Skulls and skullduggery.

Or Skulls: a modern approach to home decoration.

It seems that the Alexander McQueen brand is branching out to home decor. I don't know whether I am happy or not about this development. I love the style of the brand - and accessories, jewellery, perfume etc. all seem like natural extensions that work with the brand conceptually. But cushions?

Next they will have McQueen branded toilet paper, air freshener and fast food meals. It's a slippery slope people. It just seems like blatant money grabbing to me - there is no real reason to charge such an inordinate amount for stuffing and fabric other than "the brand". At what point does it really become too much?

Having said that, Missoni seems to do it well. But they are far more of a home furnishings brand now. I bet they make the majority of their profit from selling beach towels, cushions etc. Very little from catwalk style clothing which is where McQueen does the bulk of it's trade. Happy to stand corrected but that's the way I view the brand. I don't know why I see a difference here, I just do. Plus Missoni does collaborative collections with people like Target and Bugaboo, making it accessible to a mass market.

Please note - I actually really do love Alexander McQueen. I have a dress, a bag, a scarf and a bangle from this wonderful designer brand. all of which I adore. ADORE. I hope to buy more in the future (just don't tell Mr K). I just wonder about brand extensions like this...

What are your thoughts? Would you spend 357 pounds ($565) plus shipping on a black and white cushion? Even if it was Alexander McQueen? Or is that just far too much to pay for a slice of style?

And for those not willing to spend that kind of money on a skull cushion, consider EcoChic's Day of the Dead version. Just $65, and environmentally friendly to boot.

Kitty