Shopping Alert! Buy the Looks of the Season in Advance at Moda Operandi

Have you fallen in love with Matthew Williamson's blue, silk leopard weave suit? Finding yourself wishing August would arrive (before spring even sets in yet) so you can be the first to pre-order or purchase Jonathan Saunders' birch top and vandome skirt? Well you don't have to be lovesick or rush the fall shopping season to purchase these designer looks. All you need is an account at Moda Operandi to be able to purchase these looks straight off the runway.

What is Moda Operandi?

Moda Operandi is a first in fashion. It is the first online luxury retailer that permits members to pre-order fashions as soon as they leave the runway. This fashion retail pioneer is the brainchild of founders Aslaug Magnusdottir and Lauren Santo Domingo. The idea of this online phenomena is to allow members to view and pre-order fashions from the complete collections they have just seen during New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks months before the official shopping season for those fashions begin.

How Does Moda Operandi Work?

You have to be a member of Moda Operandi in order to pre-purchase any designer look. New trunk shows from the next fashion season will be displayed periodically where you can pre-order any look you want to purchase from a particular designer or several if you wish. Each designer's complete collection will be available for ordering for 36 to 72 hours so procrastination could hurt you if want a particular look from a collection because it won't be available for long.

Once you select the item you want to pre-order, you pick your size and place your order. If you are not familiar with dress sizes from different countries, there is a link to a handy size comparison chart so you can find your dress size according to different country standards. You will be charged half the cost of each item upfront and the balance when it is ready to ship. The pre-order page will show you the expected delivery date of the item, which can be anywhere between six weeks to four months depending on the item purchased. You can also call a personal fashion stylist if you need style recommendations (a member perk).

How Can You Become a Member of Moda Operandi?

Just go to Moda Operandi and apply. There may be a waiting period before your application is accepted. However, on March 8, 2011 Rachel Zoe announced in her newsletter, The Zoe Report, that the first 500 readers who apply will be accepted. So, if you are not signed up to receive The Zoe Report, I recommend you do so ASAP. However, after viewing the trunk shows available so far, I have to agree with Rachel Zoe that even if you miss out on instant access, it is worth the wait.

If you purchase designer clothing frequently I highly recommend applying to become a member of Moda Operandi. Chances are you may end up pre-ordering a look that won't make it to stores, making you a trendsetter within your social circle. As with any online retailer, read their terms and conditions carefully before ordering. It costs nothing to become a member and trust me, being able to get a private viewing plus having the additional perk of receiving help from a fashion stylist make becoming a member worthwhile in my humble opinion.