The recent glut of designer/ high-street collaborations (think the much-hyped but slightly flat
Isabel Marant
collection for H&M) may have left the jaded fashion consumer wondering just what, if anything, affordable clothing retailers have left to say to them.
Luckily, the new marriage of fashion and commerce between American giant Target and London-based label Peter Pilotto is all mouth and barely any trousers – well, maybe a select few pairs.
Target is well-known for its stateside-only collaborations, with offerings from the likes of Missoni, Proenza Schouler and Mulberry selling out within hours.
Now, however, print pioneers and design partners Peter Pilotto and Christophe de Vos are taking centre stage with their womenswear-only collection of subversively feminine dresses, skirts and, intriguingly, neoprene surf tops and swimwear.
The design duo are darlings of the established fash pack, and are known for prints that are bold as brass, without being brassy.
Cate Blanchett and Emma Watson are fans, as is 12 Years a Slave star and serial award nominee Lupita Nyong'o, who wore a Peter Pilotto Resort 2014 ensemble to a recent awards ceremony.
Peter Pilotto is sold at more than 200 bricks-and- mortar stores worldwide. A mainline dress will set you back more than €1,000 at Brown Thomas.
However, the savvy shopper with a good alarm clock will be able to pick up an outfit for little more than €100 on February 9th by logging on to luxury e-tailer Net-a-Porter – the first time that a Target collaboration has been available to buy outside the US.
With this collaboration, Peter Pilotto has gone from the cash-heavy catwalk to all-occasion dressing; quite literally in the case of its surf and swimwear. The weatherproof swim top can brave the waves as well as the bus queue.
Holli Rogers, fashion director for Net-a-Porter.com, says: "Being able to offer our global customer base accessibly priced pieces from such a talented design duo is
a phenomenal opportunity."
