Do you feel like the For Target line cheapens your bags?

[HauteMama]

I agree in part about reputation, and whether designers want the first and perhaps only introduction to their name being through Target with a cheaper product. However, I cannot imagine that the designers haven't considered that. Really, that would be question number one at the internal discussions going on before the partnerships take place, so there must be a real benefit to the designers that we aren't recognizing.

Perhaps they know that the demographics who buy Target versus those who buy designer are separate enough that one will not significantly affect the other. Really, if LV did a design for Target you can bet it wouldn't look anything like their traditional monogram pieces. You would be able to identify it as different from a mile away. Perhaps these less-established designers are betting that the people who love them for their designer pieces won't be deterred by a Target brand.

As for Mizrahi, he may have been very successful with Target, but he no longer does runway anymore, does he? So was that really a step up for him or a permanent step down? And he is moving on to Claiborne now, too, isn't he? That is definitely a step down from the runway pieces bearing his name.

So, obviously, I'm conflicted. I love the GO lines at Target. I rarely buy much, but I love to go see them. The designers are ones I would never have bought higher-end pieces from in the first place, so they have lost nothing in my eyes the way, say, LV or Chanel might.

 

[childsafetylock]

i just thought of something, i feel that the designers who use target to market their products to the masses are able to get their label out more and be well versed in demographics that are of wider range. obviously, it wouldn't work with lines such as gucci, prada, lv or chanel since those houses have been clearly established as a high-end luxury brand that's invincible to mass-market retailers.

 

[lexxy2]

This thread surprised me. Creating a limited line that is available at a low price point does not take away from the design or quality of the other Botkiers out there. Based on the previous designer lines for Target that I have seen, the $50 bags are great styles and are really cute, but would not be mistaken for a $600 bag. I personally haven't seen hordes of people carrying the Target bags around, either. Yes, Target is all over the country, but most people who run in and buy these special lines are people like us who love style, regardless of the price point. The Target bags are likely worn on occasion, but our everyday bags are the "real thing".

I had heard of Botkier, but it wasn't really on my radar until I hard they were doing a line for Target. That spurred me to do a little research, and I loved the bags so much I bought 2 of them (the "real thing") last week. I fully expect that I'll be buying from the Target line too - because you can never have too many cute purses.

The reality is that there is always going to be a lower quality version of the hot handbags (and everything else) out there. I'm glad that these will be designed by Botkier herself. Somehow to me that doesn't cheapen the brand, like the LV and Coach knockoffs that are everywhere do to those brands. For those bags, it's gotten to where there's not much point in buying the real thing if you're going for status.

For those true bag snobs, you could consider the Target lines actually increasing the cache of your real bags. So many more people will be exposed to Botkier now, and it increases brand recognition. I think people who like the styles will learn more about the Botkier brand and collections. When they see you on the street with your non-Target, "real" Botkier, they will know you spent $600+ and be totally jealous!

 

[Tokimeki]

From a business standpoint I think it's a perfect idea. Reminds me of the Food Network's collaboration with TGIFriday's. It will help sway some people who maybe had thought of buying a replica bag to just buy a "designer" Target bag.

I also agree that it will make the real bags MORE exclusive rather than less exclusive. Target is nationwide, readily available and reasonably priced. Anyone, basically, could buy one or fourteen, etc. But not everyone walks around with high-end, true high quality bags. There's always going to be the hardcore threshold that many will never cross!

 

[ItsMyWorld]

I also agree that it will make the real bags MORE exclusive rather than less exclusive. Target is nationwide, readily available and reasonably priced. Anyone, basically, could buy one or fourteen, etc. But not everyone walks around with high-end, true high quality bags. There's always going to be the hardcore threshold that many will never cross!

I have to completely disagree. These Target lines have their strong points but I don't believe exclusivity for either line is one of them.

While not totally the same thing, look at the number of LV bags out there. Real or fake, they have just oversaturated the market and they aren't "special" any more. In my opinion, it is kind of the same situation. If you have too much of the same thing, regardless of the price, if it has a name, it becomes household. Nothing wrong with that per se, but it isn't going to make it more exclusive.

 

[illinirdhd]

^^^ I agree with you about the LV bags - I'm not a LV expert, but I know a good bag - and I often can't tell if the LV a woman is carrying is real or fake. But the for Target bags aren't going to be the same styles as the designer bags, are they? I think that's the big difference between fakes and actual designer bags that are made for a lower end line. Fakes are replicas of authentic bags and pretty much look the same, while the for Target bags are not made to replicate the higher end bags. It's like the difference between Ralph Lauren Black Label and Polo Sport or Marc Jacobs and MBMJ. Not just different materials and craftsmanship, but different designs as well.

 

[tamlee]

I agree with the OP. The bags look really cheap, and I don't like cheap labor/materials associated with the things I purchase. It's not something I ethically support.

It's also absurd to just make cheap versions of expensive designs - the Mulberry one looked so gross it made me not want a real one - why would they do that?

 

[indiaink]

This reminds me - I just saw a bunch of the Mulberry for Target bags at a local Goodwill ... and man, are they AWFUL. They aren't even selling for $2 or $3. I didn't see them when they first came out - and one thing I know: They bear NO resemblance to the 'real thing', so I don't think it 'cheapens' the Mulberry line at all.

 

[TXGirlie]

The latest is Linea Pelle for Target. They don't look too bad really. I don't think those ones would really cheapen the LP brand since they aren't too high end to start with. It might actually draw people to the leather side of the brand.