Shachi Dave

OB/GYN, Westchester

Deanne Cheuk

Artist, Lower East Side


What were you doing before this?

So, actually, I was taking my kids to the Mulberry Street Library across the street, and I saw this huge line of all these cool-looking girls in the middle of hard-core construction work that was happening. Of course, I got into the line. I’m not gonna lie: I didn’t even know what I was lining up for.

McKenna McKetty

Designer, Ocean Hill

Beth Cruchley

Occupational therapist, Toronto, Canada

Michelle Benzer

Photo art director, Soho

Beth Saidel

Freelance writer, Soho

Miles Raymer

Magazine editor, Bushwick


How would you describe your style?

I dress kind of aggressively — either really campy or really slutty. Rachel Comey has a reputation for making stylish normie-girl clothes, which is true, but there’s always 10 percent of every collection that’s just, Wow. I have these boots from her that really give Bushwick trans lesbian techno girl.

Charity Gates

Lawyer, Prospect–Lefferts Gardens

Photographs by DeSean McClinton-Holland

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The Look Book Goes to the Rachel Comey Sample Sale