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COMMENTARY | According to ABC News online, people actually stood in line to buy anything from the new Jason Wu collection at Target which debuted a few days ago. I'm not familiar with Jason Wu fashion, but I do understand what the fuss is all about: another high end designer creating a line that the rest of us average folk can afford. Guess I can't blame these budget fashionistas. Even I bought 3 pieces from the Simply Vera line at Kohl's when it first came out a few years ago. But when it comes to buying high end designer merchandise at affordable retailers, I won't stand line for it.
For these prices, I'd rather have an affordable designer
When these designers create a line for stores like Target or Kohl's, the prices are usually higher than the regular merchandise sold in the store. Take Jason Wu for example. I saw one of his tote bags at Target selling for over $35. Yeah it was cute and it was Jason Wu, but it's still a tote bag from Target. I could get a Vera Bradley tote for only $14 more and it's a real Vera Bradley.
Quality is not always there
For the line to be affordable, something has got to give, and it tends to be the quality. When Versace debuted its fashion line with H&M last year, I was able to see and feel a few pieces before everything sold out. I picked up a black handbag with gold hardware straps for $199. Versace handbags usually sell for $1000 and up, so this is a bargain. But the bag felt so rubbery and plastic that I couldn't see myself shelling out this much money regardless who the designer is. I never got to see the Versace clothing, so I honestly can't judge the quality there.
This may not be a one shot deal
When I bought a shirt, jeans, and shoes from the Simple Vera collection at Kohl's, I thought for sure her stuff would sell out and we would never see her line again. I was wrong. She still makes clothing and more for Kohl's and it's readily available. What does the future hold for designers like Wu, Versace, Missoni and others who already partnered up once with affordable retailers? I don't know. But I think when lines are so successful that people are queuing up to get into the store, it would be almost foolish to not try a second round. And if they do, maybe I'll check it out!
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