Designers go... massive!

   Once upon a time, fashion was a privilege of the rich . If you were wearing designer's clothes it meant you were of a certain social class and vice versa. As years went by it was inevitable to make fashion more approachable to the masses, as it would have been a great damage to the economy of the fashion industry if it addressed only to the rich minority.

   As a result , we have the big multi-national clothing companies such as Zara, H&M etc. The geniuses behind those companies design collections based on the pret-a-porter outfits of many great designers. Take for example the knitwear Dolce & Gabbana presented at the Winter 2011 show in Milan. Knit sweaters, dresses and scarves with the distinctive  motif of deers . 

D&G

H&M

                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                    

    On the other hand, designers themselves are making a great effort to make the trends and their own creations approachable by a larger public. And what many of them have done is that they design a special collection equally fashionable and of high quality standards but in a much lower price than their other collections. So we have Armani Exchange , Michael by Michael Kors where you can find the luxurity and glamour Kors' designs are known for at prices starting from $80,and then we have the absolute phenomenon called Marc Jacobs. He designs his funky and reasonably priced Marc by Marc Jacobs collection but at his stores you can also buy his "special items". And they are very special indeed! Adressing to the young audience Marc Jacobs has created rain boots, flip-flops, t-shirts (including the famous "Protect the Skin you are in" t-shirts for his campaign against skin cancer) ,canvas totes , cashmere goodies and leather bags at really low prices.

Michael for Michael Kors: faux fur vest $99.5                                        Armani Exchange: Mixed                  

 (about 72 euros), skinny jeans $140 (about 100euros)              Colorblock dress $98 (about 70 euros)

      Another phenomenon is collaboration between renown designers and Fast-Fashion chains. Take for instance all the successful collections H&;M has made the last few years with Mathew Williamson, Victor&Rolf, Karl Lagerfield, Stella Mc Cartney, Roberto Cavalli, Comme des Garcons , Jimmy Choo and lately Lanvin. 

     Of course haute-couture still is exclusive, and i don't think it could be any other way. And as an Andy Warhol masterpiece will always be for a few , so it goes for a Galliano gown. Pieces of Art just can't be massively produced, and if so, the will have lost a great amount of their value and quality.