Coming to a high street near you...
In pictures
By Ellen Kelly, Fashion Editor
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Gold by Giles Deacon for New Look; YouTube: Matthew Williamson talks about his H&M range
(Pictures by Ellen Kelly)
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Designers are making the leap from couture price tags to credit crunch-friendly as the recession hits the fashion industry.
Capsule collections by the catwalks’ notorious are fast becoming the answer to the prayers of fashionistas forced to count the pennies, as global favourite Matthew Williamson becomes the latest in a line of designers to foray into the world of high street retail.
Following the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli, the designer, who claimed his place on the top rung of the fashion ladder with his 1997 debut at London Fashion Week, launched his first capsule collection for H&M this month. The collection, which includes re-works of his iconic ethnic and boho inspired pieces, is set to induce hysteria amongst shopaholics keen to get their hands on designer clothes at a fraction of catwalk cost.
Collaborations between designers and high street brands are becoming increasingly popular as the age of justifying a £500 dress dies a long overdue death, and iconic designs are more readily available at bargain prices.
British fashion icon Giles Deacon has also joined the ranks of the converted, launching his seventh diffusion collection for New Look this month. Gold by Giles Deacon has been fundamental in the growing success of the high street store, with the £7 - £60 price range irresistible to those with a penchant for designer fashion.
“The range has been massively popular with young people and I think it’s been a huge attraction of the new store,” said 23 year old Claire Rushton, a sales assistant at Liverpool One’s new flagship store.
“The clothes are very rock chick, there is a lot of bold colour, detailing and graphic patterns. It’s different to what New Look usually stocks and I think that’s why it is having such an effect.”
With the launch of 60s icon Barbara Hulanicki in Biba for Topshop also this month, and rumours of Henry Holland designing for Debenhams later in the year, the high street looks set to continue thriving as store-designer partnerships become irrefutably fashionable.
Matthew Williamson for H&M launches in Liverpool ONE 14/05/2009
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