New Budget Collection Previews: Versace Resort for HM + Karl for NET-A-PORTER

Pictured: A look from the forthcoming Karl collection, image via Net-a-Porter.com

Preview pictures for two new budget designer collections have hit the press wires today, and they couldn’t be more disparate. Back in October,  I told you about Lagerfeld’s latest lower-price line online collection, uniquely labeled Karl, coming to Net-a-Porter.  Now preview pictures have been released and it is somber looking.  Karl is the  new Johnny Cash look for the woman who likes black (see pictures above.)   I think of it as outlaw wear. My spies tell me the collection will have colors like white, grey, silver, burgundy and pink (very similar to the Lagerfeld for Impulse palette)  although the preview pictures released are solely black.

Pictured: Black is Back, Karl for Net-a-Porter via Net-a-Porter.com

Prices for the collection will range from $50 for a canvas bag embellished with a cameo of  profile of Karl Lagerfeld to over $1,000 for some of the signature leather pieces.

Pictured: A few pieces from the new Versace for H&M Cruise Collection via H&M

In contrast to the minimalistic look of the Karl pieces, the newly announced Versace for H&M Cruise Collection, is all about color and good vibrations. There are bright sundresses, strappy sandals and a gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor lavender top (see above). To see more of the collection, click on over to British Vogue.  According to Vogue UK  the collection will be sold on the eCommerce enabled portions of HM.com starting January 19th, 2012.  Since we don’t have an HM.com site with online ordering in the US, American fashionistas won’t be able to buy it direct from HM.  We’ll have to look for our Versace for H&M Cruise pieces on eBay or call our friends in Europe and ask them to buy for us and ship. Of course, if the eCommerce part of the H&M website crashes like it did during the first Versace for H&M launch, no one will get them.

What do you think readers? Will you be saving some of your Christmas funds for Karl or Versace from H&M in the New Year?