Sunday, January 13, 2013

Some thoughts on the Prabal Gurung Lookbook...

Elle.com has posted the entire Prabal Gurung for Target lookbook - which you can view here - and it got me to thinking: some of these looks seem rather familiar.  I realize that trends are trends - and that designers often copy each other - but some of these similarities are just too strong to ignore.  So let's take a look at some side-by-side comparisons...

On the top row, we have the "schoolgirl neckline" of the new Prabal Gurung for Target dress next to last year's Jason Wu for Target dress.  Likewise (middle row) here's two Gurung dresses with the center contrast-panel, much like last year's Wu version on the end.

But the similarities don't end with Wu: check out the Gurung shirtdress that closely copies the recent Kirna Zabete for Target one (bottom row).  Gurung even has a long colorblock-cardigan that mimics Zabete's for Target.

This all makes me wonder: how much hands-on "designing" do these celebrity designers really do, or is it just "consultation"?  If you recall, after the "Missoni Madness" it was revealed that the Missonis didn't actually "design" anything, but instead the collection was created by Target's internal design team.

4 comments:

Nicole said...

Personally I like this collection better than Jason Wu. But I will have the same problem with this collection that I have with every collaboration-- they never make clothes for busty girls.

brooklynne said...

Looks like another dud collection. I expect like the Kirna Zabete collection, much of the collection will end up on the clearance racks.

floating thru fields said...

well I think they try to stick with trends that will sell in the key colors and patterns that the particular designer are known for......I think Zac Posen showcased his signature silhouettes. I am still really excited for this collection YAY :)

Pixel Lucas said...

If you look at that shirt dress label, it looks like one of the Zabete labels. I didn't actually see that shirt dress, or anything with that print, anywhere in the Elle.com look book.