TARGET’S OWN MARK
FOR the last five years, Isaac Mizrahi has been the big fashion name at Target, the label you went to for more style and quality if you felt a little too old for Xhilaration, but not old enough for Merona. Now he’s leaving for a new gig at Liz Claiborne, and rather than replace Mizrahi with another big name, Target is coming full circle and putting itself on the marquee.
The new Private Label Collection -- exclusively available . . . to the masses -- hits Target stores Tuesday. And it’s something of a surprise: a fully developed contemporary line that has stylish looks as well as a few of the basics you’d expect.
The new collection has more in common with Luella Bartley’s designs for Target’s Go International line than it does Cherokee’s bargain bin pieces. Actually, from the looks of these early pieces, Target has been taking some good notes from Bartley and other former Go International designers.
There are ruffle-front blouses similar to Alice Temperley’s bolero and dress with ruffles on the neck and front; a boyfriend vest that’s a lot like Proenza Schouler’s version, this time just in a darker, shinier material; and Luella was clearly on the front end of the high-waist trend, because she included some in her line and they’re still around in this one, years later.
The Target Private Collection may not have a glamorous image attached -- it’s designed by an anonymous “team” whose members supposedly scour the world for trends to interpret for the Target floor. Something’s clicking.
The strongest pieces include a blue and black plaid shift dress with pockets for $34.99.
It’s a no-brainer day-to-dinner number that works with flats, sandals or heels. And the bold print is fun, but not too trendy to wear through to next season.
There are also a few color-blocked, racer-back dresses. In color combinations such as pink and gray, and a stark black-and-white lined pattern, the dresses are sporty and modern and could work alone or with a fitted T-shirt underneath for an even more casual look.
The trendier pieces -- high-waist trousers, a paper-bag waist skirt and a one-shoulder jersey dress -- aren’t as versatile and figure friendly as the other items in the line. But the Mischa Bartons of the world could certainly pull them off. The paper-bag waist skirt is especially chic paired with the ruffle-front blouse.
The line is meant to be mixed and matched, so having a few more basics thrown in would have been helpful. But at $16.99 to $49.99, you can splurge on something trendy. And for the basics? There’s always Merona.
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