Lilly Pulitzer For Target: 5 Designer Collaborations That Caused Chaos At Discount Retailer [PHOTOS]
Fashion diehards were in their glory over the weekend when some lucky few were able to score Lilly Pulitzer designs at steep discounts with the launch of her new collaboration with Target.
The Five Best Reactions To Lilly Pulitzer Selling Out At Target
The designer, whose collections are based on Palm Beach Florida designs and normally retail with a steeper price tag (dresses are often hundreds of dollars each), had a highly-anticipated launch on April 19 at Target stores across the U.S.--and within minutes, the entire collection was sold out online and mostly sold-out in all stores as well--making those who didn't manage to get a hold of highly coveted items seriously upset.
8 a.m. EST: Doors open. 8:02 a.m. EST: Racks empty. #LillyforTarget #loljk
A photo posted by Lauren Irizarry (@gatorlar) on Apr 19, 2015 at 10:31am PDT
Adding to the fury those who didn't get their hands on the limited-edition merchandise (Target has confirmed they won't be restocking), many who did get to buy significant amounts from the collection quickly began re-selling pieces on Ebay for a hefty markup.
This is infuriating.The point of Lilly @Target was so it could be affordable.Not for rude people to make profits. pic.twitter.com/wQnGd5nR90
— Laura (@laura_1282) April 19, 2015
Of course, this isn't the only designer collaboration that has found quick success at the retailer--or found itself resold for higher price points online later on. Here are five of Target's best performing designer collaborations & their current price points on Ebay:
1. Lilly Pulitzer For Target
The 2015 collection is one of the retail chain's fastest-performing, with reports that stores had sold out within five minutes of opening their doors. The original collection ranged from $2.00 per item (for nail files) to the most expensive at $150.00 (for an outdoor hammock). Now, apparel which averaged around $35 a piece in stores and online is re-selling on Ebay for anywhere between $60.00 to well over $100.
2. Missoni for Target
In 2011, Target's collaboration with the designer (which launched in Australia in October 2014) caused so much hype that it crashed the company's website. With clothing that was reasonably priced with pieces around $40.00, product sold fast. These days some items are still available on Ebay, with many priced even lower in the four years since the launch, though some items are still going on the site for $70 -$100+.
I'm not sure how @target wasn't ready for this. Do we not remember the site breakdown in 2011 over #MissoniForTarget?! #LillyforTarget — whitknee (@whitknee) April 19, 2015
3. 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target
This 2013 collab which featured highly coveted bags for no higher than $54.99, still has a few selling elsewhere online for much higher.
I hope #Target upped its bandwidth for Lilly for Target after Phillip Lim for Target crashed the site... — Katelyn Tatti (@KatelynTatti) April 19, 2015
4. Prabal Gurung for Target
Those hoping to make some serious money off of this collection from 2013 won't necessarily make huge profits as much these days, though one specific floral-print dress which sold at Target for $49.99 is still listed on Ebay for $106.00.
Nothing is gonna beat that Prabal Gurung for @Target line from 2013. It was so stylish. #LillyforTarget — Amanda (@RatedAR) January 9, 2015
5. Peter Pilotto for Target
This record-breaking collection from 2014 retailed several fashionable pieces for under $60 a piece. These days, those hoping to score a deal on the collection may find one on Ebay after all.