Fashion Blog » I Have Designs On You

Designer labels. Hmm. I have always had my reservations about the price of designer clothes. The designer label debate has been on going for years and always probably will. I myself own a few designer pieces. All of which I love. All of which whenever I wear them receive a lot of compliments. One of the favorite designer items I own is a pair of white flared denim jeans by Alexander McQueen. I bought them a few years ago from Selfridges on Oxford Street in London. They were a sale item reduced from over $350 t0 around $65. I love them. They still look brand new. However, I would not have paid $350 for them.

I love watching the stars on the red carpet in their dazzling gowns designed by Lagerfield, Chanel, Armani etc.  Yet it all seems to be part of the Hollywood fantasy, fantastic dresses and fantastic prices.

I also love watching  those individuals who smother themselves from head to foot in a whirlwind of various designer labels. A Gucci top with a Moschino belt, Versace jeans, Chanel pumps, Missoni Shades. As long as it has a label. Then off they go down the street, suffering from a chronic case of self delusion - believing that they actually look good. Some of them even feel superior to us, because we are label-less. Never mind that your Versace Jeans have ‘made in Taiwan’ on the label or your Chanel pumps actually say Channel.

I love them, they offer me free entertainment, you actually saved me money on some circus tickets.

Then there are my own handbag designs, which I sold in a few small boutiques in London. I was messing around at home with fabric, feathers,buttons, and whatever. People liked them, then I was asked to sell them. I had to price my creations. I didn’t have a clue. I was advised to consider the amount of time I had spent on making them, the cost of the materials. Then I had to consider the the percentage the boutique would take and figure that into the price. All of a sudden my ‘messing around at home bag’ was now a valued item. I sold to them to my friends for next to nothing and told them that they would be collectors items one day.

For all of you who would like to try your hand at designing, take a visit to Style Shake.

Style Shake allows you to design your own dresses, tops and skirts. Once you have put your design together online, you can then have it made up for you. It’s quite fun too. I designed the following shirt dress, finished in black cotton and lycra:

$45.90

Now you have created your first piece, how about designing something for a good cause. Fashion Favours allows you to do just that. Fashion Favours is a funky website that asks you to take an old garment and redesign it. You then send it in to them where it will be auctioned for charity.  You can also bid in anything available on the site.

This black see through dress has been redesigned from an old garment.

If you do have a penchant for designer clothing, but not the bank account,  take a look at Designer Sale UK.

You can find clothing from all the major designers at shocking discounts.

This Bronze Mesh Mini Dress from Biba was  $335.07 reduced to $38.25. You have to be quick on making your purchases as they sell fast. You can open an account with them and receive updates on new sales.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more mini dresses.