Archive for the ‘Luxury Designers’ category

Rent and Return Fashion

November 14th, 2009

The motto LOVE, WEAR, RETURN conjures up thoughts of people buying an expensive item, wearing once, then trying to return it Monday morning. Talk to anyone at a high-end boutique, most Mondays someone will try this. First, it’s completely illegal. Second, it’s just morally wrong. But now it is legal, acceptable, and encouraged – at Rent The Runway.

Rent the Runway is a new company created to bring high end fashion to…your doorstep. Allowing you to actually wear that perfect dress you always admired but immediately pushed from your mind because it was outrageously expensive. Seems like this new business model would be perfect for all of us fashion lovers on a budget.

Herve Leger at BCBG.com

Herve Leger at BCBG.com

Names like Diane Von Furstenberg, Herve Leger, Proenza Schouler and even new design star Christian Soriano can be rented for roughly one tenth of what they would be paid for in a retail store. Similar to the idea of Bagborroworsteal.com, the renting company Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant, Louise, refers to so she can wear great bags at a low cost-I personally think this is ingenious!

There are a few snags (no pun intended) that one would imagine could occur, i.e. wrong size, late delivery, stains etc., but the ladies of Rent the Runway seem to have it under control even though the task of sharing and actually bringing high end couture fashion to the masses is no easy task.

There will always be the little black dress that you will wear over and over again…. that’s an investment for sure and most definitely some other staples are worth purchasing. But I know very few people that wear cocktail dresses and ball gowns enough to warrant the extreme prices.

It’s as simple as going online and signing up for a membership, reserving your dress, wearing it and looking fantastic and returning it. If you aren’t quite sure what styles, colors or dress would look best on you ask about it on Trend Talk or send a picture via Send The Trend and everyone can give you personalized input to help you look your best!

Sign up for a membership at renttherunway.com

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Luxury Designers, Budget Stores

October 30th, 2009

There are some names in fashion that just ooze luxury. Christian Louboutin, Bottega Veneta, and Chanel roll off the tongue. Now be honest, what is your initial reaction when you hear that a label you love and aspire to obtain is launching a low-end line?

Does it make you cringe that everyone will have it? Or are you happy that something from your coveted designer is now affordable?

Kohl’s has been carrying Vera Wang’s Simply Vera for two years now so the initial shock of designers going budget is over. But the past few months we’ve heard announcements from Target and H&M about well-known and normally high-end designers creating lines specifically for those stores

Anna Sui for Target

Anna Sui for Target

Target –
Anna Sui’s Gossip Girls inspired line ran in Target from September 13 through October 17. She is also doing a line of totes for Target from recycled material from billboards.

Then rumors recently proved to be true when Target confirmed last week that Jean Paul Gaultier (best known for Madonna’s cone-shaped bras) will be doing a line for the store.

H&M -
I would argue that H&M had the biggest designer score when they landed Jimmy Choo. The shoes are fantastic, he always has a fresh perspective, doesn’t retread what some other designer is doing. It’s even fun just to say “Jimmy Choo.”

Then H&M went and got one of my personal favorites – Sonia Rykiel. Everything I have from her, I consider special. But I also consider her pieces unique and I’m not sure that I want everyone wearing my girl.

But maybe my snob side is showing. Just maybe we will see what these designers can come up with when the budget for material is not unlimited and everything can’t be made to order. Maybe it will be like a Project Runway episode – make me a line of clothes, each item priced below $100, and wearable for the masses.

Judges?

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