Zac Posen Spring 2010

Zac Posen is coming to Target.  His Go International collection will be available at Target on April 25th to May 30th.  We are in an environment where high-end designers are opting to make their clothes more accessible to the mass market. 

Posen has been very busy lately; only two weeks ago he announced his diffusion ‘hipster’ line to be sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.  His Z Spoke collection with Saks will go for $78 to $675.  The young designer’s high-end collection goes for $900 to $12,000, but the price point for the Go International collection has not been announced.  It’s fair to say that the price point will be significantly lower than even the Z Spoke collection because previous Go collections at Target have retailed from $14.99 to $149.99.

Designing clothes for the mass market improves the bottom-line, and it increases the name recognition of the designer.  The consumer also wins because they will have access to affordable  merchandise from a high-end designer.  Only the lines at Target will tell the full story next spring, but it’s likely that the story will be a very good one for Zac Posen.

Zac Posen to Design for Target [WWD]

Related: Zac Posen is the Latest to Launch Lower-Priced Line

You can add Zac Posen to a growing list of high-end designers choosing to launch a diffusion line.  The collection will be sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.  Z Spoke will be available next spring at prices far lower than the Zac Posen collection. 

Think sportwears instead of the avant garde pieces we’ve grown to expect from this young designer.  The line will be priced between $75 to $675, a mere bargain compared to the Zac Posen collection which sells between $900 and $12,000.  Separates are the foundation of the collection and you will have your selection of knits, cotton and khakis.

Diffusion lines have been the answer in an ailing economy.  We’ve seen lower-priced collections from Alexander Wang, Doo-Ri Chung and Thakoon Panichgul this year alone.  Temperley is also launching a diffusion line due out next spring, at about the same time Z Spoke will be available at Saks.   

Zac Posen’s New Venture [WWD]

Z Spoke (Zac Posen’s Diffusion Line) [The Fashion Spot]

We have another high-end designer collaborating with a mass retailer.  Designer Rachel Roy has a new line at Macy’s, and it is a more budget friendly collection to go along with her high-end collection, Rachel Roy.  She launched her successful avant-garde collection in 2005.  Her new line is a younger look for college students who want to be cool, but polished.  Simply put, it’s youthful and sweet.  The collaboration also includes accessories and footwear.  Here is a preview of a few looks available online now.  There is always a silver lining, it’s almost time to go back to school, but you can return in style.

Rachel Roy Brings Her Fabulousness to Macy’s [FabSugar] via [The Cut]

Take a look at this video of everyday women daring to walk in the shoes from the runways of fall 2009.  It leaves you with an appreciation of the ‘balancing’ act the models must do for each show during fashion week in front of the cameras and a packed house.  These shoes definitely pose a challenge, and that’s saying the least.  They range from Manolo Blahnik, Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, John Galliano, Rodarte, and Herve Leger.  Of course many of these shoes are for the theatrical effect on the runways, and will never hit the stores for the consumer, or is that wishful thinking?  Either way, it was well worth seeing these contraptions, I mean shoes up close.  I’m just happy that no one was injured while filming this re-enactment.

Thakoon for Target

The economy has affected us all, and it has even influenced our shopping habits.  We’ve all heard the talk of a ‘V’ shaped economic recovery, suggesting that once we’ve hit bottom, we’ll trend upward without looking back.  While I’m usually an optimist, I’m more inclined to believe that we are in a ‘W’ shaped recovery where we will hit bottom twice before trending upward to a full recovery.  With this in mind, we must be mindful of our budgets, but still remain fabulous and stylish.  Mixing our wardrobe with higher and lower-end pieces has never been more essential for the woman who loves fashion.  Here is a list of the top five collaborations of high-end designers and mass market retailers.  They are:

• 1. Karl Lagerfeld- H&M
• 2. Jimmy Choo- H&M
• 3. Proenza Schouler- Target
• 4. Matthew Williamson- H&M
• 5. Thakoon – Target