Your take on designer collabs?

[Antonia]

Now, compared with the OGs (actual Peter Do and actual Mugler) would you say quality, tailoring, materials, etc. is on par? And are the OGs worth the extra money?
In other words, are designer clothes really worth that much more than say, premium high street, other than the name and logo?

I only own 2 original Peter Do sweaters that I got from The Real Real-I would say similar quality. I don't own original Mugler, so I cannot compare quality on that. I will say the BR/Peter Do collab, the attention to detail is much better than H&M/Mugler. Going to post a couple of pics to show you the button holes because that is very telling. On the sizing, I went with the medium because I'm a US 8 which is considered medium and I wanted it to fit as intended with a relaxed, chill look. The silk is very thick and not delicate-it has some weight to it. I love it!

 

[Antonia]

Now, compared with the OGs (actual Peter Do and actual Mugler) would you say quality, tailoring, materials, etc. is on par? And are the OGs worth the extra money?
In other words, are designer clothes really worth that much more than say, premium high street, other than the name and logo?

As an aside, Banana Republic is surprisingly good quality for the money... leather pieces (boots & bags ) and they have a timeless classic trench, such good quality, heavy and hefty. If not for the tag, you would think it was some Burberry (actually reminded me of my try-ons for the Waterloo trench).

I agree with this post about BR. Excellent quality clothing and the style is classic without being boring-I went a little crazy last month during the F&F sale 40% off. That's the best time to shop!!

 

[Antonia]

*double post

 

[VernisCerise]

I used to get excited about collabs, but not as much lately. Most of them are definitely lower quality unless it’s two luxury brands such as Fendi x Tiffany. I bought Mugler x HM tights and a turtleneck, but I had to return. Both were very itchy because of the glue used to attach crystals, also the tights were not stretchy. I stopped by the BR last week to see PD capsule, I also liked the map dress. Small size was sold out, and most pieces were oversized. I think that the brands struggle with making the pieces wearable.

 

[S0nia]

I only own 2 original Peter Do sweaters that I got from The Real Real-I would say similar quality. I don't own original Mugler, so I cannot compare quality on that. I will say the BR/Peter Do collab, the attention to detail is much better than H&M/Mugler. Going to post a couple of pics to show you the button holes because that is very telling. On the sizing, I went with the medium because I'm a US 8 which is considered medium and I wanted it to fit as intended with a relaxed, chill look. The silk is very thick and not delicate-it has some weight to it. I love it!

So good to know. I have been resisting soooooo hard getting the convertible cashmere sweater... Ugh!
But again, to me that is the only collab worth anything so far...

 

[S0nia]

The collab between Uniqlo X Theory also had a few piece, especially in outwear, that were decent but more on the Uniqlo level than on the Theory level.
Let's say it was Uniqlo+ or premium Uniqlo.

 

[S0nia]

I used to get excited about collabs, but not as much lately. Most of them are definitely lower quality unless it’s two luxury brands such as Fendi x Tiffany. I bought Mugler x HM tights and a turtleneck, but I had to return. Both were very itchy because of the glue used to attach crystals, also the tights were not stretchy. I stopped by the BR last week to see PD capsule, I also liked the map dress. Small size was sold out, and most pieces were oversized. I think that the brands struggle with making the pieces wearable.

The BR X Peter Do's problem is that is unisex but with only 3 sizes!!! S - M - L
That's doomed to be wonky. Don't know what they were thinking, or better, that's probably where they cut the corners...

 

[leechiyong]

I agree BR tends to be a bit better quality, especially as it comes to collabs. I've bought a few pieces through the years (Trina Turk, Marimekko, Milly). I tend to gravitate towards their clothes because their cuts/sizing just fit me off the rack without needing tailoring, so that's disappointing to see about the Peter Do collab's sizing.

When I was younger, I loved having the opportunity to explore different designers' aesthetics without having to save a year to do so. I didn't have to learn with designer prices what does or does not work for me.

Don't get me wrong, I do see collaborations as marketing the brand and similar to limited or special editions when fashion is seasonal and all somewhat limited. Nowadays, it's ultimately about the appeal of the item for me. What makes anything special is choosing items I love, whether one unit was produced or 100,000, and combining it together, not being told it is, but it's been an ever evolving process for me.

 

[V0N1B2]

The Lindex x Missoni collab was hands down the best ever, IMO.

 

[MaxDexter]

I used to get excited about collabs, but not as much lately. Most of them are definitely lower quality unless it’s two luxury brands such as Fendi x Tiffany. I bought Mugler x HM tights and a turtleneck, but I had to return. Both were very itchy because of the glue used to attach crystals, also the tights were not stretchy. I stopped by the BR last week to see PD capsule, I also liked the map dress. Small size was sold out, and most pieces were oversized. I think that the brands struggle with making the pieces wearable.

I love the Rick owens x champion collab because while champion is not high end, the collab is all made in italy near the designers factory so everything is really good quality.

 

[Bagatha Christie]

It is really hit or miss.
Usually, they are a shameless cash-grab aimed at the gullible. And some are incredibly tacky.

Occasionally though, you do get a few wherein the goal is really to approach a new/younger consumer base and introduce them to designer pieces at a friendlier price point. The one I really have in mind is the Banana Republic X Peter Do. Did not get any but the aesthetics were a success and the prices approachable.

The danger of course is people realizing that *designer* pieces are not necessarily of any better quality (whether in fabrics, materials, cuts etc.) than fast fashion and you might as well stick to that. The Mugler X H&M taught everyone that lesson. The upcoming Paco Rabanne & H&M will do the same IMO.

And after a while, it all really becomes lazy and gimmicky.

The mugler x H&M was truly disastrous.
‘You too can look like campy henchmen in Batmen and Robin and get BV (not the bag) while doing it.’

The BR X Peter Do's problem is that is unisex but with only 3 sizes!!! S - M - L
That's doomed to be wonky. Don't know what they were thinking, or better, that's probably where they cut the corners...

100% so many artisanal brands the xl is a 14-16 U.K. sizing and I find a lot designer jeans brands are not generous with their hip sizing to say it’s cotton they are selling.

That said I don’t agree with the idea that all sizes should be the same price. If you are a plus size you do need sometimes twice the material and more time to sew than a skinny garment and if the cost isn’t being charged on those sizes where is the loss being recouped you know?

I’m overweight and I wouldn’t mind paying more or preordering certain things but of course I know the fat activists would have an absolute meltdown so I don’t think it’ll happen.

Back on topic, it varies enormously I think.

I agree BR tends to be a bit better quality, especially as it comes to collabs. I've bought a few pieces through the years (Trina Turk, Marimekko, Milly). I tend to gravitate towards their clothes because their cuts/sizing just fit me off the rack without needing tailoring, so that's disappointing to see about the Peter Do collab's sizing.

When I was younger, I loved having the opportunity to explore different designers' aesthetics without having to save a year to do so. I didn't have to learn with designer prices what does or does not work for me.

Don't get me wrong, I do see collaborations as marketing the brand and similar to limited or special editions when fashion is seasonal and all somewhat limited. Nowadays, it's ultimately about the appeal of the item for me. What makes anything special is choosing items I love, whether one unit was produced or 100,000, and combining it together, not being told it is, but it's been an ever evolving process for me.

I think you’ve made a really interesting point about having the opportunity to explore a design aesthetic. When collabs are done right it is a great opportunity to open up to a new audience. The late great British department store Debenhams had a long standing relationship with a couple of designers who had these affordable diffusion lines like John Rocha, Jasper Conrad, Jenny Packham etc. I think this really helped our general fashion literacy and awareness of national designers at the time. I suppose now we have social media so that helps in a different way.
I guess what I’ve noticed is a lot of collabs that get a lot of the attention now tend to already be really big brands all in the happy LVMH or Keyring family rather than individual designers.

 

[880]

Nice idea in theory, but my limited experience with this Is that the items are not even as well made or of as good material as their high street counterparts. One example that I recall is Lagerfeld for H&M years ago. I vastly preferred regular H&M. In fact, I’ve held onto a thin, sparkly H&M cardigan which is a precursor to brunello sparkly knits produced very season. And, I favor a cap sleeved button down top from Zara over similar Prada ones. One of my best made calf hair coats was manufactured by Banana Republic. I think I’ve owned it since before Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco went out of business (I don’t recall the date). I still have it. It’s held up better than a calf hair coat I bought at Dolce & Gabbana. Years ago, if I wanted a lesser priced item from a designer, I bought from a diffusion or bridge line, and I did like See by Chloe and Akris Punto. But, now, I would just as soon do without.

ETA: I really like designer collaboration Birkenstocks.

 

[stacy_natalie]

I liked the Tiffany and fendi collab, as well as some of the Versace and fendi collab.
I did not realize that collab items are not the same quality as the original

I don't think pertains to either of these high end collabs; I think at question and subsequent discussion are more about if a higher end brand does a collab with a typically lower priced brand, is the quality is drastically different than the "real" designer goods (seems to be more geared towards clothing too). I like both the collabs you mentioned

 

[stacy_natalie]

I recall when Target did a series of designer collabs several years ago including Lilly Pulitzer, Victoria Beckham, An na Sui, and even Missoni. I bought a few items that seemed to be event quality and held up well, but am sure some of them weren't onpoor par with the real deal.

 

[A bottle of Red]

I don't think pertains to either of these high end collabs; I think at question and subsequent discussion are more about if a higher end brand does a collab with a typically lower priced brand, is the quality is drastically different than the "real" designer goods (seems to be more geared towards clothing too). I like both the collabs you mentioned

Oh yes that makes sense thank you for clarifying!