L.A.M.B. BY GWEN STEFANI
EXCLUSIVE: It’s Jason Wu For Target Sketch !
Michelle Obama put him on the map with that historical one-shoulder white gown, and now Jason Wu is partnering with retail giant Target on a limited-edition collection this spring. “My collection for Target embodies my signature aesthetic of feminine sophistication, with a mischievous nod to the 1960s,” says Wu. “I’ve had an incredible experience partnering with Target and I am looking forward to bringing these affordable designs to women across the country.” The news comes on the heels of a number of clues released by Target’s Twitter throughout the day yesterday, including a sneak peek at fabric swatches and a sketch of the line’s muse, Milu the cat — a likely companion to Miss Wu, the owl who is the logo for Wu’s ready-to-wear collection.
Wu is following in the footsteps of heavy-hitters like Proenza Schouler, Thakoon and most recently, the Italian fashion house of Missoni. “Jason Wu has quickly established himself as one of the most influential designers of today,” says Trish Adams, senior vice president of apparel and accessories for Target. A red carpet staple for the Hollywood style set, including Diane Kruger, Reese Witherspoon and Camilla Belle, Wu always delivers on the perfect party dress. And from the exclusive preview above, a chic LBD, in Wu’s signature pretty, is going to be a sure thing.
The collection, which will include apparel, handbags (a first for these collaborations) and scarves, will range from $20-60, and be available starting February 5th at Target stores and target.com. And like Jason says in the exclusive video clip below, “Great designs always start with a sketch.”
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hQeSxWU2eas
Breaking News!! : Jason Wu for Target LAUNCHING 2/5/12!!
Photo: Imaxtree
Target’s style handle on Twitter started dropping not-subtle-enough hints about their next GO design collaborator less than 24 hours ago. (“Clue 1: the new @TargetStyle designer began sketching the future of fashion at 5 years old.”) Target is still dropping hints about their next designer (“#TargetDesigner Clue 5: Senior year of high school in #Paris? Oui, oui. Our next designer has international influence”) but I already know it’s Jason Wu (he sketched and designed on dolls when he was five).
I got word a while back from from a well-placed source that Wu would be Target’s next GO designer. And then Styleite reported yesterday that they, too, knew it was Wu. And now it’s all confirmed in WWD. How’s that for fast fashion news?
Following the more massive and much hyped design collaboration Missoni just did with Target (the 400 piece collection crashed the big box retailer’s web site when it launched on September 13), I’m looking forward to this smaller, hopefully less-frenzied, line from Target. I’m even more excited that it’s Jason Wu who will be designing it. Ever since Wu burst onto the scene after Michelle Obama chose his design to wear on the night of the inauguration in 2009, he’s consistently presented strong collections featuring refined, ladylike designs. They should translate well to mass.
“The exciting thing about this limited edition collection of affordable women’s wear and accessories is that it allows me to reach a wider audience and bring my designs to people who may not have been able to purchase them before,” Wu told WWD. “My collection for Target is chic and wearable. I think women everywhere will enjoy it.”
In terms of what the collection will actually look like, @TargetStyle posted a photo of a print (at right), and Wu told WWD that his collection for Target “features clothes and accessories that are easily convertible from day to evening — sophisticated, feminine dresses, mix-and-match separates and playful accessories all with a bit of charm and dressed-up attitude.” Target’s Twitter also let on that Wu’s current muse for this line is a cat named Milu (pictured below), so, you know, we’re pretty excited about this. No word yet on when the collection will drop but we’re hoping it will be in store in time for the holidays. We’ll keep you posted.
Balmain Launches New Lower Priced Line, Pierre Balmain
Yesterday in a spare white showroom on the Rue Réaumur, Balmain debuted their lower priced collection Pierre Balmain. The latest installment of a series of digital shorts directed by Inez and Vinoodh featuring Abbey Lee and band Our Mountain, clad in Pierre Balmain, screened in a loop on one wall while the collection was styled on mannequins across another.
While Balmain is known for being over-the-top–both in the way of blingy embellishments and price–Pierre Balmain is refreshingly pared down and prices start at just $180 (and runs as high as $1200 for leather jackets). It’s cool, downtown street wear in the style of Emmanuelle Alt and her mini-mes: the perfect motorcycle jacket (it comes in vest form, too); low-slung skinny jeans with subtle ribbed detailing at the hips and zippers at the ankles; loose tuxedo jackets; and athletic-inspired boxy tops and jackets, someone with the “PB” Pierre Balmain logo emblazoned across the back like a varsity jacket. There was a prevalent zebra print that ran throughout the collection–it showed up on button downs and jeans–inspired by the designer’s first trip to Africa, after which he brought home a big zebra rug. The only ridiculous Balmain-ish item in the collection is the leather sweatpants. I mean, really?
Olivier Rousteing, the new designer for Balmain’s main line, is not directly involved with this line. It is a partnership between Balmain Paris and Ittierre SpA.
What do you think of the new affordable Balmain? I AM IN LOVE !!!
Kanye West Debuts ‘Dw’ Line At Paris Fashion Week
Kanye West finally unveiled his much-discussed womenswear line Saturday night (October 1) with a high-profile show at Paris Fashion Week that was as full of eye-catching designs as it was celebs.
From Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour to actress Lindsay Lohan, the stars were on full display for West’s show.
Singer Ciara said, “It was amazing. The clothes, the feeling in the room, the energy backstage — it really feels special,” she said. “It was definitely one of the most talked-about events [of Paris Fashion Week], because it wasn’t going to be your typical show. This doesn’t happen every day, and to see someone like Kanye, who aspires to succeed in fashion, to get so much respect and cross over like this, it was monumental. It was an historic moment.”
While she was amazed by the fashion community’s embracing of West, Ciara was quick to point out that she was just as struck by his designs, singling out a few favorite looks.
“I loved the pants, the color-blocking and the orange, I loved the fur accessories, I loved the black dresses,” she said. “There was a lot of attitude. It was strong, sexy … I loved it. I kept seeing looks that made me think, ‘Oh my God, I want that.’ ”
“I saw Kanye after, and I told him it was amazing. But there was so much chaos backstage — good chaos, of course. He was excited, and it was just so much good energy,” she said. “And now, I’m walking away from this being inspired. He continues to inspire me with everything that he does. And tonight was definitely a moment.”
I loved Kanye’s collection and I must agree with Ciara when she says that the fur accessories were to die for! Every piece still had that Kanye energy and swag….LOVED IT!! Absolutely GORG!!
Wes Gordon and Jones New York to Collaborate for Exclusive Bloomingdale’s Collection
Jones New York has just become the latest to go designer. Come next March, the sportswear company will offer the Wes Gordon x Jones New York line, exclusively available at select Bloomingdale’s stores as well as online at the department store’s website and on jny.com. Filled with what Jones Group CEO Susan Metzger refers to as workwear with a “new modern classic sensibility,” the Wes Gordon x Jones New York collection features a selection of current separates: contrast silk tops, leather-sleeved blazers, swing trenches, ankle pants, and asymmetrical vests. Priced from $99 to $475, the collection is so far only confirmed for one season.
Christian Dior Spring 2012
Lanvin Spring 2012
Versace for H&M Ads & Anna Dello Russo Paris Fashion Week
On Monday, you’ve seen the first images of the highly anticipated Versace for H&M collection fromVogue Russia and miscellaneous scans, twitpics, etc. Thanks to TFS, we get the first look at the ad campaign. Seriously, can’t wait to see more!
Besides Donatella Versace being the first to wear the Versace for H&M black leather studded dress, of course Anna Dello Russo gets first dibs! She was seen wearing the same dress at Paris Fashion Week. Gorg! Check below for more images.
Anna Dello Russo wearing the Versace for H&M leather dress with studs at Paris Fashion week.
Photo: Getty, courtesy of H&M
Kanye West’s Show Invitations Have Gone Out
This morning, show invitations to the debut Kanye West womenswear show tomorrow evening went out, announcing the location as the Lycee Henri-IV, a Paris public school. Atop the invitation are the initials DW, which are assumed to be a reference to West’s late mother, Donda West. The rumor mill surrounding the show continues, purporting that Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Prince will be in attendance.
BubblesPop 