This is good news. It means that someone out there is finally getting a clue that dropping quality while raising prices is a formula that along with making us vomit with rage just isn't good long-term business practice. Dolce & Gabbana are going to reduce their prices by 10 - 20% while maintaining creativity and quality, according to WWD. The cuts will be applied to the upcoming spring collection for both the main line and D&G, and will continue indefinitely.
Stefano Gabbana tells WWD, (while wearing Crocs!), “In this moment of uncertainty, people spend more willingly on travel or spas rather than on a new dress. We want to work for the final consumer.”
WWD gives evidence of the lower prices in specifc items which is actually far greater than a 10 or even 20% reduction:: "A pair of five-pocket jeans for spring will sell for $450 (for spring 2009 they cost $695); a dress will cost $1,469, down from $2,295; a leather bomber jacket will be priced at $1,499, compared with $2,296, and an iconic stretch silk tulle corset dress will go to $3,589 from last year’s $5,200."
So, the news gets even better, although I still won't be able to afford anything. Even the 'cheap' jeans, I'd feel like a tool spending $450 on. My butt would have to look so spectacular that the angels in heaven would sing and fairies would fly out of the back pockets, waving their wands and showering me and everyone in the vicinity with magic fairy dust.
But let's not leave on a sour/goofy note; it looks like these two deserve some major credit. To achieve the cost-cutting while keeping the quality of the materials, construction and design high, they talked their suppliers and
manufacturers into a collective, cost-efficient approach across the
entire supply chain. And they stress that everyone, from button suppliers to mills to
manufacturers, is doing their part. In
addition, the designers’ usual selection of hundreds of fabrics was
dropped to dozens that will be served up in a more far-ranging palette,
while constructions will be simpler. For example, Dolce and Gabbana
worked hard to develop alternative stitching techniques that are
innovative, but reduce manufacturing costs.
“The idea is to peel off the superfluous because there are too many clothes, too many seasons, too much advertising — too much of everything that is tacked onto the final price. We want to go back to how things were 20 years ago. It’s about drawing the line,” said Domenico Dolce.
Sounds great! Who's next?
This is a great trend - stuff was getting way out of hand!
Posted by: Shrimpton Couture | June 22, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Great story- and this is only place I've read it! I'm not going to lie, my heart skipped a beat when you mentioned crocs. I hope I don't have nightmares about crocs with lovely italian accents begging me to wear them.
Posted by: najeema | June 23, 2009 at 02:49 AM