The New York Times had an article in today's Technology section about a new concept called "Rent The Runway". Supposedly, it's like Netflix, for clothes. If you don't have the money to buy a couture gown but would love to show up at a fabulous party or your best friend's wedding wearing one, RTR gives you that chance. You simply browse the website, choose your dress, pay $50-$200 for a four night rental, and your new designer dress arrives in the mail, including a return envelope in which you slip the dress inside and mail it back when you're through.

I remember reading about "Bag, Borrow, or Steal" a few years ago, which is basically the same concept, but for designer handbags. That to me, is something I would never do. Bags are something you use daily - as a necessity for some of us. I don't see the point in paying for a bag I can't keep, even if it is designer. But with a gorgeous high fashion dress, see, I could get into that. Because really, how many opportunities do most of us have to wear a fancy dress? I got a beautiful gown for a cruise I went on 5 years ago, and haven't taken it out of the plastic I put it in when I unpacked from the trip.

Not to mention, it gives you the opportunity to find out which designers you really like. Not everyone is comfortable going into a high end department store and trying on a $1000 gown, knowing full well they can't buy it. But this way, with the opportunity that RTR gives to its customer, if you really just adore the way Proenza Schouler dresses look on you, then it will be worth it to actually save up and buy one.

As a designer myself, I see a huge benefit for the designers who participate in this. Like Christian Siriano said in the NY Times article, "Even though most people probably know who I am, they don't know the brand yet."

It's likely that a lot of designers will gain new clients they would never otherwise reach, through their high end boutiques - many only found in New York or Los Angeles. Not to mention, in today's economy, maybe if the customers who once could afford couture, can see this as a way to dress the way they always have, but save a lot more money.

Kelly Tinsley is an Ann Arbor-based fashion designer who blogs about fashion and style for AnnArbor.com. You can visit her Web site at Kellylynne.com, email her at kellylynnetinsley@gmail.com, become a Facebook fan of her designs and follow her on Twitter.