More than 100 people overtook nearly three blocks outside a Lower Manhattan loft on Tuesday for the chance to patronize a “stoop sale” held by Jenna Lyons, a former J. Crew president and creative director who is now part of the cast of the reality TV show, “The Real Housewives of New York City.”
Lyons, who is known for her unique style, announced the sale via Instagram on Saturday. It generated so much buzz that she later extended the hours of the sale and instituted a $15 cover charge, which would be applied to anything someone decided to buy. Half of the proceeds would go to Planned Parenthood, she said in a second Instagram post
In the hours leading up to the sale's 2 p.m. opening, Lyons posted multiple Instagram photos of clothing that would be on sale, including a 2012 Met Gala look and some signature button-down shirts. And a line was still active outside the sale as its 7 p.m. end time approached.
Fans of Lyons and “RHONY” – as well as people who had no idea who Lyons is – lined up for hours in 80-degree weather to get into her SoHo loft on Mercer Street between Spring and Prince streets. Some waited in line in hopes of seeing Lyons herself or getting their hands on some of the pieces that helped make her a style icon.
“She’s obviously the most stylish one and the other housewives don’t really get it because she doesn’t dress for the male gaze,” said Sarah Siegel, 31. “I just think she’s really cool – and I’m hoping she has lots of accessories and stuff.”
Siegel said she hoped she’d get to see Lyons in person as well.
Chelito Villafor, 39, who lives in Los Angeles, scored a pair of wool drop waist Marni trousers for $65. He said he arrived after 5 p.m. and spent just 45 minutes in line before his turn to enter. He described the loft as “hot and humid,” but added that Lyons was also in the space.
GiGi Principe was the first person in line despite having no idea who Lyons even was. The 25-year-old actress, who also works as a professional line waiter for a company called Same Old Line Dudes, said she arrived at 10:30 a.m. But there was something different about this sitting assignment, she said – it was a bit more secretive in nature.
“Usually when I line sit, I get an exact address ahead of time so this was definitely new for me,” Principe said. “I’ve never done a stoop sale before.”
Sitting next to her in line was her coworker Abraham Addison, 66, who arrived at the stoop sale sometime after 11 a.m. He said he also had no clue who Lyons was.
Those waiting in line also learned that they might appear on the next season of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Members of the show’s production crew flanked the crowd, presenting them with media release forms in case they ended up on camera.
The line extended for several blocks.
Sharon Croxon, 53, happened to be visiting New York City from Toronto this week when she saw Lyons’ Instagram post promoting the stoop sale. The interior decorator, who said she “dabbles” in the show but has been following Lyons since her stint at J. Crew, said she was hoping to find some rare pieces.
“I’m sort of looking forward, from a style and design perspective, seeing what she has available that might be interesting,” Croxon said.
It wouldn’t hurt, she added, if she caught a glimpse of Lyons as well.
Others – like 32-year-old Belle Bakst – attended in order to vlog the event for their own social media followings. Bakst – who runs a popular TikTok account covering sample sales – said more than a dozen followers told her about the event.
She said she was on the lookout for costume jewelry as well as any other finds she might come across. She said she was worried she wouldn’t be able to stand the heat for as long as it would take to make it inside the loft.
“We’ll see if I can do it – I’m only human,” she said.
Tuesday’s calm and orderly scene stood in stark contrast with a different sale. In March, the NYPD forcibly shut down a Versace sample sale in Chelsea after a fight broke out among the thousands of people waiting for their chance to get their hands on discount designer-wear. The sample sale resumed hours later on that same day to a much milder crowd.
Jenna Lyons, Kyle DeFord are seen at a photoshoot in SoHo for their new show "Stylish with Jenna Lyons" on Dec. 11, 2020
Lyons, who is originally from Boston, had a decadeslong career at J. Crew and spent the last seven years as its president and creative director. She joined the cast of ”The Real Housewives of New York City” during its 14th season, which premiered last year and featured an entirely new cast. The show is currently filming for its next season, but Bravo has yet to announce when it will air.
James Foley, a 32-year-old security guard who is part of the show’s production team, said he had been warned about the pandemonium from the Versace sample sale. He said he didn’t expect it to get too rowdy on Tuesday – but planned to be working the event until after dark.
“We are just here to keep everything calm – but I personally don’t expect anything to get out of hand,” he said.
Bravo, which broadcasts the reality television show, declined to comment. Lyons did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story has been updated with new information.
