Collaboration
It has become the way of the world nowadays that there cannot be a new day without hearing of another fashion collaboration. With the way that the economy has become, it is not a wonder that these collaborations are taking off. It makes the unaffordable and almost untouchable designer pieces reachable.
In case you are not in the know, fashion collaborations consists of a very well-known designer and a almost department store brand, something known to the average, everyday consumer, i.e. those who are not able to afford those big names attached to. Many big names like Jimmy Choo, Giorgio Armani, and Sonia Rykiel have all found success with branching off into ready-to-wear, cheaper versions of their higher priced lines.
I can see why these kinds of fashion combinations can entice the everyday fashionista. That is not the problem. What has now happened is that now everyone else can see this too and how to exploit this situation.
I have even noticed how these collaborations are now backfiring to the people they matter the most: the frugal-istas. Everyone knows that Target has had big name collaborations: Thakoon, Rodarte, Gaultier, Zac Posen. And the problem is, many people ready to take advantage of the situation know this as well. Rodarte for Target’s line sold out in less than a day of being on Target.com. So, what shows up on eBay the next day double the price? You guessed it – every pieces of the Rodarte line, some even comparing to the real thing in price alone. People are now aware that they can take advantage of such a simple situation of trying to buy something that the average girl would never be able to afford before.
Another thing would be the weird pairings of fashion. It was announced that Jimmy Choo would work with Ugg in creating a new line of fancy boots (???) and Armani would be working with Reebok to create gym shoes. Though the designers’ statements seem plausible, how would anyone think to make these collaborations? Ugg boots, probably one of the ugliest kinds of boots of all time next to Crocs, and Jimmy Choo, one of the sexiest shoe designers alive, together? How can one justify crystals on a boot as “making it sexy”?
If these trends continue, what can the standard fashion lover do? Is there really much one can do? One would argue that a person can just not buy part of that line but can that really make a difference? If you do not like the line, there is no reason to buy. Another argument to make would be that you would have to make sure to buy the clothes online early. Knowing that there are people out there who will overcharge, it makes of more of an incentive to make sure you are up early on the day of the release.
However, whatever you, the lover of fashion that you are, decide to do, make sure to keep it in the fashion family and, hopefully, I see no more overpriced Target clothing on eBay. Also, let’s hope not to see anymore of these silly collaborations again.
And if the day ever comes that Crocs and Christian Louboutin are collaborating, please know that there is one fashionista who will not be standing in line for that.
