Going, Going, Gone
Posted: February 12th, 2013 | Author: artintolife | Filed under: fashion, stuff to buy | Tags: designer collaborations, designers, fast fashion, shopping, Spring 2013, target, trendsI restrained myself from talking about the already over-hyped Prabal Gurung x Target collection leading up to its release. But, reality, I am as much of a sheep as the next girl. And just because I didn’t talk about it doesn’t mean I didn’t think about it, plan for it and shop it. As much as I love Gurung’s designs, and both Kate Middleton and Michelle Obama seem to be fans, I didn’t anticipate the reception the collaboration received when it launched on Sunday. The fab-collab-that-more-or-less-sells-out-on-day-one, with the best pieces selling out by mid-morning, is back. Did you get any? If not, there are a few choice items left.
STILL IN STOCK:
Customer reviews suggest most items are quite cute, but beware of fit issues. By and large the collection runs small. So try it on in stores or order a couple of sizes. The shoes, however, in addition to being surprisingly comfortable, run about 1/2 size large.
Overall, I agree with the general assumptions that are being bandied about to explain this recent success. Pronouncements that the public had grown tired of designer collaborations, largely because they had become commonplace, seem to have been premature. The buying public still appreciates access to great design. That doesn’t go away just because there’s more of it. I think, for one thing, with their vibrant colors and flowers galore, Gurung’s designs for Target are more accessible than Maison Martin Margiela for H&M was. Most importantly, however, the prices were accessible — true Target prices. Each dress sold for $30-$40. The Target x Neiman Marcus holiday collection seemed to have forgotten how vital the “bargain” is for widespread panicked success. We can only hope that fast fashion retailers got the message loud and clear. But I do think a fair amount of credit has to go to Prabal Gurung who designed a beautiful collection that was both easy to wear and appealed to a wide range of shoppers.
JUST SOME OF THE SOLD OUT ITEMS:
For all of the collection’s success, mumblings around the industry suggest that Prabal Gurung should feel a little bad that he did not manage to crash the Target website the way that the Missoni x Target collection did. I would like to think that is due impart to Target having learning how to better manage the volume (for one thing, not releasing the precise time the collection would launch online). It is worth noting, however, that Missoni has a distinct and universally recognizable look. Every time I wear my Missoni x Target coat, people recognize it as being Missoni, whether or not they know about the collaboration. That has a caché that a young designer can’t possibly match. And that most designers, who have an aesthetic that may be a little harder to nail down, can’t match either. While many women may recognize that exquisite Prabal Gurung dress that Kate Middleton wore, I venture that few would be able to recognize another Prabal Gurung piece which they have never seen before. With that in mind, if crashing websites is the goal in this business, I would propose a Target x Pucci collaboration.
