At about this time last year there was a frenzy surrounding Mark Eisen. The former Perry Ellis designer was coming out of semi-retirement to debut Karoo, a luxurious line of knitwear with innovative designs and reasonable price points.
Generous coverage in the New York Times Sunday Style Section, followed by a late summer trunk show at Bergdorf’s, and all the fashion folks were a-talkin’.
I signed on early. His grey cashmere shrug hung around my shoulders from the hot summer nights of July til the wintry ways of January and February.
I bought a wool-blend deep v-neck in September, a ribbed black cashmere turtleneck in January and a thick sleeveless cable-knit mock-turtle in March.
Come to think of it, I haven’t purchased that many pieces from a single collection since I shopped at Abercrombie in ninth grade. I was hooked, and so was everyone else.
So what did Eisen do with his re-discovered success? Parlayed it into the mass-market, of course!
That’s right; a 35-piece collection for Wal-Mart label George ME by Mark Eisen hits the chain of super-duper markets this September.
Expect recycled silhouettes, prone-to-pill fabrics and $17.98 (and falling) prices.
But if you’re the type of person who will wait in line overnight at H&M for the designer diffusion du jour, then perhaps this is for you.
Final Word: What’s next, the $9.99 twin-set at Sam’s Club? I wouldn’t be surprised.
10 comments:
Karl Lagerfeld for H & M? Luella Bartley for Target? These I understand. But Mark who? Please, the only reason designers do mass is because their name/reputations can afford the hit, but to do this after 1 successful season of sweaters? I think that's a bit bold. Eisen may have played the "mass market" card a little too soon.
the only reason designers do diffusion lines is to make money!
totally an issue on quantity over quality, and wal-mart has got that concept nailed
eisen will be laughing all the way to the bank
obviously it's to make money, but a) it's too soon (in this business timing is everything and b) he's an idiot to put his name on it when he's just starting out like this. plenty of designers do mass market, they're just smart enough to call it something else or do it in japan.
he'll be laughing all right, but once he squanders the wal mart profit away (and he will squander it), no designer dud wearing self-respecting girl will wear something that was in wal mart before it was in vogue. sorry alex.
wait....is paul & joe really coming to target?!?! sick
I knew that sh-t like last year...
i miss you d! kisses...great blog girls! nicole- you can only shop at 5th ave imix: no soho!! haha
Here are some links that I believe will be interested
Here are some links that I believe will be interested
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Hi!
Nice info, big thx.
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