Category — The Juice

Designing sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy will be bringing their ethereal sensibility to a wider world when Target introduces Rodarte in December as part of its Go International series of limited collections.

The 55-piece Rodarte line for Go International will launch at most Target stores nationwide and on target.com on Dec. 20, and will be available through Feb. 6. While it may be hard to imagine translating Rodarte’s hand-wrought designs for the mass market, Target claims to have stayed true to the spirit of the luxury-priced label.

“What you’ll notice is an amazing eye for detail,” said Joshua Thomas, a Target spokesman. “It’s very feminine, yet very modern. The collection incorporates a rich mix of patterns and fabrications and everything from sequins and bows to faux fur. The key with Rodarte is layering.”

Prices for Target’s Go International Rodarte collection will range from $9.99 for knee-highs to $79.99 for a leopard print jacket.

Rodarte, which is known for evening clothes, designed “a variety of great holiday dresses,” Thomas said. “There are stand-alone pieces and pieces that can be worn together to create an ensemble by layering different patterns, textures and prints.”

Source – WWD

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Right on the heels of the Rachel Rachel Roy collection being shipped to Macy’s stores nationwide in the upcoming weeks, lovely designer Rachel Roy will now host a pop up shop in Soho [111 Spring Street] for a limited time beginning on September 10th. Perfect timing – as that is the same date that the Spring 2010 season of New York Fashion Week begins.

WWD- The 1,800-square-foot space will house the entire collection of Rachel Rachel Roy merchandise ranging from contemporary sportswear and dresses to footwear, jewelry and handbags. The store, which will only remain open for about 10 days — or until all merchandise is sold out — is a preview of what’s to come from the designer, who plans to open pop-up shops in others cities following New York.

Rachel said the store will provide a snapshot into her point of view and will convey the full message of what the Rachel Rachel Roy brand is about.

“Having your own store is the only medium through which you get to tell your story to the customer in its complete essence,” Roy said. “I absolutely hope to have my own store one day, and to me, launching the Rachel Rachel Roy pop-up store is the most appropriate first step in that path.”

PS – Rachel said she plans to be in the store regularly to work with customers. How fab! I just may have to make a stop through in that case.

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Designer Phillip Lim is not letting the economy slow him down. [insert praises here] — He is currently in the process of creating a new collection of shoes, lingerie and swimwear to his already successful brand. WWD has the full scoop, read on…

Lim’s new swim lineup rolled out first, for the summer market. It’s a tight three-style collection — two maillots and a bikini in pretty patchwork floral prints, all to retail at $175. “Usually, swimwear is sleek or athletic,” says Lim. “We brought a girly, playful element to it.” His new intimates line is similarly sweet. There are five styles in various fabric and color combinations, with retail prices ranging from $65 to $175. Looks include slips with abstract pansy appliqués, mesh-trim bralettes and boyshorts with beaded embellishments. “We’ve named it 3.1 Phillip Lim Initials,” Lim says, “because it’s the initial thing you put on, before you put on clothes.” He adds that he’s limiting distribution to his own shops for now (to debut May 20) before the official launch for spring 2010, when the collection will take on the wholesale market. “That’s the beauty of having our own stores,” he says. “Because all these categories — we can test them there first. That way, we take the responsibility of fine-tuning the fit, the look, the price points.”

The same goes for his new shoe line, which is also having a soft launch for fall. Lim is no stranger to the footwear market — he has done collaborations with Birkenstock and Nicholas Kirkwood in the past and has no plans to abandon his relationship with Christian Louboutin. (Their ruffled platforms from spring were such a hit that Topshop opened in New York with a $190 knock-off.) Rather, Lim’s new collection, priced from $290 to $675, is geared towards more practical environs, not the fashion circuit — a point Lim reinforces by noting that his more out-there Louboutin designs will continue to accessorize his runway. “Everyone’s making crazy shoes,” says Lim, “so we were like, ‘Let’s do working shoes, but sophisticated and beautiful.’” To that end, there’s a serious focus on flats and nary a stiletto; height comes courtesy of stacked heels and wedges. Styles range from double-buckle monk shoes to pointed-toe jazz flats and giraffe-skin booties. The men’s collection features two high-top sneaker styles, one lined in shearling.

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There are a lot of sites and blogs out there that I have yet to discover — but why was I never aware of The Selby before today? I feel cheated. Nevertheless, they recently dropped by the oh-so fab Julia Restoin-Roitfeld’s pad in New York City. She has the perfect apartment which appears to be simplistic and modern — and not overdone. Surprised.  Now if only I could just raid her shoe closet..

Excitement! — Anna Sui will be the second participant in Target’s Designer Collaborations Series. As I’m sure you will faithfully recall, the Alexander McQueen was the first designer to lead the series. The exclusive collection by Anna Sui will be available on Sept. 13 on Target.com and in 250 selected stores across the U.S.  Anna Sui for Target will be available through Oct. 17. The Designer Collaborations program features more established talents in the fashion industry — as opposed to the up-and-comers of Target’s Go International collections.

“I have always been a fan of designer partnerships with mass retailers,” Sui told WWD exclusively. “I think it is a great way to bring fashion to everyone. I love Go International and was intrigued with Target’s new take on designer partnerships. It’s a fresh approach. I was able to select a muse or source of creative inspiration to focus the collection around. It is an exciting challenge to try and interpret my aesthetic into a mass-produced product with a specific inspirational source as the focus.”

- Anna Sui

The catch to the Designer Collaborations series is the chosen designers have to draw inspiration from a collaborative partner, muse or other creative aspect. Alexander McQueen chose as his muse – Leila Moss, the lead singer of British band The Duke Spirit. Anna Sui decided to choose the four main female characters on the CW’s hit show “Gossip Girl” as her muses. This should be interesting. I’m anxious to see the final looks!

“I liked the idea of creating a collection reflective of each characters’ style, sensibility and unique approach to fashion. By combining the elements of art, city, spirit, punk and glamour, we created a collection that exudes New York City fashion.” Sui used materials such as metallic jacquards, herringbone, silk and chiffon and detailing with tulle, lace and sequins.

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