Cheryl Shops

In spite of the fashion press grumbling that consumers are growing tired of mass-designer collaborations, the masstige bandwagon rolls on, the latest (and biggest) news being that Versace is collaborating with H&M, in spite of the fact that three years ago, Donatella said she'd never do a mass line. Ahem. This one will be slightly different in that it's based on "iconic" Versace pieces, so for everyone's sake, let's hope that includes way-back archival looks designed by Gianni himself. Encompassing men's, women's, and home items, the first collection hits stores November 17, with a second round of pre-spring items on January 19. The Cut (and many other blogs) has a video preview; here are some still shots, courtesy of H&M. Considering Versace is not exactly Lanvin, are you excited or...not so much?

Hitting Target stores a few weeks earlier on October 30 are two accessories collections: 14 hats by CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Albertus Swanepoel (all for just $19.99 each!), and jewelry from L.A.-based wire-wrapping pioneer Dana Kellin (retailing for $9.99-$49.99). I am actually really excited about the Albertus Swanepoel hats--Target's hat collabs tend to be among their more successful outings, mostly due to the fact that hats don't require leather (or in Target's case, fake leather), and I am a just a chapeau-lover at heart. The jewelry collections tend to be pretty solid too, so this is good news all around. More photos of both lines (the hat at left is currently available at Anthropologie) should be available in August, so stay tuned.

And because Target hasn't met a designer collab it hasn't liked, they've also announced a partnership with Josie Natori. The first of the two-part collection should hit stores in time for the holidays, with the second, Valentine's Day-timed installment arriving around January 1. Considering prices are $9.99-$34.99 for bras, panties, and chemises, I'm assuming this will be nowhere as luxe as her signature line; in fact, I'm expecting polyester galore. Still, I am a huge fan of Target's Gilligan & O'Malley boyshorts (3 for $12!), and so I will keep an open mind.

Finally, CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Eddie Borgo's jewelry line for J.Crew is live, and as of now, all pieces are still available (as opposed to the super-limited-edition Prabal Gurung line, which sold out before I even had a chance to write about it). Prices range from $38 for a bow pin to $175 for a fringed necklace; my favorite is this $135 studded cuff, although I would gladly take any piece in the collection (or in his regular line, where prices tend to hover around the mid three figures). Now if only J.Crew will send out another one of those 20% off emails...

The Calypso for Target collection just hit the shelves last week (for the record, I ordered two dresses, a hat, and a bag, and I plan on checking out more of the line in person this weekend), and already Target is announcing its next big designer collaboration: Missoni for Target! Like Calypso, this will be a major, multi-department event, with 400+ items for women, children, and the home. I am particularly excited about linens and flatware, as I've been lusting after the real deal for years. Look for it in stores September 13 through October 22.

Hot on the heels (pun intended) of Sophie Theallet's line for Nine West comes Giles for Nine West. Now, Giles apparently has a character called Eek, a cartoon who decorates everything from totes to jewelry in the line. I find the shoes (like the wedge sandal at left) more exciting; Eek's presence makes the bags and jewelry a bit...young. Fashionista has a preview of the entire collection, which hits stores sometime in August. 

Speaking of shoes, the Pierre Hardy for Gap Design Editions spring styles are now live, and the Charlotte Ronson for Uniqlo collaboration hit stores today; Sugar Rock Catwalk has a full report on the latter.

Finally, this may or may not be related to the fact that Patrick Robinson got canned from the Gap [subscription required], but J.Crew took over as the sponsor of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and thus will feature collaborations with winners Billy Reid, Prabal Gurung, and Eddie Borgo. Fashionologie was at the launch party, and while there was no preview available, word on the street is that all three designers will re-create pieces based on old collections, in new colors and fabrics. Gurung's five-piece collection will retail for under $500 and hits stores in June; Borgo's will be available in July; and Reid's 7-piece menswear collection is live now. I will, of course, report on the women's lines as soon as they're live, but in the meantime, why not treat that special guy in your life to this good-looking henley?