This fabulously RATE (and expensive) designer

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This fabulously RATE (and expensive) designer

catgirl

Veteran

Why so freaking expensive?!

http://mandula.com/online-store

11 years ago

Inspiration

19 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

bj1111

Veteran

wow! reminds me of rick owens only with more color (if you consider beige, taupe and ivory colors).

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Well, there is that saturated red... but yes, a very strict color palette.

11 years ago

cciele

Veteran

whoa... Demobaza is less expensive, and so is Etsy

Nice designs though!

ETA: Probably $$ because of this, from her About page (plus incorporating "found" items she scopes out):
"Every garment is worked and hand-crafted personally by Hajnalka and her small team in her design studio."

11 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Nice, but holy crap! Not worth that kind of money, imo

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Gorgeous stuff.

I want a plain, sleeveless shift. Soft cotton batiste. There's a shop near me that has them, but not one for under $300! I'm not paying $300 for a yard of fabric!

Japanese avant garde design no standing at all. Of course, at this point, it would probably cost me $300 to drive around looking for some fine cotton batiste in black to hack up myself.

11 years ago

Tina.b

Veteran

Such brilliant shapes, love it! I could see several of you guys looking just amazing in these pieces!

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I wish I hadn't seen this! My current lust is Rick Owens and now I had to add this designer to my list. Quite a few of these peices kind of transcend fashion IMHO and could be quite timeless work horses in a wardrobe. Thanks for sharing Una.

11 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Geez, even a tank shirt is over $300!!!

11 years ago

jayne

Veteran

Maybe it is sewn with gold thread?

Funny poses for the models, reminds me of people who post and hide their face with their hair (harmonica, I am thinking of you). Seems the photog picked that up and repeated it in the poses, or maybe the model is shy?

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I always get depressed when I see these conversations. Guys, why is the price tag the most important thing here?

A lot of effort and time, sourcing and production, goes into making small fashion lines. Sure, maybe you don't have $300 for a tank top, but why is that what you see when you look at an artist's vision? This isn't mass fashion by any stretch. it's obviously a small, boutique designer. Small designers seldom have much cash, just a dream. Remember, they have to buy the fabric, make the items, make sure everything is done according to their creative spec; get it to a retailer (if they can fins one). None of that is cheap. That is reflected in the final sale cost - as is the idea of owning a one of a kind item.

Think of these as art, not just as tank tops.

Just saying.

11 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

IK, your points are valid and should definitely be considered, no doubt. But to think art, one has to see art. Part of it is education, part natural inclination, part cultivated taste.

This can probably be looked two ways: when seen as an item one would love in own closet, cash does play a role to most; as an item to be admired, cash is irrelevant and tastes, likes and aspirations are the limit.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I agree, Ornella. I just don't think price should always be the main topic of conversation. As someone who makes things myself, it's really a downer.

11 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Love! I'd take the red linen harem pants, the waxed coat, the hooded tees, the belt bags...clearly they need to open up a store in LA and hire me to work there.

IK, for me, the price is only jumping to mind because I'm disappointed I can't buy up the whole line. *That* is why I wish it was cheaper, not because I don't appreciate the art or craftsmanship.

11 years ago

cciele

Veteran

regarding price, I think people are reacting according to their values. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. That being said, l support small local designers and have not ever paid near $300 for what looks to be a simple tank, so TO ME the prices I saw on this Website were not commensurate with my experience. Actually I'd have the same reaction to paying that much for similar clothing from a mass market designer.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Rae - I really don't mind "gee I wish I could afford it." I mind, "The first thing I look at is the price."

CCiele - Sure, that makes sense.

I guess I came off as grumpy - I just think money shouldn't be the first thing always with fashion, especially with experimental fashion. Maybe a tank for $300 seems like a lot, but I am sure the designer has a reason. That doesn't mean I can/would/should pay that. Just that I don't JUST look at the tag.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I don't just look at the tag either. But it's certainly a big consideration. If you are in the retail fashion world as a seller intending to make money, I imagine it's the biggest consideration - what will the market bear?

I make things too. If I sold a quilt (yes, I quilt) for the time and effort I took to make it, it would be thousands of dollars. Jewelry is faster, but still mainly something I do for my own satisfaction. So frankly, I just gift what I make.

I absolutely agree that certain clothing attains the level of art, and I appreciate that. Artists have every right to be business people and make money without compromising their artistic integrity. But buyers also have the right to feel that something is overpriced. For instance, the Sundance catalog jewelry (and I'm specifically talking about Jes Ma'harry or whatever her name is) is so insanely overpriced it makes me crazy.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Well, in regard to smaller designers, I'm not sure they ARE in it to make money. Every single person I know who was independent in fashion - and I have known a few - lost money hand over fist. The way fashion is set up is almost guaranteed to screw the small designer. So in that sense, no, they are not thinking about what the market will bear. They are probably hoping to scrape up the $ to make the next collection. And to see someone wear their stuff.

Would they get more clothing on bodies if they charged less? Maybe. Would they recoup what they put in? Since they already don't, no.

But I'm really taking about small art designers here, to be honest - NOT the Sundance Catalogs of the world.

11 years ago

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Because they can!

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Fashion is a rough business. Business is a rough business. Most businesses fail.

You know, I paid $300 for a style statement. I.e., to be asked 40 questions in 30 minutes and have two words sent to me. Now I wanted it, I value it, and I certainly enjoy it. But that $300 could have bought me a vial of insulin and another month of life. Worth $300? Maybe since I paid it. Perhaps my shorter life is more enjoyable than my longer one would be. But actually equivalent to another month of life? Not so much.

11 years ago

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