1-800-VINTAGE

1-800-VINTAGE

Diffusion Lines

Marc by Marc for Marc from Marc

Alex's avatar
Alex
Mar 29, 2024
∙ Paid

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

1-800-VINTAGE is a reader-supported publication. To access the full archive and to support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Alex.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Alex · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture