Prabal Gurung. It's a name that you might have been hearing tossed around in the last few weeks in relation to Target stores. Who is this designer exactly, and why is this event so important for Target? I'll explain...
Gurung is a relatively new designer to the fashion world. Debuting his first collection in 2009 at New York Fashion Week, Gurung has quickly rocketed to the top. Gurung's style is a mix of whimsy, color, and formality. His designs have been worn by such recognizable names as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lawrence, and Zoe Saldana.
Why is this collection so important to Target? Well, Prabal Gurung for Target was a bigger success than the Neiman Marcus collab back in December. After that flop, many fashion bloggers were sure that the era of "Fast Fashion" collaborations were over. Not so fast!
Prabal Gurung brought life back into the idea, and it also it made me completely forget about Duro Olowu's collection for JCPenney!
I can recall sitting on the living room couch after a long day at work, trying in vain to catch up on all the fashion blogger news of the day. (With the long commute I had then - sans internet - this was a process.) Somewhere in the shuffle, I spotted the announcement of Duro Olowu and JCPenney's pairing.
A Nigerian born designer based in the U.K., Olowu's prints are nothing short of unique and colorful. Granted, there is a specific client base that is going to go for such a collaboration, but with JCP's past Betsey Johnson collection Olowu might be in the right place.
Why am I pitting these two collections against each other? Well, from my perspective, there have been a lot of blogger reviews about Gurung's Target collection, but nowhere near the same number for Olowu. I think both collections stand out for the Spring '13 season - sporting bright colors and busy prints.
Prabal Gurung
(Clockwise from top)
"First Date" dress // $39.99
Colorblock pencil skirt // $29.99
"Nolita" skirt // $29.99
Colorblock cardigan // $32.99
I categorize these four pieces as "winners" because of the popularity of these pieces and the fact that they had the biggest draw for me. The Nolita print skirt was one of the popular selling items in the entire collection. Surprisingly, my local Chicago Target still has a few left. I might snag one if they do end up going on sale in the future. The First Date print dress was the other piece out of the four that I saw reviewed as well-fitting and tasteful. You could wear this for work or a night out. It's the perfect transition piece! The two colorblocked items are of my own choosing. They're practical pieces with bright colors - perfect to dress up or down for Spring. I still have my eye on that cardigan for a future purchase...
(From top left)
Lace front blouse // $34.99
Lace overlay top // $29.99
Ruffle dress // $39.99
Ruffle front blouse // $34.99
A few of these items are online only, which may have contributed to why consumers were not too happy with their "in person" appearance. I'm going to start this off with a personal critique. I was excited to order the white and sulfur colored top because it looks so edgy and feminine at the same time. I came across an online return for this piece in my local Target while doing some weekend shopping. It looks nothing in person as it does on the website. I was sorely disappointed. First of all, the color is not a yellow/green as you would believe, but much more of a neon yellow. Secondly, the lace looks to have very small, soft shapes within it. This is also incorrect. The shapes within the lace look like large flowers and are almost gaudy.
I was similarly disappointed by the red dress. There were also a few online returns in the Target that I was able to examine. (For the price of $10, nonetheless!) From a distance, it looked gorgeous. I'm attending a special opera performance in a few weeks, and wanted this dress for the show. When I got up closer to examine the state of it, the stitching and placement of the ruffles looked cheap and strangely placed.
There have been similar critiques about the other two pieces. That people saw them online, loved them, went to look for them in the store, and they looked cheap. The ruffles and lace on the other blouses were also awkwardly placed.
Duro Olowu
(From top left)
Leaf print trench // $70
Print sweater // $40
Jacquard skirt // $35
These are the pieces out of the collection that scream "Spring" above all others. Olowu's collection has many mixed prints, some of which I think would be a bit overwhelming for the less fashion savvy among us. These prints are "fun" but do not sacrifice functionality for fashion forwardness.
(From top left)
Ruffle front print blouse // $30
V-neck print top // $25
T-shirt blouse // $30
My picks for including two out of three of these pieces should be apparent even to the untrained eye. I feel like the top two pieces "age" the wearer. This comment is not to seem discriminatory. These are just hideous prints that can do no good for anyone! I adore the last print, but the neckline is what dates this piece for me. Only when it is paired with a cardigan does it look like a piece appropriate for all ages. This blouse is not a friend of functionality.
Have you had a chance to check out each of these collections in their full glory? Do you agree with my reviews of the respected pieces? Have I missed a piece that you're adoring/love to hate? Drop me a comment as always...
Until next time!
~ they seek her there
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