Diffusion Lines

Marc by Marc for Marc from Marc

You’re already familiar with diffusion lines, you just may not have known what they were called until right now. A diffusion line, also known as a bridge line, is when a high end designer creates a secondary label to sell products at a lower price point. Unlike couture, runway, and ready-to-wear designer items, diffusion line products are manufactured on a much larger scale and sold at retail chains or sometimes discount stores like outlets. Diffusion lines often focus on specific garment categories like jeans, underwear, or sportswear. Some of the most famous diffusion lines include familiar names like Giorgio Armani’s Armani Exchange, Yohji Yamamoto’s Y-3, Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy Jeans, and of course, the aughts hit Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Ad campaign for Moschino’s Cheap & Chic diffusion line, Spring/Summer 2012