Tis the season to be jolly – fa-la-la-la! Okay, so we’re not quite there yet but we were pretty merry when we scored an invite to a special preview of Target’s three upcoming holiday designer collections.
Target and Vogue threw a cozy, afternoon soirée for bloggers to preview the limited-edition collections by milliner Albertus Swanepoel, jewelry designer Dana Kellin and lingerie designer Josie Natori. All of the collections hit Target stores and Target.com on Oct. 30. Countdown begins… now!
Between sipping tea, munching on canapés and fawning over the hats, jewels and intimates we got a chance to chat with each designer.
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DANA KELLIN
Dana Kellin for Target
The LA-based jewelry designer offers a delicate assortment of feminine necklaces and earrings in translucent jewel tones and soft hues. The displays for the intricate baubles were just as stunning – jewels dangled from tree branches, sprawled across tree trunks and lingered on a bed of bright green moss.
What was your inspiration for this collection?
Dana Kellin: Nature is always a primary inspiration for me. The colors and elements of nature are a few reasons why branches became part of the advertising campaign. We always focus on feminine, sexy and wearable pieces.
What stones and colors did you want to work with for this collection?
DK: I try to incorporate colors that are important in ready-to-wear for the season. We did a lot in teal blue which is reminiscent of London blue topaz, which is also in my boutique line for fall. I thought it was a perfect color for Target because it goes with everything. It’s very wearable and looks great on every skin tone. So, we designed one entire palette around blues and greens. The other palette is a very soft, feminine and flattering palette of dusty pastels.
Why did you decide to partner with Target?
DK: First of all, I love Target. I’ve always admired the designer collaborations, loved the designers they’ve partnered with before and the whole idea of it. I think it’s a wonderful way to expose people to the product and to reach a broader market. And frankly, I just love the idea of being in Target stores!
What are some of your favorite Target finds?
DK: I buy a lot of my kids’ clothes at Target. My family and I went to Greece this summer, so I stocked up on a lot of Calypso St. Barth for Target. My daughter fit into the clothes perfectly and looked like she just walked off one of the islands.
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ALBERTUS SWANEPOEL
Albertus Swanepoel for Target
The South African milliner (who has created hats for Carolina Herrera, Alexander Wang, Thakoon and Narciso Rodriguez runway shows) debuts a line of fourteen colorful hats that blend vintage elements and unexpected details like confetti sequins and intricate trims. Our favorite: a faux fur beanie that evokes a sense of Russian glamour and makes us (almost) wish for winter weather.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
Albertus Swanepoel: I go through stages when I’m inspired and stages when I’m not so inspired. I watch a lot of old movies, I watch people on the street; and I go to the opera a lot. I really like to feel and work with the materials. Sometimes it’s a trim I see on a vintage ribbon or the feel of a faux fur. I imagine women in the street wearing my creations. For my Target collection I wanted to cover all the bases, so there is a little something for everybody. Every hat tells its own story in a way.
How does your line for Target differ from your namesake line?
AS: There is very little difference to be honest. Target asked me to pick some of my favorites from past collections, so I incorporated some of my favorite shapes, colors and the trims that I’m known for. My work is very detail orientated – that’s what hats are all about. For example, I did the confetti hat with vintage sequins from the ’40s, and then Target reproduced them for me. I couldn’t believe it. I asked them about three times “are you sure these are not the sequins?” They did such an incredible job.
What styles of hat do you like working with best?
AS: I like them all! Hats are very personal, almost like a perfume – they should be close to your face and they have to become a part of you. It’s part of your character, so I think it’s important that you relate to your hat. What draws people to a hat is seeing a familiar shape like a fedora, cloche or a claude – something they can relate to. If a hat is some foreign object, no one will want to wear it. Well, a few daring women will.
Speaking of women, what type of woman do you envision wearing your hats?
AS: I think you have to have some personality and a little bit of daringness. When you wear a hat you want to be noticed, so women that wear my hats need character. A lot of women are scared of hats but they shouldn’t be! There is a hat for everyone and a shape for every face.
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JOSIE NATORI
Josie Natori for Target
We can’t wait to wrap ourselves in the black satin robe from Josie Natori’s 37-piece collection of bras, panties, camisoles, chemises and loungewear. The vibrant line makes us want to swap our baggy sleep shirts for snug (and sexy) pajamas. A gorgeous model, clad in a bright pair of jammies, sat at a vintage vanity while flipping through an issue of Vogue during the event – a perfect afternoon if you ask me!
What was your inspiration for this collection?
JN: We blended my signature East-meets-West aesthetic in every aspect of the design. Bold prints and colors inspired by Geisha accents in chemises, caftans, robes, lingerie and pajamas. We wanted to emulate the real essence of the Natori lifestyle and way of life. You can see the color palette we worked with – the blacks, deep reds and prints. We made everything in a variety of fabrics – mesh, cotton and satins.
What is your favorite piece from the collection?
JN: This is a really tough one. It’s way too hard to choose! I wanted to create a great collection for Target and take all the aspects of the Natori sensibility and infuse them into the line. For me, lingerie is a whole wardrobe. I’m very proud of how it came about, the quality and the collaboration.
How did you decide on the overall direction of the collection?
JN: We drew off the essence of what we are about. First, we start with a feel-good fabric. We’ve been in business for 34 years – so we know what women like. Women like comfortable fabrics, so that is the cornerstone of every collection. Then we focus on print, pattern, color and detail. Then we had to edit the collection down; there was a lot more than this, a lot more! The Target design team was really great and knew what pieces would stand out most. The collaboration was the most organic partnership I’ve ever done.
A lot of women throw on an old, ratty t-shirt to bed. Why do you think it’s important for women to embrace the idea of luxury innerwear?
JN: That’s the best part about this collection – we can show more people that there is another option. You can feel glamorous and feminine and still be comfortable. I hope this collection will reintroduce women to that feeling!
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Mark your calendars! Dana Kellin for Target, Albertus Swanepoel for Target and Josie Natori for Target are available in stores and online Oct. 30.
Photos by Chris New
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