For the last five years or so, we have been seeing a general growth trend in the collaborations of mighty names in fashion with mighty names in departmental clothing. Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Victor & Rolf and recently appointed Madonna, a big name in entertainment, have all been enlisted by Swedish company H&M. British company, Topshop has procured the assistance of Kate Moss and even Australian companies such as Portmans and Sportsgirl have enlisted independant designers such as Willow and Alice McCall.
Recently in Australia, and just in time for the launch of L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2007, Stella McCartney for Target. This partnering of independant designers for mainstream manufacturing companies seems to have not only boosted sales in the companies, but the exposure and popularity of the designers.
Is this then the end of designer ready-to-wear? Or are we just suckers for labels?
