What's Left: Target x Phillip Lim in Brooklyn

So you would think that after being lucky enough to attend the Phillip Lim x Target launch party I would've found enough goodies to satisfy my fashion thirst. Afterall I found myself with the mini Pashli and the Boom sweater dress. Unfortunately that wasn't enough because even at the preview event the merchandise moved fast and I found myself stalking Twitter and Target.com like a maniac last night. The first pieces launched just shortly before midnight and slowly as the hours unfolded people were finding one piece at a time available for purchase all while the @TargetStyle Twitter feed claimed that the wait was still on. No wonder by the time it officially went live at 4:17am so many of the pieces were sold out.

Thanks to my stalking I was able to snag the trench coat shortly after midnight but while I was waiting for a few more pieces, lost the lingerie/sleepwear that was in my cart at about 1:47am. This is a good 2 hours plus before the official launch. Feeling a bit of despair at my losses, I decided to forgo the leopard sweater and bleary eyed I headed to bed. By 8:07 am this morning, there was not much left but I sagged the online only leopard travel bag and the camo print men's backpack.

I decided like a true devotee/fashion slave to hit up not one but two of my local Targets after the frenzy of the early am to see what was left in store.

While Atlantic Avenue was pretty wiped clean it was interesting to see what remained. Guess the navy dress with sequins wasn't that popular or maybe it was the $79.99 price point that kept people at bay but it was available in a multitude of sizes. The crepe dress with embellished neck line also was pretty plentiful in both Blue and Black. Other than that a couple pairs of sweat pants and a few tee shirts with and without embellishment, a few of the sweater dress in grey, the black and white color block shirt dress, cascade ruffle blouses and beaded tuxudo blouses were all that remain. Sizes tend to mostly be available in XL and Large, although there were some Small, Medium and XS to be found

After refueling with a quick bite, the Target in Brooklyn Junction was my next stop.

I was surprised to see that this Target didn't fare much better and was almost as equally wiped out by 2pm. There was more menswear on hand at this location. However they did have some different selection of merchandise than the Atlantic Terminal Target although some repetition of some of the more seemingly unpopular items. The embellished neck was also available here in blue and black but not as plentiful. The embellished tee in grey heather and the ruffle front sleeveless blouse was also available here. There were a lot more XS and Small sizes left at this location.

Unlike the Atlantic terminal, I spotted several menswear pieces here including a lone pair of tuxedo pants, several color block pique tees, marled knit cardigans and 3 or 4 trenches in sizes Small to Large

What this location had that the other Target didn't was the embellished neck peplum blouses and one lonely floral print peplum blouse. The sizes were mixed but what was leftover at this location tended to run smaller. A woman wistfully offered me up a color block black/white dress which she thought was too adorable for words saying it should fit me.

I spotted a couple girls with baskets full of the last hint of leopard I could see at the store and several other items as they made their final decisions as to what to keep or return. It looked like they were keeping most of the scores.

One thing I noticed while I was at check out, without any Phillip Lim sleepwear, was a sign asking that guests limit themselves to 2 of the same item. This looks very similar to H&M's designer collaboration policies. Probably an attempt to stave off any e-bay resellers and hoarders from taking over but judging by what was leftover, I am guessing those attempts were in vain. Staffers report that neither Target is likely to re-stock but you may want to pop by after a few days or so when the returns start to flood in.

In Store: Go Collective - Atlantic Center, Brooklyn

Since I didn’t have a chance to run by Target on Sunday I stopped by last night to examine the scene.  Some dresses were clearly gone instantaneously while others still hung on racks pretty plentifully.  I didn’t spot a single Rodarte Dress or Thakoon Dress.  Tracey Feith’s White Zip Front was wittled down to only 2 dresses as was Zac Posen’s polka dot number.  Only spotted one style of the Tucker by Gabby Basora Dress (Signature Floral Dress), but they were moving quickly.

Other dresses were fortunately plentiful.  The Libertine Crepe LBD with the embroidered neck, the Richard Chai Tuxedo Dress, the Luella Plaid Bubble Dress, the Proenza Bra Cup Dress, Rogan’s leopard silk t-shirt dress, both Jovovich-Hawk dresses, the Tara Jarmon color block, the Paul & Joe jersey number, Erin Fetherson’s Ruffle and Rabbit Print dresses and plenty more.

After scouring the racks, that are still pretty organized (for Brooklyn Target) I found what I was looking for in dresses I never had the chance to snag previously due to the style immediately selling out, or my lack of access to at Target.

The Tara Jarmon Color Block was the typical Go Collection fit (not much bust room) in a thin cotton lawn material.  The color combo is still cute 5 years later, but I guess since it was reminiscent of the Proenza Bra Cup Dress, which I already owned I passed.

The Zac Posen Polka Dot Dress felt a little bit elongated through the bodice so I wasn’t sure if it was fitting me correctly.  It was cute but I felt a little awkward in it.

The Behnaz Lace Dress if you remove the flower it’s actually quite darling and the dress looks a lot more expensive than it is.  The horizontal lace strips can make you look a bit wider but it’s a straighter fit through the body for an easier fit on various body types.

The Plaid Luella Dress - 5 years later and I still want it.  On the down side there is no zipper and the back bubbles a bit, but it’s super cute so it comes home with me.

The Zac Posen Ruffle Dress –The Sleeves, The Neck, The Godets make this signature Zac Posen for a fraction of the price.  I’m not sure how it will look when it’s less wrinkly, but this one came home with me too.

Buy: Go International Collective

Over the past 5 years, Target has helped change the shape of designer collaborations in the US market. Did you ever miss your chance at one of the fab dresses in the past? I certainly did because prior to July of 2006, I was living a Target free life in Toronto and how I longed for a little plaid Luella bubble dress. Anyways, I don't have to long any more because now that Target is celebrating it's 5 year mark of launching the Go International Collective to celebrate by re-issuing 34 dresses from 17 past GO International designers. Ranging in price from $24.99 to $44.99, the GO International Designer Collective will be available now through April 10, 2011 at most Target stores and Target.com.

The limited-edition collective features dresses from Luella Bartley, Tara Jarmon, Paul & Joe (by Sophie Albou), Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler (by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez), Libertine (by Johnson Hartig), Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk (by Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk), Rogan (by Rogan Gregory), Richard Chai, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon (by Thakoon Panichgul), Tracy Feith, Rodarte (by Laura and Kate Mulleavy), Zac Posen and Tucker (by Gaby Basora). Which ones are you picking up for yourself?

PS. Better shop soon because the Thakoon Batik Look Shirtdress is already sold out!

Product Review: William Rast for Target

I was super excited for the launch of William Rast for Target as I am for most Target collections so I actually tried to check it out online it as soon as it went live on Sunday am, but since it wouldn’t let me shop at midnight, I decided to head to stores the next morning to see what I thought about the line in person.

The first items I headed straight towards were the leather jackets.  They were absolutely buttery soft leading me to believe that the leather used was actually lamb!  Lamb leather is usually quite pricey but these Target versions will only set you back about $200.

While the construction was great and I loved the red pop lining in the Fringe moto jacket, I found that there was absolutely no bust room.  Considering that I am not a busty girl by any means, I am not sure how these will fare for other ladies. Also, the fringe was fun but I felt a little bit costume-y trying this on. The Tan Biker jacket fared a bit better in this area.  Both jackets are cut quite snuggly which I’m sure that petite girls will appreciate.  Since my heart is still set on getting a black biker jacket I passed on both items as neither quite fit’s my specifications.

Next to the biker jackets was this bomber jacket that took be back to the early 90s, it had a waxy/stiff feel that was not really something that enticed me. I also spotted plenty of twill biker vests and cargo pants.  The vest is a little bit fussy looking for my personal aesthetic but on the right person I’m sure it could look really cute.  The cargo pants were great but the fabrication wasn’t as soft as I hoped.  I am so into comfort these days that I can scarcely manage to wear a pair of regular skinny jeans.

Items that I would have loved had they been made in silk are this silky snap front blouse and tank top.  The original line charts stated silk, but I think perhaps due to cost they were switched to Poly before they went to production. The items are definitely trend right, but the fabrication was a bit of a turn off.  Perhaps if they get marked down I will consider it, but I really would have paid a bit more for silk. Since I’m not much of a fan of dark wash denim, I didn’t really look at them too closely.

I initially thought this lace-up jacket was a really fun shape, but having lace-up detailing on the sleeves and the back seemed a bit overdesigned.  I would have liked it' more if they kept it to one spot.  However, it’s still an overall fun style.  From photo’s I loved the look of the Ponte High Waisted skirt and thought it could make a great replacement for my Jonathan Saunders for Target Skirt that is starting to shred.  On the hanger I was a bit disappointed because it looked flat, but on the body it really does look great and much better than I expected after my initial disappointment.  Another great item that is well made are these Ponte leggings, they are a nice thick material that might even be able to be worn alone (sans long tunic/dress)  The geometric flag pattern at the knees adds a sporty fun touch as do the ankle zips.

A couple of the best made items in the collection was the Ponte Biker vest and these Pleather shorts!  Both items were very cleanly constructed and felt great.

My sleeper fave item of the collection was these plaid shirts. Had I only saw them online, I never would have wanted them.  In real life the fabric is purposefully disheveled, soft, thin and has a great overall look.  I tried on a couple sizes just to see and I might size up on this one because my regular size fit my body, but again like the leather jacket there was very little bust room in them.  Finally for the chambray shirts, they are a great price for an overall great basic, however the little iron on studs on the pocket flaps bother me and actually detract from the shirt. Had the shirt’s not included the studs, I think I would have bought them in a heartbeat.

Upcoming Target Designers: Temple St Clair, Tucker by Gaby Basora

Image is not from upcoming Target collection but current season Tucker

American stylist-turned-designer label Tucker by Gaby Basora will be the next Go International collaboration for Target. The label is known for silky frocks & tunics as well as shirt dresses in quirky floral, animal and abstract-prints. The labels fans include celebs like Drew Barrymore and Liv Tyler. The Tucker by Gaby Basora for Target collection will hit stores September 12, 2010.

Image is not from upcoming Target collection but regular line Temple St. Clair

As for jewelry, Target has announced their 6th limited edition jewelry collaborator. Temple St. Clair the luxe jewelry label best known for their signature rock crystal amulets will be hitting stores and Target.com August 29, 2010.