It’s Valentine’s Day and that means love is in the air! So is there really a better week to celebrate fashion?

Versace for H&M; Photo courtesy of Fashionista

If you love fashion, you’re probably following this year’s New York Fashion Week in New York City. This year, some of the most famous fashion designers from all over are crossing runways with mall brands and chain stores, such as Levi’s, Kohl’s, and J. Crew.

If you haven’t noticed while shopping at your favorite store, more and more elite fashion designers are pairing up with department stores to offer affordable items for the everyday fashionista. Missoni designs garments for Target, Versace has a line at H&M, and Diane von Furstenbergis creating dapper duds for Gap Kids.

Why are these top designers making moderately priced clothing for the everyday customer?  “That, analysts and insiders said, is due to the fashion elite’s tighter embrace of top bloggers, live video streaming by a growing number of designers and the explosion of social media allowing anyone with a camera phone to tweet from the once-insular world.” Basically, fashion designers are making an effort to reach out to more people.

Michelle Obama; Photo courtesy of Shiny Style

Diane Kruger; Photo courtesy of Style Frizz

 

Remember Michelle Obama’s glamorous Inaugural ball gown? Or how about the gorgeous mustard-yellow gown that Diane Kruger sported at the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards? Those beautiful gowns were designed by Jason Wu, who recently brought a signature collection to Target stores. His Target collection includes fashionable and affordable sweaters, dresses, bags, and more.

Jason Wu for Target; Photo courtesy of Target

Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) said it best: “It’s a new era in fashion – there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together.”

New York Fashion Week runs runs February 9 – 16, closing with the Calvin Klein show. Find your favorite designer and follow his or her trends. For a complete NYFW schedule, click here.