In spite of the fashion press grumbling that consumers are growing tired of mass-designer collaborations, the masstige bandwagon rolls on, the latest (and biggest) news being that
Versace is collaborating with H&M, in spite of the fact that three years ago,
Donatella said she'd never do a mass line. Ahem. This one will be slightly different in that it's based on "iconic" Versace pieces, so for everyone's sake, let's hope that includes way-back archival looks designed by Gianni himself. Encompassing men's, women's, and home items, the first collection hits stores November 17, with a second round of pre-spring items on January 19. The Cut (and many other blogs) has a video preview; here are some still shots, courtesy of H&M. Considering Versace is not exactly Lanvin, are you excited or...not so much?
Hitting Target stores a few weeks earlier on October 30 are two accessories collections: 14 hats by CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Albertus Swanepoel (all for just $19.99 each!), and jewelry from L.A.-based wire-wrapping pioneer Dana Kellin (retailing for $9.99-$49.99). I am actually really excited about the Albertus Swanepoel hats--Target's hat collabs tend to be among their more successful outings, mostly due to the fact that hats don't require leather (or in Target's case, fake leather), and I am a just a chapeau-lover at heart. The jewelry collections tend to be pretty solid too, so this is good news all around. More photos of both lines (
the hat at left is currently available at Anthropologie) should be available in August, so stay tuned.
And because Target hasn't met a designer collab it hasn't liked, they've also announced a
partnership with Josie Natori. The first of the two-part collection should hit stores in time for the holidays, with the second, Valentine's Day-timed installment arriving around January 1. Considering prices are $9.99-$34.99 for bras, panties, and chemises, I'm assuming this will be nowhere as luxe as her signature line; in fact, I'm expecting polyester galore. Still, I am a huge fan of Target's
Gilligan & O'Malley boyshorts (3 for $12!), and so I will keep an open mind.
Finally, CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner
Eddie Borgo's jewelry line for J.Crew is live, and as of now, all pieces are still available (as opposed to the super-limited-edition Prabal Gurung line, which sold out before I even had a chance to write about it). Prices range from $38 for a bow pin to $175 for a fringed necklace; my favorite is this $135
studded cuff, although I would gladly take any piece in the collection (or in his regular line, where prices tend to hover around the mid three figures). Now if only J.Crew will send out another one of those 20% off emails...
If February is a bit too far away for you, Target has three accessory collaborations hitting stores before then, October 30th to be exact. The first is a line of 14 hats by Albertus Swanepoel, all for just $19.99. This is particularly noteworthy because Swanepoel is a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund recipient, and a similar hat to the one pictured here is on sale at J.Crew for $178, nearly 10 times the price of Target's version! Also in stores that date: Dana Kellin's jewelry ($9.99-$49.99) and Asian-themed lingerie by Josie Natori for $9.99-$34.99.
