Despite a slow start (no line outside the store this morning?), we're going to go out on a limb and declare the Rogan for Target collection launch at Barneys a success. Though no one seemed up for waiting hours and hours in front of the store in the rain, within 5 minutes of opening time shoppers swarmed the doors. Once in, everyone made a beeline to the elevators, and then to the Rogan racks on the 7th floor. A few styles were totally gone within the first ten minutes, and within 30, all of the smaller sizes had been picked off the racks. We got mixed reports on replenishment: one sales associate asserted that everything they had was out, another told us that there was stock in the back. Trust no one.
· Live Early Report: Rogan for Target at Barneys Debuts [Racked]
· Rogan for Target Insanity at Barneys Press Preview [Racked]
Despite the insanity less than 24 hours ago, all is very quiet at Barneys this morning, where in a few short minutes the Rogan for Target Go International collection debuts. Maybe it's the weather or the fact that things happen more slowly above 57th street—or perhaps it's that the people just don't understand how good this junk is. Whatever the case, we'll know more when the doors open. You know the routine: Developing.
Last night, at 6pm, Barneys welcomed members of the press to their Madison Avenue store for a preview of the Rogan for Target collection. It was not a refined affair. In fact, the whole thing resembled a sample sale: it was hot and sweaty, women were stripping down to their undies (At Barneys! On Madison Avenue!) and everyone was grabbing frantically at the clothes.
This is shaping up to be a very busy day for designer Rogan Gregory: this afternoon, without too much ado, his Roganboutique at 330 Bowery and Bond opened for business and tonight he's being feted at Barneys for the launch of his Target collection (rolling out at the high-end department store tomorrow). A select few were invited to the store's pre-opening bash last night, and the doors swung wide this afternoon; a Racked correspondent dropped in to suss out the scene, and to take some photos of the very dark interior (galleried above). The thorough report:
I stopped by the new Rogan store today, which the nice salesguy said had been open just about two hours. He'd mentioned an opening party the night before, and the space still seemed to be recovering from it (there was a big black trashbag sort of shoved in the back and only about half of the merchandise had price tags attached). It was really dark (read: all black interior) despite the big windows which gave the merchandise a sort of heavenly/spotlighty glow.
Today's Street Scenes subject is Nikki, shot on Kenmare between Elizabeth and Mott Streets in Nolita. Feel free to vote on whether you like or dislike her outfit below—your choices are 'Perfection!,' I feel strangely ambivalent about it,' or 'Who Did This To You.'
Nikka is wearing a Mexx coat, jeans she bought in Germany, a Mossimo sweater, Payless shoes, a bag from Target and MyOptics glasses. Her favorite store is Diesel.
You can shop Target.com all you want, but nothing beats actually ogling and touching their private collection and various collaborations in person. This weekend Racked headed to the land of milk of honey (meaning department stores and 3% sales tax): Jersey City. Still within sight of the Empire State Building sits not just any Target, but the microcosm that is a Target Greatland. With only one week until the Rogan for Target debut at Barney's, and two weeks until it hits actual Target stores, we were flabbergasted to find so much detritus from past collaborations. Small pockets of everything from Loeffler Randall to DwellStudio popped up around the store, with even some Jovovich-Hawk jammed into the clearance racks.
Our frighteningly detailed review of the state of Target's Collections:
Around the time that the news of designer Isaac Mizrahi's parting ways with Target broke, it was revealed that Cynthia Rowley would be stepping in a bit to help the mass retailer. Her collection, Whim by Cynthia Rowley, was described as "focus[ed] on novelty items such as outdoor games and inflatable pools, all given Rowley's irreverent touch." The line has just debuted in Targets around the country, and although there isn't any Whim apparel to be found, Rowley has designed some accessories. A tipster writes: "Avid reader of the site and I don't recall seeing these posted as of yet...Found them in my late night can't seem to find sleep searching at Target.com (It's my anti-drug)." There's a good selection of totes and beach bags (galleried above with pricing); a search of Target's website also reveals Whim by Cynthia Rowley plates, glassware, Igloo coolers, stainless-steel shakers, serving trays, picnic blankets, beach umbrellas and chairs, table cloths and more. Basically, she's splashed bright colors and fun prints over everything you'd ever need to throw a summer party. The madras-printed items are especially appealing.
· Whim by Cynthia Rowley [Target]
· Empire Building [Racked]
It's quite impressive that Rogan Gregory's line for Target has been picked up by Barneys. This isn't the first time that the high-end department store has flirted with fast fashion: the Co-op stores have been stockingKate Moss' efforts for Topshop for a year now. But Kate's clothes are still priced in the hundreds—the cost of Rogan's garments will be much lower than that. The 100% organic collection is launching in two-and-a-half weeks on the Co-op level of Barneys' flagship on Madison Avenue, and ten days later in Target stores nationwide. A few questions, though: Will Barneys mark the pieces up at all? How much of the collection will they stock? Above, a comprehensive gallery of Rogan for Target to get you excited for May 8th. UPDATE: A critical addendum to this post, gleaned from Target PR: The Rogan for Target collection will launch to press on May 8th. The public gets a go at it the next day, May 9th, when the store will open at its regular hour of 10am. The Co-op level should be receiving the entire collection, and it won't be marked up at all. Whew.
· Rogan for Target for Barneys [Racked]
· Rogan for Target Update [Racked]
Yesterday was the official launch day for Target'sGo International Private Collection, a fashion-forward, limited-edition line designed in-house. Either this one was more anticipated than we had realized, or it dropped much earlier than it was supposed to (or both), but by Sunday afternoon the racks at the Atlantic Terminal Mall in Brooklyn were pretty well picked over. Surprising, because the clothing really wasn't good. What we saw was, frankly, awful. This could be chalked up to materials used—some of the silhouettes were nice, and the prints weren't bad, but cheap fabric made many dresses and tops just unwearably tacky. There were a few successful pieces, including a cotton criss-cross dress (warning: it's cut way small), and an ombre stripe top, but on the whole, we weren't terribly impressed with the collection.
What Target did still have a lot of, though, was Loeffler Randall flats—which were released back in December. There were shelves and shelves of them. So if you regretted not scooping a pair up when they first came out, you still have time to do so.
· Photos of Unnamed Target Go Collection Surface [Racked]
Target's just announced their next designer collaborator, Dean Harris of Dean Harris Jewelry. Per the official press release, the Dean Harris for Target collection is slated to hit stores August 17th. [Racked Inbox]
What happens when you're accused of shoplifting at a huge corporate chain like Target? Well, even if the evidence is thin, they don't let you off with a slap on the wrist. Nicola, an (innocent, she argues) shopper who was picked up at one of the retailer's Brooklyn outposts, was hauled handcuffed out of the store, thrown in the back of a police car and taken to a jail in Bed-Stuy, where she spent ten hours in a jail cell and was charged with Petty Larceny, a crime that could land her in the clink. Deciding to fight back, she's hired an attorney and is blogging about her plight.
You know that unnamed Target Go International collection we wrote about yesterday (Private Label 1)? Well, it's not Richard Chai's work—it's been designed in-house. 'Ranging in price from $16.99 - $49.99 the first collection, launching on April 13, 2008, includes a variety of updated wardrobe staples including long boyfriend blazers, printed tunics, wide-leg trousers and cowl-neck printed tees. Additional standout pieces include a long linen vest, satin romper, mod shift dress with circle pockets, square-neck kimono sleeve top and foil printed metallic swimsuits. Several GO International collections of women's fashion will be introduced in 2008 and each will be available for one month exclusively at select Target stores nationwide and at Target.com/go.' [The Cut]
Target's been tossing so many designer names at consumers these days that it's hard to keep everything straight. Currently in stores is the boho, hippy, slightly-70's collection from Jovovich-Hawk; on the horizon is a handbag collection with Gryson (out April 6th), jewelry from Subversive (available online now, will roll out in stores March 23rd), a women's swimsuit line from Rogan Gregory (out in May), bags from Botkier and womenswear fromRichard Chai. Over on the Target pressroom site, images of the next Go International collection, to follow Jovovich-Hawk, have surfaced—but they're weirdly labeled Go International Private Collection 1. Is this Chai's work? The blue used in the Target collection does look just like the blue Chai showed on his Spring 2008 runway. Well whoever designed it, the clothing looks great. Click through our gallery for all of the images.
· Go International Private Label 1 [Target]
New Racked feature Like/Likely is where we highlight attractive (and not so attractive) vacant storefronts, discussing what business would, in a perfect world, lease the space—and what, in reality, will probably end up there.
[Rendering; click to expand]
Soon will come the day when the massive, muddy pit marring the border of Williamsburg will be replaced with mega-development The Edge. The 7.5 acre site, which will contain three shiny towers with a head-spinning 1,085 luxury condos, will also boast 60,000 square feet of retail space. Since the rumor about Apple looking to move in was quickly squashed, we have to wonder: Who's going to be doing business at the Edge?
What we'd like to see open: Well, since being swallowed whole by the earth isn't an option for the Edge, wouldn't a W'burg Barneys Co-op be nice? How awesome does Topshop Brooklyn sound? And can you imagine how pissed Manhattanites would be if Nordstrom ditched its midtown dreams and went this far east?
What we're likely to see open: A supersized Duane Reade, anyone? A mega-Target store, perhaps? A Subway sandwich shop? Those all seem to be relatively safe guesses. And since Steve Jobs has said no way to the area, maybe Circuit City or Best Buy will swoop on in. Oh, and let's not forget the bank chains.
Have hopes, dreams and predictions for the Edge? Hit up the comments.
Saying that the shopping experience at the Atlantic Terminal Target store is unpleasant is putting it mildly—the place is, quite possibly, the portal to hell. After waking up at the crack of dawn yesterday to travel over there only to find the Jovovich-Hawk collection not yet hanging from the racks, we decided to call this morning to make sure the clothing was there before we made the early morning trek again. After being disconnected four times, we sucked it up and headed there again in the vain hope that the shipment had made it out to the selling floor. Happily, the effort was worth it. And though we had to sneak into the fitting rooms (there weren't any sales associates to be seen), and had to endure the strange rants of one of the cashiers, we ended up walking out with four pieces.
Welcome to new Racked feature Like/Likely, where we highlight attractive (and not so attractive) vacant storefronts. First, we discuss what business would, in a perfect world, lease the space—and then, what, in reality, will probably end up there.
[502 Metropolitan's retail vision; click to expand]
Earlier this month, our friends over at Curbed introduced us to 502 Metropolitan, the behemoth that's going in right next door to greasy spoon the Kellogg Diner on Metropolitan between Keap and Rodney in Williamsburg. Right now, the place is just a hole in the ground surrounded by plywood, but soon, it will resemble the glorious building in the rendering at right. According to Winick Properties, it will offer 28,751 square feet of retail space on two levels. So...
What we'd like to see open: A decent grocery store (sorry if this is a recurring theme) would be nice, but how about a 24-hour bowling alley with all the PBR you could ever want?
What we're likely to see open: Well, since the brochure advertises the space as "in the middle of more than a million shoppers hungry for big-box convenience," perhaps a Best Buy is in order. Or a Target.
Have your own unique retail vision for 502 Metropolitan? Feel free to express it in the comments.
There hasn't been too much buzz around the marriage of high-end brand Gryson and Target. That's surprising, because the luxe accessories company turns out some really fantastic handbags. Target's just released eight images of Gryson's budget-priced collection (slated to hit stores April 6th), which is comprised of black, white, pine green and slate blue-hued purses. Of course, there's the whole PVC matter, but if you're cool with imitation leather, some of the totes look really promising. A full gallery with pricing is above.
· Designer Joy Gryson Partners with Target for Limited-Edition Handbag Collection, Gryson for Target [Target]
The first half of Fashion Week has gone by fast, hasn't it? Let's take time now to look back at some of the most recent shows.
At left, Jill Stuart; at right, Betsey Johnson. Photos via Coutorture
While we could do without Jill Stuart's recent ad campaign starring washed-up Lindsay Lohan, we heart the designer's fashion: the clothing is striking and the fitting is spot-on. Thus, we are particularly sad to report that her fall 2008 collection was a departure that left much to be desired. Like Rag & Bone, Jill often paired navy blue and black, but these clothes were more contrived than wearable. We understand fashion means moving in new directions, but sometimes you can't help loving a label for its consistency. Heavy velvet layering and shapeless dresses do not resonate like the flattering party dresses of her past collections.
· Jill Stuart runway photos [NY Mag]
Subtlety has never been Betsey Johnson's style. Her clothes are vibrant, fitted, in-your-face sexy, and her fall collection was no exception. She moved beyond the feisty floral dresses she's known for and incorporated more black, leopard print, and accessories. It's not exactly a look you're going to wear to the office, but, hell, it's Betsey! To complement her eighties-done-right apparel, she blared Cyndi Lauper's "She-Bop" as the leggy models strutted their stuff on the runway.
· Photos and a review of the Betsey Johnson show [Platinum Blonde Life]
NATIONAL—Target's pressroom has finally released images of the much-anticipated Jovovich-Hawk Go International collection. The retroish designs don't disappoint—they're light, adorable without being twee, and perfect for summer. The line isn't supposed to hit stores 'til March 2nd, but there's a good chance that a few pieces will leak to Target.com before that date. Here's to hoping those dresses look as good on real people as they do on the models. [Target]
"Target may be losing Isaac Mizrahi, but it is gaining an old friend in Cynthia Rowley. The designer is said to be returning to the mass chain this year with a new, limited edition brand called Whim by Cynthia Rowley. According to sources, Whim will not be part of the Go International initiative, and there will be no apparel. Instead, it will focus on novelty items such as outdoor games and inflatable pools, all given Rowley's irreverent touch. The collection is expected to hit Target stores at the end of April. Rowley is no stranger to Target, where she once had the Swell collection, which was quietly phased out more than two years ago." [WWD, subscription req]
The original New York Times building on West 43rd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues is in for a a lot of changes. According to the Sun, the 18-story structure's new owners "are planning to transform garages that many years ago housed printing presses into cafés and clothing stores, and to revive the façade with signs, a new five-story clock, and a series of mirrors to reflect the lights of Times Square."
Getting past what sounds like a garish new face for the building (a clock, signs and mirrors? guess it could be cool...), just what kind of cafes and clothing stores will be taking up residence in the place's 200,000 square feet of retail space? Let's turn it over to Joshua Strauss of RFK!: 'The 43rd Street side is a good space for very exclusive restaurants and specialty retail. On the 44th Street side, we are thinking of a big-box tenant or something with an entertainment side.' He goes on to state that RFK's sent marketing materials to T.J. Maxx, Target, and Century 21. Sounds like the Manhattan Mall's about to get a baby brother.
· Turning the Page on a Newspaper's Former Heaquarters [NY Sun]
WWD's just posted an item speculating that Jonathan Saunders will be Target's next Go International designer. "According to industry sources, the Scottish designer is in talks with the Minneapolis-based retailer...Saunders, who is known for his inventive prints, is no stranger to cheap chic: His latest collection for the British high street retailer Topshop features jersey dresses printed with bold, primary color shapes. It will hit stores in the U.K. later this month. Saunders is also leaving London’s runways to show his fall 2008 collection during New York Fashion Week." Question: Will Saunders unveil his collection before or after Rogan Gregory? [WWD, subscription req]
The huge Ikea rising in Red Hook might get a big-box neighbor. The Brooklyn Eaglereports that a 176,429-square-foot 'raw piece of land' at 640 Columbia Street is on the market. The broker shopping the space states that it 'is ideal for a “wholesale/retail, Lowes-type of place. It’s perfectly situated. Anyone going to IKEA will have to pass by this property.' Now, there area's not exactly wanting for a Lowe's (one's located relatively close to Red Hook on Second Avenue and 10th Street), but there aren't any Bed Bath & Beyonds or Targets anywhere nearby. Time to rectify that situation!
· ‘Raw Piece of Land’ Near IKEA on Market [Brooklyn Eagle]
· Storecasting: Bed Bath & Beyond Coming To Red Hook? [Racked]
NATIONWIDE—Someone finally bothered to scan the page of Harper's Bazaar that features the first images of Jovovich-Hawk collection for Target that's hitting stores in March. Here it is. Excited? [Sally Jane Vintage]
Target's come out with another genius collaboration. The retailer, having seen success with its Go International collections, is applying the same concept to housewares, as Target stores will soon be stocking bedding from high-end textile company DwellStudio. [Domino via]
On Friday, we broke the news that the Jovovich-Hawk collection for Target wouldn't be hitting stores 'til March (which is much later than was anticipated). Now, a poster over at The Fashion Spot has pointed out that Target's picked March 2nd as the official drop date. Mark those calendars. [RackedWire]
The launch of Loeffler Randall's Target accessories collection felt somewhat anticlimactic, since the flats and bags have been available to purchase online for more than a week now. Nevertheless, we journeyed to our local Target in Brooklyn yesterday to see the goods in person.
It was disappointing. Though the bags and shoes evidence LR's luxe aesthetic, materials used (synthetic leather, mainly) cheapen the effect. Rendered in soft leather, the bag above would be adorable—but in PVC, it looks...a bit trashy.
Large crinkle tote, available in brown or cream patent, $39.99. High-res images via nitro:licious
Images of the Loeffler Randall accessories collection for Target have just surfaced on the Target website and we couldn't be more excited about the collaboration. The bags look amazing. The flats look nice, but really, the bags are the star of this effort. The line will be available on December 30th. Given how popular the Devi Kroll snakeskin totes were, these are bound to fly off of shelves. Too bad they're not made of real leather.
Loeffler Randall's accessories collection for Target will hit stores December 30th. "The collection includes clutches, satchels and totes in cream, brown, gold and rose gold tones in patent and linen fabrications, priced from $20 to $50, as well as two styles of flats in the aforementioned colors plus black, which will sell for $30." [The Fashion Informer]
Perhaps the fact that we could not rouse ourselves until 10:30 this morning to go check out the Erin Fetherston collection for Target is indicative of a general malaise concerning these capsule collections: Upon entering the store at 11am, a full three hours after the clothing had hit the floor, we saw that there was still plenty available to choose from. There were soft t-shirts printed with Erin's face, a wealth of dresses with Peter Pan collars, bunny-print tops, thermal shirts and leggings, and coats emblazoned with big hearts. It was all girly and ruffly and kind of ick.
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What happens when you're accused of shoplifting at a huge corporate chain like Target? Well, even if the evidence is thin, they don't let you off with a slap on the wrist. Nicola, an (innocent, she argues) shopper who was picked up at one of the retailer's Brooklyn outposts, was hauled handcuffed out of the store, thrown in the back of a police car and taken to a jail in Bed-Stuy, where she spent ten hours in a jail cell and was charged with Petty Larceny, a crime that could land her in the clink. Deciding to fight back, she's hired an attorney and is blogging about her plight.
Earlier this month, our friends over at Curbed 
The original New York Times building on West 43rd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues is in for a a lot of changes. According to the Sun, the 18-story structure's 
