A Hit And A Miss---oni

Italian knitwear manufacturer Missoni is known for their colorful line of apparel. And the high price that goes hand in glove with the sorts of things you find at Saks Fifth Avenue.

When that sort of big-type fashion icon appears at Target, of all places, you just know there will be blood.

The Target website fell victim to a frenzy of bargain shoppers longing to snap up Missoni for themselves.

It's an indication of where the economy is at, up at the higher end of the economic spectrum.

There's not enough business available to allow the likes of high-end Missoni to survive on caviar and champagne alone. The firm made a business decision, and they saw where sales could be made.

The items available at Target aren't to be had where the higher-quality Missoni line is featured. What's selling at Target is of lesser quality, with profits to be made on the Missoni name rather than a piece of clothing that will last for ages because it's well-made.

That's important for Missoni, to maintain a little distance between the hoi polloi and the bon ton. The wealthy will accept the help dressing in cheap knock-offs, as long as the cut and pattern and fabric weights aren't the same.

Why, if that were the case, it would mean that Missoni was ripping them off at Saks and the Italian designer could lose some of its cachet.

Target sold out of its Missoni line in a day. They planned to carry on with the special promo for six weeks.

That's an indication of where the market's at, down at the lower end of the spectrum. People have a little bit of money to spend, but they'd never be able to afford the distinctive Missoni look. Once it arrives at an affordable location, it's consumed in a frenzy.

The party's over, and if you didn't get there, you're out of luck.

Unless you want to try Ebay, where Missoni labels aren't always separated between the good stuff and the cheap stuff. Many will get burned when they over-pay for Missoni that isn't top of the line.

The free market can be a dangerous and ugly place, even if it's tricked out with the vibrant color schemes of Missoni.