RODARTE COMES TO TARGET IN 10 DAYS!

American retailer Target has released pictures of the collection designed by avant-garde Rodarte three weeks before it hits stores across the US December 20.

Prices from around $10 to $80, items range from patterned tights to animal-print dresses and bow belts, with the design duo's signature looks (e.g., netting) translated into mass-market friendly items.

The collection will go on sale one week before the official launch at three pop-up stores in New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC - a new facade-only concept, in place December 11-13, that will have customers order their clothes much like in a fast food restaurant. H&M used a similar store set-up for its Sonia Rykiel premiere at the Grand Palais earlier this week that had shoppers browse a catalogue at the front before employees brought the items back from 'behind the scenes.'

Pop-up stores for one-off collections have previously been used by other labels, e.g., by the Gap for its Colette collaboration in 2008, to widen its reach among shoppers.

The Rodarte collection will be available at Target stores through January 31. Zac Posen's range for the retailer will be released April 25.

ZAC IS RIGHT ON TARGET!

Zac Posen joins Target's Go International brand

Joining a growing list of fashion's big names is Zac Posen, who has been revealed as Target's next guest designer. Posen will create a range for Target's Go International division (not to be confused with its Designer Collaborations brand). His range will hit stores in the US and online from 25th April.
Of course, Zac is no stranger to working with the retailer. He collaborated with Target Australia on a range of party dresses, which he unveiled at the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival in March last year.
Leading the European pack, Jean Paul Gaultier was also recently announced as Target's latest Designer Collaborations talent. He will launch his collection on 7th March. Two more reasons to move to America.

PROENZA SCHOUELER'S DESIGN TEAM TEACH PARSONS

Over at Parsons The New School for Design, Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez held court on Wednesday. They chatted with Simon Collins, the dean of the school of fashion, and had plenty of advice for the budding designers in the packed room. McCollough and Hernandez stressed the importance of internships, recalling how theirs at Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors, respectively, helped them learn the tricks of the trade, especially fabric sourcing. The label offers a separate commercial collection in its showroom. “Now [the runway] is just for media; it’s a marketing tool,” Hernandez said. The duo admitted it is not averse to a lower-priced secondary line. “When we did the Target project, we saw there is a whole different set of customers,” McCollough said. “It gave us ideas.” This was the first of the Parsons Fashion Conversation Series.

BRIGHT IDEAS

This summer get playful with color! Pour out your favorite memories of your primary hues- RED, YELLOW, and BLUE! Here are a few easy, breezy summer Must Have's for you color enthusiasts! I mean Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Custo Barcelona are doing it, so why not you? Don't worry your pretty little pocketbook, I promise this list will brighten your closet in a budget-friendly way!

1. IN A CLUTCH. Add some nautical fun by accessorizing with this blue and white canvas clutch by Felix Rey for Target. (available at target.com) Clutch this find for only $20!

2. ITSY BITSY TEENY WEENY YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI. You remember the tune, but did you ever find a sweet & sexy yellow polka dot bikini like this? Get beach sexy in no time at all. This sunny bikini is available at Victoria Secret (victoriasecret.com) for $30 ($15 for the top and $15 for the bottom)- you can't get any better than this!

*Oh and if your body isn't as insane as Marisa Miller (which is 98% of us, it's ok we all can't be biologically blessed with that bod), fear not this print comes in different styles, from string to halter, emphasize your best assets!

3. TIE DYE ONE ON. Rock this red and white tie-dye tank to boost your summer wardrobe. This far-out find is from GAP for $19.50 (and if red isn't the shade for you, this tank comes in a lot of other colors- be BRAVE!)

4. WHEN IN DOUBT, BELT IT OUT. Not sure how to add a pop of color to a basic cotton dress, opt for a BOLD belt. This wide ribbed belt is from H&M for $14.90.

5. RED HOT. Beat the heat this summer by protecting those baby blues with a radical red over-sized shades. This plastic pair is perfect for cruisin' the shore or relaxin' on the boat. No Boundaries Compass Sunglasses (available at Walmart.com) for $4 (yes, you read that right, $4!) Guilt-free sunglasses, can summer get much better?

6. RHYTHM & BLUE. Sun-filled days and how else to track how much fun you are having--- this watch will not have you sad at all. Cool off any outfit with this Blue Paisley Bangle Watch (available at coldwatercreek.com) for only $39.50.

7. FOLLOW THE BRICKROAD. Step out in style in your cute yellow strappy sandal. These festive flats will have you in smiles, with the price tag alone- only $9.99!!! Try Rue21 for savvy and smart accessories! (these sandals are guaranteed to not break the bank- available at rue21.com)

8. LITTLE RED RUFFLED DRESS. Pin-tucked to perfection, this little dress was made for summer-time fun. Whether you are shopping on the boardwalk or a family BBQ, always look ravishing in this red number. Forever 21 has this lil red darling dress for $39.80 (forever21.com).

9. BERMUDA, BAHAMA, . . . Sunny-day style meets resort chic. Try pairing this yellow bermuda shorts with a white cami or soft cotton t-shirt for a casual feel. Add a red cardigan for a lil more sophisticated fun. These bermuda shorts by Lee Alexis make your vacation wardrobe complete and for a mere $17.99, your pockets will be bursting at the seam with joy!

10. BATHING "BLUE"TY. Blue straw floppy hat is both fashionable and practical when catching some rays. Variations of this hue make this hat fun and playful for any beach ensemble. Merona makes great find for Target for $12.99.

Alexander McQueen is right on TARGET

McQ makes it's way to a Target near you. Yes, you heard me, McQ, the moderate priced line by innovative fashion designer and legend Alexander McQueen. As for the inspiration behind this specific collection:

“We use icons in British music, and [Liela Moss] stood out. She’s a great-looking girl and has a personal style. It fell into the idea of the New York underground music scene. It was more the atmosphere she portrays.”

A clearer idea of the collection in the designer's words, “The collection has a muted color palette of black, white, gray and tan with accents of cobalt blue and bright pink. Studs and mesh give items an edge. There are studded jeans, shorts and denim jackets with asymmetrical closures, short tuxedo jackets and matching shorts, dresses in a blue and white painterly fabric, a one-shoulder dress in a gray-and-black zigzag pattern with a thick black belt, and a T-shirt with the image of Moss. The designer’s favorite pieces in the line include “the pink and black pieces and the little prom dresses.”

The images above are (left) of Leila in in a cotton mesh dress and rayon tank from McQ Alexander McQueen for Target, and the image on the right features a Silk-screen cotton jersey T-shirt over cotton and spandex denim pants by McQ Alexander McQueen for Target.

I applaud McQ for following in the fancy economy-friendly footsteps of Isaac, Cynthia, Rogan, and Converse. With the recession in full effect, this will definitely help the recessionistas that are still trying to maintain trend while still pinching pennies. So far, the line reminds me alot of the days of NYC and CBGB's but with a lil more McQueen-vibe in the cuts and fabric choices. So, I suggest grabbing a unique piece to incorporate into your already stacked wardrobe and make it your own! We give McQueen kudos for economical fashion in 2009!