Let’s get down to brass tacks. When it comes to designer collaborations, Target was one of the early adopters of the masstige movement and has worked with some of the most exciting names of all the collaborations around. Which is why is pains me to take them to task over the last two collaborations. Anna Sui was an utter disappointment, and with the exception of one or two items, the collection looked chintzy. The materials and construction were cheap and the fits were odd. They followed this up with the atrocity that is the Rodarte collection, which featured more god awful quality, the worst netting I’ve ever seen, and possibly the worst quality all-over printing I’ve seen on a garment in my entire life (which includes my experiences at RAVE). The Rodarte collection has two pieces that are any good, their “rain” coat (which is not waterproof or resistant, ??) and their silky peach dress with Chinois inspired embroidery.
The worst part about the terrible quality of the last two collections is that it makes me fear for the next two collections, which, if done right would be beyond terrific- Jean Paul Gaultier and Zac Posen. But based on their track record of late, I’m prepared for meh, and frankly with the stellar turn out from Forever 21 these days, meh doesn’t cut it.
On the other hand, Target’s Merona Collection is looking terrific, featuring pretty, tailored dresses, tops and jackets that look like something Trina Turk or Kate Spade might make. The pieces are fully lined for the most part and the materials are on par with something you’d find at a much higher end store. There’s even a little striped top in there reminiscent of a sweater I featured here from Coach a while back.
To see the Jean Paul Gaultier collection for Target, visit Racked NY
To see the Zac Posen collection for Target, visit fashionista.com
I don’t know why they are ignoring quality on these designer garments and still charging a pretty nickel. It’s like the day I went to Payless Shoes to check out Project Runway winner Christian Siriano’s collection. The shoes looked amazing. I loved the design of it. However it wasn’t great enough to make me forget this was Payless quality and I wasn’t about to pay the $60 or more price tag on his shoes. For that I can go to DSW and buy some comfy Cole Haans or trendy Steve Madden knockoffs. By the way, that yellow trench coat you pictured was here in Florida. I go to four different Target stores in one day many times. It’s kind of eerie to realize how much of the same is everywhere.
I have a feeling there’s a bait and switch thing happening with Target. I think the designers are seeing a higher level of quality in samples and then when it goes to production they cheap it out to improve their margins, because I can’t believe these designers think this is acceptable quality to represent them. When I saw Rodarte I felt deeply embarrassed for them.