Designers downgrade for the public

Steve Madden Giuseppe Zanotti's E16099




Steve Madden Kardd

More and more designers are starting to turn to mass market retailers such as Edgars to introduce lower-priced, but well-styled merchandise. There are many different levels of price points or classficiations in the fashion business, from affordable to couture. These mass produced retail secondary labels that branch from the expensive True designer collections often sell for less than 5 times the price of the main collection. The fabrics, cut, detail and trim are usually less superior with a budget friendly compensation. Take for instant these black ankle strap, peep toe, raffia espadrilles by Steve Madden.

The second pair retails at about R1200 and the first one at R6 600. Evidently the material used in the crafting of these shoes are different and so without question upset the pricing of the shoe even though they both are Steve Madden, and she who walks out with the Steve Madden's Kardd (2nd pair) woven wedges still owns bragging rights of owning a designer shoe along with the likes of Kim Kardashian and other celebrities who pay thousands for their (slightly different) pair. Does this then not dispute what really stands as designer wear?  Yes, this bridging of labels to offer the public the brand is good for business but what about the exclusiveness and class/top society of the brand?  

The Steve Madden Kardd woven wedges feature a mindful and similar design to Giuseppe Zanotti's E16099 woven raffia wedge. Similar peep toe front, thick ankle strap and zipped back. For an extra R5000 more the Zanotti which features a visible out-stitch, the espadrilles are higher and it is woven into a detailed and a much superior detail to the pattern.  These very affordable versions to the Giuseppe Zanotti Woven Raffia Wedges, the Christian Louboutin Super Dombasle Cork Platforms and any more others are said to be in essense truely not designer as only garments at the highest end of the range are considered to be designer goods in the fashion industry. Then I ask why keep the name then? Isn't that the very thing people buy and respect. How does Prada halt being designer  because of price? Is quality a behemothic play in calling an item designer?

I esteem, as a designer, if ever I put my name on something, that item should in all aspects represent the class and quality of my brand. If I branch out to mass market disregarding quality, then why not promote another name brand that falls under the big brand which will commensurate price and quality instead of running with the high ranked name whilst offering less. That for me detrudes designer brand standards.

Just saying.