men are the new women

At Last, Macy’s Introduces a Designer Diffusion Line Exclusively for Men

At February Fashion Week, Richard Chai and GQ creative director Jim Moore lamented the lack of men’s diffusion lines in the marketplace. Target has done plenty of ladies’ designer diffusion lines, but none exclusively for men. H&M and Uniqlo have done designer diffusion menswear, but coupled with womenswear. Is there an affordable retail outlet that has dudes’ backs these days? Actually, yes, there is! Macy’s is launching a men’s label called Thread & Heirs, which various fashion designers will guest design each season. They’re copying Target, and Macy’s execs fully admit that.

Ruffian designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais will create the first two capsule collections for the label for spring 2010 and fall 2010. They’re excited because they haven’t designed menswear in five and a half years, and this line will hit 200 Macy’s stores across the country. The first collection is inspired by Williamsburg and based on layering. Prices will range from $24 for a T-shirt to $99 for a jacket.

In February, GQ’s Moore told us, “I think we’re not giving men enough credit sometimes, and thinking they’re just looking for a basic sweater or T-shirt.” He added, “Especially at a price point of an H&M or a Uniqlo, they’re going to definitely experiment a little bit more and go for something that they might not normally wear.” Ankle pants and cardigans for all!

Ruffian to Design Macy’s Line [WWD]
Earlier: Richard Chai and Jim Moore Onboard for Target Menswear Lines

At Last, Macy’s Introduces a Designer Diffusion Line Exclusively for Men