Creative Collaboration/ Limited Edition collection- what it means and how to navigate this shopping madness

Collaborating with designers to curate a limited edition collection has become the new trend in the retail industry. Mid-range retailers partner up with different designers to design stellar pieces which they call a Designer Collaboration. Not only does it make the designer names accessible and more known to the general public, it is affordable too.

H&M and Target are the top two everyday retailers that do designer collaborations every few months. While target has it’s collaborations well organized, H&M’s partnerships feel more of a scam. Lookout for the new FALL TARGET DESIGNER COLLABORATION HERE. The last one between H&M and Sabhyasachi was a total disaster. It sold out in most even before it launched- weird!!!

I was so excited about the latest TOGA ARCHIVES X H&M partnership that launched at 10:00am EST this morning. But, as I was anticipating- the collection got sold out in two minutes of going live. While I was perusing the deigns to add to my shopping cart, other pieces already in the cart were getting sold out. How bizarre? I thought the pieces in your cart are held for you for sometime before they are released to others?

What’s more bizarre is that the sold out pieces show up on EBAY for sale right after the launch at obnoxious prices, sometimes four-five times higher. I wonder how they nab multiple items, when the rest of the world is grappling to get just anything, even a string from that collection?

I feel shoppers either have everything already in the bag and just hit place order the second the collection goes live. Or, they hire folks to stand in the store lines for them. Whatever the case might be- this is truly a shopping madness!!

I’ve had some luck getting my hands on pieces that I truly admired from a designer collaboration. It could be either sheer luck or just a little preparedness at my end. Yes, you hear it right- these designer collaborations do need prior planning and an action plan. So here’s what you should do, in case you are really keen on nabbing some designer pieces for less for yourself.

LEARN ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Do your homework- learn as much about the designer first. His/her origin, their design/color aesthetics, the cut, their manufacturing process, the sizing, whether their product line is in sync with your personal taste- all of it! Pay heed to anything that can be a contributing factor in deciding whether you’ll be shopping the collection or not.

EXPLORE THE LOOKBOOK

The retailers give you a sneak peek into the designer collection a few weeks prior to the launch. Get your hands on the lookbook/mailer online. Browse through multiple times and shortlist pieces that catch your attention. Sometimes the retailer will allow you to save these designs to your favorite folder. On the day of the launch you can just move the items from your favorite folder to your shopping cart for a faster checkout.

PREPARE THE FUNDS

The collection is not as expensive as the original designer prices, but they aren’t super cheap either. Plus you get carried away and can end up ordering more than you had budgeted for. Make sure your credit card has balance or whatever your payment method is going to be- make sure it’s accessible on the day of shopping.

DOWNLOAD THE RETAILER’S APP

Sometimes the app holders get first dibs into the collection. They even get priority shopping. So download the app, sign up for the newsletter, become a reward member, stalk them own insta, do anything that gives you a little edge over other shoppers.

SET YOUR ALARM

Set your alarm for a few minutes ahead of the official launch time. Arrive early at the store if it’s launching in the physical stores. Be mindful of the time zones though- these launches usually happen in EST. Get online, be ready with your card. As soon as the collection goes live, just add pieces in your size in your cart and don’t wait too long. There is a chance that items in your cart will sell off and be removed from your cart.

BE PREPARED FOR A WEBSITE CRASH

When so many people are flocking simultaneously to the same website- website crash is plausible. Don’t panic or get disheartened. You can check the retailer’s Twitter for more information on when the website will be up and running and how fast you can resume shopping the collection.

DON’T GET TOO HAPPY YET

You order went through, but don’t get excited yet. It is likely that your order will be canceled if you ordered multiple sizes or the pieces sold out before your turn came for actual shipping. So stay put until you’ve physically received the pieces.

LASTLY… ENJOY your designer swag that you’ve planned hard for!

On a side note, this dress is from another designer collaboration and that just got marked down HERE.

Get my look