Cheryl Shops

Poor Mango. A Spanish fast-fashion retailer with a huge global presence, it's overshadowed most of the time by its sleeker countryman Zara. I can go into a very business-side analysis of why--it's equal parts merchandising and inventory management--but in layman's terms, Zara is generally just a more exciting place to shop.

That may be changing. In catching up on my fashion blogs today, I spotted one of my favorite models, Daria Werbowy, starring in Mango's spring campaign. I went to the website and while it at first appeared that Werbowy created the capsule collection, it turns out she's just modeling it. Which is fine, because she makes the clothes look so great, I don't care who designed them. Mostly black and white, the pieces are basic, but better; I probably have something similar in my closet already but she makes me want to buy it all anyway. And I likely will--at prices like these, I can afford to.

Lots of exciting news today in the world of masstige! First and foremost, Zac Posen is doing a Go International line for Target [subscription required]. The collection hits stores April 25th and will be available through the end of May (I'll have more details in a few months). This comes on the tail of the announcement that Posen will launch an exclusive line for Saks, called Z Spoke [subscription required], also in the spring. While I was at first concerned that Posen was courting the edgy contemporary customer (in the WWD article, he notes an "urban hipster quality" and the desire to reach new women), Z Spoke will live on the 4th floor at Saks (home to Tory Burch, Tahari, M Missoni, and the like), and the accompanying photos give me hope that Posen won't forsake his retro-feminine vibe in order to chase the cool girls.

In other Target news, Rodarte officially hits stores December 21st, but Racked reports that select items will be available at the Target To-Go pop-up shop, which will be open December 11-13th, from 10-8, at Washington & Gansevoort Streets, right next to the High Line entrance. The To-Go shop will feature 50 pre-wrapped gifts, making your holiday shopping simple--and saving you a trip to the dreaded Atlantic Terminal Target.

We might have Victoria's Secret, but France has Sonia Rykiel, and so perhaps to compete with the former, the latter staged a lingerie fashion show today to promote her collaboration with H&M, which hits stores Saturday. As of now, you can watch the video here; in a few hours, full collection photos should be posted. While the models don't seem to be having nearly as good of a time as the Victoria's Secret Angels, this lingerie is actually wearable. The 70-piece collection hits 1,500 H&M stores worldwide on 12/5, and retails for $12-$114.50.

Anthropologie continues to impress me with their thoughtfully under-the-radar masstige collaborations; their latest is Lawan, a secondary line from knitwear designer Koi Suwannagate [subscription required]. The four-piece capsule collection retails for $228-$298 and includes two cardigans (one of which is pictured), a gown, and a sleeveless top, and three of the pieces are available now at Anthropologie.com. The collection is small, yes, but it looks very Koi, and yet very Antropologie at the same time (in other words, it's a perfect fit).

Finally, this isn't exactly Masstige per se, but it's certainly mass, and, so, well, I'm including it here: MNG by Mango is partnering with JCPenney. 75 stores will carry the brand as of fall 2010 (expanding to 600 stores by the following year), and JCPenney is planning on making Mango the centerpiece of its contemporary fashion department, which also includes Charlotte Ronson's I Heart Ronson and the Olsens' Olsenboye line (and, soon, Liz Claiborne, of which JCPenney will soon be the exclusive retailer). While Mango is a somewhat unexpected choice, I think it's a welcome one--Mango gets to expand rapidly across the U.S., and JCPenney greatly ups its fashion game. I have always been a big fan of Mango, and I hope it catches on in the rest of the country. Well played, JCP!

MasstigeWatch!
Lots of news in the world of masstige since I've been gone! As you probably already know, Alexander McQueen for Target is now available in stores and online. I actually scored my lusted-after jumpsuit (and the ankle-zip leggings) at the pop-up shop that was open during Fashion Week; the asymmetrical gray dress was already sold out by the time I got there, so I was hoping to find it online, but no such luck. The cropped leather vest--which was one of the most expensive items--is also sold out. I think I might actually order the gray skinny jeans, which I gave up on at the pop-up shop since the fitting-room line was so long. Then again, I probably don't need another pair of jeans. As for the jumpsuit, it's everything I wanted and more, but I recommend ditching the crappy thin belt that comes with it and using your own instead. Also live at Target: Erickson Beamon costume jewelry, which is getting bad reviews for cheapness but otherwise looks fun, and Orla Kiely housewares, which look kitchy-cute and are getting good reviews.

One more Target note: Fab Sugar has photos of the upcoming Tracy Feith Go International collection, several of which are modeled by Allie from The City, coincidentally. Tracy Feith is one of those designers where, when I see his clothes, I first think, "Hmm...interesting," but then they really begin to grow on me, and that's pretty much how I feel about this collection. The prints are offbeat, the silhouettes are quirky, but somehow it all works. I particularly like the cropped motorcycle jacket, and I am in love with this ruffled bikini, and, luckily, the collection hits stores May 17th, just in time for summer.

I will admit, I love Urban Outfitters' catalogues. They are always so stylized and cool-looking, I turn down the corner of every other page to mark the stuff I want. (However, then I go to the store and realize the persuasive power of good photography, because the stuff looks like crap in person.) In the latest catalogue, I noticed a new line, Cool, Casual by Slow and Steady Wins the Race. Turns out this is a designer collaboration; while not super-expensive, Slow and Steady Wins the Race is a fashiony, high-concept line of basics that's normally found at stores like Oak and Opening Ceremony. So far, there are five Cool, Casual pieces available; I have a feeling the leather tee will get all the attention, but I have my eye on the silk tunic, which looks just about perfect to me.

Finally, Racked reports that Adam Lippes for Mango is in stores now...however, prices are more prestige than mass: The cheapest item is a $49 tank top; two dresses top out at $260. They're silk, but still. The outfit at right, which was my favorite of the bunch, will cost you $310 before tax. Yikes! Let's hope those prices are due to wonky exchange rates and not the utter cluelessness of Mango.

Cheryl Shops...new Soho stores
Four notable new stores have recently opened their doors in Soho, just in time for holiday shopping. Here's what's worth your time...and what's not.

MNG by Mango
In the former Kate's Paperie at Broadway and Prince is Spanish retailer Mango's long-overdue (if you ask me) first NYC store--for some reason, they started rolling out stores in California and the Midwest before finally coming east. Regardless, this is a very exciting development, because I love Mango. Their prices and quality both fall somewhere in between H&M and Zara, and the clothes are trendy without being fashion-victimy. I am also a big fan of their shoes, which are made in Spain, although I was a bit sad to see a pair that I bought while on vacation in Europe this fall--hopefully I won't be seeing them all over the city. The store itself is all black lacquer and mirrors--very 70s disco revival--and, thankfully, way more spacious than its fast-fashion neighbors. When I was there last week, Mango had a lot of sparkly dresses, tops, and accessories, all perfect for the holiday party season.

Madewell
Madewell's actual two-level store at Broadway and Broome ran into construction delays, but until it opens early next year, you can score the line in a temporary shop in the old Scoop store at Broadway and Spring. An offshoot of J.Crew, Madewell is aimed at a younger, more fashionable customer--think J.Crew meets American Eagle with a little Urban Outfitters thrown in. And while prices are mostly under $100, quality is definitely up to J.Crew's standards. There are some great tissue-weight wool sweaters, gorgeous riding boots that give Frye a run for their money, and simply cut jeans in nice-looking washes. The store is a little densely packed, but in a cozy way. Stop by this Saturday between 3 and 7--Ultragrrrl will be spinning songs to get you in a shopping mood. Of course, the clothes are so cute, you probably won't need much arm-twisting.

CB2
You know how they say brand loyalty no longer exists for people of my generation? I beg to differ--this might be a condition of being raised in Chicago, but I am a loyal Crate & Barrel customer. So I was extremely excited for the arrival of CB2, C&B's younger, more modern sibling, and I was not disappointed. Everything is fun and colorful, and unlike its big sister a few blocks north, housewares and furniture are fully mixed together throughout the store. Prices are a bit more expensive than, say, West Elm, but the quality is much better. And unlike West Elm, CB2's employees are engaging and helpful (must be the Midwestern roots). I have my eye on the white leather bed; let's hope Santa is extra-good to me this year.

Muji
Muji, the "Japanese IKEA," arrived last month with a healthy dollop of hype--too much hype, if you ask me. I know I'm not a fan of the whole Japanese-minimalism thing, but the store is incredibly drab and dull. Like IKEA, Muji sells all manner of household items, although I didn't see much in the way of furniture; unlike IKEA, however, the prices are not cheap. Like, you're better off taking the bus to Jersey or waiting for the Red Hook store to open. In fact, they had a lot of acrylic organizing-type things that I think might even be cheaper at the Container Store. There are also clothes at Muji; I found them to be kind of boring, on the small side, and, yes, expensive. In fact, according to my coworker, all the price tags have the prices in yen--and apparently there's quite a markup. So I don't think I'll be going back to Muji anytime soon, but thankfully there are enough new stores in Soho to hold my attention!