A hidden Target

One of my favorite fashion haunts is this nondescript department store in Quezon Avenue. It's actually inside the National Book Store complex, tucked away in a quiet corner.

What makes this place different is that it sells off season clothes from Target. Yup, Target from the U.S. So, whenever you're looking for Merona, Xhilaration, Cherokee or other Target brands, this is the place to go.

Aside from the usual brands, they also occasionally carry some items from the designer collaborations. A few years ago, they carried some items from the Target x Alexander McQueen collaboration, which I didn't care for.

But when I passed by that haunt this weekend, look what I found!

It's the "Meet the Parents" dress from the Prabal Gurung x Target collaboration. Yes, this geometric dress with the custom print was there for the taking. And to think this item completely disappeared from the shelves when it was launched.

It's a "NWT" dress, which makes me wonder where it came from. Were they returns? Or were they overstocked.

Who knows? All I know that it's Prabal Gurung!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, it just did!

It's the "Sparkle" dress from the 3.1 Phillip Lim x Target collection!

See, even the tag says so!

Imagine these finds just by looking around for a few minutes. I should spend more time there next weekend. Who knows what else I'll find!

Here comes Trouble

On youtube, they have a function where they suggest videos based on the one you last viewed. And after I viewed "Pretty Girls," the video suggested was another Iggy Azalea song.

It's a song that's a few months old, but today was the first time I heard about it. It's another collaboration, this time with Jennifer Hudson.



While I find Jennifer Hudson's voice too overpowering at times, her vocals on this song are awesome. It still has that belting and power that JHud is known for, but the pop melody makes it sound more casual and non-chalant.

I won't have any trouble listening to this song again and again and again and again.

Tile Style

There are a lot of nice prints in the Milly x Kohl's collection. But this one has to be my favorite.

It's this tile print in different shades of blue, and it does remind me of Capri.

Another item to look out for!

Can you Phillip?

I can't believe I didn't catch this on my collaboration radar!

Phillip Lim is the next designer collaborator at Target!

Based on the look book, this collection looks more promising than the one by Prabal Gurung. Then again, the photos don't capture the actual fabric, which is usually the deal breaker when you talk about fast fashion collaborations.

Personally, I prefer his collaboration with Uniqlo a few year ago. And besides, my sisters have dresses from that collection already.

Quiet Collaborations

Are people tired of fashion collaborations? Has the marriage of high-end designers and low-end brands ended?

By this time, the we should already be buzzing with stories about H&M's latest designer collaborations. From the first ones including Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor and Rolf, Stella McCartney, Sonia Rykiel, Madonna, Lanvin, and to the more recent Versace and Maison Martin Margiela. 

It usually launches in September or November, so if there's any new collaboration, it should already be announced by this time. But there hasn't been any word whatsoever.

This must be "Capsule collection fatigue syndrome."

So Narciso!

And the collaborations just keep on coming!

A few weeks before the Maison Martin Margiela collection drops, Kohl's is coming up with their own - and first - designer collaboration. And it's no other than the maestro of minimalism - Narciso Rodriguez!

Yes, he of the "Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wedding gown" fame is bringing his signature tailoring and making them budget friendly. After looking at the look book, there are 3 items that I'm instantly liking:

First, a color blocked shift dress. It has the perfect length and the black panels are slimming.

Second, a printed shift dress.

Third, a color blocked skirt and blouse combo. The play of colors is just superb!

I know my sisters already have some pieces from Narciso Rodriguez's main line in their closets. But I'm sure they'll be so happy to have these diffusion pieces in their wardrobes as well.

Dressed for excess part deux

A lot of fashion magazines say that if you have one highly detailed piece in your outfit, everything else should be more muted and minimalist to offset the extravagance of the detailed piece.

On the other hand some designers - including geniuses such as Karl Lagerfeld and Roberto Cavalli - say: The more, the merrier. That's why when you see their designs, it's so rich in details that it's almost bordering on excessive. 

Now, excessive details aren't reserved for the runway or special events. Everyday wear can still be rich in details and not look like a costume.

One such outfit is this shirt and skirt combo from Ate Lissa's closet. Both top and bottom have rich details: prints, ruffles, lace and texture. But the key to making it work for everyday is by keeping the colors muted. And in this case, it's a play of gray and black.

The top is from the old Freeway x Valera collaboration. It's a sublimation tee that has a print of beadwork from a Valera gown. This alone is an uber chic piece.

The bottom is a black lace skirt with ruffles along the hem and in the mid part of the skirt. The silhouette is full, which works with the snug fit of the shirt. This makes the two pieces complementary, despite their highly detailed nature.

This is one of those cases when excess equals success.

Chic Kashieca

This explains why there was such a rush to finish all the Randy Ortiz for Kashieca items. (They marked it down further during the last month, and it looked like it still wasn't moving as fast.)

There's a new collaboration in-store, and it's no other than Presidential designer JC Buendia. 

Given his style and aesthetic, I'm imagining chic, tailored pieces that are versatile and can go from day to night. I tried looking for the collection on-line, and here's one of the pieces that I saw.

Classic chic indeed.

I should check out the store this week to see if this collection is a must buy.