More and more often, designers are creating lines for discount stores. Though this occurred before the economic downturn,
it is especially helpful for consumers now that money is tight. The lines designers create for discount stores are great because they maintain the designer’s unique style but are mass produced using cheaper materials to keep the cost down. This means the quality is quite different, but it also means
you can purchase much more than if you had bought the designer version.
Target is definitely not the only discount store to employ this practice, but it is the store that has done it the most often. Last Fall, Target released the
Botkier for Target handbag line. The bags were so popular, they hardly stayed on the shelves and sold out long before expected. Hopefully, there will be another release for Spring 2009.
Recently, Target released 3 other discount handbag lines from designer labels: Hayden-Harnett, NYC by Perlina and Anya Hindmarch.
Read more for information about each of the designers and reviews of their Target lines.
Hayden-Harnett
Hayden-Harnett is comprised of husband Ben and wife Toni. They live in Brooklyn and have a little corner shop there where they design and sell their creations. You can also purchase their handbags, clothing and accessories at boutiques across the country or on their website.
Hayden-Harnett’s Target line came out this Winter. It contains hobos, clutches, totes and an umbrella. These bags look so much like the designer versions, you’d hardly know they cost $40 instead of $600. Of course, they’re not made of leather, are mass produced instead of handmade and have fewer details than their designer counterparts. But, who cares when you could have 15 of the Target variety for the price of one designer purse!
Shown: Double Flap Bag ($29.99), Chain Bag ($44.99), Clutch ($19.99), Hobo Bag ($44.99)
Each of these bags is embellished with details that make them more edgy than feminine. In line with Hayden-Harnett’s boho style, these bags are perfect for the urban dweller.
Each of these bags is quite tasteful and fashion forward. I particularly like the chain bag and the flap bag. The lines of the chain bag make it a modern, unique option. And, the flap bag is a classic style that’s equal parts feminine and rocker-chic. The coin purse on the clutch is a nice added detail, but I’m not a huge fan of the frame style. And, the hobo bag is a bit clunky for my tastes.
NYC by Perlina
Perlina was started by the Mizrahi family (no affiliation with Issac Mizrahi from what I can tell) in 1989 as an answer to customers’s requests for attractive, quality handbags at an affordable price. The Mizrahi’s attempted to bridge the gap between discount handbags and designer handbags by creating attractive, useful designs using basic materials. Now, they’ve delved into the discount market by creating this line for Target.
Shown: Tote ($29.99), Python Clutch ($29.99), Clutch ($17.49), Tote ($24.99)
Though there are many more bags in this line, these four are most in line with trends for Spring 2009. Most of these bags come in different colors. While quite affordable, there are no details that make these bags stand out like the details of the Hayden-Harnett bags. The Perlina bags are trendy and cute, but are also very simple and cheap. They don’t have the appearance of being something they’re not. When you carry one of these bags, it looks like you’re carrying a bag from Target. So, if you’re looking for something colorful and inexpensive, this might be a good option. If you want an inexpensive bag that has the look of being a designer bag, choose Hayden-Harnett or Anya Hindmarch (below).
Anya Hindmarch
Anya Hindmarch is a handbag and accessories designer. She is well known for designing a fabric shopping bag that was labeled, ‘I am not a plastic bag’. These bags met wide acclaim and had much influence on making the cloth shopping bag a fashionable trend. Her designer handbags retail for anywhere between $600 and $900 and are sold in stores worldwide.
Hindmarch’s Target line was launched last Fall and is still being sold in stores.
Shown: Satchel ($31.49), Tote ($34.99), Clutch ($13.99)
These bags are less edgy than the Hayden-Harnett bags, making them more appropriate for business attire and sophisticated looks. The variation of color and texture is a nice detail and the metallic hardware adds a touch of glam. One thing I don’t like about this line, and something you may not be able to tell from these images, is the labeling on the hardware. When I saw these purses in the store, I really liked the style, but ‘Anya Hindmarch for Target’ is written prominently on the metal accents. For me, the whole point of designer lines for discount stores is getting that appears to be designer for a discounted price. I’d rather not have my purse broadcast that I bought it at Target.
Your Opinions?
Which of these lines is your favorite? Would you buy a purse from Target?
