FR ONT ROW All things cool and covetable

The sample-sale stylista

Pippa Vosper (left) is a former magazine stylist turned shopgirl, a role she relishes as owner of the newly opened Pippa boutique, which has just moved from residential Chiswick in West London to the heart of Notting Hill. It’s a space dedicated to one-off designer sample sales. Forget handbags-at-dawn fights over the last size ten – Pippa’s sales, she promises, are far more civilised affairs. THE METHOD BEHIND THE MADNESS? I’ve always loved the concept of a sample sale but hated the execution. I wanted to create something for people like me, who find the idea of shopping in sample sales appealing but can’t queue up in the rain for two hours and waste a day because they have work, children and other things to prioritise. By organising everything in a boutique environment you can come and go when it’s convenient and it’s all more orderly – nobody feels the need to throw ten dresses on the floor! WHAT BARGAINS CAN WE EXPECT? You should never be paying more than 70 per cent off RRP, but 80 or 90 per cent off is ideal. I have clients who come dressed head-to-toe in Chanel but who love the idea of finding something for £300 that should cost £3,000. The ‘sample sale high’ is definitely a thing! WHAT ARE YOUR BESTSELLERS? Vilshenko and Versace – one lesser known and one famous brand – are both very popular. Emilia Wickstead flies off the rails. When we hosted a Self-Portrait sale we had to hire bigger premises. Dresses were only £40 so women were buying five at a time. SALE SURVIVAL TIPS Have in mind what you need – is it two more dresses or a suit for work? Try not to get seduced by anything else. Also, only buy things that fit: you’re unlikely to get things tailored, your hips won’t shrink and if it’s two sizes too big it will never look right no matter how good a seamstress you find. Always try things on and ask the opinion of other people at the sale. Go with the majority and walk away if necessary. THE PIECE THAT GOT AWAY? A Tom Ford peacoat. I tried it on but the minute I put it back on the rail someone else grabbed it. Every time the weather changes I think of that coat. Pippa, 52 Lonsdale Road, London W11; pippastore.com