Great Design on the Cheap

For years high-end designers have been collaborating with budget stores to make good design more affordable and available to the masses. I, for one, am a huge fan of this trend. Not only do I desire good design but feel that it's a necessity in our lives. Why should anyone be relegated to plain, basic or just plain ugly anything because they're on a budget?

Fortunately for us there are some wonderful new collaborations coming down the pipeline that will have us jumping for joy. Here's what you can anticipate and start drooling over:

1/ Miley Cyrus and Max Azria of BCBG fame are teaming up to design a collection for Wal-Mart. Made up of tops, tees and accessories, this will keep your budget in line with all pieces coming it at under $20. Your daughters will be drooling before it even

2/ Gap and the CFDA are collaborating on a new line of pieces all in khaki. This utilitarian and universally versatile shade will be crafted into styles by designers Alexander Wang, Albertus Swanepoel, Lisa Mayock, and Sophie Buhai and will feature jackets, cocktail dresses and other upscale khaki items. Priced from $39.50 - $88, this line unfortunately goes up to a size 10. Guess my size 12 body won't be wearing anything from it. *sigh*

3/ This fall get your feet ready because Jimmy Choo will be hitting the budget megastore H and M. On November 14 Jimmy Choo takes H & M by storm with a line of accessories and shoes for both women and men in 250 locations around the world. He'll also create a clothing capsule for women so they can be dressed head to toe in Jimmy Choo. Just make sure you don't wear your Jimmy Choos when you stand in that line. This latest venture comes hot on the heels of H and M’s cheap-chic, sell-out collections by Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, and Britain’s ‘Boho King’, Matthew Williamson. I estimate this will last in stores for, what, 4 hours tops? Make your wish list early!

4/ Stella McCartney has proven that she has wings when it comes to design and is bringing her chic styling to a line of clothing for GapKids and babyGap. This sounds lovely but what about us mamas out here? I could sure use a Stella McCartney designed something for myself at Gap prices. How about you?

So keep an eye out for these delightful collaborations coming down the pipeline. Looks like we have some great shopping to look forward to that fits in with a mom's budget!

Know of other collaborations coming up? I'd love to hear about them.