Target Announces Kate Young for Target Collection

Kate Young for Target collection evening dress sketch & everyday dress via Target

Today big box store Target announced a new fashion collaboration, this time with a celebrity stylist.  Kate Young – a celebrity stylist – has been tapped to bring an exclusive collection of women’s apparel and accessories to Tar-jay.  This will  include special occasion dresses (think Prom sell here.)   The limited-edition collection will be available April 14 at all Target stores and Target.com.  I like the sketches Target has released, but I can’t help but wonder if this collab will appeal to the mass-market.  Target shoppers were unimpressed by the previous Kirna Zabete collection and much of it is still on clearance at Target.com

“I’ve been working with Target for a number of years as a stylist, so having the chance to design my own collection with a brand I already know and love is like a dream come true,” said Kate Young. “With this collection, I wanted to design standout pieces that allow women to experiment with fashion and create their own red carpet moments.”  Ok, when I read this statement, I have to ask, do women  go to Target for red carpet moments or to get groceries, cat litter, DVDs and electronics? At some point I have to wonder when Target will stop trying to be a mass-market fashion hub and go back to having a collection or dresses and clothes for working women as they did when Isaac Mizrahi was there.

Casual Look Sketches from Kate Young for Target

Target says, “ Kate Young for Target is modern and versatile, embodying Young’s eye for pushing trends. Known for creating memorable Hollywood moments, Young designed a collection of special occasion dresses for day and evening, as well as standalone separates and accessories that mix and match to create endless ensembles.”  The collection ranges in price from $29.99 to $89.99 for apparel and $14.99 to $49.99 for jewelry, handbags and shoes.

Ms.  Young began her career at Vogue magazine assisting Anna Wintour. Her impressive celebrity clientele includes Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and more.  I’ll be curious to see this collection on the Target racks.  Do Target shoppers go to the big box store for evening apparel? Will they know who Kate Young is?  I’m not sure this will be the retail lift Target needs.

To learn more about Kate Young, check out her interview with Refinery 29.