Within in recent (the last couple of years), there have been a surge in designers do collaboration lines. The newest announced being Jason Wu for Target coming in February. To recent ones at stores being Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s and Missoni for Target both released this past month. Both lines have had rave reviews and selling out quickly.

Karl Lagerfeld is no stranger to collaboration lines. Back in 2004 he teamed up with H&M to release a limited edition line. He stated that he would not do anymore after that. Well, obviously he did. We don’t blame him; the line sold out in a matter of two days. Did his collaboration line inspire other designers to do the same? He wasn’t the first to do such a thing, but he was the first to create such an impact to motivate other designers to do the same.

However, is an over abundance of collaboration lines in a short period of time going to lose its appeal to consumers? Probably not for most, but maybe for some others. This being because the targeted audience is for those who usually could not afford their primary line, mainstream society. But given the opportunity to own something associated with that specific designer creates a bond with that new consumer.

Others might view it as tainting the designer with cheapening the value of their overall brand when upholding a certain image. As an example: This is why you will never see the house of Chanel with a collaboration line. Chanel has branded itself as a classy, excellent quality, exclusive brand. Their prices in the last three or four years, especially within handbags, have inflated dramatically. This recently due in part to Chanel knock-offs sky rocketing. They are trying to distance themselves from becoming “mainstream” and uphold the image they’ve worked to establish.

What are your thoughts? Are the surges in collaboration lines going to negatively or positively affect the industry? In both short and long term affects. Are you going to lose appeal if collaboration lines continue to happen every few months or will you be ecstatic to get your hands on it?