Who's who among designers

By: Anne Robinson
follow me on twitter amr8798

email me at amr8798@gmail.com

This post is really just for fun. Are you familiar with a designer's name but couldn't put a face to their name or spout off facts about them? Here are some of my favorite designers and a little info about them.

Vera Wang: (born in 1949) Best known for her wedding gowns which she started designing after her own wedding, because she couldn't find a dress she liked. Vera wanted to be a professional figure skater and even tried out for the U.S. Olympic Figuring Skating Team.

celebrity clients include: Michelle Kwan, Jessica Simpson, Uma Thurman, and Jennifer Lopez.

Marc Jacobs: (born in 1963) Studied at the Parsons School of Art and Design in New York. Jacobs was working for Louis Vuitton when he started his first ready-to-wear line. He lives mostly in Paris.

celebrity clients include: Victoria Beckham, Naomi Campbell, and Dakota Fanning.

Prada: started in 1913, today is run by a great-granddaughter, Muiccia Prada (born in 1949). Distinctive trademark is using materials in a unusual context. Prada clothes are desribed as simple and minimalist, loud colors and patterns are avoided.

celebrity clients include: Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale, Katie Holmes, and Eva Longoria Parker.

Oscar de la Renta: (born in 1932) Left his native, Dominican Republic, at the age of 18, to go study in Madrid. He came to NY in 1963 to design the couture collection for Elizabeth Arden. He is a patron of the arts, and helped build a school for 1,200 children in the Dominican Republic.

celebrity clients include: Jackie Kennedy, Beyonce, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Well that puts you off to a good start about knowing a little bit about some of the world's greatest designers. Where would we be without their amazing collections?

Great labels with great discounts

By: Anne Robinson

Follow me on twitter: amr8798

Believe it or not, there are legal ways to buy authentic designer items for less than their original retail value. The key is knowing which designers allow their collections to be sold at discounted prices.

It would be impossible to go through the policies for every designer. So, instead I'll highlight a few.

Outlet malls are a great place to do some bargain designer label shopping. Designers such as Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Calvin Klein have stores in many outlet mall shopping centers. This selling technique allows designers to interact with a new level of consumers. The products are usually from a previous season's collection and are sold at discounted prices. In general, consumers save an average of 20% off the original retail price. Although savings can be less, or much greater.

An alternative to buying a designer item is to borrow one. Websites such as Wear Today Gone Tomorrow, have members who borrow clothes. The average savings is about 90%. So, you don't get to keep the borrowed items, but you have them to wear a few times.

Some designers have special collections that are priced lower than their regular lines. Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange, designed for younger buyers, are less expensive than the exclusive Giorgio Armani collection. A pair of jeans averages around $130 and a shirt around $80.

Marc Jacobs started his Marc by Marc Jacobs collection which is less expensive and more accessible to the average consumer. To keep the discounts even better, there is a new line called Don't Miss the Marc (it's under the Marc by Marc Jacobs label). Everything in the collection is priced under $200.

Some high-end department stores, such as Saks Fifth Ave and Neiman Marcus, sell designer collections. It's possible to catch some good sales toward the end of the season. The stores will be clearing out left-over stock to make room for the new season's items.

Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Dior, and Caroline Herrara are some of the many designers who have collections at Neiman Marcus. Saks boasts an impressive list as well with Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo, and Oscar de la Renta.

Stores that sell things at only discounted prices, like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, can be a gold mine. It may take patience, shuffling through multiple racks of clothes, purses, and shoes, until you find something with a designer label. Everything is discounted to begin with, but because they are constantly bringing in new items, additional sales are common.

See? I told you it was possible to buy items from certain designers that are priced below the original price. It just takes some investigation...which is, afterall, why I am here for you.