Designer Collaborations

Two very big names in the world of high fashion are joining the ranks of designers with diffusion lines this season. First off is Narciso Rodriguez, the man responsible for Michelle Obama's heavily-debated Inauguration Day red and black dress. Rodriguez, who has dressed scores of celebrities and solidified a reputation for crafting smart, sleek yet feminine designs is teaming with eBay, which recently announced its own expansion by way of a NYC pop-up shop. Rodriguez for eBay will consist of a "diffusion line of separates that are slated for a spring launch," and which will retail for a relatively extremely affordable $750-$350, says the Huffington Post. Rodriguez follows in the footsteps of Norma Kamali with this partnership -- the latter's line for eBay is currently up for grabs here.

Meanwhile, Koi Suwannagate is partnering with Anthropologie—the midrange retailer that’s been taking notes from the likes of Target—on a four-piece line called Lawan (Thai for “beautiful"); the overall partnership will be ongoing. Suwannagate is the third well-known designer to collaborate with the retailer this season alone (before her came both Ruffian and Eley Kishimoto). But when it comes to detail and intricacy, her romantic designs for Anthropologie would put most collaborations to shame. For Fall 09, Suwannagate has introduced a series of ruffle and fabric flower-adorned jackets, cardigans and one long deep red dress. All of the pieces boast a distinct elegance (e.g. they’re not your average holiday party attire). Prices reflect the more complicated designs—most of the frocks retail in the mid-$200 range. But for a Suwannagate original, price wise, you won’t do any better than this.

(Black Book)