Cheryl Shops

The arrival of the latest J.Crew catalogue is always a noteworthy occasion in my household, but Saturday's edition was even more momentous due to the inclusion of the Prabal Gurung collaboration. However, this limited-edition collection was so limited that only 50 pieces of each item were created, and by the time I hit the website, everything but the exploding bow dress was sold out. In my case, this is probably for the best, since prices ranged from a not-so-masstige $198-$450. Still, how gorgeous is the bow blazer at right?

In slightly more accessible news, Racked reports that Topshop is opening a "secret" pop-up shop featuring their collaborations with Pamela Love, Nasir Mazhar, Meadham Kirchhoff, and Ann-Sofie Back. Starting Thursday, May 26, it will be located somewhere within the Topshop store on Broadway (hint: look for the florist). For a peek at the Pamela Love collection, check out Fashionologie.

Add Pierre Hardy to the Gap's long list of troubles: Fashionista sadly reports the Parisian shoe designer will not be collaborating with the chain for fall (no word on whether he'll back next spring). That means you should snap up his spring shoes while you can!

Finally, there was reportedly a top-secret press preview of the upcoming Missoni for Target collection last week; attendees (I was not among them, FYI) were reportedly under strict orders not to divulge any details, although it did leak out that there will be...wait for it...a Missoni bicycle. Inspired by this bit of information, Refinery 29 photoshopped what they think it will look like. We'll have to wait until September 13 (or slightly) to see the actual version, but that doesn't mean you can't get excited in the meantime!

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?

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.

 

Let the leaks begin! Fashionologie has unearthed the first photo of the upcoming Lanvin for H&M collaboration. Shot by David Sims, the image features a wide range of models (L to R, Hannelore Knuts, Jane Schmitt, Tati Cotliar, and Natasha Poly), perhaps alluding to Lanvin's all-ages appeal. All I have to say is, I'll take one of each, please. We'll get a full view of the collection on November 2 and it hits H&M stores worldwide November 23.

Style.com's Style File blog has bad news about the fall Pierre Hardy for Gap boots I had been eagerly anticipating. First, only the black peep-toe boots will be produced--which means no yellow-soled boots, and no gray peep-toe boots, which were the pair I really wanted. The black lace-ups were supposed to hit stores today, but due to a vague delay, they'll now hit October 28.

Finally, Racked National reports that Urban Outfitters is adding another lower-priced designer line to its stable: PJ by Peter Jensen, a London-based Danish designer known for his quirky-girlish aesthetic. PJ hits U.S. Urban Outfitters in December.

The Vena Cava for Aqua collection is now on sale at Bloomingdales.com! The handy landing page gives you an at-a-glance preview of the entire line, and I can say it looks very Vena Cava, which is good news for fans of the label. The day dresses are what really stand out for me; this triangle-print chiffon number is my favorite, I think (although it's hard to pick!). The collection is available now online and in stores starting September 1st.

Nitrolicious reports that the Isabel Toledo for Payless collection is now live; I must say, I'm impressed with how much quirkiness the mass chain let her get away with. Case in point: the totally weird yet awesome High Ghillie booties and the fabulous Belted Poodle boots. My favorite pair, however, is the supersexy Toreador pump--with shoes this hot, who needs leather?

And, finally, in other shoe news, Fashionista reports that the next round of Pierre Hardy for Gap shoes hit stores October 19th and, shockingly, cost only $95. I'll take one of each!

Hot off the heels of their collaboration with Costello Tagliapietra (which is still in stores now), Uniqlo is teaming up with Velvet [subscription required] for a line of knits. Called Uniqlo + Velvet, it features 14 jersey pieces retailing for a very nice $15.90 to $19.90 and hits all 950 Uniqlo stores worldwide on June 17. Expect a casual, Southern California vibe. The collaboration also includes a line of six cashmere pieces that will hit stores in September and retail for $99.90 to $129.90.

Ever since he got unceremoniously dumped from Nina Ricci, the fashion flock has been speculating as to where Olivier Theyskens would end up next. It's not Ungaro, and not Hermes but...Theory. Theyskens is designing a capsule collection for Theory [subscription required], set to hit stores for spring/summer 2011. No further details are available at this time, but as soon as I have some, I will of course share them.

Finally, Pierre Hardy's summer Design Editions shoe collection has hit Gap.com. The four styles range from $65 for the denim espadrilles to $110 for the lace-up wedge sandals, which I have my eye on. Now all Gap needs to do is send me a coupon code, and they will be mine.

Fans of Uniqlo's +J collection, rejoice: Jil Sander has renewed her contract with Uniqlo [subscription required]! The notoriously detail-oriented German minimalist is so pleased with how her first two collections for the fast-fashion chain have turned out, she will continue to work with Uniqlo indefinitely. With her confidence in the future of fashion at a price, it just goes to show how visionary she remains. In related news, Uniqlo is taking over the old Brooks Brothers store at 666 5th Avenue, and the store, which probably won't open until next year, will be more than double the size of the original location. So, in the meantime, don't forget--the Costello Tagliapietra collection hits the Soho store May 20.

Isabel Toledo's shoes and bags for Payless won't hit stores until September, but Nitrolicious has sketches from the upcoming collection, which will include 7 shoes and two bags. Whimsical, no?

Speaking of shoes, Refinery 29 has photos of a Pierre Hardy for Gap fall design; the lace-up boots are reportedly from Gap's main line, but the gray peep-toe booties are Hardy's. All I have to say is: WANT! No details on price or when they hit stores, but as soon as I know anything, I will of course share it. In the meantime, Hardy's spring collection is due in stores next week (May 4th, to be exact). This time, I'm not waiting for my friends & family coupon--those nude wedges must be mine.

And, I totally forgot to mention this last week; bridal is not an area I typically cover, but this is pretty major: Vera Wang is designing a line for David's Bridal [subscription required}. Vera is obviously one of the best-known names in the bridal biz, and David's is, well, a place to go for a relatively inexpensive gown. Wang's dresses can easily run into the five figures, but her line for David's will retail between $600 and $1500, with most of the 20 dresses under $1200. The jury is out on whether this will impact Wang's high-end business; while I would venture that most people who shop a designer's namesake collection don't necessarily shop their masstige collaborations, a wedding dress is something you wear for one day only, and when it comes down to spending $10,000 versus $1,000 for two very similar dresses, I personally would go with the cheaper option. But that might just be me--after all, there's a multi-billion-dollar industry built around giving women their Perfect Day*. Regardless, this is likely to make a lot of brides, who otherwise couldn't afford Vera Wang, quite happy. The line hits David's Bridal stores next spring.

*I haven't yet acknowledged this here, but while I'm on the topic of weddings, I guess this is a good time to note that MW and I are engaged! I hadn't planned on blogging about my wedding, but if anyone is interested, I can talk about dress shopping and the like here. (Several people have asked me if I'm going to start a bridal blog, to which I just laugh.) If you have any opinions on the matter, leave them in the comments below!

If you ask me, one of the most underrated masstige collaborations is Pierre Hardy's Design Edition shoes for the Gap. I have a pair from nearly every collection he's done, and not only are they all incredibly comfortable, but people routinely stop me on the street to ask where I got them. And since Hardy's namesake collection (as well as his shoes for Balenciaga) remains way out of my price range, I am happy to partake. Nitrolicious has photos of his upcoming summer line, which hits select Gap stores May 4th. The nude cork wedges are my favorite pair, but, knowing me, I'll probably buy all three--even so, three pairs of the Gap shoes are still way under what a single pair of regular Pierre Hardy sandals would cost. And, in case you're still interested, Hardy's suede buckle boots have finally hit Gap.com (two months after they arrived in select stores).

Speaking of shoes, have you ever found yourself drooling over Christian Siriano's runway shoes, only to find that his Payless collections contain far more restrained, conservative (and maybe a little disappointing) versions? According to SheFinds, his spring 2010 collection boasts straight-from-the-runway looks, which will retail for $79.99 (a king's ransom at Payless!) and arrive in stores mid-March. I have no idea how I'm going to walk in any of these but, they're so ferosh, for $80, I'll try.

Finally, if Sonia Rykiel's lingerie line for H&M last month didn't whet your appetite for coquettish French clothing, you'll be happy to hear that her full line of knitwear hits stores on February 20th, and The Cut has a video preview of the collection. It's striped, rhinestone-studded, colorful, and, overall, very Sonia Rykiel.

Nitrolicious, as usual, has leaked photos from two upcoming Target collaborations: first, a few advertising images from the Carlos Falchi handbags collection, which hits stores November 1st. She also has leaked photos, here and here, of the Rodate Go International collection, which hits stores December 20th. Based on these images alone, I am getting pretty pumped about Rodarte. As for Carlos Falchi, meh. (Then again, that's usually how I feel about Target's shoe and handbag collaborations.)

But if November and December seem a long way away, The Cut reports that Pierre Hardy's long-awaited fall shoes and boots hit the Gap on October 19th. These boots, which I admit I'm totally lusting after, are $175, which, while not exactly a bargain, is significantly more affordable than a regular-priced pair of Pierre Hardy shoes, which can easily run more than $1,000. That said, I think I'll wait till my Gap Friends & Family coupon turns up—while Pierre Hardy's shoes are always awesome (I own a pair from every Gap collection he's done thus far), they don't sell out nearly as quickly as the Design Editions, thus buying the bargain-inclined among us a little time.

MasstigeWatch!
Now that the Jovovich-Hawk Go International is available at Target, customer reviews have started to trickle in, and as I feared, the collection appears to be ill-fitting and made of mostly synthetic fabrics. The earlier collections, like Paul & Joe and Proenza Schouler, had mostly silk and stretch cotton, but the more recent lines have been heavy on the polyester and rayon. The tops and pants seem to be getting better ratings, however, so perhaps those are worth a try.

I am not a huge fan of synthetic fabrics, but I will gladly wear costume jewelry, so I'm happy to report that Target's next designer collaboration will be with Justin Giunta of Subversive jewelry. Featuring the line's signature clumpy-chic look, the collection will retail for $14.99 to $59.99 (the groovy earrings pictured here are $14.99) and hits stores March 23rd. (What's left of the Dominique Cohen jewelry collection is on major markdown.) Joy Gryson's bags hit stores April 6th, with prices from $19.99 to $49.99 (check out this awesome bag, for $49.99). As for Go International, the next designer confirmed after Jovovich-Hawk is Rogan Gregory, although there's no date yet. So many designer collaborations at Target, so little time...

...which is why Wal-Mart is getting in on the Masstige bandwagon (WWD subscription required). They announced last week that '80s icon Norma Kamali will design a fashion and home line for them, a la Vera Wang for Kohl's. It sounds like a strange pairing, and it is: Kamali is an advocate of the arts and a believer in holistic wellness; Wal-Mart is known for underselling its vendors and refusing to pay benefits to its workers. If you're still intrigued but refuse, as I do, to even set foot in Wal-Mart, the collection will also be available in Kamali's NYC store at 11 W. 56th St. (although it should be noted that there is no Wal-Mart store within the five boroughs of New York City). The line will debut this fall.

Thankfully we do have a Uniqlo in NYC, so we can partake of their upcoming designer collaborations (WWD subscription required): Brazilian Juliana Jabour created six looks that will hit stores later this month (this is one of her dresses--cute, no?); for the guys, Tim Hamilton will also be in stores in a few weeks. Then, in May, downtown girls will be lining up for Alexander Wang and guys can score Loden Dager. I love me some Wang (pun intended), so I will of course keep you updated on the details.

Finally, the Pierre Hardy for Gap shoes are now in stores, but it's not like you'd know, because they're doing so little to publicize it. Besides for blog mentions here and there, the only press I saw was an article in this month's Elle. Also, in the stores and on the website, there is no mention whatsoever of Pierre Hardy's name anywhere--it's lumped in with the European Collection. Now I know most people who shop at the Gap have no idea who Hardy is (for the record, he's a French designer who has a namesake line and also makes all the shoes for Balenciaga and Christian Dior). But think of all the attention that, say H&M and Target get for their Masstige collections--all the press, and all of the foot traffic and curiosity-seekers that they draw. We all know the Gap is in major financial trouble, so don't you think they could benefit from some media attention? Maybe they can't afford to pay a marketing department anymore. Nevertheless, the Times Square Gap by my office had the same shoes that are currently available online; I have my eye on the blue-and-white striped wedge, so I might try the store on 5th Avenue, which, according to Racked, has the entire line in a special popup shop. In the meantime, my other favorite style is the wooden platform sandal pictured here, but keep in mind that only whole European sizes are available, up to 41 (which is a 10)--sorry, big-footed gals.

MasstigeWatch!
Sometime in between Fashion Week and my bout with the flu, I missed some very important information: Pictures of the Jovovich-Hawk Go International collection for Target are online now! Yay--it seems like ages since we've had a good Go. Anyway, the collection is very boho-chic, a look that, according to retailers, is going to be a big hit for this summer (fashion magazines seem split on it--some are pushing a more '80s technicolor trend). I am always up for a little Summer of Love, however, so if you ask me, I think the flowy dresses and pretty floral prints are supercute. Here are some of my favorite looks. The collection drops March 2nd, just in time for my birthday. Hooray!




In other Masstige news, this month's Elle has a nice story on Pierre Hardy, complete with a picture of four of his six designs for the Gap. The line hits stores March 4th, and based on what's in Elle, I think I might need to buy one of each. Let's hear it for cheap shoes!

MasstigeWatch!
Fashion Week Daily reports that Target's next designer accessories collaboration will be with Joy Gryson, the namesake of Gryson bags. All we know so far is that the line will hit stores sometime next year, but I expect more details (and photos!) will leak out after the press preview on December 12th.

And not to be outdone, WWD reports that in February, Gap will debut a line of shoes designed by Pierre Hardy. The shoes will be a very affordable $78-$98 at a select 75 or so Gap stores and will include this awesome gladiator sandal, pictured here. Pierre Hardy shoes normally go for upwards of $500 at stores like Barneys, so I am quite excited about this one.