Planet LuLu Goes Online
Los Angeles-based Planet LuLu, known for its underground sample sales that now include $100–$300 Monique Lhuillier wedding gowns, has expanded its universe to include the Web.
The 2-year-old company typically alerts its mailing list of shoppers about its semi-monthly sample sales offering more than 3,000 items from Beautiful People, Horn, Sarah Shaw, Ya-Ya, Milkfed, Hippie and others at an undisclosed 3,000-square-foot space on the 12th floor of a Los Angeles building. Now it’s making shopping available on the Web seven to 10 days a month.
“It’s a way for us to reach shoppers on the East Coast and beyond,” said Jenny Pham, marketing director for Planet LuLu.
The company’s Web site, which had a test run in June, will begin the online sale on July 27. Those lucky enough to get an invite will receive a password to access the site and browse its selection of offerings.
And just like at the brick-and-mortar space, the Web site will offer discounts of 50 percent and more. Typical buys at Planet LuLu are $45 Pierre Urbach handbags that retail for $180 and Beautiful People wool skirts for $40 instead of the usual $120 price tag.
Founded by Noah Soltes, a Los Angeles native whose ties to the manufacturing industry led to his fashion brainstorm, Planet LuLu has plans to open another sample sale site in the city, possibly on the Westside, Pham said.
“When you send the wares to other closeouts you get $5, but when you use Planet LuLu you get the most for your money,” said Kearstin Nuckles, production manager for Beautiful People. —Nola Sarkisian-Miller
