We do love designer collaborations, don’t we? And Target has been especially good at experimenting with low-budget designer lines. The latest in the series just dropped today in select Target stores around the US, and online at Target.com: the designer is Jean Paul Gaultier, the enfant terrible of fashion, famous for giving an edgy makeover to classic pieces, and androgynous looks with a touch of vintage glamour.
A favorite of strong, edgy, fashionable women everywhere, Jean Paul Gaultier’s biggest moment of fame came in the late 80s and early 90s, when he became a favorite of Madonna’s and started designing her costumes and outfits for concerts and public appearances – his best known creation is without a doubt the burlesque-inspired gold conical bra worn by Madonna on her Blonde Ambition Tour.
Jean Paul Gaultier has been designing fabulous clothing for many years now, but he enjoyed a new wave of popularity two years ago, when Marion Cotillard won an Oscar for her performance in La Vie en Rose and stunned everyone with her mermaid dress, which had been designed, you guessed it, by Jean Paul Gaultier as part of his Spring/Summer 2008 collection.
Back to present times, the Jean Paul Gaultier for Target collection has been unveiled and from what I have seen online, it seems to be everything we imagined: irreverent, edgy, feminine – and with a lot of surprisingly wearable pieces, to boot.
Some of my favorite looks from the collections:
Stripe Trench Coat in Khaki, $59.99; Lingerie Dot Dress in Green/Black, $34.99
Leather Moto Jacket in Brown/Red, $199.99; Tank Dress in Red, $34.99
Pinstripe Vest in Black, $29.99; Eyelet Halter Dress in Black/White, $59.99; underneath, Bustier Top (comes with Shrug, not shown) in Red/White, $29.99
The collection will be available until April 11, 2010 – but chances are that it won’t really, since some items (like the adorable floral skirt, which fits right in with one of the strongest Spring trends) are already sold out online.
I really wish I was there to look at all the individual pieces in person, because unfortunately the sizing is junior/contemporary, so I’m not really inclined to order the pieces without trying them on or being able to return them. And it’s a pity, because with prices starting at $17.99, I would probably find something to add to my wardrobe.
How about you? Will you be checking this out at your local Target store? Are you even still there? I’m pretty sure some of you dropped everything half-way down this post and just left to run to Target 
… I then came across these Kelsi Dagger ankle boots (the style is called Karina) which look incredibly similar, only with a wedge instead of a heel – which frankly, is way more comfortable to walk in. Price tag: $119.95.
