ZAC POSEN LAUNCHES A NEW COLLECTION

The designer is launching a lower-priced line called Z Spoke.

World Wide Web - Zac Posen joins Doo-Ri Chung, Thakoon Panichgul and Richard Chai as another designer who is launching a lower-priced line, a common business strategy for young designers in the recession. The announcement comes after last week's reports about Posen cutting the position of vice-president of communications, which sparked rumors of more layoffs at the company. The new collection, called Z Spoke, will launch exclusively at Saks with a goal to expand to other stores. While Posen's main collection retails between $900 to $12,000, Z Spoke starts at $78 for a T-shirt. Posen said, "I treat a T-shirt as a T-shirt should be treated. With a lot of love." His inspiration board includes downtown imagery like Nike Dunks and a photo of Robert De Niro as his Taxi character, Travis Bickle. Posen added that he could see his new style worn by a Lower East Side girl. [Story: The Cut/Image: Fashionista]

Kristina Bustos