Isaac Mizrahi at his 2009 Spring fashion show in New York.

Other articles by Georgea Kovanis:

Give yourself a spa experience with at-home pampering New five-blade razor for women gives close shave with less mess With new Woolite, keep fading at bay Go ahead, splurge on some good lipstick — or be the Bride of Bozo Put some spring zing into your wardrobe Accessories the answer for a fresh new look J.C. Penney to headline its hip women's styles Adding Mizrahi spices up Liz Claiborne offerings Old Navy has cute sequined tops 'n' dresses at great prices Find Sami Hayek bedding at Target

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What will we do without Isaac Mizrahi?

For five years, the New York fashion designer has been selling a relatively low-priced collection — dresses for under $60 — exclusively at Target, bringing chic fashions and his name to those of us who either can't afford to shop high-end or prefer to spend our money elsewhere.

Now, after an extraordinary run — just how profitable Isaac Mizrahi for Target has been, the store won't say — the designer is leaving. He has taken a job as chief creative director of Liz Claiborne. The fall collection, which is in stores now, is his last.

"I'm bummed," said Anna Craprotta, 36, a attorney and fan of the Isaac Mizrahi for Target collection because it's wearable and priced well. "If you didn't get into the store right when they put out a summer line or spring line, you couldn't get your sizes. I would grab up whatever I could."

But there is a bright side for shoppers who crave designer-influenced fashion at low prices: Other mass retailers, keen to capture some of the success Target has had, are signing exclusive deals with designers.

More designers sign up

Dana Buchman, whose suits and separates are a favorite with businesswomen, is planning to launch a line at Kohl's next year, joining the solid women's and kids' sportswear line by Ralph Lauren called Chaps. Vera Wang — famous for exquisite and expensive wedding gowns and evening dresses — is in her second year of Simply Vera Vera Wang, her line available exclusively at Kohl's.

J.C. Penney added Ralph Lauren and his American Living line to its racks this year.

Wal-Mart has just introduced fashions from Norma Kamali into 350 stores nationwide. Plus, it has introduced To the Max, a line done for the world's largest retailer by Max Azria of BCBG fame, in 335 stores.

How the lines will fare at Wal-Mart will be interesting to see. "It's going to be testing and trialing and moving forward as the customer directs us based on how she responds with her wallet," says Linda Blakley, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman.

The retailer's last foray into fashion — in fall 2005, it heralded the arrival of its Metro 7 line by taking out ads in Vogue — didn't take off, and the retailer retreated to basics. Adding Norma Kamali, who is famous for knits and jumpsuits, is a risk.

Payless Shoes is promoting its Alice + Olivia line from Stacey Bendet, who has a clothing line by the same name.

In retail, if it doesn't sell, the stores don't continue to stock it.

As for designers, the benefits to designing for a mass retailer are numerous. People who can't afford expensive fashion become acquainted with the designer's name and may eventually be able to splurge on their top-of-the-line labels.

"This helps us because it really gets out the brand recognition," says Cheryl Daskas, co-owner of Tender, a designer boutique in Birmingham. "And the designers, they can have the whole world wearing something of theirs."