Cheryl Shops

• Glow-in-the-dark Target style checkout counters (for video paperwork sign off)
• Mission Impossible style laser beams moving around a dark entrance corridor
• Conveyor belt runways + rotating stage
• Conveyor belt hors d'oeuvres (Target accessories laced in)
• Beef carpaccio on pretzel sticks
• Insanely complex stage lighting
• Photo printer that spits out the Instagram photo you tagged just minutes prior 
• Models paid to "push" shopping carts on treadmills during the entire after party

More captures from the show:

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.

Jason Wu has already been on the Today show pimping his Target line, and while I have a feeling it won't quite incite the mass hysteria that Missoni did, I think it will sell out pretty quickly. The collection of clothes, bags, and scarves retails for $19.99 to $59.99 and hits stores February 5th. Here are some of my favorites.

Blush blouse ($34.99), lace-print skirt ($29.99), lace clutch ($29.99)

Pleated top ($32.99), pleated skirt ($29.99), lace clutch ($29.99)
Flared dress ($59.99)
Straw flap bag ($39.99)
Cat print scarf ($19.99)




For those of you who like a similar Zooey Deschanel-like aesthetic, Refinery29 reports that New Zealand designer Karen Walker is creating a lower-priced line for Anthropologie, called Hi There From Karen Walker. No word on pricing or exact dates, but it hits stores sometime in March. Check out R29's rather extensive slideshow for a good preview of the nautical-flavored looks, like this cute dress.


For the Zac Posen fans out there, he's designing a special line of 12 dresses exclusively for Lord & Taylor under his Z Spoke label. The collection will hit stores in April and will retail for $149-$199, less than half of what a typical Z Spoke dress usually goes for. No photos (nor exact dates) available yet, but I will post them as soon as I have them.

Finally, for those of you who can't wait for Mary Katrantzou's upcoming Topshop collaboration (due in stores next month), you can buy one of her Longchamp bags right now on the Colette website. Prices range from 55 Euros ($72) for a makeup case to 350 Euros ($456) for a structured tote; the signature Le Pliage bags run 95-160 Euros ($124-$208).

It's been so long since I've done a MasstigeWatch post, but so many exciting things are happening in the world of masstige (not to mention the surprise Missoni Christmas presents some Target customers have received).

To kick off the New Year, a few Jason Wu for Target images have leaked to the press—Lucky has an ad campaign images as well as a few choice shots from the lookbook. While Wu is not exactly my style, this looks like a promising collection for fans of his ladylike looks. It hits stores in a month (!) on February 5th, however I anticipate having more lookbook images before then.

But as for masstige collections I'm really, truly excited for, H&M unveiled yet another powerhouse collaboration with Marni, due in stores March 8th. To add another layer of awesomeness, Sofia Coppola will direct the ads. I am particularly excited because March 8th is a Thursday, meaning (hopefully) people won't be camping out overnight for a chance at the goods, and thus I might actually be able to purchase something. I, of course, will share more photos as they're available.

And speaking of H&M, remember the Versace collection last November? Of course you do. Well, there's a part two of sorts, an online-exclusive resort collection due January 19th. The catch? H&M doesn't have e-commerce in the U.S. yet, so consider yourselves lucky, European readers! Fashionista has a preview of the entire collection, should you want to lust over it from afar.

After the Missoni collection, which was, by all accounts, a galloping disaster, Target announced that MObama favorite Jason Wu is their next designer collaboration. The line hits stores February 5 and will retail for $19.99-$59.99. According to Nitrolicious, who attended the super-top-secret press preview, the collection's muse is a black cat named Milu. Okay.

If February is a bit too far away for you, Target has three accessory collaborations hitting stores before then, October 30th to be exact. The first is a line of 14 hats by Albertus Swanepoel, all for just $19.99. This is particularly noteworthy because Swanepoel is a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund recipient, and a similar hat to the one pictured here is on sale at J.Crew for $178, nearly 10 times the price of Target's version! Also in stores that date: Dana Kellin's jewelry ($9.99-$49.99) and Asian-themed lingerie by Josie Natori for $9.99-$34.99.


Finally, if you're excited about the upcoming Versace for H&M line, you can...get more excited with the campaign images, which have been slowly trickling out to the interwebs. Fashionista has 'em; Mert & Marcus shot 'em; and Versace supes Daphne Groeneveld, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Lindsey Wixson, and Sasha Pivovarova feature prominently. The collection hits stores November 17th—think it's worth waiting in line for?

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.

Considering Missoni for Target hits stores in just about a month (September 13, to be exact), it's time for a first look at the campaign images! Because I'm Addicted has 'em, and let me just say, that Missoni bike was no pipe dream! And the rugs, the vases, the linens...it all looks awesome! I can only hope they have sheets and towels--I've been lusting after the real deal for years now (adding to my list of things I should have registered for...).

I'm expecting full collection images any day now and will post lookbook shots as soon as I have them!

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 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 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.