Trend & True: Couture on Aisle Four

For me, fashion is always about the mix, high with low and edgy with classic.  I love designer and retail collaborations.  I try to collect at least one piece from every partnership I find.  The idea of having a well designed piece from a limited-edition collection at an affordable price makes me feel giddy.  Here are my favorite collaborations coming this fall.

The Target and Neiman Marcus collection will consist of pieces ranging from $7.99 to $499.99.  Designers who created pieces for the collection include Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Derek Lam, Marchesa, Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta.  The collection will be available December 1 in all Target and Neiman Marcus stores, as well as target.com and neimanmarcus.com.  Karen Katz, President and CEO of Neiman Marcus Inc. told WWD, “This is kind of groundbreaking.  Neiman Marcus and Target share a passion for great design and delighting customers in new and unexpected ways.”  Considering the designers who have signed on to participate, this is truly going to be a fun and unique experience for both Neiman Marcus and Target shoppers.

This holiday eBay has partnered with Billy Reid, Chris Benz, Fallon, Jonathan Adler, Steven Allen and Tibi.  This limited-edition gift collection will feature men’s and women’s apparel, jewelry, travel, accessories and home décor.   Designer collaborations are not new to eBay as past partners have included Derek Lam, Alexander Wang and Rebecca Minkoff.   EBay is set to release specific product details later in the year.  The eBay Holiday Collection will include 40 gift items priced from $50 to $100, set to debut on November 12, 2012.

Nordstrom has found their most recent partnership in the UK’s fast-fashion mega retailer, Topshop.  This September, 14 of Nordstroms’ 117 full-line stores will feature the Topshop collection.  The collection will also be available on Nordstrom’s e-commerce site, nordstrom.com.    According to Pete Nordstrom, “This is not a price play.  It’s really a trend and fashion play.”  Nordstrom believes their customer will love Topshop’s take on trend-led fashion.  Nordstrom will edit from Topshop’s vast and dynamic assortment as well as receive some specifically designed products.  New styles will be added weekly.

Kohl’s is another top player in the fashion high-low game.  This November, Kohl’s has tapped Narciso Rodriguez to launch their new Design Nation program created by LF USA.  Instead of bringing in a limited edition collection, this program pairs the designer with a city of their choice where the designer will draw inspiration for a month-long capsule collection.  Rodriguez has selected Istanbul as his city of choice.  Narciso told WWD, “It was a really interesting idea to travel somewhere you had never been to before, and get your inspiration from a place that wouldn’t normally be in your comfort zone, bring that back, and turn it into a collection.  I was completely inspired by the people, the city and all the different cultures.”  The collection features outerwear, tops, dresses and knits.  Prices range from $30 to $150.

According to Vivienne Westwood, “You have a much better life if you wear impressive clothes.”  As a stylist in the fashion industry for over 10 years, I have found this to be true.  I work with Neiman Marcus Denver, People Stylewatch Magazine, and I am the current Fashion Director for 303 Magazine.

Tracy E. Bozarth