Bright spots for budget divas
When the Karl Lagerfeld for H&M; collection debuted in New York City last spring, some women took off work to grab the goods. Others stripped down to their underwear on the spot to try things on, or resorted to tearing the clothes off mannequins. It was fashion mayhem for two hours, until everything was sold out.
Anyone who’s fought her way through the Fred Segal sale can imagine what the scene will look like when H&M; opens in the Beverly Center this fall. The Swedish cheap chic emporium was an instant hit on Fifth Avenue (a second store followed on 34th Street). The clothes are always on-trend, with designs strong enough to stand on their own and quality that’s better than you’d expect for pieces like a stylish $29 denim blazer.
For now, L.A.’s budget-minded divas can warm up at Target on Wednesday, when it launches a limited-edition Luella Bartley collection.
The cool Brit’s collection is the first in Target’s new Go International program, which will feature a rotating list of designers producing limited-edition collections.
True to Bartley’s girlish rock ‘n’ roll charm (and her penchant for cherries and skulls), the line is a dream, with cherry-print button-downs ($24.95), schoolgirl patched denim blazers ($49.99), striped oxford shirts with attached skinny ties ($24.99), satin bomber jackets ($34.99), puff-sleeve T-shirts ($14.99), star-patched jeans ($39.99) and spring’s must-have cropped jacket ($39.99) in Luella green. The accessories are pretty cute too, including a canvas heart-and-skull tote ($19.99) and an iPod holder ($12.99).
Nine West could be the next mass retailer making deals with high-end designers. The footwear company is in negotiations with several top names to create limited-edition collections of shoes, belts and handbags. A spokeswoman for the brand wouldn’t confirm details, but Vivienne Westwood, Sophia Kokosalaki and Thakoon Panichgul are being bandied about the rumor mill.
Kamali helps Spiegel go slinky
Have you looked at the Spiegel catalog lately? It’s not all khaki pants and flowered sweatshirts anymore. Legendary designer Norma Kamali has lent her brilliant convertible clothing idea to a special collection for the mail-order retailer, available in the spring catalog and online.
Norma Kamali Timeless is a 17-piece collection created from jersey knit. Available in black, dark red and black-and-red stripe, all of the garments can be mixed and matched. The three convertible pieces are an all-in-one dress, an all-in-one mini and an all-in-one tie-waist skirt, which can be transformed into numerous styles. Prices range from $12 to $89, and there’s a link to a how-to video at www.spiegel.com.
And if there was any doubt that the collection would take off on its own, celebrities are getting free pieces at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday.
