Beauty

Following an beautifully chic line of predecessors such as Proenza Schouler to name but one, Monica Botkier is in good company with the launch of her new handbag collection with Go Target. Target is very well known for working with high end designers in the industry to create a product that is available at a price point the average consumer can afford.

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Monica Botkier is the latest edition to the Go Target collection, and she is world famous for creating a handbag that has been seen dangling from the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Heidi Klum. And now her products are available to you.

Generally, a Botkier bag will run you as high as $700, but now, at Target, you can snag one for anywhere from $19.99 to $49.99. Her clutches and wristlets are on for a mere $19.99.

Every girl should have a little Botkier glitz in her closet….what are you waiting for? Check them out at Target today!

For those of you that enjoy designer pieces at bargain prices, we have another one just out. Jessie Randall for Loeffler Randall will be releasing her first line of accessories for Target. Such cute pieces too, what do you think?

Jessie, on working with Target:

It was something we wanted to do, but only with the right partner. Target has pioneered the concept of design for less and worked with such an amazing roster of designers. I was honored to be asked to do a collection for them.

This tote, how do I love thee, let me count the ways. You can’t beat the price at $39.99 and just look at all the stuff you can cram in that baby! I love it, super cute and super chic.

Jessie, on what her line is about:

Both lines are sophisticated with a touch of femininity - for the chic, modern girl. For my Target collection, it was important to include the ultimate flats that could be worn everywhere and the perfect functional tote. I was so impressed with the quality we were able to achieve for such an affordable price point.

Chic and modern is what these clutches are all about. I am thinking Sex and the City meets the 2007 girl, what do you think? So cute!! These can be either a day or a night piece, EASY. And where else can you get a Loeffler Randall clutch for $24.99? Duh, nowhere, that’s the point!

Jessie, on her favorite piece from the line:

The rosette ballet flat in rose gold is my favorite. I’ll be wearing them everywhere with jeans and my army jacket on the weekends and with cute dresses for work during the week.

I have to say, these shoes also could not be more versatile. Again, wear ‘em out dressed up a bit, or as Jessie prefers, with some jeans and a chic coat. Love love!!

Great job, Jessie, and best of luck!

You know, fashion changes so much, this is after all what makes the industry and the art so very interesting. At least for me anyway! We have already taken a look at the most important aspects of the fashion for last year – fashion and beauty trends from 2007. And they were all lovely! But what happened in the business?! Believe it or not, designers come and designers go, but they all cater to the masses and when one house changes creators for another, it’s big news. This year the industry saw a LOT of changes, and a lot of revolutionary outcomes as a result. The runway down the Great Wall of China is the kind of thing I am talking about. Now THAT took some serious artistic genius, and THAT is what I love about fashion. So what was big, who was big, who wasn’t, and how is this going to affect us this year? Let’s have a look at the first five (in no specific order)…..

The designers worked for the MASSES this year! And I just loved it. Who wouldn’t? Pick up a dress by Proenza Schouler at Target, and you can STILL tell people you are wearing Proenza Schouler. Noone needs to know the difference, right? Yes, many big names really worked for the people this year and the fine (but sadly, oh so very *not straight*) boys of P.S. fed their hungry fans pieces going for $39.99 for the Go Target brand. And these also caused quite the frenzy overseas at Colette. Kate Moss followed suit with the Topshop line and Vera Wang did the same for Kohl’s. In fact, you can no longer purchase Vera at Kohls as the line is completely sold out. You snooze you lose! The big winner here for the masses was Roberto Cavalli. His fans lined up outside H & M for 24 hours just to snag some of his mass marketed pieces.

I know, you all just love to hate her, but I have to mention her, I just HAVE to. Mrs. Becks, Victoria Beckham, or Posh, call her what you will (I am sure many of you have your own names). Busy girl! No wonder she doesn’t have time to eat! Yes, she made waves in the industry this year as well. Why? She authored That Extra Half an Inch, a book we have featured here. She also established herself as the designer of dVb (denim by Victoria Beckham), she’s married to the cutest man from Europe…what else what else…well, there is the whole Spice Girl reunion thing as well. Catch her on the cover of ELLE this year, and this spring, yes, she will be the new face of Marc Jacobs. Man, I don’t really like this girl, but MAN I’d really like her LIFE!

This year was Henry Holland’s Opus as well. Apparently you weren’t anybody in the industry unless you became immortalized on one of his T-shirts. What, it just takes a cheeky saying and some cotton to go big? I could so do that….He was better known for slogans such as “Do Me Daily, Christopher Bailey”, “Wham Bam Thank you Stam”, and “Flick your Bean for Agyness Deyn”. Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters went crazy knocking these babies off and they just FLEW off the shelves. The most famous one? Holland’s own opus he wore at the show for his Fall 2007 collection: “One Trick Pony”. Wow. WAY too much information.

Happy Anniversary! This year hallmarked some big milestones for some of our faves. Valentino celebrated his 45th year in the biz at his teensy little chalet in Rome. The affair hosted 500 VIPs and ran for 3 days. Someone remind me NOT to throw out the Valentino card next year! John Galliano for Christian Dior celebrated his 60th and of course in the industry, it is all about out-doing the last designer so he swept Valentino’s soiree to pieces by hosting a sunset party at Versailles. His runway show for the party included supermodels Gisele, Shalom, and Linda and included an orchestra, gospel choir, and well, he could not forget the flamenco dancers. (well, that would just be rude). Ralph Lauren was another classic that celebrated an anniversary, and this was his 40th year in the design biz. No flamenco dancers for Ralph, his was definitely a much more downscaled affair to remember, and was quintessential Ralph Lauren. Classic, elegant, and gorgeous. His was held in New York Fall Fashion Week for the spring collections, and came in the form of a candlelit gala at the Conservatory. The party was as much Ralph as anything could be — manicured gardens, champagne, and timeless elegance as only Ralph can do. Yes, Happy Anniversary and wishes for many many more for ALL of these design gods.

Saving my favorite for the last today!! WHEEEE!!! Believe it or not SHOES actually made statements this year, when Saks Fifth Avenue opened their own store exclusively for shoes. But no no no girls, this was not just any shoe store. You may call it, Shoe Temple. Yes, if my time comes before this exquisite architectural foot shrine closes, please bury me underneath the Louboutins. This “store” is so big it has its own ZIP CODE. Yep, 10022-SHOE. And I am not even joking. It holds 10,000 square feet of space and is home to over 100 THOUSAND pairs of shoes. And yes, you will find plenty of Louboutin, Gucci, Manolo Blahnik, Yves Saint Laurent, Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, Prada, and Roger Vivier to name a few. I want to win a trip to New York just to see this store. And yes, I’d have to buy new shoes for it. Just so I could say, those are the shoes I wore in the Shoe Temple. And just for maybe just a day, I would look, not touch, and just be the happiest girl in the world. Ok, y’all know I’m gonna hafta touch at least one pair…but thats IT. I simply must! And no, I’m not kidding when I say you must refer to this haven as the Shoe Temple.

Photos: Elle Magazine

Up next for the consortium of GO designers for GO International at Target is none other than new face in the crowd, Erin Fetherstone. Relatively new in the business, Erin is going to be presenting a Limited Edition Collcetion for Target that should be arriving pretty much any day now. What can you expect? Babydolls silhouettes, flouncy dresses, and a LOT of hearts. The line will have a price point below the $100 mark which is a nice switch from her standard price tags of $1500 + at Barneys New York. Erin is a CFDA Fashion Fund finalist and definitely deserves this exposure.

The Erin Fetherstone for Target line will feature exquisite cuts that are not sacrificed simply because the budget is lower. The detailing known on her ready-to-wear line is very similar to what you will see here.

Erin is a graduate from UC Berkely and enrolled in Parsons School of Design after that, graduating in 2003. In 2004, she showed her first couture collection at Paris Haute Couture Spring 2005. She also created a ready-to-wear collection hoping to see her cuts on the streets in a more affordable manner. With the GO International Target line, she has made her wish come true ten fold. Her first full ready-to-wear collection was showcased at Bryant Park during New York Spring 2007 Fashion Week.

The Target Collection features a variety of silk and jersey pieces in playful cuts. You will see both dresses and separates and girly add-ons like satin trim, velvet, and heart-shaped embellishments. Chiffon will be big in this line as it is geared for the holiday demographic as will be chunky scarves, brocade headbands, and oversized heart handbags. The collection has a price point that ranges from $7.99 to $89.99 and includes must haves such as Peter Pan collar dresses, ruffled blouses, chunky cardigans, minis, skinny pants, and wool coats.

The pieces currently running as the most acclaimed are the charmeuse jumper with velvet hearts, red velvet shorts, and a layered chiffon dress. Accessories include sweet bow headbands in red satin, black jacquard and cream brocade as well as playful heart necklaces. The girly girl is definitely going to LOVE this collection!!