Cheryl Shops

Dear readers, it's a first-ever combo post at Cheryl Shops: MasstigeWatch and In These Shoes, together at last! We've seen Nine West here before—past collections with Sophie Theallet and Giles come to mind—but last month they debuted a collaboration with a high-end retailer, Kirna Zabete. This is noteworthy in that Kirna Zabete doesn't have an in-house line—the store is known for its incredibly well-selected stock, and it's the kind of place where, if money were no object, I would totally shop all the time—and that it's a store, not an actual designer (although there are two lovely ladies, Beth Buccini and Sarah Easley, behind it). That said, it's one of the strongest collaborations I've seen thus far at Nine West—so much so that I"m featuring all eight pairs, many of which are on their way to being sold out already!


Top row:
The Bandeau was the style that first got my attention because, let's face it, who doesn't want a satin sandal with a puff of marabou feathers at the toe? Then again, with a nearly 5-inch heel, these are perhaps best suited for activities that don't require standing, if you know what I mean.

I'd hesitate to call anything with marabou feathers practical, but compared to the Bandeau, the Otay, with its 2.5-inch heel, is practically utilitarian. At least you can walk in them.

The one style that's completely sold out, the Jois is, interestingly, also the most expensive in the line, at $169. It has stiff (pun intended) competition in this area, but I would argue that it's also by far the sexiest of the collection.

Middle row:
My one quibble with this collection is that there are 4-inch heels and there are flats, but there's nothing in between. And while I'm not a flats girl, I tend to make an exception in the summer, especially for embellished thong sandals like the Seashell.

The Altra is one of those shoes that looks fabulous on the shelf (who can resist ruffles?!), but I worry a bit that it might not look so great on, especially if your legs are of the thicker variety.

Bottom row:
Another style on the verge of selling out, the Sophi is an edgy update of the every-woman's-wardrobe-necessity black peep-toe pump. It looks like something Alexander Wang would create, but better.

The Wexar would make a great summer-wedding shoe, particularly if you're getting married on the beach (I speak from experience). Unlike regular bridal shoes, I'd venture that you'd definitely wear these again.

As I said earlier, I am generally not a flats person, but the Kneata might just make a convert out of me, if only for accomplishing the nearly impossible: making flats look a little bit dangerous.

As I predicted last week, Target has released lookbook images from the upcoming Missoni collection in stores September 13,  and all I have to say is, holy Missoni! There are clothes and accessories for men, women, and children, beauty accessories, linens, vases, dishes, office supplies, suitcases, outdoor furniture, and, yes, that bicycle. There is so much awesomeness, I can't show it to you all, lest I crash my site (Nitrolicious, on the other hand, who clearly has either an intern or a lot of spare time or both, has uploaded most of the lookbook.) But here are some of my most anticipated items from the collection.

Pretty much everything here is for sale, from the awesome $16 space-dyed tights to the iconic $39.99 miniskirt. 
 For the color-averse there are some more neutral pieces (there are even all black-and-white ones); the pumps here are $39.99, the dress ($54.99) is the most expensive part, and the cardigan is a downright bargain at $49.99.

More great pieces in shades of blue, from $16 for the tights to $69.99 for the puffer jacket.
 Think these silk scarves are a total bargain at $19.99 each!
 
There are all manner of makeup and weekend bags, from $9.99-$29.99.
Absolutely must have this $29.99 laptop sleeve!
For the home, these serving trays will spruce up your living or dining room for $19.99-$24.99.

A totally luxe duvet set (complete with shams!) for $99.99.

I'm perhaps most excited about the towels, just $10.99-$12.99 each! (The shower curtain, also noteworthy, is $34.99.)

And for the pimped-out roofdeck, an ultra-sleek outdoor furniture set for $599.99.
The items will be available, while supplies last, September 13 through October 22, although a handful of online-only items will be sold through the holiday season. I must say, I haven't been this excited about a Target collaboration in awhile!

If you want to satisfy your masstige fix now, Giles Deacon for Nine West is now available. As I predicted back in May, the shoes—particularly the Polly wedge and the Layla boot, pictured here—look the best. If sweet is more your style, however, it should be noted that this spring's Sophie Theallet collection is now 60% off; I'm thinking of ordering the Tinna espadrille in brown.

Finally, Catwalk Queen reports that Mark Fast is designing a footwear collection for Aldo. Fast, who created a line for Topshop last year, is no stranger to collaborations, and Aldo, which featured a line by Julian Louie earlier this year, it just dipping its toes (pun intended) into the masstige waters. No word yet on when the collection hits stores, but, as always, check back here for more masstige news.

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?

Just when I thought I was Masstiged out, there are some new and exciting collaborations to look forward to this year. First up, more details have emerged on Calypso for Target, and Racked has word that, based on the press preview, it looks very promising. First of all, this is a "lifestyle" collaboration, a la Liberty of London last year, so there are clothes and accessories, plus items for children and the home, all with Calypso's signature bohemian-bourgeois aesthetic. Racked also notes that--haleluah!--the collection is heavy on soft cotton voile with some silk and linen thrown in. As you guys know, my biggest complaint about the Target lines tends to be about the janky fabrics, so this is welcome news. And all for $1.99-$59.99! My calendar is marked for May 1st--May Day indeed!

Also hitting stores May 1st is Sophie Theallet's line for Nine West, which is actually part of a bigger initiative called...wait for it...Shoelaborations. According to WWD [subscription required], Theallet's line will be priced similarly to Nine West's usual fare ($79-$109), and she'll be followed by Giles Deacon in fall 2011. (Whenever I hear of Giles Deacon, I think of Henry Holland's cheeky "Get your freak on Giles Deacon" T-shirt. But I digress.) Of the images released so far--a straw bag and an espadrille-ish heel--the line looks very summery and chic. Which, considering the weather outside, is practically making my mouth water.

In even more exciting shoe news, H&M is collaborating with Swedish Hasbeens, a line of which I am quite fond. No boots--this is a summer line--but lots of chic sandals, and at just $59.99-$69.99, they're less than a third of what the real deal costs. Fashionista has photos of the entire collection, which hits H&M stores on April 20; I have my eye on these strappy red sandals.

Finally, if you just can't wait till spring to get your Masstige on, Racked has the full scoop on the latest +J collection, which hit Uniqlo stores this morning. Word is that it's selling briskly and heavy on Egyptian cotton. As they say, shop early and shop often...

Ever since the hype monster that was Lanvin for H&M, things have been quiet on the masstige front. Sure, Target launched William Rast the week before Christmas, but it hardly created a frenzy. Is it possible that we're masstiged out? Maybe. But being the optimist that I am, two recent announcements have me believing in masstige once again.

The first is that Calypso St. Barth is doing a Target line. Joke all you want about Calypso's less-than-original bohemian-bourgeois aesthetic, but I dare you to find better vacation-wear all under one roof (and available year 'round). And while I find Calypso's prices not so unreasonable (especially when on sale), Target prices are always better. The line hits Target stores (and, of course, Target.com) May 1st and will retail for $1.99-$79.99. I am praying for it to be heavy on cotton maxi-dresses and tunics; expect to see me wearing them all over Fire Island this summer.

Racked National reports that MObama fave designer Sophie Theallet will collaborate with Nine West on a capsule accessories collection featuring bags, shoes, and some jewelry. It sounds kind of French--Eiffel Tower accents and such. So far that's all I know, but of course I will share more details when they're available.