Thursday, March 31, 2016

Target's Merimekko & Banana Republic's Timo Weiland Spring 2016 Collections.

By Laura Medina

 https://us.marimekko.com/marimekko-for-target

Spring has sprung at both Target and Banana Republic.

Marimekko had a fabric in the heart of Beverly Hills, mis-believing that upscale, glamorously busy residents have the intelligence, the talent, the time, and the energy to home-sew their own clothes.  At least, they hoped those residents would buy the bolt of fabric then take it to their tailors to make them singular, couture outfits....wrong.

Now, Marimekko is resurfacing with surf-ready, Spring Break/Coachella ready pieces and picnic/homeware at Target, as Target's latest limited designer collection,  https://us.marimekko.com/marimekko-for-target


They got psychedelic colors in Merimekko Mod bold prints in tunics, ready for Palm Springs's poolside and Coachella ready.  Enough to give Trina Turk envy but only for this year's Spring Season.

Hey...surf's summer for Spring Break and Summer vacay.

Marimekko and Target to collaborate in a design partnership - Marimekko's bold prints and cheerful colors translate Finnish lifestyle.

Marimekko and one of the biggest retail chains in the US, Target, are collaborating in a design partnership – Marimekko’s bold prints and cheerful colors translate Finnish lifestyle. Marimekko for Target limited-edition collection features playful, print-centric pieces that span outdoor décor, furniture, entertaining essentials as well as beach and swimwear and accessories for women and girls. The prints in the collection were designed by one of Marimekko’s most iconic designers, Maija Isola. Dating back to the early decades of the Finnish design house, the prints are great examples of Marimekko’s design heritage.

“When it comes to our partnerships, we travel far and wide to find designers and brands we think our guests will love,” says Julie Guggemos, Senior Vice President, Product Design and Development, Target. “For our spring collaboration, that brought us all the way to Finland! We’ve had our eye on Marimekko for quite some time, and can’t wait for guests to have a chance to shop this limited-edition collection in just a few short weeks.”

A glimpse into the Finnish culture and lifestyle gave birth to the idea behind the Marimekko for Target collaboration: two iconic brands joining forces to create the feeling of an eternal summer and carefree outdoor living by offering items that bring people together and encourage them to play. Target’s design team spent time in Helsinki, where Marimekko is rooted, and were struck by one observation in particular. Finland has four distinct seasons, and once the cold and dark of winter fade away, the Finns couldn’t be happier to get outside with friends and family to enjoy some much-deserved sunshine.

“Target pioneered the concept of design partnerships and continues to raise the bar with each new collaboration,” says Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, Marimekko’s President. “Following the celebrated previous Target’s design partnerships with brands such as Missoni, Mulberry, Jason Wu and Jean Paul Gaultier, we are very excited to present the Marimekko for Target collaboration this spring. Marimekko was created to bring colors and happiness into people’s everyday lives. We are thrilled to share our storied colorful designs and lifestyle thinking, inspired by Finnish summer living outdoors, with Target's guests in almost 1,800 stores and online across the United States.”

The Marimekko for Target capsule is available on Target stores and online in the US starting April 17.

 

Savy stylistas had already descended up Banana Republic's latest designer re-boot, Timo Weiland for Banana Republic.

Trying to recuperate "Mad Men" Janie Bryant's double "Mad Men" collections for them, Banana Republic is trying to inject fresh blood into the usual staid, office apparel for women.

Stylistas know they can rock the coral crop top cami with the bandage stitching, paired with matching circle skirt for a sassy Spring/Summer garden party then carry it into Fall with a black leather motorcycle jacket.


Among the urbane (such as this scribe) are already bemoaning of Marissa Webb being aside as a creative advisor but Timo's navy linen tie-front box top is salvageable enough to interchange with a crisp pair of white jeans for Spring/Summer then black flare jeans and black leather leggings and black moto-jacket for Fall/Winter.


"Sex and the City's" Charlotte York would be wearing the above and below ensembles.

A smart, lightweight navy linen wrap blazer.  Charlotte is still an urbane Manhattanite, abet a preppy one.
That linen blazer is seasonless.

Of course, she can't live without gingham for Spring and Summer.  The gingham tie-front box top is cute.


The Gingham oufit isn't complete until it's paired with a matching gingham pencil skirt.  

A fresh Spring warbrobe completed by five Timo Weiland for Banana Republic pieces.

It's Banana Republic trying to break of the office cubicle mold while loyal shoppers have something fresh to add to their everyday work tops and slacks.

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