Fortunately, discerning gentlemen have a new place to step up to: introducing Leffot, the new West Village, luxury shoe store just for men.

Conceived by Steven Taffel, a fashion industry veteran of Bottega Veneta and Prada, and his wife Hiroko, a former window designer for Bottega and J.M. Weston, Leffot is a feast for fans of European footwear. Whether your tastes run British (Church’s, Edward Green, Graziano & Girling), Italian (Artioli), or French (J.M. Weston, Pierre Corthay, Aubercy), you can easily find something sharp to slip into.

And for those whose who insist on bespoke, you get to work directly with Taffel for your custom-made creation.

Finally, a well-heeled shop for the well-heeled man.


Leffot opens early next week.


Leffot
10 Christoper Street (off Greenwich Avenue)
Tel: (212) 989-4577
leffot.com

Frette’s luxurious Italian linens are dramatically reduced. Enjoy savings of up to 75% off retail plus an additional 20% off. Today (4/15), 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and tomorrow (4/16), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Frette Spring Sale at Soiffer-Haskin, 317 West 33rd Street (near Eighth Avenue), (718) 747-1656, frette.com

Get to know Converse by John Varvatos a little better. Men’s and women’s tees, polos, pants, and jackets are reduced by 50 to 70% off. Through Thursday (4/17), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Converse by John Varvatos Sample Sale at SSS Sample Sale, 261 West 36th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues), Second Floor, converse.com

A sample sale doubleheader? Yes, that’s right! While you’re perusing the Converse by John Varvatos goods, check out Hickey’s Sample Sale. Shorts, sweaters, trousers, and outerwear are all up to 70% off. Through Thursday (4/17), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hickey Sample Sale at SSS Sample Sale, 261 West 36th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues), Second Floor, hickeystyle.com

Rich leathers. Soft suedes. Exotic skins. Lambertson Truex is the real deal for luxe bags and shoes. Get them online at Gilt’s sample sale tomorrow (4/16).

Visit Gilt.com.

Round out the week with a little shopping at BBlessing’s off-site sample sale in Soho. Select gear by Opening Ceremony, Rag & Bone, and Surface to Air is reduced by up 80%. Friday (4/18) and Saturday (4/19), Noon to 7 p.m.

Bblessing Sample Sale, 5 Crosby Street (between Howard & Grand Streets), Suite# 6D, (212) 378-8005, bblessing.com

You’re the guy who has everything.

Now what?

Allow us to tell you what: introducing the new ultra-luxe line of men’s jewelry by Thom Browne for Harry Winston. Crafted from 18k white gold and exceptionally brilliant diamonds, the first-ever Winston men’s collection is classic and cutting-edge. Think Ivy League-looks meets Fifth Avenue pedigree.

Sure you’ll pay handsomely to acquire one of the limited-edition pieces (The “Three Row” Diamond Cufflinks will set you back $29,500) but consider them an investment… in the art of dressing well.

And one-upping everyone else.


To view the entire Harry Winston Men by Thom Browne collection, visit harrywinston.com.


The Harry Winston Men by Thom Browne collection is available at Harry Winston New York, 718 Fifth Avenue (near 56th Street), (212) 245-2000, and Harry Winston Beverly Hills, 310 North Rodeo Drive (near Dayton Way), (310) 271-8554, and select Harry Winston salons.

You’re welcome.



Show her a potent expression of your fondness with the world’s sexiest fragrance, Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Voile de Fleur. With notes of black truffle, honeysuckle, and sandalwood, how can you go wrong? From $45.

Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Voile de Fleur, available at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Indulge her with a Tiffany Hearts Pendant made of platinum and .86 carats. $4,000.

Tiffany, 727 Fifth Avenue (near 56th Street), (212) 755-8000, and Tiffany Wall Street, 37 Wall Street (between William & Nassau Streets), (212) 514-8015, tiffany.com

What’s better than a box of fine chocolates and a few short stories? Both. La Maison Du Chocolate’s Book of Love offers six new flavors (passion fruit, anyone?) smartly packaged to look like a book. From $38.

La Maison du Chocolat, 30 Rockefeller Plaza (at 49th Street), (212) 265-9404, and 1018 Madison Avenue (at 78th Street), (212) 744-7117, lamaisonduchocolat.com/en

There are strawberries. And then there are luscious, perfect strawberries imported from Japan’s Kyushu Island. Get yours, for a limited time, at Butterfield Market. $45 for a box of seven to twelve.

Butterfield Market, 1114 Lexington Avenue (near 78th Street), (212) 288-7800, butterfieldmarket.com

Give her a heart of gold. Literally. With Love Rocks NY’s Heart Pendant made of 14k gold and 22 micro pave diamonds. $600.

Love Rocks NY, available online at loverocksny.com.

Free drinks. A kissing booth. What else is there to say? Hit Blue Owl tomorrow night for Hendrick’s Gin’s A Night for Unusual Romance. RSVP first, at info@blueowlnyc.com. Tomorrow (2/14), from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Blue Owl, 196 Second Avenue (at 12th Street), (212) 505-2583, blueowlnyc.com

Make a delicious decision on cupcakes for your sweetie at Magnolia Bakery. Only $2.75 each.

Magnolia Bakery, 401 Bleecker Street (at 11th Street), (212) 462-2572, and 200 Columbus Avenue (at 69th Street), (212) 724-8101, magnoliacupcakes.com

Fiamma’s three-starrred chef, Fabio Trabocchi, will be offering a luxurious tasting menu to scintillate all of your senses. Dishes include Grilled Scallops with Fennel Sauce, Roasted Lobster with Ginger and Grilled Kobe with nepitella salt and Manni extra virgin olive oil. The special tasting menu will be available tomorrow for $150 per person.

Fiamma, 206 Spring Street (near Sullivan Street), (212) 653-0100, fiammarestaurant.com

A sure path to a romantic evening: Lock in your love at Visconti Ristorante. The tale begins in Rome where a young man symbolically wraps a lock and chain around a light post to profess his adoration for his lady. Visconti has their version and some hearty modern Tuscan cuisine to go with it.

Visconti, 39 East 58th Street (off Madison Avenue), (212) 758-8600, viscontiristorante.com

He prefers Wagyu sirloin steak. She prefers sushi and sashimi. Satiate both at Megu’s six-course Valentine’s Day Set Dinner. $125 per person.

Megu New York, 62 Thomas Street (near West Broadway), (212) 964-7777, and Megu Midtown, 845 UN Plaza (at 47th Street), (212) 964-7777, megunyc.com

Prepare for an impossibly romantic evening at The Carlyle Restaurant. Indulge in a special three-course Valentine’s Day prix-fixe dinner menu with choices like Casserole of Langoustine, Dover Sole, Diver Scallop and Sea Urchin, and one-of-a-kind desserts. Plus they’ll throw in a complimentary half bottle of dessert wine. $125 per person.

The Carlyle Restaurant, 35 East 76th Street (at Madison Avenue), (212) 744-1600, thecarlyle.com/dine

You gotta love Amalia’s special V-Day menu crafted with well-known and little-known aphrodisiacs. Choose from oysters on the half shell, Black Truffle Gnocchi, Roast Quail with Rose Petals, and Pomegranate-Glazed Duck For Two.

Amalia, 204 West 55th Street (near Broadway), (212) 245-1234, amalia-nyc.com

Fig & Olive’s very special V-Day menu includes bubbly (1/2 bottle of Veuve), Grilled Lobster Tail for starters, Lamb Sirloin or Pan Seared Grouper for mains, and Pink Champagne Sorbet. $120 per couple.

Fig & Olive, 420 West 13th Street (near Washington Street), (212) 924-1200, figandolive.com

And if all else fails, there’s always the Anti-Valentine’s Day Ball at The New York Helmsley Hotel. $45 gets you an open bar from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and food. Tomorrow (2/14), 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations/tickets, call (212) 405-4222.

The New York Helmsley Hotel, 212 East 42nd Street (between Second & Third Avenues), (212) 405-4222, newyorkhelmsley.com

Gucci is with you on that. This Friday, they’re opening doors to their biggest flagship in the world. Once you get in, you’ll be treated to a visual masterpiece conceived by their creative director Frida Giannini and architect James Carpenter.

We’ll quarterback you through the “three spacious, warm, light-infused floors”:

MEN’S COLLECTION. The men’s ready-to-wear collection encompasses the entire second floor! Revel in the recessed lighting, marble floors, and dark rosewood floors. Indulge yourself in suits, jackets, shoes, and all the luxurious Gucci accessories (ties, hats, sunglasses) that you can imagine.

WOMEN’S COLLECTION. The rest of the Flagship belongs to women. The first floor is handbag heaven (they call it the Fashion Handbag Salon). Ladies can browse through the current season’s handbags, as well as classics. There is also a women’s shoe salon (of course) and an eveningwear salon on the third floor (check out the view when you’re up there).

46,000 square feet of Gucci goods in one location.

What more can you ask for?


Gucci Flagship
725 Fifth Avenue (at 56th Street)
Tel: (212) 826-2600
gucci.com

This year, they’re adding shopping tours for a few, good gentleman. We asked the professional shoppers for a little guidance on their favorite bespoke men’s tailors:

DUNCAN QUINN. “The only rule is: there are no rules. With bespoke, each piece is for an individual person with unique needs from the piece,” declares Duncan Quinn, perhaps the best known bespoke tailor in New York City. DQ combines the sartorial splendor of Saville Row and energetic color (midnight blue with fuschia, grey with purple). His shop also sports a fine collection of cuff links, oversized Fleur de Lys ties, and hand made umbrellas.

Duncan Quinn, 8 Spring Street (near Elizabeth Street), (212) 226-7030, duncanquinn.com

HISHAM OUMLIL. Recently nominated for Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Awards, Hisham Oumlil is a name that’s buzzing in menswear circles. “We don’t sell clothing as a necessity, we approach it as an art and Hisham Oumlil handles all aspects of the process from fittings to production to ensure the true tradition of bespoke,” explains Hisham. André Balazs and Jude Law, both long-time clients, agree.

Hisham Oumlil, 257 West 39th Street (inside Beckenstein Men’s Fabrics), (near 8th Ave), (212) 730-0720, oumlil.com


To schedule your own personal shopping tour (and score discounts), contact Coup de Coeur at (917) 464-3699 or visit coupdecoeurny.com.

Rugged. Sporty. And now…discounted. Enjoy up to 70% off Tim Hamilton’s hot Fall/Winter collection at his Lower East Side sale. Cash only. Through today (1/14). Noon to 5 p.m.

Tim Hamilton, 195 Chrystie Street (between Rivington & Stanton Streets), #502, tim-hamilton.com

Upgrade your weekend wardrobe with Ralph Lauren’s end-of-season sale. Select merchandise from the men’s and women’s Fall/Winter collections are now up to 30% off. Sale ends Wednesday (1/16).

Ralph Lauren, 381 West Broadway (near Broome Street), (212) 625-1660 and 381 Bleecker Street (near Perry Street), (646) 638-0684, ralphlauren.com

Taschen, purveyors of exquisite pop culture books, is having a Warehouse Sale. Take 50 - 75% off thousands of lightly worn and display copies. Starts Friday (1/18) through Sunday (1/20).

Taschen, 107 Greene Street (near Prince Street), (212) 226-2212, taschen.com

Take care of business, and business casual threads, at Hickey Freeman’s Winter sale. Select Fall/Winter sportswear (shirts, trousers, ties) are marked down by 30%. Suits are reduced by 40%.

Hickey Freeman, 111 Broadway (near Thames Street), (212) 233-2363, and 666 Fifth Avenue (near 53rd Street), (212) 586-6481, hickeyfreeman.com

Gant’s preppy Autumn 07 collections for men, women, and kids are 30% off until the month’s end. Nice.

Gant, 645 Fifth Avenue (at 51st Street), (212) 813-9170, gant.com

A Winter White Sale at West Elm means you get 20% off their stylish bedding and bath collections. Through Monday (1/28).

West Elm, 112 West 18th Street (near Sixth Avenue), (212) 929-4464, westelm.com

Ted Baker’s sporty shirts and suits are reduced. Suits are marked down to $350, shirts are $50 to $125.

Ted Baker, 107 Grand Street (at Mercer Street), (212) 343-8989, tedbaker.com

Upgrade your luggage at T. Anthony’s Half-Yearly Sale. Select merchandise is marked down by 30%.

T. Anthony, 445 Park Avenue (at 56th Street), (212) 750-9797, tanthony.com

Gear up for your next trip to Paris (or just look like it) with A.P.C.’s refined apparel. Select merchandise is reduced 30 to 50%. Now thru Wednesday (1/16).

A.P.C., 131 Mercer Street (between Prince & Spring Streets), (212) 966-9685, apc.fr

High design meets low prices at Auto’s post-Holiday sale. Select merch for men, women, and baby are up to 30% off.

Auto, 803-805 Washington Street (between Gansevoort & Horatio Streets), (212) 229-2292, thisisauto.com

Free beer and smart prices are two good reasons to hit Buckler for their end-of-season sale. Denim and accessories are reduced up to 30%. Starts Friday (1/4).

Buckler, 13 Gansevoort Street (between Eighth Avenue & Hudson Street), (212) 255-1596, bucklershowroom.com

Discounts are the draw at Built by Wendy’s sale. Take 25% off of select Fall/Winter gear.

Built By Wendy, 46 North 6th Street (between Kent & Wythe Avenues), Williamsburg, (718) 384-2882, builtbywendy.com

Dressing British gets easier with a hot sale from Reiss. Men’s and women’s apparel and accessories are reduced up to 70%. Sale in progress.

Reiss, 387 West Broadway (between Spring and Broome Streets), (212) 925-5707, reiss.co.uk

The British are coming! Take 30% to 60% off select goods at Ted Baker’s Winter Sale. Starts today (12/26).

Ted Baker, 107 Grand Street (at Mercer Street), (212) 343-8989, tedbaker.com

U like Uniqlo and apparently you’ll like them more with their after-Christmas sale: sweaters and pants are reduced to $10, jackets are just $20. See you in line.

Uniqlo, 546 Broadway (between Prince & Spring Streets), (917) 237-8800, uniqlo.com

Stock on business and business casual apparel at Brooks Brothers Semi-Annual Sale. Select merch is reduced up to 40%.

Visit brooksbrothers.com for a store near you.

Add a little Armani Exchange to your wardrobe and save up to 70% on select merchandise for men and women. Starts Friday (12/28). Ciao!

Visit Armani Exchange for store locations.