District Sample Sale Set To Bag $300k; Hundreds Flock To Charity Event’s Fall ’12 Installment

FRIENDSHIP HEIGHTS -- Boasting some of the city’s top luxury stores as tenants, Mazza Gallerie is no stranger to fashionable shoppers. Still, the Friendship Heights mall was overrun yesterday with a particularly stylish clientele, as hundreds flocked to the Fall 2012 installment of the District Sample Sale.

The Washington region’s ‘biggest and best’ upscale bargain shopping event, Monday’s fundraiser is expected to take the foundation past the $300,000 mark, with more than $266,000 donated to local women’s and children’s causes around the region to date.

For each ‘sale’, the organization’s founders pick a primary beneficiary with the Sitar Arts Center serving as yesterday’s lucky recipient. Legacy beneficiaries will also receive a portion of the night’s proceeds.

VIP ticketholders who paid a premium for early access to the best size and color selections at Tuesday’s District Sample Sale were invited to arrive early for an exclusive hour-long shopping spree, before the doors were thrown open to general admission ticketholders.

More than twenty of the District’s top designer clothing and shoe boutiques, such as Ginger, Muléh, Wink, and Urban Chic, had temporarily taken over the sprawling underground retail space formerly occupied by Filene's Basement to clear-out their end-of-season merchandise at liquidation level prices.

Between retail therapy sessions, shoppers were treated to complimentary blowouts and stylings from the likes of Nectar Skin Bar and PR at Partners.

Meanwhile, a handful of select restaurant and beverage partners stood at the ready in order to keep energy levels and spirits high, with tables overflowing with both savory and sweet treats from the likes of Ping Pong Dim Sum and Chouquette Chocolates & Confections.

Of course for those feeling guilty from indulging in so many tempting tasty morsels, luxe fitness purveyor Equinox was on-hand to help attendees burn-off some of those calories, with complimentary ‘ViPR’ strength training sessions.

Philanthropy, food, fitness, and, of course, fashion. Alas, the District Sample Sale only comes but twice a year. Who’s ready to Spring forward already?