Gaultier for Target Collection Images

On Sunday, March 7 select Target stores will be home to the latest Go! International design collaboration, this time featuring French fashion legend Jean Paul Gaultier.

The Good News: There are some cute dresses in retro silhouettes with floral outline motifs and bustier or halter necklines.

The Bad News: A good deal of the collection is tattoo-print mesh - something that can be made to work with hig quality fabrics, but after Target's Rodarte collection rife with scratchy 99 cent ballet tutu material I have serious doubt this "mesh" will be comfortable, let alone visually acceptable. There are a few pinup girl attempts with high waistlines and gingham, but they come off more Ellie May Clampett than Americana chic.

Check it all out HERE.

Tori Amos for Smashbox Cosmetics

Smashbox just released a limited edition "Pink and Glitter" collection inspired by my favorite redheaded weirdo (second only to you, Becky Feldman) - musician Tori Amos. The set costs $32 and contains a lip gloss, blush duo and eyeshadow which comes in a (seemingly impractical) trapezoid-shaped pewter bag. It also comes with a free download of the upbeat and jazzy"Pink and Glitter" off Tori's new album Midwinter Graces.

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss ($18) in particular is a worthwhile item - I love the non-sticky formula and the colors are all really sheer and unthreatening. But as all beauty editors agree (and I can confirm they aren't lying) Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36) is the ultimate be-all of beauty products.

FYI Smashbox always ships all purchases for free and gives generously in terms of free samples on every order.

Olsonboye Is Definitely No Elizabeth and James

The Olsen twins' line "Elizabeth and James" is overpriced, but usually pretty sweet design-wise. Same goes for rock-spawn Charlotte Ronson's namesake clothing label. So WHY IS IT that when they decide to do a normal-priced line for JC Penney they let their design staff go on vacation, sketch juvenile garbage and send it into production? (My hypothesis: JC Penney brings out the bad outfit in everyone.)

Starting Nov. 6, you'll be able to purchase Olsen garbage under their new JC Penney-exclusive label Olsonboye. It's their "ancestral" name but totally makes it sound like the clothes are for male children. Marketing geniuses, those gals! Here are three "outfits" from the Olsonboye line. If I see you in any of them, don't act like you know me.

Rodarte Target Collection Pics!

The official press kit for the Rodarte for Target collection (due Dec. 20th) is not yet up on Target.com, but unofficial preview pics have been leaking since early August, when the above snap was taken on the sly by a Paper magazine reporter.

From what I see so far, it's vintage budoir with a side of grandma's attic. Any female who came of age in the early 90's knows that good old fashioned GRUNGE is the intersection of those sartorial avenues! Maybe it's nostalgia (I finally got rid of my huge "kinderwhore" vintage leopard coat from a 1994 the other day... maybe just in time for a new one?) but I'm loving these looks. Top of my list is the yellow version of the bow-shoulder slip dress. The line will run you from $9.99 for the knee high stockings on up to $79.99 for the catty coat.

P.S. - As for the up-to-your-tits tights with the bow... the only way I can imagine rocking those is layered over leggings or opaque tights and worn as pants. Under a dress that bow would appear to be the most fucked up outie belly button ever seen.

MAC Make-Up Art Fall 2009

[Images via MACCosmetics.com]

In addition to a new collection of purple nail colors, a forthcoming burst of electric eyeshadows, a collection of screen-ready falsies and a collection rooted in the absence of color, the color wizards behind MAC Cosmetics recently handed the reins over to three contemporary artists who each created 2-3 looks using a mix of new and old favorite MAC shades.

There were a few peacock-y eyeshadow looks I wasn't feeling, and a couple of "been there, done that" compositions, but I thought these two were outstanding. What a great way to take this summer's vivid palette into the colder months - by marrying them with a smoky eye. For those fearful of the flamboyant, this is a way to pop your bright eyeshadow cherry without feeling clownish.

Get the list of products and how-to tips (in printable PDFs to tape to your bathroom vanity) for both of these looks at the official MAC site.

Rodarte for Target Launches December 20

It's true! With the fall Anna Sui Target collection just a month away (September 13) it was just announced that amazing American design team Rodarte next on the cheap-chic roster.

The collection will debut on December 20 (just in time to dress you for that holiday party.) Dresses and separates bedecked in sequins, bows, patterns, and faux fur will complete the 55 piece run, and - as always - prices will range from $9.99 to $79.99.

As if I didn't spend enough at Target as it is...

P.S. If you still have not checked it out, New York Magazine has a slideshow of all of the Anna Sui for Target looks.

Hope Marian by Lizzie Fortunato Necklaces

Hope Marian by Lizze Fortunato Necklaces, 1 ($58), 2 ($38) and 3,4 ($58 each)

How cute are these mixed-media necklaces that NYC sister-duo Lizzie Fortunato Jewels designed for Urban Outfitters? Each piece in the line - called Hope Marian - is very limited edition and exclusive to UO. With a price range of $38-$58 they're actually affordable, and an easy way to make a basic outfit look fresh.

Jimmy Choo for H&M Promo Shot

[Photo by Magnus Magnusson. Source: WWD]

Here's a shot of two of the actual Jimmy Choo for H&M shoe designs, to be released November 14, 2009.

Jimmy Choo for H&M this Holiday Season

[Images via JimmyChoo.com]

Never thought you'd own a Jimmy Choo accessory? According to Women's Wear Daily, he's teaming up with H&M for a special capsule collection of shoes and bags for holiday 2009. ZOMG.

Anna Sui Does Target

Images from a past Anna Sui ready-to-wear collection

Veteran fashion designer Anna Sui has signed on to do a Go! International capsule collection for Target at some point in 2009.

Sui's aesthetic has always been frilly and bohemian, often with a multicultural spin. Her dresses are sometimes sold by retailers like Anthropologie. I'll post pics as soon as they leak!
[Source]

UPDATE! The line will be based on the four main Gossip Girl characters (Serena, Blair, Jenny and Vanessa) and will be in stores starting September 13th. You'll find me between the Jenny and Serena aisles.

Matthew Willamson for H&M: "Meh"

Nothing to get your overpriced panties in a bunch over, is it? These been-there, done-that numbers will be available for higher than usual H&M prices starting April 23. I think the only piece I'd probably do (like, when it's on clearance after nobody else in their right mind buys it) is the cropped jumpsuit. I know it's a bit Air Force/Golden Girls, but it looks comfortable and breezy and I can see myself drinking a neon cocktail in it.

Christian Siriano Gets Fierce With Payless; Spears Loves Candies

Project Runway peacock Christian Siriano is only just showed his first for-real RTW line at New York Fashion week this spring, and already he's expanding into the "fast fashion" game. This September Payless will feature the designer's first stab at shoe design with a 5-pair collection (2 ankle booties, 3 hidden-platform pumps) and two coordinating handbags.

Get a sneak peek at the shoes his designs will be inspired by here.

Boyfriend is following in the footsteps of Lela Rose, Abaete and Patricia Field, who have all dabbled in the cheapo shoe game with Payless collections.

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Keeping with their "slutty blond chick" advertising tradition, Candie's (now sold at Kohl's) has paid Britney Spears a bazillion dollars to be the face of their hideous clunky shoes. Former spokes-skanks include Jenny McCarthy and Hayden Panettiere.

Seriously? Britney can't be that broke. Even she's above a Candie's campaign.

McQueen Hits Target Wednesday, March 4th

Haven't perused the collection yet? See all the images and prices here. That jacket is so mine.

Chloe Sevigny "Designs" Second Opening Ceremony Collection

I'm starting to believe she may actually be dreaming these things up herself, because Jesus effing Christ, they are horrendous. I could pull these looks together with $15 and 30 minutes at a midwest Salvation Army. But Opening Ceremony is charging $95-$1,000 ($95, by the way, refers to a scarf.)

Women's Wear Daily has the full slideshow. The only thing I love - and I mean love - are her terrifying boots. And the leather shorts are cool. But I'd rather be stabbed with a blunt object than pair them with a collared shirt.

P.S. - Am I crazy or is that Lissy Trullie (of the band of the same name) standing to Chloe's left? LOVE that chick.

Kim Gordon's "Mirror/Dash" Collection

Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth is set to try her had at the sartorial arts once again (remember X Girl, her skater chick line in the mid-90's?) Mirror/Dash, her new label, drops at Urban Outfitters a week from Monday.

So far only two images have been released - one was a $415 (!!!) military-inspired wool coat featured in the New York Times, and more recently the dress shot featured in this post.
Supposedly the line will be less trendy (Soo...why the are you selling at Urban then?) and should appeal to women who might feel a little to old to shop at Urban (again, why?)

Look, I dig Kim Gordon and everything - I was a teenager of the grunge-era after all - but my expectations are not very high. Her personal style is like that of a subdued Chloe Sevigny.

Still, I do kind of like the dress. But only if it's not $415.

[Image via NYT courtesy of Urban Outfitters]

Matthew Willamson Does H&M

Brit designer Matthew Williamson's collection for H&M is officially launching April 23, and should reach all stores by mid-May. It is expected to kick summer off with the promise of lots of color (or colour?) for both women and men.

Check out some of his Spring 2009 collection for the fancy people: here.

Sneak Peek! McQueen for Target

Okay, come to find out, some of the Alexander McQueen Go! International stuff looks like shit. And I'm not super pleased with the Hot Topic-esque choices of neon pink and cobalt blue as the "pops of color" amid the grey and black. But there are some fantastic pieces (t-shirt, vest, jumpsuit, jacket, dress) in the collection that I will stab you for even looking at in a size 6 before I get there. (Just warning you.) Here they are (via Nylon Magazine, where you can see everything):

P.S. - Way to pick a model who looks like a dude. (Androgyny is a fine thing, but this lady is falling on the other side of the line.) Target's website still has no official press release posted as to the date it's coming out, nor do I know the prices of these pieces, but I'll keep you posted.

Designers Love Obama

From left: Zac Posen, Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Juicy Couture, Tory Burch.
[Courtesy photos via WWD.com]

Women's Wear Daily posted a slideshow today featuring the designer items created for sale at Barack Obama's inauguration. The proceeds from their sale will support the costs of the inauguration. You can get them at pic2009.inauguralcollectibles.com through February.

I think the only one I would wear (to the gym) is Donna Karan's, although the article mentions a Rachel Roy t-shirt not shown that says "I (heart) my president" which I might also consider (for the gym.)

Stila Honors Barbie's 50th with a Special Collection

Although she doesn't look it (chalk it up to botox - it's not like those boobs are real) Barbie turns 50 years old this year. To celebrate this occasion, America's favorite source of female body dysmorphia will be launching another cosmetics collaboration, on the heels of 2007's $9 million success with MAC Cosmetics.

This year, Barbie Loves Stila. Instead of separately-sold shades like they did with MAC, Mattel and Stila created four separate boxed sets ("beauty cans" ...ew) representing different stages of Barbie's evolution:

Ponytail Doll (a liquid eyeliner and a three-pan compact with two eye shadows and blush)
Malibu Barbie (a pale pink Lip Glaze called Malibu, a black mascara and a compact with two eye shadows and a bronzer)
Foxy Doll (mascara and a compact with two eye shadows and a blush)
Jewel Doll (bright pink Lip Glaze called Jewel, a Multi-Effect Mascara and a compact with two eye shadows and a blush)

Each will sell for $40 exclusively at Sephora. Considering a Stila eyeshadow is $18 and a lip glaze is $22, this will be a good deal providing that all the colors are nice.

Side Note: Am I crazy or does afro Barbie just look like a white Barbie with a really fake-looking tan? Unless it's supposed to be black Barbie post-LaToya Jackson rhinoplasty?

Target's Early Summer "Go" Designer

Coming to the Target Go! International section on May 17 is the boho work of Texas-born surf bum designer Tracy Feith (who is a dude, btw). The colors look fantastic on the "inspiration board" he created (above.) As for what he'll be hawking, he told WWD:

Feith described the collection as eclectic, with shorts, swimsuits, tops, jackets, pants and dresses ranging from $14.99 to $44.99. “There are easy flowing pieces and more fitted numbers,” he said. “There are items for the beach and the office. The clothes will be equally at home in the city as the country.” Feith cited a cotton maxi floral printed dress as one of his favorites.

Just an aside: this gives me hope that McQueen's upcoming Target collection will hit later, during the colder months.