Two brands are better than one

Inspired by the success of the Pierre Hardy for Gap collection last fall, Jenna Lyons is looking to offer a similar diffusion line at J. Crew, where she is creative director.

"What we'd really like to do, especially for women's, is a shoe collaboration where we maybe go to someone like Manolo Blahnik or Christian Louboutin," Lyons said in a Style File interview published Monday.

However, it's doubtful Louboutin would be open to the idea, as he turned down an H&M collabo last year.

As far as Blahnik is concerned...he's already teamed with Liberty.

"The London department store has commissioned Blahnik to create a 'World of Manolo,' which will launch at Liberty in September with its own in-store boutique, which will stay open for three months," according to Women's Wear Daily.

Blahnik will design an array of items —such as notebooks, candles, scarves, Wellington boots, and shoehorns— using Liberty prints.

Pieces from Blahnik's fall footwear collection will be exclusive to Liberty for the season, marking the first time the designer has sold the collection outside his stores in the U.K.

I'm not sure how much a pair of Blahnik for Liberty Wellies will set you back, but if you're looking for what will surely be a less expensive —but still stylish— diffusion alternative, look no further than Payless ShoeSource.

Currently, Isabel Toledo is drafting sketches of handbags and shoes that will be available in Payless stores and online in September. The footwear —flats, square heels, and boots in materials like patent leather, nylon, rubber, and mesh— will retail for less than $40.

"I'm [designing] shoes that you want to see women wear on a day-to-day basis," Toledo told WWD.

"You'll see a very clean, graphic design, very utilitarian," she added. "I'm really interested in making shoes that women can walk in. Even for the evening shoes, I'm trying to address comfort and high style at a great price."

Toledo previously designed footwear for Anne Klein during her stint as creative director there; the Payless venture will be her first with a mass retailer.

I luv a good diffusion line. How else could a working girl like me own a fantastic Rodarte dress? (FYI: I did manage to snap up the label's black halter dress for Target that I repeatedly wrote about here.)

How about you? Do you like diffusion lines? Do you have any favorite collaborations?