Cheryl Shops

One of the best parts of being a fashion blogger is getting invited to showrooms to preview new collections—it's not quite as exciting as going to a runway show, but you get a one-on-one walkthrough with a knowledgable representative, and you get to touch and see everything up close. The other day, I got to see the upcoming Derek Lam for DesigNation collection, which hits Kohl's stores April 5, and let me tell you, it looks amazing. Granted, I am a flag-waving Derek Lam fan, but Kohl's is really stepping up the masstige game—like last fall's Narcisco Rodriguez collaboration, this outing is true to the designer's aesthetic, the fabrics are high quality (unlike, ahem, some other retailers), and the prices are incredibly wallet friendly ($36-$88 in this case). Lam's collection was inspired by a trip to Brazil and features his signature '70s-inspired silhouettes in everything from maxi dresses and pencil skirts to bermuda shorts and swimwear. Here are some of my favorite looks:

Hands down, my favorite item is this striped dress ($70). It's the kind of thing I wear to work all summer, and I love the flattering placement of the stripes.


A close second, I am also in love with this maxi-skirt ($54), which manages to be sexy, thanks to the adjustable button-front styling. The open-knit tank ($40) makes a low-key pairing.


There are lots of fun rainforest-inspired prints, like in this button-down shirt ($48), as well as great updated basics like this subtly pleated pencil skirt ($50).



Speaking of which, check out the groovy print on this shirtdress ($70).



I always say shopping for a jumpsuit is like shopping for a wedding dress—you might try on dozens before you find the right one. That said, this style ($88) looks like a winner.



Excited yet? There aren't any Kohl's stores in Manhattan (there are, however, in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Jersey City), but the website will be fully stocked come April 5. Masstige, it's good to have you back!

The Calypso for Target collection is due in stores May 1st, and since that's nearly two weeks away, Target has released a lookbook featuring images of the entire collection--women's clothing and accessories, girls' clothes, and home items. There's a definite bohemian vibe, with strong tie-dye and elephant motifs running throughout. Fans of Calypso should be pretty happy, particularly if you love maxi dresses and ruffles; there are also some very summery woven tote bags and lovely beach hats. Clothingwise, my favorite item is this $36.99 dress, which I intend to wear as a swimsuit cover-up (I am incredibly in need of a new one); really, I'm the most enthralled with the home items, like the $59.99 pouf, a similar version of which Calypso Home sells for--I kid you not--$3,000. Prices range from $1.99-$79.99, and according to Racked, which has the full lookbook posted, quality is pretty high. Let's hear it for masstige!

Last week Uniqlo announced its upcoming three-part Designer Invitation Project [subscription required]. It kicks off with the return of Costello Tagliapietra next week on April 21, Charlotte Ronson arrives on May 5, and Vena Cava follows on May 12. Supposedly items will remain in stores until May 21; I have a feeling they'll sell out long before then, especially since every piece is just $29.99. The Cut has a full preview of the collection for your shopping-strategy purposes; hands off this Charlotte Ronson design--it's mine.

In shoe news, a reminder that the Swedish Hasbeens collection for H&M hits stores April 20; and always a favorite, the spring Pierre Hardy for Gap shoes are high-heeled, pointy-toed, colorblocked, and totally right up my alley. Fashionista has the scoop; shoes are due in stores mid-April, which means any day now!

If, like me, you're salivating over the Derek Lam for eBay crowd-sourced collection, good news: You can pre-order it now before it technically goes on sale to the public on May 10. And, finally, for the patterned-leggings fans out there, Topshop collaborated with Meadham Kirchoff, a London duo known for flowy, trippy, magpie-ish creations like, well, this. Proceed with caution.

 

So much has happened in the world of masstige since my last update! This is going to be a long post, so let's jump right in.

Target has released images of all the Go International Designer Collective dresses (otherwise known as Go International greatest hits) due to hit stores March 13th. Racked National posted the entire lookbook for all 34 dresses, so you can make a plan of attack. Going through it was a fun trip down memory lane for me; I will definitely be ordering the Thakoon dress at right (I already have the batik-print one that's also part of the collection) and the Rogan leopard-print dress--those were two of my absolute favorite collections ever, and who doesn't love a second chance in life? And even better, all dresses will retail for $50 or less!

And speaking of Target, their spring collaboration with Dolce Vita is already live--there are 20 or so styles (some are left over from winter and are on clearance), many of which are very similar to DV's main line. I have my eye on this nude wedge espadrille ($29.99!).

Forever 21 has also gone masstige-crazy recently; a Rollergirl-themed Petro Zillia collection debuted last month, and as of today, Rory Beca's collection is live on their website. Both lines are reportedly available in all 250 Forever 21 stores, but as you know, finding something specific at that store is, to paraphrase Clueless, like searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie. Regardless, I find the Rory Beca line to be more on the wearable side; I might just order this romper--not bad for $28.

Also available now, but of a slightly elevated masstige level is Steven Alan's collaboration with Dockers. There are three pants and a skirt for women, and three pants styles, one short, and one shirt for men; prices range from $128-$148--higher than usual for Dockers, but much lower than Steven Alan's usual prices. Everything is pretty basic but sure to please Steven Alan's many devotees.

If you missed out on voting for the upcoming crowd-sourced Derek Lam for eBay collection during Fashion Week, here are the 5 looks that will be produced. Prices range from $175 for the black sheath (one of my favorites) to $295 for the floral-print maxi dress (my other favorite), all styles come in sizes 0-16, and all will be available for purchase staring May 10.

Finally, apparently Vena Cava let slip at a Fashionista-sponsored panel that they're collaborating with Uniqlo. No details are available yet, but based on Vena Cava's numerous past collabs (Gap, Bloomingdale's, Via Spiga) and Uniqlo's, I have a feeling it will be pretty awesome. Of course, I will provide more information when I have it, so check back soon!

Just think: It was almost five years ago when I got excited about Target's very first Go International collaboration with Luella Bartley. My, how far we've come. There have been 18 designers since its inception, and to celebrate Go International's 5-year anniversary, Target is launching Designer Collective [subscription required], a collection of 34 dresses created by 17 of the Go designers (only one, Patrick Robinson, declined to participate, presumably due to his commitment with the Gap). The best part of this, however, is that the dresses are all previously sold styles. In other words, Designer Collective is like a Go International greatest hits collection. Which, if you think about it, is pretty darn brilliant. After all, aren't there pieces you wish you had scored when you had the chance? Designer Collective is due in stores March 13; we should see a preview sometime in February. And to refresh your memory, here's a list of past Go International designers:

Luella Bartley
Tara Jarmon
Paul & Joe
Behnaz Sarafpour
Proenza Schouler
Libertine
Alice Temperley
Erin Fetherston
Jovovich-Hawk
Rogan
Richard Chai
Jonathan Saunders
Thakoon (designer of my favorite Target dress of all time, pictured above)
Tracy Feith
Rodarte
Zac Posen
Tucker

For a trip down memory lane, click here to read my past musings on Target's designer collaborations.

Derek Lam is also throwing his hat into the masstige ring, albeit in a slightly unconventional way. Like Narcisco Rodriguez and Norma Kamali before him, Lam is partnering with eBay; however, the twist on his collection is that it will be crowd-sourced. Lam will unveil his designs next February during Fashion Week; fans can vote on their favorite looks at eBay.com, and the final collection will be available for purchase in spring/summer 2011. I am curious to see how this plays out--I am a huge fan of Lam's, and as someone who finds even his sales on Gilt Groupe out of reach, I'm excited he's testing the masstige waters. However, crowd-sourced projects can often go awry (as Refinery29 points out), so I am a bit nervous. I guess this means I'll just have to vote like crazy for my favorite looks. Will you help?