Collateral Queens



             The only thing better than an amazing force in fashion, is when two amazing forces collaborate. Many retail stores have been collaborating with designers and brands to form capsule collections: Sears's, Charlotte Russe, JC Penny's are just some of the few. But the ones that take the cake and continue to shine as the best in this new trend, are H&M and Macy's. These two retailers are what my fashion business teacher would call category killers lol. H&M pretty much dominates the chain retail store sector and Macy's is most likely the number one department store (course as a Macy's employee I'm partially biased) but you can look up the facts! lol

             H&M is a company known for being a head of the trendy pack so it really comes as no surprise that they would be one of the leading pioneers of this new trend. H&M has collaborated with such designers as Lanvin (for H&M), Leigh Lezark, Sonia Rykiel (for H&M), and Versace. Each collaborative collection holds true the trendiness and styling/ silhouette and cheaper prices of H&M while also fully embarrassing the design aesthetic and of that designer.

crowded H&M stores

Sonia Rykiel for H&M

Leigh Lezark for H&M

            Macy's a designer collaborative efforts I personally think is a bit of a surprise. Because Macy's is a department store and by nature is very family oriented, it's interesting that they would put such a high end idea in stores where middle America shops. Not saying by any means that the typical family in the middle of the Midwest doesn't know anything about fashion; just interesting that the designs of some of the greatest designers in our time are mass produced and found in the same place as dishwashers and duvet covers. Nevertheless Macy's has its own line up of designer combos as well; the likes of Matthew Williamson, Karl Lagerfeld (available on the 31st of this month) and the newest edition, Giambattista Valli due out in October. I personally can't wait for the this Karl Lagerfeld collection, as I am a dedicated fan of this designer he is truly talented. I still am in shock his designs will be available at my fingertips just next week. But then again maybe accessibility is just one of the many things about the 'magic of macy's' ;-)

looks from Matthew Williamson

Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse

Giambattista Valli