Knockout collabo: win a $25 gift certificate!

I love designer collaborations. From Target to Topshop, high-end designers have been successfully partnering with mass-market retailers for the better part of the past decade, delighting consumers with champagne taste and beer budgets (comme moi).

Designer Jodi Arnold, best known for her contemporary line MINT, is bringing her aesthetic to the masses with a line for The Limited. Known for interesting embellishments, unique prints, and attention to detail, her fall collection for the brand features appliqued tops, tailored skirts and trousers, and a black and white embroidered tunic that will surely find its way into my closet.

BOY by Band of Outsiders SKIRT, La Garconne; Ann Demeulemeester SANDAL BOOTIES, Brown’s Fashion; Noir EARRINGS, Shopbop; Comme des Garcons JACKET, Farfetch; Topshop TROUSERS; Louboutin HEELS, Brown’s Fashion.

So here’s the deal: I have a few ideas, but I need some more suggestions on how to wear the tunic. Thanks to Cincy Chic, I’m giving away a $25 gift certificate that can be used at any The Limited location. Leave a comment on this post with a suggestion for how to style the tunic to be entered into the drawing for the $25 gift certificate! I’m thinking it would be an easy piece to mix with other prints since it’s black and white–what do you think?

Comment entries must be received by midnight EDT on August 8, 2010. Jodi and her team will be at The Limited’s Kenwood Mall location on August 18th from 6-9pm, so maybe I’ll see you there!

Old school collabo?

This particular collaboration brings back a forgotten memory: years ago, back in my college days, I saw a lovely printed blouse in a vintage shop. I picked it up to check the label, and to my surprise, the tag read DESIGNER NAME for The Limited!

I can’t remember the designer’s name to save my life–I’m almost positive it was a female designer–but it was definitely a name I recognized. I’m guessing the blouse had to be from the late 80’s, possibly early 90’s… That was the first time I remember seeing evidence of a designer collaborating with a retail brand–before H&M, before Topshop, before anyone.

Was The Limited that far ahead of its time? Any ideas on who the designer might have been?