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Friday, August 21, 2009

Mad for Plaid? Egads!

Pictured: A bad flash back, a replica of my catholic school plaid uniform

So, I just have to say it. What is up with the fall plaid trend? I was strolling down Fifth Avenue in Gotham City today enjoying all the needful things and window shopping, when there it was. I stopped in my tracks. A very upscale retailer's window display was full of....plaid! And not just any plaid. The display showed a plaid jumper that bore an eerie resemblance to the jumper I was forced to wear by my mother at St. Bartholomew's Catholic School. Most shocking of all, in addition to the bad memories, was the price tag. The jumper was not cheap. It was over $100.00 US. So I just have to remark upon this trend, what is going on with all the plaid? What's next? Will the plaid jumper take over Rodeo Drive, the Mall of America, shops on Oxford Street, boutiques along the Champs-Élysées and more? Plaid has already hit the racks in the new Miley and Max Azria collection at Walmart. And, it's selling out. The plaid tops by Miley & Max are "no longer in stock" online.

Pictured: Miley Cyrus plaid top from her Walmart collection.

There are also half-bred, hybrid plaid garments rearing up. By this, I mean a garment with a solid top and a plaid bottom.

Pictured: A Fire Buffalo Plaid Dress from Macy's

I just don't know what to think about this. Do I call Sister Hilda and tell her to recycle all the old plaid uniforms because she could make a fashion statement and maybe a little cash? Or, do I get into the spirit of the season and run to my favorite plaid retailer, Burberry, for tasteful fall plaid cover once it hits the sales racks?

Readers, what do you think? Are you loving the new fall plaid trend, or are you also having a bad school uniform flashback? I've already sighted plaid at Topshop, Juicy Couture, Macy's and the Gap. Were any of you forced to wear plaid as children?

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Rodarte Announced as new Target Go Designers: Laura and Kate Mulleavy Will Make It Work

Pictured: The Rodarte designers Laura (in stripes) and Kate Mulleavy at Pasadena's Huntington Gardens

A lovely early holiday gift has just arrived: the announcement that Pasadena designers Laura and Kate Mulleavy are doing a line for Target that will be on the racks in December 2009. I'm so excited about this one. I bought their white shirts from their Gap collection a few years (2007) ago. I still treasure my scoop neck white top with the little bows are over the bodice. It's so beautiful.

Pictured: Rodarte top with little bows from their Gap collection.

Rodarte is well know for their vintage inspired, romantic looking dresses from their runway collections. Their models sometimes look like little Degas ballerinas walking in their tulle.


Pictured: The Rodarte Spring 2008 "Degas" ballerina look

Natalie Portman is a Rodarte lover and has worn their classic styles to film premieres. Check her out below in this 1920s inspired frock.

Pictured: Natalie Portman in a vintage style Rodarte dress at a premiere last year with Scarlett Johansson.

Only a few sketchy details have been reported about their Target line. According to British Vogue, the line will be a 55 piece collection. It will be part of the Go Collection, so I am hoping that is will be sized for more than teenage girls. :) I have hope for that, since the pieces in their Rodarte collection and their Gap line have been sized appropriately. You can see that below in the pictures of the sisters in their own designs with their models.


Pictured: The Rodarte designers with their models.

Many Rodarte designs retails for thousands of dollars. So, I look forward to seeing their Target line for much less. If you live outside the US, take heart. You know the whole line will find its way to eBay.

Watch this space for the Target collection images when they are available in November. It's good to see the democratization of fashion marching on. Now we just need Walmart to announce a new Norma Kamali holiday collection. :)