Discount Designer
Affordable Style Gets En Vogue
What: Affordable clothes are chic, in case you hadn’t already heard. At least judging by recent sales of clothes and accessories made by “accessible” designers like Tommy Hilfiger and Tory Burch. Designers like Tommy and Tory are reportedly bucking the recession by creating “bridge collections” and selling their clothes at a more moderate price point—like skirts for $250 and pants for $175—which American consumers are now going out and buying in droves.
What the Times Says:
“We are positioned very well with accessible, affordable luxury and this is something we have been doing for 25 years,” said designer Tommy Hilfiger.
What We Say: Affordable luxury certainly is an interesting concept. While a lot of the designers mentioned in this article—including Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang—are still selling clothes that are too expensive for us to afford, we do appreciate that they are trying to sell their apparel at a lower price point. However, $250 bucks for a skirt still isn’t cheap (but cheap(er))
Shop H&M Online Soon
What: We’ve got a special place in our heart reserved for H&M, and now that we may be able to shop for our favorite diffusion lines and trends online…well, we’re in love. Rumor has it that H&M will launch an online storefront for the US. To date, Americans have to purchase everything in store.
What They Say:
H&M would prove to be stiff competition for some of our favorite online vendors, such as Forever21, Topshop, and especially Urban Outfitters, as the potential site could not only serve up its affordable styles, but their covetable accessories as well.
What We Say: Watch out Forever 21, you’ve got company! This could be the great “fashion equalizer”, as we all know that the type of merchandise available at H&Ms vary widely between locations. We’re way excited about this possibility, but we’ll wait to jump for joy until everything’s confirmed.
Are you a big H&M fan but you don’t live near a store?
Win This: Get Your Maxxinista On and Win a $25 Giftcard
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This: Maxxinistas know that you can do A LOT with $25 at TJ Maxx…and that it is pretty stupid to pay full price for designer fashions. Seriously…
How to Enter: Tell me about your latest fashion discovery at TJ Maxx to win a gift card to score more.
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Badgley Mischka’s HSN Line Debuts Nov. 17
What: Late last month, word began spreading that the design team Badgley Mischka was planning to design a line especially for the Home Shopping Network. Now, just a few weeks later, details about the new collection are starting to emerge. Dubbed the “American Glamour Collection,” the new line will include footwear, apparel and jewelry priced from $39 to $499 when it debuts during a two-hour special on November 17th.
What WWD Says:
“People in parts of the country that didn’t know about Badgley Mischka because they don’t have access to some of the high-end retailers are now going to see this as a destination,” says Lanie List, EVP of Badgley Mischka at Iconix. “When it’s time for them to get their daughter’s first wedding gown or go to an event, they will know [the company] as a favorable brand.”
What We Say: We’re still waiting to see photos before we make out final judgment on the new collection. However, the prices (starting at just $39) do sound promising. We’ll definitely be tuning in to HSN at 9 p.m. on November 17th to see what the designers have got in store. What about you?
Win This: Get Your Maxxinista On and Win a $25 Giftcard
What: Win a $25 TJ Maxx giftcard every week day from now until Oct. 27th.
Why You Want This: The stuff you can get for $25 from TJ Maxx… a pair of flats, a complete party wardrobe, a sequin jacket, a set of Ralph Lauren sheets. High prices out, designer duds in for up to 60 percent less than department and specialty stores.
How to Enter: Tell me about your TJ Maxxinista fab finds for a chance to win a gift card from the famous off-price retailer.
Don’t forget you can also enter via Kathryn Finney facebook fan page and by adding “RT @KathrynFinney I am a Maxxinista” twitter
Please read Contest Rules
This is a paid contest.
Sponsored Post: Tips for Being a Maxxinista
“Off-Price” stores like TJ Maxx are Bargain Meccas, full of “hidden treasures” just waiting to be discovered. Here’s some tips for shopping the store and becoming a “Maxxinista”.
1. Shop the Weekdays to Avoid the Rush. Trucks arrive 3-5 days during the week, meaning the selection changes regularly. Avoid the weekend rush by shopping during the week day (early morning or late evenings work best)
2. Don’t worry about irregular items. Over 95% of merchandise at stores like TJ Maxx is first quality, meaning less than 5% is “irregular”—and those aren’t what you think. Irregular doesn’t always mean “defective” items, but rather items with irregularities unnoticeable to the customer (like a manufacturer cranked out an order of pumps in patent instead of regular leather)
3. Go in with an open mind. If you’re looking for something specific, like say a brown herringbone suit from Ralph Lauren, your chances of finding it are pretty slim. However, if you take a generalist approach to shopping at these stores, go in looking for a nice suit for work, your chances of what you’re looking for is pretty good.
4. Be self-sufficient. Don’t expect a lot of assistance on the floor—the store is primarily a self-navigating experience. That’s not to say no one will help you—just don’t expect a personal shopper at your elbow.
5. Look for Designers. I just found a pair of Jimmy Choo Fall 2009 Botties at TJ Maxx for 50% off (these booties are currently being sold in Bergdorf for full price). TJ Maxx buyers are out there making designer purchases more than 40 times a year, bringing more than 10,000 new items to the store weekly.
Jil Sanders UNIQLO Line Now Available
What: We can all collectively jump for joy today, because Jil Sanders’ UNIQULO line, J+, is now available in stores. While some items cost a hefty $149.50, many are priced in the $25 to $40 range.
What They Say:
The collection consists of outerwear, denim, shirts, cut & sewn, knitwear, and other goods. The +J women’s collection price range: Outerwear: $39.50-$149.50, Shirts: $39.50, Pants: $49.50-$59.50, Skirts/Dresses: $39.50-$49.50, Cut and sewn: $19.50-$29.50, Sweaters: $29.50-$49.50, Cashmere: $79.50-$129.50 and Accessories: $29.50.
What We Say: J+ has almost everything we need for fall and winter. While there isn’t anything terribly daring in the collection (from what we can tell), it’s kind of a one-stop shop for this season’s basics. Have you checked it out yet? What’s the verdict? If you’re curious, you can browse the line online.
Badgley Mischka for HSN
What: The Home Shopping Network’s been getting into fashion of late. HSN already offers up collections by Molly Sims and Tina Knowles. Now, Badgley Mischka - a pair of designers known for bold evening wear and bridal gowns, is in talks with HSN about a “lifestyle collection” that could launch this fall.
What They Say: From WWD.com:
HSN already offers fashion collections by designers such as Loulou de la Falaise, Randolph Duke and Tina Knowles, and in November will launch a special fashion jewelry collection by Molly Sims. HSN representatives could not be reached for comment.
What We Say: Until we’ve got price points and pictures, it’s hard to say much about this rumor, except that we hope it pans out! It has potential… looking forward to it?
Sonia Rykiel’s Holiday Collection for H&M
What: French designer Sonia Rykiel is partnering up with H&M to develop the retailer’s first-ever co-branded lingerie line just in time for the holidays. The new collaboration will include a line of “modern” lingerie available at H&M stores nationwide on December 5th, along with a spring knitwear collection, which will go on sale in February.
What They Say:
“It is a hallmark of Sonia Rykiel to think of all women because fashion is about a certain spirit more than a question of means,” said Nathalie Rykiel, president and artistic director of Sonia Rykiel. “This collaboration fits perfectly with our philosophy.”
What We Say: The whole designer-collaboration trend seems to have been done to death by now, although the fact that Sonia Rykiel is designing lingerie does add an interesting element to this collaboration. As always, we’ll be excited to see what Rykiel and H&M are able to come with, and just how frugal the prices will be.
We’ve got the Photos: Jimmy Choo for H&M Photos
Think of this as an early christmas present. More photos after the jump.
More Photos
More to Love About the Jimmy Choo H&M Collection
What: The world wide web’s been abuzz with leaked photos of the new Jimmy Choo H&M collection hitting stores November 14th. While most the pics have been taken down, they give us a hint of what to expect. in addition to a huge assortment of colorful and edgy shoes (ranging from stilettos to boots), shoppers can look forward to statement jewelry, studded belts, handbags, and even…brace for it…a jumpsuit.
What They Say:
Jumpsuits are a pretty polarizing garment these days, but the belted one in this line looks like it might fall on the more flattering end of the jumpsuit spectrum.
What We Say: November 14th can’t come soon enough…are you as excited as we are? We’re hoping the prices leak next…
Jean Paul Gaultier and Target?
What: Jean Paul Gaultier - whose muses include Madonna and Lady Gaga - is apparently in talks with Target about an upcoming line. If the rumor’s true, JPG would be the latest designer to partake in Target’s series of “Designer Collaborations.” Anna Sui and Alexander McQueen are his predecessors.
What They Say:
The muse always plays a big role in Target’s Designer Collaboration series (Alexander McQueen chose the Duke Spirit and Leila Moss, Anna Sui chose the girls of Gossip Girl). So whose would Gaultier’s be? A diva, most likely. As long as the pleather is kept to a minimum and shiny stuff is included, we are onboard.
What We Say: It’s been a long time since we’ve heard such an exciting rumor, and we really, really, really hope it’s true. If JPG and Target do end up getting together, we think the outcome will be super interesting and edgy. Are you crossing your fingers for this new designer collab?
Richard Chai’s New Line
What: Richard Chai, the indie designer best known for his androgynous style and his limited edition collection for Target in 2008, is branching out. In addition to his high fashion (i.e. super expensive) collection, Chai has announced plans to launch a lower-priced label called Richard Chai – Love for men and women. With wholesale prices ranging from $50 to $100, the new collection is set to preview at fashion week this month and officially go on sale in spring 2010.
What Richard Says:
“It’s inspired by my girl, who’s in love with the guy that I dress,” said Chai. “They’re not carbon copies of each other, but they go hand in hand.”
What We Say: For anyone who’s ever looked at her boyfriend’s t-shirt and wondered if she could wear it as a mini-dress, Richard Chai’s collection is for you. Although it won’t be priced quite as cheap as his Target collection in 2008, Chai’s new line still seems like a great deal.
Luxury’s Losing
What: More and more is being revealed about the luxury apparel market. Even though prices have started to stabilize, luxury clothes just aren’t coming off the shelves and racks fast enough for retailers. It’s not just the “Recessionista” who’s taking advantage of lower prices - even the rich are scaling back their clothing budgets. That means the luxury market isn’t recession-proof - as originally thought - and may endure more long-term than short-term effects. That’s okay news for shoppers, of course.
What They Say:
Shoppers will see more merchandise focusing on the low- to mid-tier luxury prices. That means more dresses from $400 to $600, and fewer priced over $1,000. The average prices for European luxury handbags are now anywhere from $1,600 to $1,700, lower than the $2,000 average seen more than a year ago, acccording to Hana Ben-Shabat, a partner in the retail practice of management consultancy A.T. Kearney.
What We Say: We have to wonder why the luxury market used to be so economy-proof, and suddenly isn’t. We also have to wonder if perhaps high-end apparel was just way overpriced pre-recession and is only coming back down to planet earth now. While the recession certainly won’t hand us over any couture for rock-bottom prices, it will make it easier for us to splurge from time to time.
Do you think the gap between high and “low” fashion is starting to shrink?
Photo by Ileana
Temperley Adds Lower-Priced Diffusion Line
What: Temperley, the British design label known for its ready-to-wear fashions and limited edition collection for Target, is looking to expand. The upscale label is branching out from selling $1,700 minidresses and $1,000 coats by creating a lower-priced diffusion line. With prices starting at just $50, the new line is set to be released next spring.
What They Say:
“Temperley produced a collection for U.S store Target back in 2007 that was also stocked in a pop-up shop at Selfridges London. Then the accessible price points helped the limited edition pieces to sell-out within days.”
What We Say: Although the prices for this new collection won’t be quite as wallet friendly as Temperley’s collection for Target, the line is slated to be a permanent fixture for the label, which means we (hopefully) won’t need to wait in line just to snag a few pieces like we did at Target cause we really, REALLY, love Temperley…
Kmart Gets Preppy
What: Just in time for back to school, Kmart is taking its latest step in fashion forward retailing by debuting THRE3, a line of polo-inspired clothes for men, women, boys and girls designed by the United States Polo Association. The line, which features polo and rugby shirts, along with jeans, sweaters, and long-sleeve fleeces, is available in stores nationwide and online with prices ranging from $9.99 for graphic tees to $26.99 for bootleg jeans.
What They Say:
“The THRE3 brand was designed to depict the authentic lifestyle concept of the sport of polo in the United States. It’s comfortable, casual, and accessible to everyone in the family. We believe the relationship with Kmart is a well-chosen step toward the long-range success of the THRE3 brand,” said Cliff Lelonek, President and CEO of U.S. Polo Assn.
What We Say: Kmart may be a little late to the game when it comes to discount stores launching branded fashion lines, but they’re right in time for back to school shoppers. And with the recession in full effect—and families looking to cut costs wherever they can this year—THRE3’s rugby and polo shirts just might be the budget conscious alternative to Abercrombie and Fitch that we’ve been looking for.
Rachel Roy’s Lower-Priced Line Debuts at Macy’s
What: Nearly four months after word spread that designer Rachel Roy was creating a diffusion line for Macy’s, the eponymous collection has finally debuted online. Although the full line of apparel, footwear, and accessories isn’t set to be released in stores until the end of August, eight pieces from the collection are already for sale online—including the Chain Tee ($59), the Origami Dress ($109), and the Brushstroke Print Dress ($99).
What They Say:
“The collection includes some modern dresses and chic tops. All of the pieces look like they are relatively easy to wear and they all have a slick, modern edge.”
What We Say: Rachel Roy is known for designing classy clothes for women of all shapes and sizes, which is one reason why so much anticipation has been building around the debut of her first diffusion line. The real question is whether or not her line can help Macy’s bottomline.
Urban Outfitters Debuts Latest Designer Collection Online
What: Urban Outfitters’ latest limited-edition capsule collection is finally hitting shelves. The hipster retailer—which announced plans to collaborate with hat designer Eugenia Kim and jewelry maven Annie Costello Brow just last month—is officially debuting its latest collection together with designer Emma Fletcher from the indie fashion label Lyell. Although the full line won’t be available in stores until August 15th, a number of items are already popping up online, including silk tap shorts ($58) and a v-neck sweater dress ($88).
What Teen Vogue Says:
“Ms. [Emma] Fletcher already has a loyal following, but if you’re not yet familiar with her handiwork, prepare to be charmed. Her designs are enchantingly vintage-looking but spare the wearer the strategic tailoring decisions that come with real vintage pieces…”
What We Say: She may not be as famous as some other designers who’ve collaborated with Urban Outfitters, but Emma Fletcher’s Lyell line is already hugely popular with downtown fashionistas from New York to LA. Judging from the few pieces that have debuted online, it looks like her limited-edition collection will deliver all the signature details Fletcher’s known for, but with a much cheaper price tag.
Cynthia Rowley Debuts New Line for Tots
What: Cynthia Rowley—the kitschy fashion designer and TV personality with a housewares line at Target—has yet another collaboration in the works. The designer has announced plans to team up with Babies"R” Us to launch a collection of children’s clothes beginning in September. The new line, called “Hooray by Cynthia Rowley,” is set to feature “fashion-forward” baby clothes and accessories, including playwear, bibs, blankets, and diaper bags, with prices ranging from $5.99 to $39.99.
What Cynthia Rowley Says: “I’ve been dying to do baby clothes for a long time….I just wanted to find the right partner. I think that baby clothes should be reasonably priced and accessible. People can’t believe the combination of the quality, the price and the style—it makes everything so easy,” said Cynthia.
What We Say: Based on how much we adore Cynthia’s flirty clothes and her bright and cheerful housewares line for Target, there’s no reason to think her latest collection of baby-wear will be anything less than spectacular. Plus it will be a great alternative to the recent trend in expensive children’s clothes.
Miley Cyrus Line on Sale at Wal-Mart Now
What: News hit that Miley Cyrus and designer Max Azria were pairing up for a budget-friendly Wal-Mart line a while back, and lots of people had opinions about that. Well, now that the line’s finally out let the judging commence! The collection includes tie-dye v-neck tees, denim skirts, colorful skinny jeans, and leggings - much of it inspired by the UK fashion scene. Nothing costs more than $20, and in fact, many items are a mere $6.
What They Say:
What We Say: There are certainly some funkier aspects of the line, but a good chunk of the tops and bottoms are pretty basic and anything but original. Regardless, at prices like $6 and $7, one really can’t complain. If you’ve got back to school shopping to do, or you’re super petite, there are definitely a few unique standouts worth checking out - like this $12 plaid tunic.
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