Anna Sui's collection for Target doesn't hit stores until Sunday, but being the privileged New Yorkers that we are, we get to shop the line early, thanks to a handy pop-up shop that's opening in Soho just in time for Fashion's Night Out. As you likely already know, the collaboration is inspired by Gossip Girl's four female characters--Serena, Blair, Jenny, and Vanessa--but draws heavily on Anna Sui's archive, which is good news for her fans who haven't always been able to afford the runway looks. I am also happy to report that, like spring's Alexander McQueen collaboration, the prices--and therefore, the quality--appear to run a bit higher than the Go Internationals; in other words, expect pieces in silk, leather, and cotton. So to help you maximize your time inside the pop-up store, here are my favorite looks from the collection.
The Blair looks are full of super-feminine dresses; I am not so sure a woman of my age can pull them off well, but if I were still in my 20s, I'd be all over these. My favorite Blair look is this lace dress ($69.99), which reminds me also of something Mia Farrow would've worn in Rosemary's Baby. It's very sweet, but a little sexy too.
The Vanessa looks probably won't work for me either, but only because of the color palette--if you are an "autumn," these are for you. This retro varsity cardigan ($44.99) and silk (!) wrap dress ($59.99) is a vast improvement over much of the kooky "I'm from Brooklyn" costumes Vanessa wears on the show.
The Serena styles are definitely more my speed. This looks like a pretty nice leather jacket for $149.99 (similar styles by contemporary designers can run into the high three figures), and the satin shift ($59.99) looks like a fun party dress for those who, like me, qualify as "ruler" shapes.
Speaking of party dresses, this metallic bouclé dress ($69.99) has feather trim at the bust, and it totally seems like something Serena would wear to a Meatpacking District bar, or to a party she throws in her apartment while Lily is off galavanting around with Rufus.
But I suspect Ms. Sui felt a kinship with the rebellious, fashion-obsessed character of Jenny, since her looks seem most representative of Anna Sui in general. Take, for example, this printed off-the-shoulder silk dress ($59.99), which seems so Sui to me.
I also love this mixed-print silk tunic ($49.99), which you can layer for the fall or wear on its own in warmer weather.
My absolute favorite look--which I've written about before--is this ruched-trim nylon jacket ($79.99) over a printed silk wrap dress ($59.99). The jacket is a cute update of a totally practical style, and the dress is completely versatile. I'm totally making a beeline for these two pieces on Thursday night.
The Anna Sui pop-up shop is open 9/10-9/12 from 11-8 at 54 Crosby St. (Spring & Broome Sts.). Otherwise, the collection hits your local Target store on Sunday, September 13.
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