FASHION COLLABORATIONS - THREE NEW AND SMART PAIRINGS

• Outlander x Ronny Kobo and including Saks Fifth Avenue

• Estée Lauder x Diane von Furstenberg

• MacKenzie-Childs x Wet Brush® x Goody®

In fashion collaborations between brands, retailers, and even unexpected partners can range from the seamlessly intuitive to the delightfully disruptive. Some pairings feel almost inevitable and expected such as the Levi’s® x Barbour collection introduced in 2025, while others spark debate and viral fascination, such as Balenciaga’s ongoing collaboration with Crocs, which began with those infamous platform clogs in the Spring/Summer 2018 collection and has since evolved into Jibbitz covered shoes, boots, slides, and more. Recently, I came across three collaborations that feel particularly well conceived and worth a closer look.

Outlander x Ronny Kobo and including Saks Fifth Avenue

With the eighth and final season of the Scottish historical romance Outlander premiering on STARZ on March 6, 2026, designer Ronny Kobo has introduced a capsule collection available at Saks Fifth Avenue and on ronnykobo.com.

The Saks website provides some useful insight into Ms. Kobo’s inspiration and creative process. She notes that she drew from the show’s setting and traditional tartans, working with earthy tones and rich textures to “capture that sense of rugged romance” and translate it into something refined and wearable for the modern day. She describes the capsule as representing “the beauty of nature, the romance of the countryside and the strength of women,” framing the collection as both grounded in the series and designed for contemporary wardrobes.

I found her comments about how fashion can relate to a television show particularly interesting, especially her observation that “it can transport you.” That idea tracks with Outlander itself, and Ms. Kobo extends the analogy: "much like the characters in the series, the collection has many different layers, with strong silhouettes softened by details like lace, featherweight jersey, and chiffon. Also,“You have to use a little imagination with these pieces, and I love that.” Prices range from a $368 lace peplum top to a $648 lace maxi dress. For Outlander fans, this collaboration has the potential to be more than just merchandise as it offers a way to hold onto the show and think about it every time they wear one of the pieces.

Saks and STARZ

I first learned about this collaboration through an email from Saks, which includes a “Learn More” link. I expected that click to lead to a dedicated landing page on saks.com featuring the collection and editorial content. But instead it redirected me to the STARZ site, where the focus was a subscription offer, and showing Outlander scenery rather than a link to the clothes. This offer promoted STARZ at $6.99 per month for the first three months, then $10.99 per month thereafter, or a prepay option of $4 per month for six months, with the plan renewing at $45.99 for the next six‑month term (effectively $7.66 per month).

It’s hard not to wonder whether Saks participates in these subscription economics via affiliate or revenue sharing arrangements. If so, it would add a streaming revenue kicker to what, on the surface, reads as a straightforward fashion tv costume collaboration, and Saks could certainly use the incremental income!

Estée Lauder x Diane von Furstenberg InCharge Collection

The Estée Lauder x Diane von Furstenberg InCharge Collection is a limited edition. Consisting of three products, the packaging is notably on DVF brand.

Glossy lip oils: Consists of trio of glossy lip oils and a choice of three shades, crystal, salt pink and dusk pink. The product description states: "Formulated with a blend of oils, including jojoba, sunflower and apricot seed oils. The benefits listed include, plumper looking lips lasting for up to 8 hours. ($45).

Multi-Use Blush Stick: For use on lips and cheeks. and available in just one shade, pink me, which according to the website: this sheer creme formula blush stick is "a universally flattering pink shade with a peach undertone." ($35.00).

InCharge Essence d'Eau: A new fragrance and available in only a one ounce size. The fragrance type is categorized as amber floral. The website states:"Unlike traditional fragrances, InCharge Essence d'Eau is formulated without drying alcohols, allowing the scent to feel soft, weightless, and hydrating on the skin." ($85).

Purchases made on the Estée Lauder website include a complimentary makeup bag in an on brand Diane von Furstenberg pattern with any purchase, while supplies last. It is possible the makeup bag could be included if purchases are transacted on the DVF website but these makeup bags aren't referenced there.

MacKenzie-Childs x Wet Brush® x Goody®

Upstate New York based MacKenzie-Childs, the upscale home brand best known for its

black and white (Courtly Check pattern) tea kettles, has partnered with hair care brands Wet Brush and Goody on a limited edition hair brush and accessories collection. The assortment includes a noce range such as Wet Brush detanglers in two sizes, clips, compact mirrors, scrunchies, and, for those who like purse charms, you are in luck! There is a round zipped charm in several patterns that holds a set of hair elastics. Patterns used across the line include Courtly Check, Rosy Check, Wildflowers, and Butterfly Toile making the pieces immediately identifiable as MacKenzie‑Childs.

This collaboration offers a more accessible way to enjoy the MacKenzie‑Childs patterns but find the pricing high. The iconic Courtly Check two quart tea kettle, for example, is priced at $169.95, while items in the hair accessories collaboration are from just under $10.00 to about $22.00 with a compact mirror available for around $14. This price range gives customers who like the brand’s patterns but are unwilling to spend three figures on a kettle a way to incorporate MacKenzie‑Childs into their daily lives.

As of today, a number of the pieces are already sold out on Target.com and wetbrush.com. and the Mackenzie‑Childs website includes only six products. For items sold out on wetbrush.com there is an option to click on "notify me when available," so hopefully there will be restocking. And in-line with the pattern of other brands' previous in demand collaborations, resellers have stepped in, trying to turn a profit. Poshmark has multiple listings for the larger detangler brush, $40 to $60 range, while eBay sellers are asking from $35 to $68 for the brush which is listed for $17.99 on wetbrush.com. Those asking prices represent a substantial premium over the original retail. What stands out here is how a premium home brand has translated its well known patterns into small, functional items that people will use every day.

As winter winds down, I’m curious to see what brand and retail collaborations will be springing up next!

Full Disclosure: The content in this post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor does it constitute, professional, financial or legal advice. Research for this post ended on March 3, 2026. I have not been asked to write this post and I have not received any compensation for writing this post.