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 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...

Just announced today, Vena Cava is designing for Bloomingdale's Aqua line. Aqua is always one of my go-to sources for trendy and fairly inexpensive but well-made clothes--think of it as a step above the Forever 21s and H&Ms of the world. As far as designer lines go, Vena Cava isn't terribly expensive to begin with (you can find their dresses on sale for less than $200), but based on their upcoming Viva Vena line (in stores this fall) and now this collaboration, it's obvious the VC girls are casting a wider net, and I will gladly take the bait.

At long last, the East Harlem Target is finally opening this Sunday, and to commemorate the occasion, the chain will debut a mini masstige collection inspired by the neighborhood. Target's Harlem collection features dresses by '70s uptown designer Stephen Burrows, and beach towel sand swimwear designed respectively by husband-and-wife duo Ruben and Isabel Toledo. Nylon has a preview, and while the Isabel Toledo bikini has been getting all of the blog attention, I find myself most drawn the the towels, particularly this butterfly one. The collection will be available at the East Harlem Target starting Sunday, and online and in select Target stores starting August 1st.

Speaking of Target, they've been offering one-off designer exclusives in their Red Hot Shop. Currently they have this cute Geren Ford dress for sale. It's $89.99, which is a bit high for Tar-zhay, but it's 100% silk and very Geren Ford (whose signature dresses normally retail in the $300-$400 range).

Forever 21 is apparently hoping to become known more for its designer collaborations than its designer lawsuits: It announced a first collab with Brian Lichtenberg, who apparently dresses Beyoncé and the Kardashian sister but is probably best known for "designing" Lady Gaga's caution-tape ensemble in her "Telephone" video. The collection will feature mostly tanks for women and men, and it hits select stores August 13. You can read about it on Forever 21's blog, The Skinny (yes, really).

Finally, Fashionista is reporting that Erin Wasson x RVCA is dunzo, since Billabong announced it was buying the surf-and-skate-inspired line last week. Which is all well and good; there's always their collaboration with Rumi Neely.

To many, this coming Sunday, March 7th, is the Oscars. To me, it's the day Jean Paul Gaultier's Designer Collaboration hits Target. Racked National has a selection of images; some of the complete looks are a bit much, but there are many great pieces, such as this sunshiny yellow sundress.

Equally as exciting, a week later, Target drops its Liberty of London collaboration on Sunday, March 14th. The line is filled with swimsuits, rompers, accessories, and this fantastic maxi dress, all in the British department store's signature floral prints. (Are maxi dresses over? When they're as awesome as this one, who cares?) Check out a very robust preview at Refinery 29.

Racked NY was at Uniqlo this morning to cover the latest J+ arrivals; you can read their report here. As for Uniqlo's other designer collections, my friend The Shophound reports that this year's collaborations will be all Japanese designers, although whether they'll actually hit the Soho store remains to be seen. Then again, when you have Jil Sander, do you need anyone else?

Finally, if you haven't checked it out already, there's still plenty of inventory left in Narcisco Rodriguez's collection for eBay. Prices are a bit higher than the average masstige effort, however, this is Narcisco we're talking about, and, really, can you find a hotter dress than this for $250?

Soon after advertising images of Jean Paul Gaultier's collection for Target appeared last week, the lookbook was leaked to Refinery 29. They've since taken it down as per Target's wishes, but Racked still has it up! The collection is kind of all over the place but has many Gaultier signatures (sharp tailoring, stripes, tattoo prints). The styling is a little everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, but there definitely appear to be some standout pieces, like this trenchcoat at right. Gear up for March 7th, ladies.

Fashionista has slightly better-quality pictures of the Zac Posen for Target lookbook, which has a lot of very Zac flirty dresses and sexy one-piece swimsuits. Prices for this line appear to be a bit higher than usual, which only makes me hope this means they've used nicer fabrics than the last few collaborations, which suffered from major synthetic usage (ahem, Rodarte). This very summery dress (and several other worthy contenders) hit stores April 25.

It figures just when I write a MasstigeWatch post, big news drops the next day. Nevertheless, Fashionista reports that Tucker, designed by Gaby Basora, will be the next Go International designer, following Jean Paul Gaultier's designer collaboration in March and Zac Posen's Go collection in April (Fashionista estimates Tucker's line will hit stores mid-summer). This is significant for two reasons: 1) Tucker is probably the least-known designer yet that Target has selected (I will admit, I had to do a search to put an aesthetic with a name), and 2) Fashionista broke this news (usually Target leaks news to Women's Wear Daily). It should be noted that Fashionista has a new co-editor, Lauren Sherman, who, having worked at Forbes for years, likely has an extensive network of business-side fashion sources. I look forward to reading the new Fashionista.

And speaking of Target, the first camera-phone leaks of Jean Paul Gaultier's upcoming designer collaboration have hit the interwebs, via Fashin's live journal page. From what I can tell, it's stripes, jersey, trench coats...in other words, very Gaultier, and very promising (I hope). Gaulter hits Tar-zhay le 7 de Mars (or March 7th for those who ne parlent pas francais).

Finally, the latest installment of Jil Sander's +J collection for Uniqlo hit stores this morning, and the best coverage of what's available comes to you from Racked. Reportedly the spring collection will be rolled out gradually (as opposed to being dropped all on one day like fall's was), which will hopefully allow people like me a chance to buy something this time.

Proving the theory I espoused last month--that if a "rumor" about Target turns up in WWD, it's generally true--Target announced that Jean Paul Gaultier will indeed be its next designer collaboration [subscription required]. The collection hits 250 Target stores (and Target.com) March 7th; Anna Sui was in 600 stores, so this will be a much smaller distribution. The previous two designer collaborations, with Alexander McQueen and Sui, were both inspired by pop culture figures; as of now, no information is available on who Gaultier's inspiration will be. (Madonna, maybe?) I think Gaultier is an interesting choice for Target, which, until now has picked pretty hot and influential designers, from Proenza Schouler to Rodarte. Gaultier has a loyal following--and he is a master tailor, not to mention the first couturier to collaborate with Target--but I'd venture to say his influence peaked in the '90s. Then again, with the '80s-'90s revival that's been happening on the runways, perhaps it's time for a Gaultier renaissance.

And, I feel like I might have linked to this already, but The Cut has full images from the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection. I must say, I am sick of writing about this collaboration, and it doesn't hit stores for another three weeks. Still, the dresses (particularly the studded mini and the black maxi) are looking better than ever to me. Looks like I'll be standing in line after all.

This week's big news is that French icon Sonia Rykiel will design two lines for H&M [subscription required]: The first collection, of holiday lingerie, will hit 1,500 H&M stores (and 90-odd Sonia Rykiel boutiques) worldwide on December 5th; the second, featuring knitwear and accessories for women and girls, drops in 250 H&M stores February 20th. While I am definitely more excited about the later collection than the lingerie--H&M doesn't make bras in my size, although I'm assuming there will be some coquettish nighties and undies--this is definitely good news, as Rykiel has a très Parisienne sense of style that I feel really hasn't had much exposure stateside (she has only two stores in the U.S., in New York and Boston). H&M's designer collaborations also tend to be more well made than, say, Target's. The only downside: They sell out like hotcakes. (Sonia Rykiel photo from WWD.com)

Speaking of H&M, Nitrolicious has images of the entire Jimmy Choo H&M women's collection. While I certainly don't agree with this blogger, the collection is definitely a bit...flashy. But fabulously so. I actually think the clothes might be more interesting than the shoes; I'm particularly taken with the slit-up-to-there black maxi dress pictured at right. I also would not mind getting my hands on those over-the-knee boots. But, then again, I am not fond of queuing up for hours in Midtown. If you are, Jimmy Choo for H&M hits stores November 14th.

Fashionista reports that Mark Fast will design a line for Topshop; if you weren't following London Fashion Week news last week, Fast quickly created a publicity frenzy by sending several "plus size" models down the runway (and by "plus size", I mean approximately a U.S. size 10). His uber-sexy open-work dresses (bodycon, as the British say) will hit stores sometime next spring.

And speaking of Topshop, I stopped by the store on Saturday to see if they had any Christopher Kane left; to my surprise, they had a ton, and it was all front and center as soon as you walked into the store. The line is not cheap: The most inexpensive item is an embellished scarf for $60, and the more intricate dresses and shoes go above $300. This may be particularly distressing to you if you are not a fan of synthetic fabrics (a few items are cotton, but most are nylon or polyester). However, everything is very intricately detailed with crystals, grommets, and mirrored pailettes, and I was impressed with the fit of everything I tried on (except for the crocodile T-shirt, which was cut so huge, I was swimming even in a size 4). My favorite piece was the eyelet skirt; I think I might go back later this week to get it. I also liked the crocodile dress, but I don't know how keen I am on having a menacing animal's mouth at the level of my you-know-what.

Finally, WWD published an article at the end of Fashion Week, instigating that Jean-Paul Gaultier may be next in Target's Designer Collaboration series [subscription required], although no one would confirm that, and as of now, there haven't been any follow-ups. Still, I would estimate that 100% of the rumors about Target's masstige collaborations leaked to WWD turn out to be true, so barring any major disasters, I think we can safely say this one is a sure thing. Normally I would be very excited about this, but considering how unpredictable the quality of Target's merchandise can be, I will reserve judgment until I see actual product.

UPDATE: I forgot two totally relevant bits of information! The first is that Jil Sander's collection for Uniqlo hits stores tomorrow, October 1st! I knew I was forgetting something very important! The second is that fashionista-favorite Ruffian is designing a line for Anthropologie [subscription required]. It's called Mise en Scene, includes both clothing and housewares, and will hit 55 Anthropologie stores in November.

MasstigeWatch: Anna Sui for Target
Anna Sui's collection for Target doesn't hit stores until Sunday, but being the privileged New Yorkers that we are, we get to shop the line early, thanks to a handy pop-up shop that's opening in Soho just in time for Fashion's Night Out. As you likely already know, the collaboration is inspired by Gossip Girl's four female characters--Serena, Blair, Jenny, and Vanessa--but draws heavily on Anna Sui's archive, which is good news for her fans who haven't always been able to afford the runway looks. I am also happy to report that, like spring's Alexander McQueen collaboration, the prices--and therefore, the quality--appear to run a bit higher than the Go Internationals; in other words, expect pieces in silk, leather, and cotton. So to help you maximize your time inside the pop-up store, here are my favorite looks from the collection.

The Blair looks are full of super-feminine dresses; I am not so sure a woman of my age can pull them off well, but if I were still in my 20s, I'd be all over these. My favorite Blair look is this lace dress ($69.99), which reminds me also of something Mia Farrow would've worn in Rosemary's Baby. It's very sweet, but a little sexy too.


The Vanessa looks probably won't work for me either, but only because of the color palette--if you are an "autumn," these are for you. This retro varsity cardigan ($44.99) and silk (!) wrap dress ($59.99) is a vast improvement over much of the kooky "I'm from Brooklyn" costumes Vanessa wears on the show.


The Serena styles are definitely more my speed. This looks like a pretty nice leather jacket for $149.99 (similar styles by contemporary designers can run into the high three figures), and the satin shift ($59.99) looks like a fun party dress for those who, like me, qualify as "ruler" shapes.


Speaking of party dresses, this metallic bouclé dress ($69.99) has feather trim at the bust, and it totally seems like something Serena would wear to a Meatpacking District bar, or to a party she throws in her apartment while Lily is off galavanting around with Rufus.


But I suspect Ms. Sui felt a kinship with the rebellious, fashion-obsessed character of Jenny, since her looks seem most representative of Anna Sui in general. Take, for example, this printed off-the-shoulder silk dress ($59.99), which seems so Sui to me.


I also love this mixed-print silk tunic ($49.99), which you can layer for the fall or wear on its own in warmer weather.


My absolute favorite look--which I've written about before--is this ruched-trim nylon jacket ($79.99) over a printed silk wrap dress ($59.99). The jacket is a cute update of a totally practical style, and the dress is completely versatile. I'm totally making a beeline for these two pieces on Thursday night.


The Anna Sui pop-up shop is open 9/10-9/12 from 11-8 at 54 Crosby St. (Spring & Broome Sts.). Otherwise, the collection hits your local Target store on Sunday, September 13.

MasstigeWatch!
Nitrolicious has pictures this to-die-for over-the-knee boot from the forthcoming Jimmy Choo for H&M collection, hitting stores November 14th. H&M confirms that the boot is real leather, and will retail for $299. Since over-the-knee boots are one of the hottest items for fall, one can only imagine how coveted these will be.

And: This isn't quite masstige per se, but tucked into Fashion Scoops in last week's WWD was this tasty tidbit:

Temperley London’s world is about to get a little larger. The London-based ready-to-wear label will launch a second line for spring, with slightly lower price points than the main collection. Prices for the line, which is yet to be named, will run from $50 to $500, according to sources close to the company.

So this is definitely good news for the Alice Temperley lovers out there who find the main collection a bit on the pricey side ($50-$500 is significantly lower than her regular line). I will, of course, share more details as I have them.

Finally, Anna Sui's Gossip Girl–themed collection for Target doesn't hit stores until September 13th, but Target is opening a special pop-up shop in Soho in time for Fashion's Night Out next Thursday. The store will be open 9/10-9/12; The Cut has the details. As for the collection itself, I will show you my favorite looks sometime in the next few days.

MasstigeWatch!
It doesn't hit stores for another two months, but Target has released photos of the Gossip Girl-inspired Anna Sui Designer Collaboration, and The Cut has 'em all. I think the Blair outfits are the most true to the character, but, surprisingly, I liked the Jenny outfits the best (the one at the right is my favorite). The collection definitely looks very Anna Sui, and, as Nylon points out, a lot of the looks are recycled from the runway. Hey, no complaints here! The Anna Sui Designer Collaborations line lands in select Target stores September 13th.

MasstigeWatch!
The big news this week is that Anna Sui will design a Designer Collaborations collection for Target [subscription required]! Even more awesome is the fact that the collection is inspired by Gossip Girl, specifically the four female leads. While Sui's namesake collection is more contemporary-priced than that of most of Target's designer collaborators (her dresses are downright affordable if you can find them on sale), this masstige outing will definitely let her reach a broader audience. No word on prices--and no pictures yet--but the line will hit a select 250 Target stores (and target.com) on September 13th, just in time for back to school (and, one would guess, the new season of Gossip Girl).

Speaking of Target, the Tracy Feith Go International collection hits stores next Sunday, May 17th!

Today, the Shipley & Halmos and Gilded Age collaborations hit Uniqlo, but, as Racked reports, well, no one really cared.

Finally, the summer portion of the Matthew Williamson for H&M collection hits most H&M stores next Thursday, May 14th. Unlike the previous portion, this less luxurious, more mainstream batch will be available in nearly every H&M store worldwide, and it also includes men's looks. You can preview the collection on the H&M website--it's indeed very summery, with caftans, swimsuits, and lots of great dresses, many with a peacock motif. It's very luxe-bohemian, which makes it perfect for summer. While Williamson is generally not quite my cup of tea, I have my eye on several pieces from this line. Hopefully it won't sell out as quickly as the last!

MasstigeWatch!
As was leaked last month, Uniqlo has a very downtown coterie of designer collaborations lined up for spring [subscription required]: Steven Alan for women and Opening Ceremony for men hit stores in March; Shipley & Halmos for women and Gilded Age for men bow in May. Price ranges for all four lines will be a very wallet-friendly $19-$79. So while none of these lines are really anything to go crazy about, I'm sure they will be well made and quietly cool, as the previous Uniqlo designer collaborations have been.

If you're more excited about the McQ for Target collection, Target already has a microsite up and running; it helpfully counts down the days until the March 4th launch, and you can also preview a few looks and listen to a song by The Duke Spirit (singer Leila Moss was McQueen's inspiration for the line). But if you're like me and realized--oh, shit!--you're going to be on vacation when the collection hits stores, you're in luck: Racked reports that Target will open a pop-up shop, called the Target McQ Market, 2/14-15 from noon to 10 p.m., at 330 West Street, in the far West Village, a block north of Houston. Yep, it will be packed with all the fashionistas in town for Fashion Week (I'll have to strategically time my visit during one of the big shows that I'm not invited to), but, damnit, I must have that jumpsuit!

MasstigeWatch!
I'm going to cut right to the chase: Nylon has a preview of the McQ Alexander McQueen for Target collection (as I reported back in August and November), and it's very, very good. But if I could pick only one piece from the collection, it would be the jumpsuit, which is a very close approximation of this McQ tux jumpsuit, currently on sale for $614 at La Garçonne. It will be mine--oh, yes, it will be mine. The best part? The collection hits stores March 1, just in time for my birthday. If that's not serendipity, I don't know what is.

MasstigeWatch!
Just two weeks ago, Alexander McQueen's collection for Target was confirmed; now, today, we have an article in WWD [subscription required], complete with pictures and interviews! Since you likely can't read the article, here's the pertinent info: The McQ Alexander McQueen Designer Collaboration will hit only 250 select Target stores starting March 1st, as well as target.com, and nothing will cost more than $129.99. Here's muse Lelia Moss modeling one look from the collection. Get excited!





In the meantime, we have Michelle Obama fave Thakoon's Go International collection hitting Target in November; Nylon has a sneak preview. I love the batik prints, and it looks like many of the pieces are cotton, which is a plus, since so many of the previous Go Internationals have suffered from Cheap Fabric Syndrome. More details as soon as they're available...

MasstigeWatch!
There are not many sure things in the fashion industry, but a pretty safe bet is when any rumor about Target's designer collaborations is leaked to Women's Wear Daily, it's likely to be true. They reported back in August that Alexander McQueen was in talks to design a Go International collection for the retailer; that rumor has now been confirmed, somewhat. The line, McQ Alexander McQueen for Target, will be based on McQueen's lower-priced McQ contemporary line, and it won't be part of Go International, which has traditionally showcased up-and-coming designers. Instead, the line will be the first installment of Designer Collaborations, an ongoing initiative to bring established high-end designers to Target shoppers (and, presumably, to help fill the void left by the departure of the Isaac Mizrahi line). Inspired by Leila Moss, the smokin'-hot singer of The Duke Spirit (pictured above), McQueen's collection will have a rock-and-roll edge, with lots of skinny jeans, bubble dresses, studded trim, and graphic tees. It arrives in stores March 1st--just in time for my birthday--and stays for six weeks. Mark your calendars!