I agree w/ this. I think that as long as the end products are different and at different price points, it is okay by me. I personally did not like the one line that came out already, but will be interested in seeing Gryson and Botkier. It's all about money, anyway, esp. from the designer and retailer point of view, you know? It's really a win win for both, esp. for designers w/ new exposure to a different group of consumers.
Do you feel like the For Target line cheapens your bags?
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I agree w/ this. I think that as long as the end products are different and at different price points, it is okay by me. I personally did not like the one line that came out already, but will be interested in seeing Gryson and Botkier. It's all about money, anyway, esp. from the designer and retailer point of view, you know? It's really a win win for both, esp. for designers w/ new exposure to a different group of consumers.
First off, I am a semi-pro seamstress, trained by my mother who was an Italian seamstress (she has passed away); I have closely examined a few of the Target lines done by famous designers: Mizrahi, Randall, Gonzalez and without a doubt, I could not detect that these were "designer" bags. The use of pleather, the color choices, the fake croc in vinyl, the stitching, the seam construction, all point to a WalMart-type construction that is not meant (or so it seems) to last beyond one season.
I think designers want to get into this sort of thing (Vera Wang Lite for Kohl, for example) in order to satisfy the desire for upscale products among those who would normally be customers on Santee Alley or on Canal Street. In other words, imo, this is the designers' way of heading off the counterfeiters by trying to appeal to their customer base - women of all income levels who want a designer look yet who also want to conserve their expenditures.
With the downturn in the economy, it is my view that this sort of thing will increase, not decrease.
For news on Chinese labor making "Italian Made" designer handbags/clothing/accessories, please read the link to the Los Angeles Times article I submitted to the Forum today.
All the best to each of you.
I think designers want to get into this sort of thing (Vera Wang Lite for Kohl, for example) in order to satisfy the desire for upscale products among those who would normally be customers on Santee Alley or on Canal Street. In other words, imo, this is the designers' way of heading off the counterfeiters by trying to appeal to their customer base - women of all income levels who want a designer look yet who also want to conserve their expenditures.
With the downturn in the economy, it is my view that this sort of thing will increase, not decrease.
For news on Chinese labor making "Italian Made" designer handbags/clothing/accessories, please read the link to the Los Angeles Times article I submitted to the Forum today.
All the best to each of you.
I don't live in the States so I don't know Target. However, the strategy you describe sounds like good business sense. We need to remember that most people are NOT fanatical about handbags. Also, when desirable bags are sold at lower-than-expected prices, it doesn't mean that 'certain groups of people can now dip their toes in designer-brand bags.' That's a very patronizing view to hold. It just means MORE CHOICES FOR MORE PEOPLE. Many women CHOOSE not to spend serious money on bags, though they have ample disposable income. To feel superior if you DO spend a fortune on bags points to some serious insecurity issues. A similar assessment could be applied to fake bags. Some women CHOOSE to carry them and feel that they're beating the system in some way.
I knew this would start some people calling out others regarding the horrible shallow person they are. LOL This forum is not about saving world hunger. It is about people, who like myself, spend time and alot of money on purses. I dont need to take a look at myself! I know I am a handbag snob!!!! Oh well!!! And imo it cheapens the line.
i love the target designer bags. i own both the real thing and the target designs. i dont care what other people think when they look at my bags. i just buy them because i love them.
Oh, I just posted about this in another thread. I also feel that this is not a good long-term decision for the businesses, it's short-term money. Personally, I don't think that if I found an inexpensive bag by a designer at Target, that I would buy it and move up to the more expensive versions, I would switch over to a more expensive designer.
Anyone remember Halston? Over-merchandised himself with JC Penney back in the 80's. Brands that don't have the same cache that they used to are the ones who lowered their own bar, so to speak: Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren.
Whether we like to admit it or not, a designer name on something adds to the item. But when it's over-exposed, or brought down a few levels, it loses some of it's magic.
Also, is it really good for a designer when they make a bag of lesser quality that is only designed to last for a year? I buy a bag because of the quality, if you take that away, then what's the point? I love Coach, because not only do I know the bag is made well, but that if something happens to it they will take care of it. I highly doubt you'll get the same service by bringing back one of these bags in a year to Target to complain about a loose stitch, or scratched hardware.
Anyone remember Halston? Over-merchandised himself with JC Penney back in the 80's. Brands that don't have the same cache that they used to are the ones who lowered their own bar, so to speak: Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren.
Whether we like to admit it or not, a designer name on something adds to the item. But when it's over-exposed, or brought down a few levels, it loses some of it's magic.
Also, is it really good for a designer when they make a bag of lesser quality that is only designed to last for a year? I buy a bag because of the quality, if you take that away, then what's the point? I love Coach, because not only do I know the bag is made well, but that if something happens to it they will take care of it. I highly doubt you'll get the same service by bringing back one of these bags in a year to Target to complain about a loose stitch, or scratched hardware.
This is what I said about Botkier for Target before I found out it would be a reality! Decisions, decisions...
Excellent viewpoint. Same thing happened to Giorgio Beverly Hills, Pierre Cardin, Longine watches (which are still advertised as "luxury" watches), and Estee Lauder cosmetics. This has already begun to happen to Louis Vuitton regarding their monogram canvas line. Once it gets overexposed, its all over with, the cache is gone
I don't care at all. I only wish Target would charge more and use better materials for the lines. The Botkier bags looks super cute, but I doubt they'll be leather. I bought Libertine for Target and it doesn't turn me off of Libertine at all. Still love them. Otherwise I haven't gotten much from the Target lines because I haven't been crazy about them.
This is what I said about Botkier for Target before I found out it would be a reality! Decisions, decisions...
I said the SAME thing.
Maybe if Botkier weren't my favorite designer I wouldn't care as much?
Great post. I think Tommy Hilfiger is a great example of this and Halston definitely came to my mind as well. Pierre Cardin...
This is really even happening to an extent with LV, not because of it being in Target but due to overexposure. People just view it as ordinary depsite the $500+ price tag. I see where this is a good business decision in the short term and it does give the designer money vs. the makers of counterfeits but I do think it is kind of a double edged sword.
I feel the same way....now what???This is what I said about Botkier for Target before I found out it would be a reality! Decisions, decisions...