I’m a sucker for fast fashion, especially designer collaboration fast fashion (Lanvin for H&M anyone?). There’s something poetic to me about mixing a ’90s Dries van Noten jacket with Isabel Toledo for Payless platforms and my mother’s chunky gold jewelry from the ’70s. So I’ve got a giant red circle on my desk calendar around March 13, the day Target releases its GO International Designer Collective. It’s a retrospective of sorts, a re-release of 34 of the best dresses from 17 past GO International collaborations, in honor of the five year anniversary of Target’s GO International program. The limited-edition collective features dresses from Asian American designers Thakoon and Richard Chai, as well as Luella Bartley, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jonathan Saunders, Rodarte, and Zac Posen, among others.
If you missed out the first time, now’s your chance. The funny thing is these dresses are so on trend for spring — yet another testament to the cyclical nature of fashion. Thakoon’s tie-dye print dress and Rodarte’s lace prints are spot on for spring. I’ll be wearing mine with Jonathan Saunders’ neoprene yellow belt from his collaboration with Target a few years back and my floral fedora Eugenia Kim designed for the retailer.
Thakoon for Target printed tie-waist dress.
More styles after the jump.
Shu Pei Qin in Richard Chai Love.
From “Bohemian Rhapsody” to “Eccentric Ladylike” themes littering the fall runways, the new looks for fall combine classic cuts with a bit of fun. Think a mix of summer with dash of fall and that’s the route that a lot of fall trends seem to be taking.
And it’s easier than ever to achieve — just add a few key fall items that are already staples in most women’s closets with your current summer wardrobe. What’s more is that summer clothes are on sale everywhere right now, from the mall to online boutiques. Essentially, you can buy what’s “in” at sale prices, and then work them into your fall wardrobe.
To start off, let’s review some summer trends that’ll work for fall:
Summer Prints
Stores from J. Crew to Urban Outfitters showed an explosion of floral prints this summer.
Lightweight, Feminine Blouses
Light, sheer blouses with details like ruffles, ruching, embroidery and lace are hot on the racks everywhere, as well as etailers like ShopBop.com.
Utility Shirt and Jackets
Utility shirts and jackets come in different lengths and colors, and they were key ways to get your military vibe on in your spring and summer looks. Stock up at Gap.
To transition these key summer pieces this fall, wear them with those fall essentials that everyone has: long cardigans, blazers, sleek jackets or coats, and leather boots.
A crisply tailored jacket, a printed scarf and boots, like these at Ralph Lauren, are staples in most closets.
A chunky cardigan, a long blazer or even a fur vest worn over a summer blouse or floral print is an easy fall ensemble.
Chanel Iman pairs a long cardigan with a vibrant print in Tommy Hilfiger.
A faux fur vest and knee high boots add heft to a lightweight summer blouse, as worn by Liu Wen in Anna Sui.
Wooly textures and faux fur pairs nicely with a floral print. Eugenia Mandzhieva in Mulberry.
Have a summer dress you love? Instantly update with a faux fur vest and opaque ribbed tights, as modeled by Hyoni Kang at Karen Walker.
Additionally, utility shirts accompanied by scarves or leather boots can be a great fall look as well. Whether you’re going for a casual look or something more chic, a utility shirt or jacket can make any outfit look presentable and pulled together.
Liu Wen in Salvatore Ferragamo.
Shu Pei Qin in Etro.
Tao Okamoto in Jonathan Saunders.
So get a jump start on fall by checking out your favorite stores for summer sales on the best summer trends.
Enjoy!
If you didn’t know by now, green is back.
It started with the palest jade nails and jade jewelry on Chanel’s Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 runway.
Then the black nail polish obsession morphed into a penchant for all shades green, from blackened emerald to opaque mint.
And if the Spring 2010 runways are any indication, the color so commonly associated with everything from envy to environmental consciousness is officially back on its own merits: As pure, unadulterated color.
Still model of the moment, Liu Wen wore head to toe peacock green on the Yves Saint Laurent runway, made cooler with pewter accents.
At 3.1 Phillip Lim, the hue of choice was a chartreuse-y lime, done up in satin and made edgy with sheer black.
Can’t do head to toe? Add a touch in your accessories, like the printed scarf and deep emerald earrings on Liu Wen on the Marni runway. (Looks so good with gold — still going strong for spring!)
Treat green like a neutral. Just a touch of olive at Jonathan Saunders adds edge to clean lines. Tao Okamoto in Jonathan Saunders.
The freshest way to wear green is mixed with a shade — any shade — of blue. Emma Pei in a brilliant emerald green Lela Rose dress.
Get in on this trend now. Accessories are the easiest way to go green; they’ll add a pop to your fall wardrobe, or a twinge of envy for the holidays.
A python bag with a sheen — perfect for the office and drinks afterwards. Sang A “River” spring green python bag, Sanga.com.
How fabulous would this look with your LBD or a white tee? Jennifer Elizabeth “The Michelle” necklace, $175, JenniferElizabeth.com.
I love the sporty luxe look of this Nicole Brundage “Freddy” shoe.
The perfect pop of color for everyday. Ananas “Kira” bag, $299, www.AnanasCollection.com.
A pop of sea green draws attention to your eyes. Rosena Sammi “Sovereign” earrings, $170, www.ShopRosenaSammi.com.
So gorgeous, this is like jewelry and a clutch in one. I love the subversive little snake running up the middle. Rene Caovilla satin clutch.
