October 30th, 2023
Breaking News
Phoebe Philo Launched
Hope you saved your pennies because Phoebe Philo‘s eponymous line just dropped and it’s pricey. Would love to know if and what you bought.
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After 20 years casting models for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and fashion shows, I wanted to spend more time with my daughters. KiC is my way to share my thoughts on fashion and style. I believe style should permeate every aspect of our lives — from home, to family, to where we go, and naturally, what we wear — especially when we're just running around.
— Preston Davis
Gobsmacked…by the prices.
We knew the prices would be high, but they are shockingly high. She clearly has customers as pieces are already selling out, but (sadly) it isn’t me. Phoebe’s sunglasses, accessories and jewelry at Celine were my favorite. I’m bummed that she didn’t introduce any earrings. Many of the models are wearing gorgeous earrings… maybe they are coming in the future? I’ll be refreshing the comments on this post to see what everyone got.
Nothing! If I splurge, it’s on the cabas bag. I like the top on my post but not paying for polyester at cashmere prices. Plus I didn’t see a return policy and hate being boxed in with no returns or store credit.
Same SLF. I saw the $$$ and quickly left the page.
The prices are ridiculous and I’m not in love with anything after a very quick perusal. Somehow, with the world events, the drop seems badly timed as well – although I know it can’t be helped, but sort of nauseates me.
I guess we have our answer to the question posed in the comments on your recent post, Preston (about whether Philo’s prices would mirror the upward trend)! I agree the bags are gorgeous but so expensive even relative to other luxury brands. I’ll be waiting to see if her modernist shapes trickle down to other brands.
Nothing really that interesting or different for those prices. I largely agree with Habitually Chic’s comment on Instagram.
Agree with SLF and Karina, shockingly high prices, had a look through the site, no ohhh yes pieces…. we had all guessed the prices would be on the high end….but this is obnoxiously high
Kathy is so right, the timing of the drop is bad
Keeping my money in the bank account for the rainy day.
Completely agree with Kathy
I’m happy that Phoebe Philo’s design voice is out there again. She is good at what she does. The pieces don’t tempt me as much as I’d expected, maybe in part because the prices don’t tempt me. Recently, I realized that my attention has been shifting away from the big houses and toward independent businesses. Smaller shops can design timeless pieces well, they often offer an attractive ethos, and some of them charge less. I’m not sure how fully I’ll shift, but it was interesting to realize.
I will buy The Row if splurging like this.
Nothing! Totally unimpressed. I’ll stick to The Row and Celine. I also think the shoes are unattractive.
Part of the problem, likely, is the hype. We all had high expectations towards Ms. Philo’s maiden voyage and these expectations along with high price point led to disappointment. With luck, there will be more collections and interesting pieces by this talented designer and she will expand her reach towards wider audiences with an eye for fashion, but not-so-deep pockets. Am raising a glass to the debut!
I was taken aback by the pricing and surprised by its inconsistency–i.e. bag for $8200 and shoes for $300. This was a version of the collection I expected, but I really missed the strong, relatable-if-aspiratonal lifestyle connection of the old Celine ads which helped to see it functioning in the world–this feels Mad Max meets Blade Runner meets The Year of Living Dangerously, which isn’t the kind of context we were so enamored with previously. It was always so fun and inspiring to see the story she was telling through all the pieces. Love the imagery of strong women and Daria though! I expected a change that might not feel comfortable or familiar, will be interested to watch what unfolds.
Hello Preston, perhaps Hans Christian Andersen saw this coming when he wrote The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Surprised by all the bitter comments here. To start, there is a return policy listed on the website and it offers refunds within a return window. I purchased the classic trouser in black and the price is similar to The Row for trousers. I also got the black cashmere sweater which again is similar in price to The Row. I agree the pricing is high and if the quality isn’t there I will be returning. I thought the bags were disappointing and very similar to Proenza designs.
It pains me to say this, prices aside, I’m underwhelmed.
I have only ever owned one Celine item: a beloved pair of stylish sunglasses, which truly make me look far better whenever I wear them (mission accomplished!). I haven’t browsed the collection yet, but these KIC impressions are certainly intriguing.
The Guardian tells us that ‘On average, no more than 100 of each item have been produced. Part of the rationale is sustainability.’ https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/oct/30/british-designer-phoebe-philo-returns-with-first-collection
When production runs are this small, cost per item rises substantially, which may partially explain the price tags.
I wonder also if the pricing is designed to discourage resellers snapping up everything and selling it at twice the price on eBay, as with Hermès bags. If you the designer can sell a coat for $5K, why would you sell it for $2K and let some enterprising eBayer pocket the other $3K? With half the collection selling out almost instantly, one wonders whether the prices could in fact have been set even higher.
There’s nothing in the entire collection I really wanted. The tote is nice but not even practical. Maybe I was looking for old Celine.
I’m happy that Phoebe Philo finally launched, we need her POV in fashion. I think expectations were so high that many folks were disappointed. We waited a long time for this drop so we had a long time to speculate. Every fashion journalist loved the collection, which doesn’t surprise me. I am surprised that they are not as put off by the exceedingly high prices. As reviewers and not store buyers, perhaps they are not considering the longtime PP fans who may be reluctant to pay for this line. Maybe the collection isn’t for all of Phoebe’s fans, but for a small group who will pay anything for her designs. If so, that is very sad. Producing a limited number of items to be bought by a limited number of people does not seem wise from a business standpoint. Only time will tell. I did buy a beautiful pair of gloves — hand stitched with a snap closure. The old-school level of detail spoke to me.
I’ve never commented, and this is a bit off topic. You must know there is another blogger who copies your ideas and wording. “Fatigued” with high prices is a prime example. I wonder if she thinks you have completely different readers so it doesn’t matter. But I see the same people commenting on both of your blogs and on the same posts. Her copying is shameless, but maybe she needs content since she only seems to push product.
Elise, I understand the person you’re referring to. “Keep it Chic” truly distinguishes itself with its original and authentic content, setting it apart from the majority of bloggers who tend to be more derivative in nature.
At first when I opened the website and saw the prices I had to make sure I was looking at US dollars. I was pretty shocked at the prices. Only did a quick glance through the items and reminds me of the aesthetic of The Row.
I am bummed that the website uses a red overlay to inform that the item is sold out. This prevents me from clearly seeing the item which, for my budget, is for inspiration only.
The prices were really off putting. There are some beautiful, modern classic pieces in the launch but nothing that made me go “I have to have that”. I’ll be buying the Zara knock offs along with the rest of the world who doesn’t live where the air is a bit thinner and more rarified…
Shockingly out of touch. Prices, styles. Felt almost like a spoof. The site experience does not feel modern at all. Reminiscent of luxury 1.0 shopping sites. Happy to save my money!
The coats were stunning and, as always with Phoebe, the clothes seem appropriate for a real life (albeit one with a driver, nanny, housekeeper and other staff). That said I share the overall disappointment at the prices and the limited nature of the run. Very happy to have her back in fashion and she always reflects where fashion is going so perhaps the limits are designed to bring back a certain form of luxury that has been missing lately?
I was waiting for Ms. Philo to release this new collection. Tbh, really looking forward to the release. I knew the prices would be high, but, like other readers,” Those prices”
Absolutely cool, too expensive.
Looking forward to her next collection.
I actually ordered (and adore) a number of the pieces. Yes, prices are high but no higher than similarly situated luxury brands (The Row, GH, Celine, LP etc) and for me, with the splurge because I’m such a Phoebe fan (some would say “collector”). I purchased the black heeled fringeless loafer, black zip trousers, and two piece olive suit set (with side tail). They are masterpieces that I’ve been wearing an lot and will wear for years to come. Understood it isn’t for everyone but , if it is one’s thing, it is superb.
I’m looking forward launch 2 next week. My Phoebe gloves are perfection and I’m ready to buy more pieces for all the reasons you listed. xp