Monday, November 26, 2012

Target partners with Sam & Libby

In what may be their oddest designer pairing yet (and I use the word 'designer' liberally here) Target has announced it will partner with shoemakers Sam & Libby.  According to the official press release "Sam & Libby for Target features 20 styles of contemporary women’s footwear. Starting at $24.99, the newly re-launched line will include everything from sandals and flats to patterned wedges and pumps. The collection will update with fresh styles each season."

“Sam and Libby are pioneers in the footwear industry, and this partnership delivers the designer fashion and affordable prices our guests love finding at Target,” said Trish Adams, senior vice president of apparel and accessories, Target. “The attention to detail reflected in each style is incredible, and we look forward to adding Sam & Libby for Target to our roster of exclusive brands.” The Sam & Libby for Target collection will debut on May 5th, 2013. 

Don't get me wrong: Sam & Libby used to be huge.  Like back in 1987... and they probaby hit their height in 1991 (around the same time they used this logo, shown). Which makes this "re-launch" of the brand with the Bullseye a bit strange.  What's next?  A resurgence of Member's Only jackets available exclusively at Target?  Wait, cancel that: believe it or not, I just Googled it and Target already sells Member's Only.

7 comments:

Bedalicious said...

Sam Edelman and Libby Edelman are both hot brands at mid-high and mid-low price points. So it makes total sense for them to bring back Sam & Libby at a low Target price point. Personally I wasn't a fan of Sam & Libby 20 years ago (when I was their target demo), but I like Sam Edelman a lot and some of the Libby shoes aren't bad either.

Target Addict said...

Yes, I've seen Sam Edelman and Libby Edelman are somewhat popular (I wouldn't call them "hot") that are sold at places like Bloomingdales and Zappos.com. But it's not an "aspirational" brand that I'd expect (or want) to see at Target. It'd make more sense (IMO) for a higher end brand that really has a following (like Stuart Weitzman) to do a wallet-friendly collab with Target.

Critifur said...

You know I love Target, but man, they frequently make mystifying/head scratching business decisions...

NSHD said...

The press release says that the collaboration will be ongoing vs. a one time deal like previous collabs (a la Dolce Vita or Cynthia Vincent). They may be trying to turn it into a house brand staple licensing deal but are testing the market first.

Music said...

Target Addict - yeah, Sam & Libby is so almost Forenza - well, maybe a little post-Forenza. But what's next? The Laura Ashley collab? I kid. But you crack me up with the Stuart Weitzman, actually. If it weren't for that brand, all of my shoes would look like granny shoes because I wear a AAAA (otherwise known as Super Slim) width. SAS, Munro, Stuart Weitzman (forget Ferragamo these days with the prices) - that's about all that fits my foot. I've never thought of Stuart Weitzman as something that people with normal feet would be interested in just because it's one of my only options. FYI - I've snagged brand new pairs on eBay for $50 to $75. And if anyone knows another hip shoe brand that makes a legitimate AAAA width, let me know...

Target Addict said...

Music, I'm sorry; I know that must be frustrating b/c I had a roommate years ago that had a "superslim" foot and faced the same problems finding shoes. I know that Zappos.com has a "superslim" section on their site; from the top nav bar, hit search by "narrow shoes", and then go on from there. Hope that helps!

Liz said...

Well I just hope it will help, because Target's shoes are horribly uncomfortable and poorly made, I'd rather go to payless than target for my shoes lately.