The High Street / Designer Collaborations You Need To Know About

We'd love a wardrobe and home that's bursting with designer pieces, but in reality, most budgets don't stretch that far. However, even if your bank balance is more 'department store' than Dior, that shouldn't mean you can't treat yourself from time to time. And that's where high street / designer collaborations really come into their own, because you get the fabulous design details for a fraction of the cost.

It was way back in 2004, when Karl Lagerfeld first collaborated with H&M, that we first got excited about designer collaborations. Since then the big brands have been clamouring to partner up with the most sought-after luxury labels around to draw the eyes of savvy, style hungry shoppers.

For those looking for affordable designer pieces, we've rounded-up all the brilliant fashion and home tie-ups that you need to know about that are available now or in the near future...

Archive by Alexa Chung for M&S available in selected stores and online today

Alexa's new winter collection is inspired by the M&S fashion archives, as it reinvents key pieces from the 1940s through to the 1980s. Alexa's spring collection for M&S was an instant sell-out, but this time pieces in the new collaboration have been given an evening-wear theme. The range demonstrates vintage pieces but with a contemporary twist, as the collection incorporates bold prints, luxurious fabrics, plush velvet and dazzling metallics. The innovative collection has 27 pieces in total, all of which are named after street names in Leeds - where M&S was first established in 1884! We love this Albion blouse at just £35!

Marie-Chantel for M&S, available online and in store now

Luxury childrenswear designer Marie-Chantal has created a capsule collection of clothing, accessories and gifts for children in collaboration with British retailer M&S. Marie-Chantal, who also happens to be the Crown Princess of Greece, has five children of her own. She says they inspired her to design a contemporary collection that is fun, playful and captures the spirit of childhood. The 33-piece collection is available in stores and online from today and coincides with the launch of another high-profile M&S collaboration - Archive by Alexa Chung.

J. Crew and New Balance out now

Whist many brands have been keen to jump on the athleisure trend, J Crew have remained confident in their style and brand - until now. Back in 2014 J. Crew's CEO said that activewear wasn't the right thing for the brand to do and that J. Crew weren't planning on taking on the active world any time soon. Fast forward two years to 2016 and J. Crew make a U-turn from previous statements, announcing a 20-piece collaboration with sportwear brand New Balance. The collection which is out now features deep navy, bright yellow, pastel pink and orange - it's J. Crew's signature style but with a spandex twist!

Drakes for J.Crew, from £59.50, available now

Menswear brand Drakes have expanded into womenswear for the first time with their collaboration with J.Crew. The collection of silk trousrs, tops, shoes and scarves is made up of four achival Drakes prints in new colourways, and the result is a quality collection of pieces that could easily pass as designer. Somsack Sikhounmong, Head of Womenswear, says:

"Drake's has such an important heritage and tradition in menswear. One day we thought, let's see if they'd be interested in doing something for the ladies. After all, any opportunity to borrow from the boys is a great fit for us."

Anglepoise + Margaret Howell, From £130, available now

Continuing their collaboration, Anglepoise and Margaret Howell will be launching two new colours for the Type 75 desk lamp this September: blue and mint. The yellow shade is already available online here, and thanks to their timeless style and versatility, we're certain the new shades will be a hit too. They'll drop in stores in September but you can pre-order them now.

House of Holland for Habitat, from £35, available now

The eclectic designer has taken a step away from his usual fashion designs to try his hand at interiors instead, and the result is a range of bold prints in covetable designs. According to the website, the range is "Inspired by the film rendition of Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, it's got 1970s flair teamed with fresh, modern shapes." Make of that what you will, but the soft furnishing are equal parts chic and tongue and cheek.

Kenzo X H&M available 3rd November

Carol Lim and Humberto Leon from label Kenzo will be teaming up with H&M for a range that will undoubtedly sell out within hours. Over the summer, H&M teased a few photos online but last month they revealed the entire range online and it's packed full of bright and bold with graphic prints. You'll have to wait a few weeks before you can get your hands on the collection though as it won't be available in stores until November 3rd. The brand, which is famous for its graphic signature pieces, including that tiger jumper, will follow up last year's hit Balmain x H&M collaboration.

Victoria Beckham For Target April 2017

In news that has delighted fashion fans around the world, Victoria Beckham has confirmed that she is collaborating with American retailer Target to produceher first high street collection.The fashion line will include more than 200 pieces for women and children, with prices starting from a very purse-friendly £5 and going up to £57. Speaking of her decision to create something more mainstream, Victoria said, 'I always say that I want to empower women and make women look like the best versions of themselves. That shouldn't be only people who can afford to spend a certain amount of money.'

For those worried that they won't be able to get their hands on the collection in the UK, fret not - select pieces will be available to purchase online viavictoriabeckham.com. The bad news? You'll have to wait until next April, when it's due to launch in stores.