Images from the Missoni for Target television campaign starring Margherita, the granddaughter and face of the famed brand, have leaked.  The photos highlight the label’s signature knits and prints in a minidress, headscarf and carry-on luggage.  It makes us excited to see the end product, and the collection when they hit stores.

Nothing says springtime like caftans, tunics, cotton dresses and tie-dye.  You can find all of those in the Calypso St. Barth for Target collection.  It hit Target stores and online on May 1st and lasts until June 11th.  The limited-edition line is perfect for playtime in the sun.  That would include bikinis and T-shirts, as well as bags, necklaces and other accessories.

A second wave of Mulberry for Target bags are due to hit selected stores on November 14th, just in time for the Holidays.  You can choose between bold prints or classic velvet and patent.  The totes and satchels are the stand-outs in this collection, they have the signature silhouettes of original Mulberry at a budget friendly price-point.  A bag is a great holiday gift to yourself, and to the stylish ladies on your list.

Target has made another high-end connection, this time the mass market retailer has teamed up with Mulberry.  Mulberry is reponsible for the current ‘It Bag,’ the Alexa Bag.  If Target has its way, the high-end retailer will do the same for this capsule collection, but at a lower price-point.  The coupling of high-end with mass market has been a dominate trend for the last couple of years, and it does not appear to be slowing down.  Mulberry is in very good company, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Proenza Schouler are some of the luxury designers who’ve already collaborated with Target.  You can get your hands on a Mulberry for Target bag or two at the launch that is set for October 10th. 

Mulberry Teams Up With Target [Elle UK] 

Zac Posen Spring 2010

Zac Posen is coming to Target.  His Go International collection will be available at Target on April 25th to May 30th.  We are in an environment where high-end designers are opting to make their clothes more accessible to the mass market. 

Posen has been very busy lately; only two weeks ago he announced his diffusion ‘hipster’ line to be sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.  His Z Spoke collection with Saks will go for $78 to $675.  The young designer’s high-end collection goes for $900 to $12,000, but the price point for the Go International collection has not been announced.  It’s fair to say that the price point will be significantly lower than even the Z Spoke collection because previous Go collections at Target have retailed from $14.99 to $149.99.

Designing clothes for the mass market improves the bottom-line, and it increases the name recognition of the designer.  The consumer also wins because they will have access to affordable  merchandise from a high-end designer.  Only the lines at Target will tell the full story next spring, but it’s likely that the story will be a very good one for Zac Posen.

Zac Posen to Design for Target [WWD]

Related: Zac Posen is the Latest to Launch Lower-Priced Line

Anna Sui’s line for Target has made our  Rollcall list this week.  It will be in stores on September 13th, but there will be a special pop-up shop on Fashion’s Night Out.  Fashion’s Night Out is on September 10th to coincide with the start of New York Fashion Week.  Anna Sui’s line is influenced by the CW drama Gossip Girl, and you can bet it will be a hit among tweens and teens returning to school.  The great thing about the line is that it has a separate collection of items for each young lady on the show, Serena, Blair, Jenny and Vanessa.  Click here for a look at the collection.

Anna Sui for Target Collection Gets Its Own Pop-up Shop [The Cut]

Thakoon for Target

The economy has affected us all, and it has even influenced our shopping habits.  We’ve all heard the talk of a ‘V’ shaped economic recovery, suggesting that once we’ve hit bottom, we’ll trend upward without looking back.  While I’m usually an optimist, I’m more inclined to believe that we are in a ‘W’ shaped recovery where we will hit bottom twice before trending upward to a full recovery.  With this in mind, we must be mindful of our budgets, but still remain fabulous and stylish.  Mixing our wardrobe with higher and lower-end pieces has never been more essential for the woman who loves fashion.  Here is a list of the top five collaborations of high-end designers and mass market retailers.  They are:

• 1. Karl Lagerfeld- H&M
• 2. Jimmy Choo- H&M
• 3. Proenza Schouler- Target
• 4. Matthew Williamson- H&M
• 5. Thakoon – Target