VIV Says: Blog

Forward-thinking Norma Kamali designs NK for Walmart and an eBay line, which includes this convertible gown.

If we choose to believe the gossip, even Carrie Bradshaw will feel the pinch of the recession in the upcoming Sex and the City sequel. Luckily for the fictional fashionista — and for real-life bargain-hunters — plenty of high-end designers have created lines with lower price tags, following the likes of Vera Wang, whose Simply Vera line has been available at Kohl’s since 2007.

Norma Kamali
Always on the cutting edge, Kamali created NK for Walmart in 2008 with dresses as low as $18 and T-shirts in the $6–$8 range. (At a Fashion Week presentation we attended at the Apple store in SoHo, Kamali unzipped her jumpsuit to reveal one of the Walmart T-shirts she designed on her iPhone.) Her newest venture into what she calls the “democratization of fashion” is her current eBay collection called NormaKamalibay, with a studded belt at $12 and a convertible gown for $250.

Jil Sander
Sander, who has been a design consultant with Uniqlo since March, launched the +J collection for the Japanese retailer this month. Known for her minimalist designs, Sander’s +J women’s collection includes outerwear ($39.50–$149.50), shirts ($39.50), pants ($49.50–$59.50), skirts and dresses ($39.50–$49.50), sweaters ($29.50–$49.50), cashmere ($79.50–$129.50) and accessories ($29.50).

Jimmy Choo
For H&M’s first collaboration with an accessories brand, the company has landed none other than Choo, whose collection of shoes and handbags will be available in 200 stores on Nov. 14. Shoes will be about $128, and the collection also includes women’s clothing (with price tags at around $239 for a dress), as well as accessories, bags and men’s shoes.

Sonia Rykiel
On Dec. 5, H&M will reveal a lingerie collection created by French designer Rykiel. Not only will the pieces be available at 1,500 H&M locations, but in Rykiel boutiques as well. The “Queen of Knits” also is set to launch a knitwear collection for women and girls in 250 H&M stores on Feb. 20.

Rodarte
Though the Gossip Girl set may be aflutter about Anna Sui’s clothing for Target inspired by the CW drama, we’re looking forward to the Rodarte line for Target’s Go International, available Dec. 20 through Jan. 31, with prices from $9.99–$79.99. Items from the sister design team of Kate and Laura Mulleavy will include everything from leggings to party dresses and jackets.

Narciso Rodriguez
The designs of Rodriguez have been seen from the red carpet (Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Weisz, Julia Louis-Dreyfus) to the White House (Michelle Obama). In spring 2010, he’ll showcase a limited-edition collection for eBay.

It’s great to see high-end designers take note of the current economic climate. Are there any designers you’d like to see create a lower-priced line?