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Lifestyle

From Tapping Trends to Designing the Perfect Fit: Go Behind the Scenes of Target’s Owned Brand Magic

  • Nov 4, 2025

Woven into the very fabric of every one of Target’s more than 40 owned brands? Decades of design, sourcing and brand management expertise. An unmatched team that obsesses over every detail to bring the best to our guests. And a beautiful blend of on-trend design, quality and affordable creations you’ll only find at Target. That’s the magic of Target’s more than $30-billion owned brand portfolio — and it’s what sets us apart from the rest.

So how does the Target team make it all happen? Meet Jenny Breeden, senior vice president, owned brand product design and packaging; Melanie Owen, vice president, owned brand design and development; and Sarah McMullin, senior vice president, owned brand product operations. They’ll take you behind the scenes of how we design and develop some of Target’s most popular apparel and accessories brands — from early inspiration to final fit — highlighting the people and process behind the products our guests love.

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Style and design are part of our DNA at Target. It has been with us from the very beginning and continues to accelerate and get even deeper over time within owned brands.

Jenny Breeden SVP, Owned Brand Product Design and Packaging, Target
An in store display of Universal Thread jeans.
A Target team member looks over color swatches in a design room.

What makes Target’s owned brands so special?

It starts with guest insights, trend-savvy design and decades of expertise — all working together to deliver exclusive style at an incredible value. Learn how Target’s design and merchandising teams stay ahead of consumer trends, tapping into guest insights, technology and flexible production capabilities to power accessible, affordable, sustainable product design.

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Denim, redefined

Universal Thread has long been a guest favorite, and this season, we’ve completely reimagined the brand’s denim line with flattering new fits, versatile washes and elevated fabrics. From high-rise palazzo to easy barrel, our designers created fresh styles that reflect shifting consumer preferences while staying true to Universal Thread’s signature comfort and value. Discover how the team combined in-person guest feedback, fit engineering expertise and flexible production capabilities to bring the collection to life.

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Designing for Gen Z’s lifestyle

Wild Fable has evolved into a true 24/7 lifestyle brand, supporting our guests from morning classes to game days and nights out. Rooted in understanding Gen Z — a generation that moves fast, values self-expression and discovers trends across social media and cultural touchpoints — our teams immerse themselves in their world to capture authentic insights and translate them into bold, expressive fashion. Check out how on-campus research uncovered the fall season’s key trends, including the “Gen Z uniform.”

Together, these stories showcase how Target’s design, sourcing and merchandising teams bring creativity, consumer insights and style leadership into every item. From reimagined denim essentials to bold lifestyle looks, our owned brands are designed to inspire — and to keep guests coming back for more.

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