I’m a PR girl. So I’ve got a thing for designer collaborations and celebrity partnerships in the beauty and fashion worlds. Yes, I think thing is the right term.
Recently, I’ve been doing research for school on whether they work or not. Does an H&M partnership with Karl Lagerfeld bring more store sales? Or does a Madonna and Macy’s pairing create magic on the bottom line?
It looks like the jury’s still out on how much high-profile collaborations mean for business in the end.
But as a consumer, here’s what I think: they’re fun to shop, explore online and help me discover new design talent and hidden celebrity talents.
Enter the most intriguing collaboration announcements and comebacks du jour. I can’t wait to see how these all pan out.
This is an unexpected pairing but I love it! The Nigerian-born, London-based designer Duro Olowu, serves up wow-worthy prints, patterns, hues and textures in this jcp collection. A bit off the wall? Maybe. But let’s hope many more fashion lovers feel the same way I do about the more than 70 pieces in the store with Olowu’s name on them. Would be just the kind of push jcp needs, especially after recent dismal financial reports.
As a vegetarian, I’m giving this a nod. Leona Lewis, the U.K. artist, animal lover and long-time vegetarian, teams up with The Body Shop. As part of the partnership, one of Leona’s first activities is to help The Body Shop and NGO Cruelty Free International in their joint, global campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics forever.
The Kardashian Sisters and Sears
The Kardashian sisters’ influence is indisputable, especially in the style department. I love that this collection makes their sense of fashion accessible. “Because Kim, Kourt and I have such different tastes, it was really important to us to design looks for girls everywhere, no matter their signature style,” said Khloe when the collection first launched in 2011.
Somehow, the singer known for controversial fashion choices has paired up with the very mainstream Kmart and ShopYourWay.com, the social shopping platform. Her new multi-department lifestyle brand features apparel and accessories collections. “I am so excited to work with this iconic, mass retailer and to bring affordable fashion to my beautiful barbz all across the U.S.,” said Nicki. I’m anxiously awaiting a preview of the designs.
If the lines outside River Island for the launch of her line there are anything to go by, this collaboration will be a smash! Rihanna and the major cosmetics brand announced multiple collections, launching in 2013. The first product to hit stores will be RiRi Woo, a lipstick inspired by her favorite M∙A∙C red, Ruby Woo. Its release will coincide with Rihanna’s Diamonds Tour concerts on May 4 and 5 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where M∙A∙C will open a pop-up shop on the first night to showcase the line.
Sooo Fabulous! 