If you’ve never heard of The Gilt Groupe, then you need to stop what you’re doing and sign up right now! They offer up to 70% off the most coveted designers in the world (um…Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, Herve Leger...) through their members-only, online sample sales.
Since we all know I would NEVER pay full price and I know my savvy shopping readers wouldn’t either, this site is a total godsend for all of your frugal fashionistas! It satisfies your designer sweet tooth without having to give up your entire paycheck and Gilt has stuff for your home, for your kids, for your man and my personal fave…Gilt Fuse which offers more contemporary, less expensive designer merchandise. And to help you get started on your Gilt spending, we’ve teamed up with them to give-a-way a $100 gift certificate that can be used for anything on their site!
All you have to do, is sign up for exclusive membership through this link…and if you’re already a Gilt member, just leave a comment with your Name and email address (that you use for your Gilt account) on this post and you could be the lucky winner!
I recently had the chance to sit down with the beautiful and incredibly intelligent, Alexandra Wilkis Wilson–who you might otherwise know as one of the founders of The Gilt Groupe. Along with her BFF, Alexis Maybank, these two fashionistas are leaving their name all over this industry and have revolutionized the sample sale game!
Here’s a few fun facts about Alexandra–she’s a fellow Latina, she attended Harvard Business School, she might just be the cutest pregnant woman I’ve ever seen, she used to work for Bulgari, her Mom meakes a mean tres leches, and she loooooooves Zac Posen…scroll down for the full interview!
LV: How did you come up with this genius concept?
AWW: Both Alexis and I loved shopping sample sales and we would often find ourselves at these sales on our cell phones talking to friends and family who wanted us to buy beautiful items on their behalf. It seemed a shame that only those living in NY or LA could benefit from great fashion at amazing prices so the initial idea for taking it to the masses sprouted from attending sample sales.
LV: How did you start the site?
AWW: Gilt Groupe launched with just five of us doing everything from merchandising to marketing to packing boxes! There were many long hours and a lot of testing!
LV: Has this been something you’ve always wanted to do?
AWW: I have always had a love for fashion and I have been very fortunate to work with incredible companies such as Louis Vuitton and Bulgari. Now that I am at Gilt Groupe I have to opportunity to work with the best brands from around the world. And I have always been an entrepreneur at heart!
LV: How do you decide on what to buy for Gilt Groupe?
AWW: There are the obvious brands that are highly coveted by fashionistas, the established luxury players like Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Phillip Lim etc. but there are brands that are under the radar that have so much creativity and we feel that our members would jump at the chance to buy them if only they were aware of these designers and had access to them. We are partners with the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) so we are very fortunate to be able to tap into such a wonderful resource for new talent.
LV: How in the world to you get these amazing deals?
AWW: It really is dependent on the brands. We negotiate directly with our brands to bring our members the best deals possible.
LV: I notice a lot of product become “sold- out” quickly. What are the chances of getting it if you sign up for the “wait list”?
AWW: My sincere advice is to always click on the waitlist button!
LV: Who are your 3 favorite designers you’ve featured in the last year?
AWW: The brands I was most excited about this past year were, Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, and Rodarte, all designers whose shows we sponsored this past SS2010 fashion week.
LV: What’s one thing that you want your shoppers to know about Gilt?
AWW: We want our member to look to Gilt as a trusted source within the fashion industry. We not only bring you amazing prices on fantastic well known brands, but we also introduce our members to up and coming brands and we share with them insider info on events, cool websites, blogs and general fashion info.
LV: Will you be expanding the site into anything else?
AWW: We have already expanded into beauty, home, children, men and travel so I think we have quite a few bases covered for now but I am sure that Gilt will always find new ways to surprise and delight our members. Just this past weekend we had our first contemporary art sale so you never know what you might find on Gilt! And today we are selling wine!
LV: Why is the site for members only?
AWW: Similar to live sample sales we wanted the site to feel private for our members, making them feel like they are part of the “fashionista” crowd.
…but don’t worry…you can get access to their site by clicking this link and don’t forget to refer your friends for a $25 credit to your account if/when they make a purchase!
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I love Gilt Group. Even if I still can’t afford some of the designers (even with the amazing discounts), I LOVE looking at all of the beautiful pieces.
I’m already a member of Gilt Group – the email and name I use is:
nicridley@gmail.com
Vanessa Ridley
Awesome! I love this website!!
Elizabeth
elizabethjustus@gmail.com
Hi! I am already a Gilt member, and Gilt Fuse is also MY favorite facet. Thanks for the chance at $100!!!
Gina
gla_sd22@yahoo.com
I just made a killing during the Gilt Fuse blowout sale. Black Linen Juicy shorts for $28!
I adore this site!! Am already a member-
Jaime
jlganson@gmail.com
Great giveaway!
I love the site! Thanks for the chance to win a gift certificate!
Love your blog and Gilt Group. I’m already a member and would like a shot at the $100 giveaway. Thanks
whoops — forgot my email address in the comment above: apwalker@gmail.com
Awesome giveaway!!!
I’d love to win! 
already a member with lenniethecube@gmail.com Thanks!
LOVE GILT!!!
Leighanne
brunetbombshel05@aol.com
thanks!!
Love your site and love Gilt too!
X,
Dana
dgoodwi2@gmail.com
Love Gilt and Gilt Fuse. I’m already a member and use the email address cboza at vna1 dot com.
LOVE Gilt Fuse so much!
Sara
beautifulendings7@hotmail.com
love gilt. what a great giveaway!
lise
ewy1(at)hotmail(dot)com
What a great give away- I love Gilt!
My email is: covercook@gmail.com
Cover
I love Gilt !
Vickyf94@gmail.com
Carmela Flores
cflores1985@yahoo.com
I love Gilt Groupe and am a member but I’m most excited about their newer addition of Gilt Fuse! It gives younger girls like me a place to score fashionable clothing at affordable prices! I can’t wait to see what Gilt has in store for this year!
Mary
maryannele@gmail.com
Im already a member of gilt group and filt fuse and i love the site and the idea.
anita montero
anita.montero9523@gmail.com
I LOVE Gilt Group, have purchase some things via the site and the prices are phenomenal!
Thank you for a fabulous giveaway!
aimspromos @ yahoo.com
I love Gilt. I enjoy noon 5 days a week because of this site!
curlyfrysc@charter.net
This is fantastic!
natachaperez@yahoo.com
I absolutely love Gilt…..I have been a member for a while and I look forward to their sales!!!!!
VanessasSecret4@aol.com
Just became a Gilt member! Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway.
Kristel Acevedo
kristelacevedo@mac.com
I’m already a member.
Ari Favela
ari.design00@gmail.com
Thanks!
I LOVE Gilt, I got my mum’s Christmas present there this year and she loved it
I’m already a member,
Caroline Chen
atomic.unicorn@gmail.com
Thank you for hosting this lovely giveaway!
Signed up! I hope I win
I love Gilt Groupe… they have great items at great prices suitable for all budgets and styles. I’m excited to know they’ve branched out to Travel and Leisure! Now we will have fabulous destinations to show off our fabulous finds!
Ooops.. forgot to mention I’m already a member… jahdi247@gmail.com
I love Gilt!
brianneoneil@ymail.com
I am completely obsessed with Gilt and there AMAZING fabulous steals!! I have bought so many items that are top quality for the fraction of the price and couldn’t be happier!! So happy that this website is out there for those of us who love quality clothes but have a tighter budget! Thanks!
I am completely obsessed with Gilt and there AMAZING fabulous steals!! I have bought so many items that are top quality for the fraction of the price and couldn’t be happier!! So happy that this website is out there for those of us who love quality clothes but have a tighter budget! Thanks!
jaime900@hotmail.com
This is the email I use for Gilt
Thanks so much!
I am a member of the Gilt Group! Thanks for the chance!
Tina Barker
treneebarker at hotmail dot com
I just signed up through your link as wendy wallach at madamerkf at aol dot com.
madamerkf at aol dot com
suris16@hotmail.com
Suriyati Barnes
signed up for Gilt today and I was so glad I did! Some really amazing finds!
Carina Lora
carina.unscripted@gmail.com
Gilt is awesome
hermioneanagranger@yahoo.com
Ana Cvetkovic
The Gilt app for iPhone is fantastic as well and FREE (can’t beat that) — I look forward to the sales notification at noon each day!
Jen
jenyah279@hotmail.com
I’m so glad that you featured gilt.com because I’ve been a member of their site for a few years now and it’s the ultimate cheap chica resource!
Name: Stefania
E-mail: chic17k@aol.com
I am all ready a member of Gilt group and I have purchased many things on there. It’s the only site of that kind that I buy from.
Yay for Gilt! I’m already a member.
P.S. love your post title haha.
Lindsay
roselg29@hotmail.com
Love Gilt! already a member.
Audrey Cupps
cupps_audrey@yahoo.com
I love gilt and would love to win $100 to spend there!!
I love Gilt! So excited for the chance!! xT
starboom22@aol.com
I AM a member of GILT *luv*
already a member!
This is the same email I use for Gilt as well… I love their sales!!
I have a gilt obsession! I now only buy from there
Leah Suddreth
sleah809@gmail.com
I absolutely love gilt.com! I have been a member for 2 years and would just die to have an extra $100 to spend at their site.
rebekah.greavu@gmail.com
Rebekah Greavu
I’m already a member – what a great contest! candace.lea@gmail.com
Oo! My entry:
Lacey
Laceykalivoda@hotmail.com
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