Cheryl Shops

I haven't been writing about designer-mass collaborations lately because, to be honest, I am totally fatigued by them. (And, apparently, I'm not the only one.) Poor quality, too-high prices, crazy crowds, over-hyped...mass-market was starting to equal mass-headache. Masstige had jumped the shark.

But then today I got the Prabal Gurung for Target lookbook in my inbox, and call me fickle, but it's a game changer. Literally, it has reaffirmed my belief in masstige and inspired me to write this post. It is truly that good. Let's take a look, shall we?

I mean, I'll just take one of everything. But, for the record:
Sweatshirt in First Date print, $29.99   
Pencil skirt in Dresden Blue/Sulfur Spring, $29.99 
Tote in Nolita print, $39.99 
Bangle in Nolita print/Sulfur Spring, $16.99 
Bangle in First Date print/Dresden Blue, $16.99 
Bangle in Calypso Coral print/black, $16.99 
Wedge sandals in black/gray/white, $29.99


Lace-up pumps in black, Nolita print** and Apple Red*, $39.99 each

Ok, back to the clothes. The dresses may take the cake.
Short-sleeve dress in First Date print/black, $39.99 
Miniaudiere in Nolita print, $34.99 Floral necklace in multicolor, $39.99
Crystal teardrop pendant necklace in black, $19.99 
Crystal teardrop necklace in black, $39.99 
Wedge sandals in Apple Red, $29.99

And for the print-averse, there are a lot of cute solid and colorblocked styles, like this sweetly sexy dress.
Pintuck dress in black/white, $49.99 
Lace miniaudiere in black, $34.99 
Floral earrings in Calypso Coral, $14.99** 
Ankle-strap heels in Apple Red, $39.99

The collection hits Target stores and Target.com February 10. And, for once, I will be there opening day.

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?