Express' foray into guest-designed collections, Celia Birtwell for Express, launched at stores nationwide yesterday, yet almost no one seemed to care. This could be chalked up to a general feeling of apathy given the sheer number of these mass-market designer lines that have debuted in the past year or so, but the main culprit here seems to be Express' PR team, which really hasn't done enough to hype the collaboration. (Though Birtwell's work for Topshop sold out quickly in the UK, her name's not all that well known stateside.) There's also the cost of the items—$79.50 for a shirt, $128 for a dress—not bad for silk garments, but certainly out of line with much of the rest of the store's pricing. We dropped by the chain's outpost on Broadway in Soho today, and saw full size runs of the blousey, printed tops and frocks hanging untouched at the front of the store. The clothing was actually flattering on, though shirts tended to err a bit too piratey, but we'll wait to buy 'til it hits the sales racks...which should be soon.
· Express To Finally Unveil Guest-Designed Line [Racked]
· Celia Birtwell for Express [Express]
Not content to sit back and watch Target, the Gap, Kohl's and Uniqlo have all the fun, chain store Express is also jumping on the designer collaboration bandwagon. They've chosen an unusual partner: British printmaker Celia Birtwell, the woman behind Ossie Clark. The LA Times has some of the first photos of the limited-edition line, which will hit 100 Express stores April 7th and will include (printed, of course) breezy tops and floaty dresses; Birtwell will design four mini-collections for the retailer.
More on Celia Birtwell for Express, from WWD: "The first collection includes two silk chiffon blouses in six different prints retailing for $79.50 and one silk chiffon dress in two different prints for $128, about 15 to 20 percent more than most of the store's offerings, but among the most fashion-forward yet. Birtwell combined some of her vintage patterns with new ones to create the styles, which have an updated bohemian vibe...'I think people will like them because they are pretty and wearable, and affordable, [she said] which is especially important now with finances in flux.'"
· Celia Birtwell delivers romance to Express [LA Times]
· Express Teams With Birtwell [WWD, subscription req]
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Not content to sit back and watch 
