High fashion for the masses, at least in footwear, has been on display up and down catwalks during New York Fashion Week as models have strutted their stuff wearing shoes from top designers that are Payless ShoeSource exclusives.
Among the designers who have created for Payless are Abaete by Laura Poretzky, Lela Rose and Stacey Bendet for Alice + Olivia.
"Can you believe -- Payless? They look like Louboutins (sold in luxury department stores and boutiques)," Ms. Rose told Reuters.
While Ms. Rose sells dresses that normally go for $1,000 and up, her shoe designs for Payless retail for $25 or less.
"Payless' vision is to democratize fashion," said Matt Rubel, chief executive officer and president of Payless. "Our philosophy has been to find the young emerging talent, then bring it to our customer at affordable prices."
Ms. Poretzky had models showing off her new collection wearing gray ankle boots from her Payless collection. "It's a great silhouette for skirts and pants," she said.
Rachel Felder, a freelance style consultant, said of the Abaete shoes, "When money is tight, this is what people will buy."
Ms. Bendet plans to show off her "Breakfast in Bed" line for Payless today. Her favorite from the collection are yellow half boots with a zipper on the back.
"I can see my uptown girl wearing that downtown shoe with a little black dress," she said.
Discussion Questions: Will we see an increase in the number of high fashion designers who sign agreements with retailers serving the mass market? With the economy slowing, do you expect to see more luxury consumers trading down to designer clothing, footwear and accessories sold in outlets such as Payless?