Zac Posen for Target (or, a Holiday Miracle)

After gushing incessantly about Rodarte for Target, the mega-chain has given me another reason to swoon: Zac Posen is slated to design a collection for Target's Go International series. According to WWD, the collection will be available April 25 till May 30, 2010, both in-store and online.

Just recently, Posen unveiled his Z Spoke line at Saks, a "budget-friendly" collection, starting with t-shirts retailing at $78. As The Cut points out, the Target line may further spike the rumors that the label is suffering financially.

Regardless, I'm stoked. I fell quite blissfully in love with the designer in college, when I was fortunate enough to snag a last-minute ticket to the Zac Posen Spring 2008 RTW show during Fashion Week (who knew interning could have such exquisite perks?). Although that particular collection was heavily criticized, Posen's creations, and the runway show, reflected the designer's knack for totally transforming the viewer's experience into a fantastical dream.

Not a lot has been revealed about the Target collection, i.e. price point or design influences, but I'm sure something will leak online sooner or later. I'll keep you posted.

Top image, Zac Posen RTW Spring 2010. Bottom image, Z Spoke Spring 2010. Both Images via WWD.com.

Change Is Good

In the tradition of all great fashion moments, I have given my blog a makeover (Agyness Deyn's new brunette look is on my mind right now). Regardless, I'd like to thank my ever-patient and enthusiastic family and friends for helping me put it together. Most of all, I'd like to thank the queen of ridiculously awesome makeovers, Sam - my very dear friend who decided to show up to our prom (in Texas) rocking a golden tan and a bright pink updo. To this date, it's still one of the most inspiring, and utterly ballsy, looks I've ever seen.

Cheers!


Image of Agyness Deyn via ry.com.au

Happy Thanksgiving - Schlump in Style

Check out my post on Urban Darling this week - dedicated to all of you who would rather spend the holidays watching movies on your couch (don't get me wrong, that's my m.o. as well). Happy Thanksgiving!

Michelle Obama Wears Rachel Roy and Naeem Khan

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur arrived at the White House yesterday. When speaking about the evening's reception, Michelle Obama wore a dress by American-born Indian designer Rachel Roy, and in the evening, she wore a dress by Indian-American designer, Naeem Khan. According to Mrs. O/The Cut:

"The strapless gown features hand cut sterling silver sequins sewn on nude silk chiffon, which create an abstract floral pattern. The dress is entirely handmade, requiring three weeks of work by 40 people, completed in Naeem Kahn's family workshop in India."

Supposedly Khan's instructions were to create something "Indian, chic, simple, but very glamorous."

I think this dress looks stunning on Michelle Obama, as most clothes do on her, and I love that she made the effort to patron American-Indian designers for the occasion (shout out to the motherland). While the dress doesn't necessarily speak to the brightly-hued glittery saris of the western imagination, the intricate, delicate work, the craftsmanship, and the fluid fabrics are key factors in Indian eveningwear, both modern and traditional.

Top Image via The Cut, bottom Images via Mrs. O.

Ballet & Bolts: Thank You, Alexander McQueen

Today, I received the link to this Interview post, penned by Ana Finel Honigman. Yet again, I'm overwhelmed by Alexander McQueen's distinct vision, particularly when designing unrivaled accessories.

McQueen's Titanic Ballet Pump, from the Spring 2010 collection, is an incredible piece: on one hand, the shade of soft pink leather is perfectly in sync with a ballerina's first pair of slippers, and yet the platform is reminiscent of the box of a pointe shoe. And then, of course, there's that heel... made of hardware.

Honigman acutely points out, "Few non-dancers watch The Nutcracker and think about hip replacement surgery, which is why Alexander McQueen's Titanic Ballerina pump has such uncanny erotic allure. Its overtly sexy silhouette is like a direct flick of the finger to death, decay and the consequences of decadence."

I think she's on the mark. But since art is open to interpretation, I have a slightly different reading of this shoe: the stunning heel is an obvious nod to architectural grace, and with all its parts revealed, it seems like a piece of the Eiffel Tower was glued to the bottom of a ballet shoe. Beauty has taken two forms, one is the effortless charm of the the pink ballet shoe, and another is the intricate - and almost frightening - mechanical elegance of the heel. The Titanic, heralded for its technology and unsurpassed luxury, is a prime example of mankind's hubris inciting nature's wrath. Check out McQueen's full Spring 2010 collection on Style.com - man vs. wild seems to be the central theme.

But over-analyzing aside, I can't get over these shoes. Maybe it's because I was a ballerina in my teens? I don't think I ever felt cooler than when rocking a leotard, tights, and pointe shoes (I'm quite the dork, I know).

When I Was Thirteen, I Wasn't as Cool as Tavi Gevinson

At thirteen years old, Style Rookie's blogger Tavi Gevinson is making quite a name for herself on the fashion scene. Gevinson started her blog at the age of eleven (seriously) and has developed an impressive following. In Teen Vogue, the Mulleavy sisters reportedly said, "Tavi defines Rodarte for Target... she's curious and discerning."

She was recently on the cover of Pop magazine, designed by Damien Hirst. Now, the the quirky teenager is traveling to Tokyo, where she will be the guest of honor at the Comme des Garçons' holiday party this Friday, November 27th, and where she will meet Rei Kawakubo. On Style Rookie, Gevinson describes herself at the type of girl who "scatters black petals on Rei Kawakubo's doorsteps and serenades her in rap."

I love this blog. She's a surprisingly good writer, and she's got a whimsical personal style. Reading Gevinson's blog reminds me of how I felt about fashion when I was growing up - something liberating that helped me escape to a far more exciting world.

Top Image via The Cut, bottom images via TeenVogue.com and Celebglitz.com.

The Countdown Begins: Rodarte for Target

A couple of months ago, I saw some images of the Rodarte for Target collection via nitro:licious, and while the designs were appealing, the images made it difficult to tell whether or not the pieces would look chic or cheap (you can see what I mean by checking the bottom image consisting of twelve looks - the clothes piqued my interest, but the styling needs reworking).

Now that the collection has been photographed by several magazines, a) it seems absolutely fabulous and b) it's an editorial darling. In Vogue's December 2009 issue, the two looks featured are perfect Holiday ensembles. In particular, I've been salivating over the black lace dress, although the I'm quite partial to the mustard hue in the second look. I hope to snag several of the cardigans and the skeleton dress as well. I like the range, too - delicate dresses, rocker-inspired skeleton and leopard dresses, versatile cardigans, and casual vests and tops. There's plenty to work with!

Kate and Laura Mulleavy (the designing sisters behind Rodarte) are fast becoming my heroines. More exciting news: according to another nitro:licious report, Eugenia Kim and Cynthia Vincent will each be launching a limited-edition collection at Target - details to come.

The collection drops on December 20th, 2009, and will be available till February 6, 2010. And, thankfully, you can avoid the sartorial maelstrom by shopping online!

Top image via You Betta Work, Bottom images via nitro:licious and Rackk and Ruin.