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Isabel Toledo for Payless Makes Us Dream of More Designer Collaborations
By Lauren Sherman
Unlike celebrity-designed fashion labels, we love designer collaborations. Whether it’s about mixing up high- and low-end or simply bringing together two brilliant minds, there’s something inherently special about two great brands producing something new.
Next up, it’s Isabel Toledo for Payless ShoeSource. The designer is creating a line of affordable shoes and handbags for the discount retailer, and it’s set to reach stores in September. Other upscale designers, like Lela Rose, have been able to significantly broaden their brand’s name recognition through collaborations with the store. Toledo’s namesake collection has struggled financially, so we hope this little bit of extra income allows her to continue doing what she does best: Create beautiful clothes that defy trends.
While there’s anything but a drought when it comes to designer collabs, we still keep a wish list of our dream partnerships. Click through to see who we’d pair up.
- Isabel Marant and Gap. We love what Gap’s been up to lately, and we think Marant’s boho Parisian look would make for a beautiful complementary capsule collection. We’d be sure to pair those looks with our Pierre Hardy x Gap sandals.
- Eddie Borgo and Givenchy. New York-based jewelry designer Borgo has collaborated with the likes of Jen Kao and Phillip Lim, but we think his cult status deserves a bit of European recognition. We have no doubt his hard-yet-still-feminine work would look stunning on the models at Riccardo Tisci’s next Givenchy runway show.
- Christopher Kane and Target. Fellow Brits like Luella and Jonathan Saunders are past participants. It’s just a matter of time before Kane jumps on the GO International bandwagon.
- The Row and Saga Furs. Pretty much every big name designer has collaborated with Saga Furs at some point, and we’re dying to see the Olsens produce a fur-laden collection. Their grown-up aesthetic fits the trend.







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sounds like i will have to shop at payless in september! xx
the fact that you included the row x saga furs suggestion makes me sad.
Seriously, I ADORE designer collaborations. This just gave me a reason to buy shoes at Payless. :o)
Two heads will always be better than one, so collaborations are always welcome, especially when it's between great minds, or between a popular one and a non popular. Someone will always benefit from fashion collaborations, if not the designers then the consumer. :)