rarity ::

not every designer can move their products and designs into status pieces. isabel marant, the parisian designer who first hit the scene in 1994, has designed and promoted (or rather not promoted- since her close connections with editors and celebrites have brought the spotlight on her designs on their own) to the point where they have become a cult-like symbol, and quickly.

the designers product rarity has lead to much lust after pieces, which have been featured everywhere, most notably in my mind on jakandjil (the otway boot, shown below. COVET.) this boot was sold out in minutes it seems: in part because the designer only allows orders to be placed in small quantities to even smaller boutiques- these boutiques are not allowed to sell online, and are not allowed to post images or prices, according to the WSJ.

:: image via jak&jil.

her collections are finally coming -fully- to the US, with her first boutique opening in new york city early this year. net-a-porter will also pick up her spring 2010 collection which is sure to sell quickly, so keep your eyes open!

:: knock-off's can be found all over- aldo, jeffrey campbell, steve madden...the list goes on.

:: read articles on the designer online at Wallstreet Journal and Business of Fashion.