Jean Paul Gaultier rocks the house with ‘Designer Collaborations’ collection at Target

If you’ve had enough of the winter (we’re talking to you snowstorms), you’re probably already checking out spring fashions and deciding what to buy. Well so are we! And one of the must-buys on our list is a few pieces from the Jean Paul Gaultier for Target collection. The collection launches March 7, as part of Target’s ‘Designer Collaborations’ series. Gaultier is the third designer in the series, which features “well-established designers who draw inspiration from a collaborative partner, muse or creative element.”

Since we just couldn’t wait to see it in stores, so we stole a peek at the looks from Nitrolicious (via Refinery 29) and we likey! So, it’s not the most cohesive collection (Tim, Heidi, Nina and Michael might not approve) but still, the individual items are worth a trip to Target. We spy lovely floral print dresses and skirts, some covetable spring trench coats, bombers and moto jackets (especially loving the two-tone black jacket with red underside flaps!), tattoo print leggings, graphic tees with side ties, Breton-inspired striped tops, bathing suits, solid cardigans, gingham bustiers – you name it! As Tim Gunn would say, there’s a whole lotta look here but at least there’s something for everyone!

From JPG:
“My collection with Target pays homage to the wide range of personalities that make up the diverse styles of American women. From ingénue to rock ‘n roll, this collection celebrates women of all ages and a host of distinctive, iconic American styles.”

What will you be buying? (Click images to view larger)

Exclusive Rachel Roy + Estelle Facebook pop-up shop

At last year’s Fashion’s Night Out, I visited the RACHEL Rachel Roy pop-up store and it was amazing. There was a graffiti wall, a drag queen DJ, celebrity appearances and of course, Rachel Roy’s hot collection of apparel and accessories for Macy’s. Well, if you didn’t get a chance to make it, don’t worry – next week Rachel will be hosting a digital pop-up store on her Facebook page.

Rachel Roy, along with singer (and her close friend) Estelle, created a limited-edition jewelry collection. If you’re her fan on Facebook, you’ll get a chance to preview – (and shop!) the collection before it even goes into stores. The pop-up shop launches on February 9 and will stay open for only three days. You’ll have the chance to buy Rachel and Estelle’s collaborative jewelry collection includes funky rings, ear cuffs, and statement necklaces. Prices will range from $34 - $50. Plus, you will get the chance to buy an ultra-exclusive full-finger petal ring that was designed for Rachel & Estelle’s closest fashion and music friends. The petal ring will only be available through Facebook!

Mark your calendar to shop this exclusive sale of February 9!

Click to fan Rachel on Facebook

For more on Rachel Roy, visit Rachel Roy online.

Barbie Basics LBD Collection - event recap

Yesterday I told you about the Barbie Basics LBD collection of dolls. Well, I had the chance to preview the one-of-a-kind designer dolls last night at Openhouse Gallery. The Kir Royale cocktails were flowing, the hors d’oeuvres were being passed and I got a chance to catch up with some of my favorite fashion bloggers. Then came the unveiling. Oh boy! If only I could have Barbie’s one-of-a-kind outfits for myself! The looks were everything you’d expect – and more! All of the dolls were styled amazingly, but my faves had to be the Betsey Johnson Barbie with the wide sheer skirt, the Devi Kroell Barbie with mirrored pants and an ‘exotic’ handbag, the Lorraine Schwartz Barbie with $10,000 of real diamonds on it, and the Subversive Barbie with a chunky, layered pearl necklace! Icing on the cake – designer Justin Giunta (Subversive) was there and told me about his inspiration for accessorizing Barbie, his jewelry line and his upcoming jewelry collaboration with Tory Burch!

Overall, all of the dolls were nothing short of fabulous! And as promised, bidding has begun on the dolls so if you want to get your hands on these one-of-a-kind designer dolls, whip out your credit cards and snap up one – or a few! Proceeds will benefit CFDA education and scholarship programs.

Make sure to follow Barbie on Twitter (@BarbieStyle) and check out her blog, where CFDA designer Justin Giunta has a guest blog about his designer doll.

Special thanks to Attention PR, Steven Kolb - Executive Director, CFDA, and Stephanie Cota - SVP, Barbie for hosting this event!

Photos via Racked and TrendHunter

Barbie Basics black label collection of little black dresses

Barbie is the luckiest girl in the world. Who else can say that they have a closet full of little black dresses (LBDs), designed just for them by 12 of the world’s top designers?

To celebrate the launch of Mattel’s new Barbie Basics doll, featuring twelve customized Barbies with varying hairstyles, skin tones and a basic LBD and accessories, the company also invited Council of Fashion Designers America (CFDA) designers to customize twelve one-of-a-kind dresses for Barbie. Designers include Deborah Lloyd (Kate Spade), Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Roy, Tory Burch, Alexis Bittar, Betsey Johnson, Devi Kroell, Justin Giunta (Subversive), and Monica Botkier. Wouldn’t you just love to have a closet full of their stuff?

Each designer is auctioning their doll on eBay until February 7. Starting bid is $100 and net proceeds will go to the CFDA’s education program and scholarships.

And tonight, I’ll be tweeting live from the first-ever Barbie tweet-up, where we’ll get to take a peek at these one-of-a-kind dolls. Follow us on Twitter: we’re @WhatsHaute!

And follow @BarbieStyle for more updates on the dolls!

Narciso Rodriguez for eBay

Though we seem to be moving out of the great recession, shoppers are still cautious about spending money. So it’s great that designers are recognizing this and continuing to create lower-priced lines that we can all afford.

Narciso Rodriguez just announced his collaboration with eBay. You may have heard of him – he only dressed First Lady Michelle Obama on election night. His eBay line launches on February 15, 2010 and represents the designer’s first-ever original capsule collection. The collection will consist of eight-piece limited-edition pieces of streamlined silhouettes, color block style and in a red, black and white color palette. In other words: signature Narciso. Wonder if Mrs. Obama will be shopping. We’ll be watching.

The collection will range from $65 - $350, and will be available in sizes 0 to 14. Shop exclusively through the Narciso Rodriguez eBay store.

Photo via WWD

Burberry collabs with Colette to create exclusive new studded trench

Bored with the basic Burberry trench? Good news – there’s a brand new, edged up trench in the works. Burberry designed this exclusive trench coat for concept store, Colette and while the tan trench is classic Burberry, the new design is much more modern. Read: punk couture. Ruched and pleated details at the shoulders and front. Gold spiky studs covering the signature tartan print on the underside of the collar. Very Naomi Campbell meets Rihanna. Without the phone throwing and the umbrella, of course.

On sale at Colette, from February 22 – 27. Coats will be priced from 1995 to 2495 euros.

Thakoon debuts modern pearl and diamond baubles for Tasaki

June babies got the short end of the stick being born in June. No gemstone to speak of, just a pearl for a birthstone. Yes pearls are rare and beautiful but we’ve never felt compelled to buy them. Until now. Thai designer Thakoon Panichgul was recently named creative director of Tasaki, a high-end Japanese jeweler and this week debuted his line of pearl jewelry and diamond jewelry for the company. The result is a modern take on pearls - edgy gold bands with several pearls dangling from a necklace, pearls on two-finger gold rings, safety-pin accessorized lariat necklaces and chain-link bracelets.

Thakoon told Women’s Wear Daily: “I really wanted to just go back to the DNA of what Tasaki’s about, which is beautiful pearls, beautiful materials and beautiful diamonds. I wanted to put some youthful spirit into pearls.”

The line will be available in April at Tasaki’s Ginza, Tokyo store. Love the looks, but - get ready to clutch your pearls - prices start at $5,577 up to $39,041. Guess we’ll be embracing Thakoon’s take on our birthstone from afar.

Images via FabSugar

Target news bits: Zac Posen, Rodarte and Target To-Go

Mark your calendars: word has it design wonder Zac Posen recently announced he’ll be the next to do a line for Target. We recently got all excited when we told you about his lower-priced line, Z Spoke by Zac Posen, and now Target too? We are so loving all of these high-end designers doing clothes for the masses (at prices for the masses). Look out for it on April 25, 2010 (runs through May 30). Prices are rumored to start at $15. Yes!
While we wait for Zac at Target, get ready to shop the Rodarte for Target line (in stores December 20). The piece we’re craving is the sequin ribcage dress ($49.99). How can you NOT love it? Check out a sneak peek of the rest of the Rodarte for Target collection here.

And if you’re in NYC and don’t feel like hopping a train to the ‘burbs to shop for holiday gifts at Target, don’t fret! Target To-Go, a three-day pop-up shop, is opening December 11. It’s a walk-up holiday shopping event and will stock the hottest mix of 50 holiday gifts - from fashion, beauty, toys to electronics and includes five pieces from the Rodarte collaboration! Walk up and pick up your gifts, already wrapped and ready To-Go!

Target To-Go will be open three days only, from Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, at Gansevoort and Washington Streets, at the High Line entrance.

At the opening on December 11, Target will present families in need, chosen by The Salvation Army, with a $100 Target GiftCard for a head start on their holiday shopping.

Where The Wild Things are at Opening Ceremony

Where the Wild Things Are, one of my favorite books from childhood has just been released as a film and now, the icing on the cake is a themed fashion collection based on the characters. The line is a collaboration between director Spike Jonze and Opening Ceremony. This limited-edition collection was inspired the furry creatures in the film and consists of faux fur men’s and women’s wear, including coats, skirts and vests for women; parkas and bombers for men. There’s cool silver and brass jewelry too, including rings, cuffs and necklaces. But please, stay away from the Max furry rabbit raccoon suits. It only looks good in the movie!

Prices range from $20 to $895. What are your thoughts on the collection? Will you be seeing the movie?

Click to watch the movie trailer here.

 

 

 

Fashion’s Night Out #FNO09: Anna Sui for Target pop-up shop

I recently reviewed the Anna Sui for Target collection so I knew what to expect upon entering the store. The store was cutely decorated in newspapers covering the walls with the headline “Anna Sui for Target”. It was laid out like a closet, with each Gossip Girl character the collection was based on, grouped in separate areas. Models lounged in chairs and sofas throughout. My favorites were the “Blair Waldorf” dresses. I tried on the blue belted mini dress but it was way too big. Unfortunately by the time I arrived, all of the selection had been picked over and only mostly extra large sizes were left. So I guess I’ll be picking up my pieces in Target when the collection rolls out in stores on September 13th!

In New York? Visit the store:
Anna Sui for Target pop-up store:
54 Crosby St.
Thursday, September 10th, 11 pm - 11 pm
Friday, September 11th, 11 pm - 11 pm
Saturday, September 12th, 11 pm - 8 pm

Stay tuned to What’s Haute for New York Fashion Week coverage!

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