If you still believe that big retailers pairing up with designer labels is a passing fad, it’s time to accept that the collaboration concept is here to stay. In fact, some of the best masstige mash-ups yet are debuting in Toronto this season.
Here’s the shopping scoop.
Jason Wu and Target
The labels: New York based Wu is best known for his prim dresses, bold colours, and a contemporary take on traditional prints. His Target womenswear collection launched in the U.S. in early February but the Canadian market-bound retailer is popping up a shop at King and Peter to tease T.O. shoppers with his goods for one day only this week.
The look: Nautical options include a sleeveless dress in an itsy bitsy polka dot print, t-shirts with tie collars and pleated, mid-length skirts. Accessories like striped totes and cat motif scarves will be easiest to grab when crowds crush into the store.
The launch date: After the city’s style press gets first dibs tomorrow (Thursday, February 23) morning, doors open at 363 King West to the public at noon. A three piece-per person purchasing limit means there should be a bit of merch left come lunchtime.
Mary Katrantzou and Topshop
The labels: If you can give credit to any single designer for the explosion of layered, hyper colourful prints this spring, its UK-based Mary Katrantzou. Topshop recently sponsored her Fall 2012 show in London and has already launched this collaboration in England and New York City.
The look: Just ten styles including party dresses, tunics and leggings priced between $120 to $630 make up the capsule collection. While pieces like a lampshade-skirted dress don’t appear to match the structural integrity of Katrantzou’s main line, the textiles are satisfyingly eye popping.
The launch date: TTC up to Topshop’s Yorkdale location on March 6 to shop this one.
Marni and H&M
The labels: Milanese cult label Marni is another statement print standout (notice a trend here?). Consuelo Castiglioni brings her signature crafty, clashy aesthetic to the original high-low collaborator H&M for its umpteenth designer project.
The look: Womenswear is cut boxy from patterned silk while menswear pieces focus on colour blocking, stripes and sharp anoraks. Tweets from last night’s media preview suggest the line’s shoes and accessories upstage the clothing. Added indie cred for the collection comes in the form of its dreamy commercial, directed by Sofia Coppola.
The launch date: Get thee to H&M’s Eaton Centre, Yorkdale or Yonge and Bloor stores on March 8 (or the evening of March 7 if you want to be at the front of the inevitable line for the collection’s best lavender and gold pieces).
