Designers take a cue from the fashion elite with the latest in high end décor for less
Target and IKEA debut their designer home furnishings

 It’s time for interior design to have a go at it inside the high-meets-low ring with the latest design collaborations headlined by industry heavy hitters. First to the mat is New York designer Dror Benshetrit who is the brainchild behind the avant-garde label Studio Dror responsible for such designs like planks of wood that hang on the wall like an art installation but sit on the floor to resemble a chair.

His latest project is a 23-product Target collaboration filled with your garden variety linens and stationary as well as eye catching pieces like a retro looking sunburst wall clock ($24.99) and an ever morphing shelving unit ($89.99).

In the unit, sets of four trapeze shaped wood boxes stack on top of each other to create an angled tall shelf or can be nestled together for storage. And if that’s not unusual enough for you, next up is IKEA with its PS Collection which includes Swedish big name Front and their storybook chair.

And I kid you not, it literally is a storybook! The cushions on the chair fold like the pages of a book to unveil four different prints that tell the story of the Swedish history of textiles. Talk about page turner!

-Wendy

With a bevy of handbags of every shape, size, color and style available at any given moment, it can be hard to declare a winner in a world of objects meant to carry much more than just belongings. My sister, for example, never leaves home without at least three lip glosses (usually in strikingly similar shades and textures), a pack of gum, and five or six variations of pink-inked pens. My mother is a bit more sensible, with emery boards, a (balanced) checkbook and other mom essentials such as a miniature package of tissues, packets of Splenda and photos of her beloved daughters, all stored neatly in her purse du jour. I, seeking comfort in chaos, can usually be found with two or three notebooks, defunct receipts for my last 100 or so Trader Joe’s purchases and Nars lipstick in Dolce Vita, along with a book, day planner and iPod interwoven through the carefully chosen mess.

And that’s where the tote bag, the gold standard of ’schlepping’, if you will, comes in. No other accessory will allow you to carry everything but the kitchen sink (but perhaps a faucet or two) in an effortless and pulled together package, thanks mostly in part to its traditionally spacious interior. Since not all totes are created equal, and since bargain hunting is our forte, why not pack one up with The Vogue City?

It would be a crime against accessories to not start with L.L. Bean’s prepster-worthy Patchwork Madras Tote, $19 at LLBean.com.

Yes, that’s right. $19. There are few places where you can find a well-made, durable tote that also comes with a lifetime guarantee for under $20. Their canvas collection of Boat & Tote bags is equally adorable, and with prices starting at just $10.

Felix Rey for Target has us longing for lazy days at the beach with this nautical-inspired PVC tote, $49 at Target.com and at select Target stores. 

The price is slightly higher than we’d like to pay for Target, but keep in mind that Rey’s pieces typically run upwards of $100 plus for smaller clutches. PVC is easily cleanable and works well with the beach, and makes a stylish statement at the supermarket as a reusable grocery bag.

We le sigh for LeSportsac. Their pieces are funky, fun and carry well, whether out for a stroll in the park or out on the town. Their Leigh bag, $128 at LeSportsac.com and Bloomingdales, is no exception.

The price packs a heavy punch; however, all of their pieces are made in the United States and are sweatshop free. Paying a bit more for ethics, plus bypassing the carbon footprint from having an item shipped from a factory overseas, is something that you can’t put a price on.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

Retro chic womenswear and home designer Orla Kiely gets inspired this February with her new Target designer collaboration line. Known for multi-colored petal pattern designs that pop, Kiely imprints her flair for color onto everything from oven mitts to shoe organizers. The line covers homewares fit for the kitchen, closet, bath, and office. The latest print/color inspiration? Stemmed floral and pear prints in bright blues, yellows, and oranges that pepper everything from kitchen basics like linens, serving trays, tableware, and aprons to CD storage boxes, milk crates, and laundry hampers. And unlike head-scratching design collabs that look nothing like the original, all the prints actually mimic looks from Kiely’s namesake collection.

Just take a peek at her flower abacus shade ($150) or the apples and pears mug ($22)! See the resemblance? Now get the same retro décor for less come the first week of February when Orla Kiely pops into stores.

-Wendy Wong

We would all love our closet to be filled with high end designer pieces made of the finest fabrics, in every color of the rainbow.  Although this would be just a dream for most of us, the bad economy and a smart move from a couple of discount stores such as Target, Kohl’s and K-mart and European import H&M,  made possible for all of us to have access to quality fashion at bargain prices.

Target is “the” department store to go to for purchasing these “designer collaborations” which are available through their GO International label. 

Coming up this month in Target’s already long line of designer collaborations is Thakoon.  Thakoon’s line for GO International will consists of the same timelessly feminine offerings which we are used to, which showcase the designer’s innovative construction techniques alongside subtle detailing. The line will be available on December 28th.

Target has designer collections for every department of their store. Sigerson Morrison has recently teamed up with Target and created a Shoe Fall 08 Collection.  The shoes come in colors that tie into the Fall 08 trends; gemstone colors. The collection consists of flats, heels and even booties which are all priced from $29.99 to $39.99 which is a steal compared to the $400 average price tag their high-end collection offers. 

Walk around in a designer outfit and not have a great bag to go with it? Target thought of that too and partnered with Anya Hindmarch to create an affordable line of handbags priced between $19.99 and $49.99. With a palette rich in chocolate, gold and black hues, the Anya Hindmarch collection is another great find.  

Also, coming up soon is the Hayden-Hartnett line which will debut on December 28th. The Hayden Hartnett collection has great neutral toned bags and comes in a variety of styles that could easily be incorporated into the trends of Spring 09. Although these bags are not leather (we can’t be greedy; you won’t get high end designer and high end material at the same low price), they definitely look better than anything you can pick up in that price range.  

To top it off you can pick up some nature themed jewelry pieces from Dean Harris’ line for Target. With flora, vine, leaf and pebble themes, Harris’ line gives you great designer accessories at sample sale prices.

Designer couture doesn’t only have to be for the rich and famous. Target’s designer collaborations makes designers public friendly and puts their brand in good standing with the average Janes of the world. Past collaborations with Target consisted of designers like; Proenza Schouler, Jonathan Saunders (which is currently up to 75% off) Monika Botkier and Erin Fetherston. Alexander McQueen will debut his Target line for GO International in Spring of 09. Other discounts stores have followed in Target’s successful footsteps and designers like Vera Wang who has created a line for Kohl’s, Norma Kamali has created one with Kmart and there is the Euro import H&M who has hosted designs by Madonna & Roberto Cavalli and will be hosting the uber anticipated line from Commes Des Garcons.