The highly anticipated Phoebe Philo collection has finally arrived and fans have mixed feelings about the expensive designer items.
The fans of Chloé and Celine alum went crazy when news broke that she was setting up her own line and signing up for email alerts about the brand, despite there being no details on what to expect.
This week the London-based fashion icon, 50, launched the eponymous collection that is unsurprisingly the epitome of quiet luxury and stealth wealth, packed with oversized leather handbags reminiscent of her Celine days, funky gold chains, glittering dresses and impressive outerwear.
But now that the collection (and its sky-high prices) are live from October 30, Phoebe enthusiasts are experiencing a bit of sticker shock over the items, including a $19,000 sequin dress and a huge black leather tote that’s proving controversial because it costs a whopping $8,500.
The price of this elaborate, embroidered coat is not listed, but it retails for $25,000
Fans went wild over the oversized black leather tote, which retails for $8,500
Phoebe Philo’s fans anticipated her triumphant return and signed up to her email list in droves, despite not knowing what her new brand would sell
Many fashion fans compared the offering to the Olsen twins’ popular line The Row
Even though Phoebe is a fashion legend, fans were still surprised by the launch of her debut collection with prices approaching $20,000
Despite the mixed response and merchandise ranging from $750 for sunglasses to $25,000 for a shearling jacket, almost half sold out overnight, including a double-sided scarf for $2,600, a pair of glamorous black sunglasses for $450, the oversized suede tote in toffee for $8,200 and a leather jacket with an oversized detachable scarf for $8,900.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, fans were quick to voice their opinions on the wild prizes. That didn’t mean they weren’t shopping, though, as several pieces sold out almost immediately.
The exorbitant prices were a point of contention on social media, with fashionistas claiming they were willing to take on debt for the luxury goods.
Taking to Twitter, a consumer trends expert said: “I hate to say it but Phoebe Philo is giving khy (Kylie Jenner’s new clothing line) vibes,” comparing the buzzy collection to the Kardashians star’s recently announced band-aid brand , which is much maligned for its garbage bag-like designs.
Others thought it looked like a Celine reboot, as the designer famously served as the luxury fashion house’s creative director from 2008 to 2017.
Some people on Twitter were willing to get into debt if it meant investing in nice clothes, with one joking: “If I take on big credit card debt by buying a Phoebe Philo trench coat? What are you going to do about it?’
Another creator joked: ‘Phoebe Philo didn’t stop at “Open your wallet!” She said, “Sell your house, rob a bank, and do some credit card fraud too!”
A fashionista on Twitter revealed that “Phoebe Philo ‘MUM’ necklaces are already sold out,” to which another user responded, “Lots of moms (sic) available.”
On Twitter, a consumer trends expert thought the collection resembled Kylie Jenner’s recent foray into the fashion world, where she experiments with faux leather.
Phoebe’s supporters joked about going into debt in an attempt to pay for her new collection
On Twitter, some people were simply confused by the pieces, with one comparing an item to a “human toilet brush.”
Another fashion fan responded furiously: ‘Waited all this time and this is what we get? Leggings? Sesame Street character pants?! No madam.’
An equally confused style enthusiast asked, “First of all, why is the price way too high?” and stated, “We know you, but the brand isn’t even close to having a location to be sold at this price.”
They added, “My girl, there are other options on the market.”
The price tag surprise was all over the internet, with one commenter asking if she was “dead** with the prices on her website.”
The ridiculously roomy leather bag was another point of contention, with one person criticizing: “I knew Phoebe Philo’s prices would be quite exorbitant but she has gone absolutely crazy to price a simple leather bag for 9,000 lmao,” before she continued, “She said, ‘Do you think The Row is expensive? Check this out!'”
Another shocked Twitter user agreed: “This Phoebe Philo shopper costs $6800 lmao girl chill.”
The mixed reactions were much the same on Instagram, where some were happy that their “queen” was back, while others threw shade, calling it an “average debut,” “strictly for the one percent” and “ultra-commercial.”
Even though half of the collection is sold out, the oversized shopper is still available.