Cheryl Shops

It's been so long since I've done a MasstigeWatch post, but so many exciting things are happening in the world of masstige (not to mention the surprise Missoni Christmas presents some Target customers have received).

To kick off the New Year, a few Jason Wu for Target images have leaked to the press—Lucky has an ad campaign images as well as a few choice shots from the lookbook. While Wu is not exactly my style, this looks like a promising collection for fans of his ladylike looks. It hits stores in a month (!) on February 5th, however I anticipate having more lookbook images before then.

But as for masstige collections I'm really, truly excited for, H&M unveiled yet another powerhouse collaboration with Marni, due in stores March 8th. To add another layer of awesomeness, Sofia Coppola will direct the ads. I am particularly excited because March 8th is a Thursday, meaning (hopefully) people won't be camping out overnight for a chance at the goods, and thus I might actually be able to purchase something. I, of course, will share more photos as they're available.

And speaking of H&M, remember the Versace collection last November? Of course you do. Well, there's a part two of sorts, an online-exclusive resort collection due January 19th. The catch? H&M doesn't have e-commerce in the U.S. yet, so consider yourselves lucky, European readers! Fashionista has a preview of the entire collection, should you want to lust over it from afar.

Saturday is the big day, folks: Versace for H&M hits stores, and much like last year's Lanvin collaboration, there are rules. Basically, the first 280 people in line at each store will receive a bracelet; braceleted folks will have 15 minutes to shop, after which the merchandise will open to the masses. (Note: This only applies to the women's section—men have free reign.) You are allowed only two of each item (presumably to prevent eBay reselling). There's a list of stores carrying the collection on the H&M website; it looks like all NYC stores except Harlem and the northernmost Soho store will have the goods, and while opening hours aren't available for all locations, the Rockefeller Center store will open at 8 a.m. Good luck, or as Donatella would say, Get ooouuuutt!

In less frenzied but arguably more exciting news, British designer Mary Katrantzou has created a 14-piece capsule collection for Topshop, which hits stores in February. Grazia previewed the line and reports that it's full of her signature placed prints and sculptural silhouettes. I am quite pumped for this one—I still have several pieces from the Christopher Kane collaboration on steady rotation in my wardrobe, and like much of what I buy at Topshop, they're very well made considering the price. I will of course post more images and exact dates when I have them!

Finally, Rory Beca's latest collection for Forever 21 is now available, and while the best look appears to be sold out online (the black dress with the side cutouts), I wouldn't mind taking home this beaded T-back tank for a mere $17.80. As for the rest, there's a definite '80s inspiration (I guess that's still happening) but there are some flirty ruffled party dresses and flirty tops, and definitely 'tis the season for those.

After the Missoni collection, which was, by all accounts, a galloping disaster, Target announced that MObama favorite Jason Wu is their next designer collaboration. The line hits stores February 5 and will retail for $19.99-$59.99. According to Nitrolicious, who attended the super-top-secret press preview, the collection's muse is a black cat named Milu. Okay.

If February is a bit too far away for you, Target has three accessory collaborations hitting stores before then, October 30th to be exact. The first is a line of 14 hats by Albertus Swanepoel, all for just $19.99. This is particularly noteworthy because Swanepoel is a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund recipient, and a similar hat to the one pictured here is on sale at J.Crew for $178, nearly 10 times the price of Target's version! Also in stores that date: Dana Kellin's jewelry ($9.99-$49.99) and Asian-themed lingerie by Josie Natori for $9.99-$34.99.


Finally, if you're excited about the upcoming Versace for H&M line, you can...get more excited with the campaign images, which have been slowly trickling out to the interwebs. Fashionista has 'em; Mert & Marcus shot 'em; and Versace supes Daphne Groeneveld, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Lindsey Wixson, and Sasha Pivovarova feature prominently. The collection hits stores November 17th—think it's worth waiting in line for?

In spite of the fashion press grumbling that consumers are growing tired of mass-designer collaborations, the masstige bandwagon rolls on, the latest (and biggest) news being that Versace is collaborating with H&M, in spite of the fact that three years ago, Donatella said she'd never do a mass line. Ahem. This one will be slightly different in that it's based on "iconic" Versace pieces, so for everyone's sake, let's hope that includes way-back archival looks designed by Gianni himself. Encompassing men's, women's, and home items, the first collection hits stores November 17, with a second round of pre-spring items on January 19. The Cut (and many other blogs) has a video preview; here are some still shots, courtesy of H&M. Considering Versace is not exactly Lanvin, are you excited or...not so much?

Hitting Target stores a few weeks earlier on October 30 are two accessories collections: 14 hats by CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Albertus Swanepoel (all for just $19.99 each!), and jewelry from L.A.-based wire-wrapping pioneer Dana Kellin (retailing for $9.99-$49.99). I am actually really excited about the Albertus Swanepoel hats--Target's hat collabs tend to be among their more successful outings, mostly due to the fact that hats don't require leather (or in Target's case, fake leather), and I am a just a chapeau-lover at heart. The jewelry collections tend to be pretty solid too, so this is good news all around. More photos of both lines (the hat at left is currently available at Anthropologie) should be available in August, so stay tuned.

And because Target hasn't met a designer collab it hasn't liked, they've also announced a partnership with Josie Natori. The first of the two-part collection should hit stores in time for the holidays, with the second, Valentine's Day-timed installment arriving around January 1. Considering prices are $9.99-$34.99 for bras, panties, and chemises, I'm assuming this will be nowhere as luxe as her signature line; in fact, I'm expecting polyester galore. Still, I am a huge fan of Target's Gilligan & O'Malley boyshorts (3 for $12!), and so I will keep an open mind.

Finally, CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Eddie Borgo's jewelry line for J.Crew is live, and as of now, all pieces are still available (as opposed to the super-limited-edition Prabal Gurung line, which sold out before I even had a chance to write about it). Prices range from $38 for a bow pin to $175 for a fringed necklace; my favorite is this $135 studded cuff, although I would gladly take any piece in the collection (or in his regular line, where prices tend to hover around the mid three figures). Now if only J.Crew will send out another one of those 20% off emails...