Aesthetics + Economics: Massclusivity Watch: October

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Aesthetics + Economics is my attempt to find an outlet for an intense interest in fashion and design in general. My aims are twofold: to find interlocutors so that I might refine my knowledge of the inner workings of fashion and the design-oriented business world, and to share that interest and information with fellow fashion devotees! Comments are VERY welcome. Please tell me what you think, whether it be to agree, disagree, argue, or enlighten me. The banner image features a picture from "Bad is the New Good" photographed by Eugenio Recuenco.

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Massclusivity Watch: October

There are so many massclusivity partnerships these days that it can be hard to keep track of them all! Hence my first "Massclusivity Watch" post. I'll be posting each month to let you know what to look for in stores, and what to look forward to in coming months. (If you're economically inclined and interested in reading analysis of the trend of "ventures in massclusivity," check out this post.)

IN STORES OCTOBER

Thakoon Panichgul's capsule collection for Nine West is now available in 20 select stores and online. Visit the Nine West website to view a list of the specific stores carrying the collection, which consists of shoes, bags, and gloves. The collection follows Vivienne Westwood's collection for Nine West, which was available in September. Designs by Sophia Kokosalaki will go on sale in November.

Shop the latest of Paul & Joe for Target this month, as Behnaz Sarafpour's collection will take its place come November. I, like La Femme, was not too impressed by the first three Target GO! International collections, but I'll definitely pay a visit to Target to check out Behnaz's. Check out photos of the collection here.

IN THE NEWS

Viktor & Rolf for H&M will be available in approximately 250 stores in 24 select markets on November 9th. As of today, you can view a preview of the collection online and sign up for an email reminder. The company has not released a list of the specific H&M locations which will stock the line, but keep an eye out for one on the H&M website. One thing worth noting about the Viktor & Rolf for H&M collection is that it will include a $375 wedding gown. Now, the select H&M stores carrying the collections are always complete mob scenes the day the chain's massclusive collections hit the racks--it's almost frightening to contemplate adding a few bridezillas to the fashion-crazed mix!

Designer Roland Mouret has found himself a business partner in Simon Fuller. (If you read The Economics of the Affair, you'd know that this earns Mouret points in my book as it's increasingly important for talented designers to hook up with equally talented business partners as the designer fashion industry becomes more competitive.) The two have joined together to launch 19RM, and the company's first project is a line of 10 dresses for the Gap. What with fashionistas claiming that the Gap has Audrey Hepburn "rolling in her grave" with their skinny black pants commercial, it almost sounds too good to be true. And it is, if you don't happen to live in the UK or France, where it will be available. As for you lucky readers in France and the UK, mark your calendars: the line hits stores November 7th.

Kate Moss signed on to design a collection for Topshop in late September, which means we Americans have yet another reason to be jealous of fashion lovers across the pond. I find this deal particularly interesting as Miss Moss has a reputation for staying ahead of the fashion curve. I wonder, will she bring her fashion foresight to the masses with her collection for Topshop? Or will she have moved on to fresher trends by the time her collection appears in stores and on the Topshop website in Spring 2007?

Photo: The picture at the top of this post (scanned from Dutch Elle) features a piece from the Viktor & Rolf for H&M collection. I've included a couple more pictures of looks you won't find on the website quite yet after the jump, also from Dutch Elle.