During these tragic economic times, the most expensive, designer label stores have become a look-don’t-touch, showcase type of situation. Nowadays, it’s difficult to walk into Coach, or even Gap, to find a keychain for a decent amount of money. Eric Wilson addresses the need for a re-evaluation of our passion for haute couture fashion in his article, Irresistible and Affordable.
Wilson talks to Isaac Mizrahi who is promoting the new Liz Claiborne line. While consumers are reevaluating “their relationship with designer clothes” Mizrahi recognizes that buyers have to find appealing fashion in stores with lower price points. “I don’t think I’ve been in Macy’s in like a hundred years — it’s always so vanilla,” said Jill Sussman, who owns an art gallery in Manhattan and described herself as a fashion devotee. Speaking about consumers, Wilson explains, “If they are not just staying home, shopping their closets, they may be part of a consumer pattern of trading down, from a Saks Fifth Avenue to a Macy’s, for example, and liking what they see — or at least not being horrified.”
Although Wilson does discuss significantly cheaper clothing, I felt that his only audience was those who originally were able to afford expensive designer labels on a regular basis. The items touched on and suggested were not that cheap:
“No surprise, Mr. Mizrahi, whose collections for Target turned him into a maharishi of value-minded fashion for most of America, makes a tank for a lot less. A blush-pink style in stretch jersey, trimmed with lace, is $35 in the spring Liz Claiborne collection. And it’s cute, too.” How is a cute tank at $35 any kind of bargain? Wilson’s article also mentions, “A little black dress for $139 has pleats tucked around the waist.”
Wilson clarifies Mizrahi’s position as ultimately designing for wants, not needs, offering still pricey floral printed cardigans and a gingham strapless dress in his new line. I agree with Wilson, these “could hardly be described as the bare necessities”. Callie French, a Macy’s makeup artist, claims she’s really not looking but is finding it hard to resist Mizrahi’s new Claiborne line, describing it as “something that’s fun, something to lighten up, something that you might look at and smile”.
His article is thoughtful and I believe that he is correct in noticing a significant difference in the world of fashion reacting to consumers due to the economic crisis, but for me, this article was discouraging. Speaking as a person who cares about fashion trends but not in the 30-50 year old age bracket, I feel fooled by the title of the article; I found the clothing described neither affordable nor irresistible.
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and friends with all the fish. A shiny tail and sea shells, that would be my wish.
1 comment:
Isaac Mizrahi is one of many designers aiming to create more affordable fashion, especially during these difficult economic times. I believe that he has always been a designer interested in offering people clothes they want at a more reasonable price. Mizrahi's collections for Target have proved to be very successful because it allows people to feel as though they are a part of the fashion world without breaking their budgets. Even though the article is more tailored to an older age bracket, I still think it is offering a reasonable solution for Americans who crave a desginer label during these financial hardships.
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