Patricia Field liquidation sale going successfully

When the news broke that fashion icon, television stylist, Emmy winner, and Oscar nominee Patricia Field would be closing her boutique, the fashion world was in mourning. On January 2, the liquidation sale began as Field prepared to bid her final adieus to her clients, store, and merchandise. In the wake of the success of her liquidation sale, she added several more designers to the mix.

Some of the designers include Fernando Rojas, These Pink Lips, This is a Love Song, Tzuji, V.O.N., Fernando Garcia, and Pericles Kondylatos. Field got the idea to let these designers participate in the liquidation sale because she wanted to keep the momentum of the great prices going throughout the month. This led to her replenishing her stock at 50 percent off, which is practically a steal for her store where a t-shirt can fetch up to 220 dollars.

All the designers are people with whom Field has had a working relationship with for several years. Some of them make actual collections just to be put into her store. “They have nowhere else in the world to go but Patricia Field,” she said.

Things have been selling very quickly at the liquidation sale. Clients have spared no sign of melancholy over the closing of such a long-standing part of the New York fashion scene.

Patricia Field adds several designers to liquidation sale

“There’s an emotional attachment to the store on the part of clients,” Field said. “Most people are upset. For me, the only thing I’m upset about is the face-to-face contact I have with my clients. I have the most fun on the floor, that’s the part of the retail business I love.”

While none of her famous friends and acquaintances have managed to stop by yet, her clients have given their heartfelt parting wishes.

“The last thing I hear before the customers leave the store is ‘I wish you all the best. I will miss you, your shop, and the experience.’ They all want me to continue, but they understand why I’m closing,” Field said.

In the wake of the emotional out pour from her customers, one has to wonder if Field ever doubts if she should close, but she remains firm in her decision.

“I do remain feeling badly about missing the face-to-face interaction with my customers,” she said. “There’s no political correctness at retail. Your customers are honest with you, and that to me is the most valuable thing about the retail business.”

After 30 years in the business, it’s a wonder if there’s anything Field would do differently, but she’s not big on regrets.

“I’m not a person that pre-designs their world. I get on the surfboard and ride,” Field said. “I’m happy with what I did. Of course there are bumps along the way. I’ve had my moments of fright, and my exhilarating moments, but it’s all part of the game. The full picture of it is, I feel very positive about it. I love making the right decision and getting the positive reaction. It’s my customers who tell me how much they love to be in my store. As time went on, I established an identity and a brand. I always stayed with it. I believed in it, I felt it was truthful.”

Presently, she plans on closing the doors at her store between February and mid-March of this year. For those who want those one-of-a-kind pieces that can only be found at her store, there’s several weeks left to add them to your wardrobe, and bid goodbye to 306 Bowery as you’ve known it.

Photo:courtesy of Patricia Field