Designer Looks for Less

Wear your heart on your sleeve to your heart's content - just like young designer Erin Fetherston, whose girlish charm and demure style really tugs at our heartstrings.

[1] Big Heart Necklace, $6.80
[2] Get the look with Erin Fetherston's Hearts Cardigan, $34.99
[3] Wood Heart Necklace, $6.80
[4] Erin Fetherston Heart Handbag, $29.99
[5] Erin Fetherston Heart Necklace, $7.99

Photo credit: WireImage.com

Yesterday Target launched their latest GO International affordable fashion collection by designer Erin Fetherston. Her clothes will either remind you of what you wore when you were 5 years old, what you found at Goodwill when you were 15, or what Courtney Love used to wear in the '90s (minus the smeared lipstick). Whichever way you choose to reference her looks, there's sure to be at least a piece or two that tickles your fancy today. Let's take a peek:


We just had to try on the most over-the-top, girly looks first - but as we sorta expected, they didn't work for us. At all. This chiffon layer dress (left) looked downright silly, as did this red satin jumper which we paired with a white long sleeve tee that had a goofy white bow in the center. Laugh, and move on...


We felt like the clapper of a bell suspended freely within the doming skirt of this little black dress (left) - not at all flattering.

This cape-like wool coat on the right, however, was fabulous! And that's where we were ultimately most satisfied - all the outerwear was well-constructed, feminine and fashion-forward. We loved the ruffle details on the shoulders and the black heart appliqués. Smashing. Don't ask why, but it had an Artful Dodger feel that made it especially fun to wear.


Perhaps our favorite piece was this jacquard print bow jacket. The bow was plump and had kept it's shape during shipping - the fabric looked expensive - and the fit through the shoulders was spot-on, a detail we find especially important for cropped swing coats. Love, love, love it! Perfect for an evening at the theater or ballet. Darling.

We wanted to show you this amazing velvet blazer, too, but it was at this point that our dear sweet camera battery died. Oops!

The bottom line: Get thee to a Target (if you haven't already) and check out Erin Fetherston's line for yourself - and of course, let us know what you think!

Erin Fetherston is the next GO Designer to create an affordable fashion line for Target. The official launch date is November 18 (according to Target's pressroom), though certain items are already for sale online.


Images of this collection began to surface a few months ago, and the response across the blogosphere has been a real riot.

Some have called the lookbook images "cute," "adorable," "precious," "doll-like," and "girly."

Comparisons have been drawn to Lolita, Alice in Wonderland, and Eloise at the Plaza, to name a few.

Others describe the coy models posing pidgeon-toed, donning infant-blond wigs, Peter Pan collars and thigh-grazing babydoll frocks as "overly costume-y," "infantilizing," and even flat-out "insulting to women."

One person with a sharp sense of humor posted this comment on Fashionista.com: "When I want to re-create the look of a sexually precocious 11-year-old in 1967 Des Moines, I know just who I'll turn to."

OUCH.


Anywho, whatever you want to call it, we think there is a valid place (albeit a small one) for this "genre" of female representation within literature, film, fairytales—and yes, even fashion. But it hardly seems original or for that matter, made memorable by Fetherston's interpretation.

Personally, we don't think it's offensive or genius—more like "fun" and "playful" in a naive sort of way. Once you get past the styling, we think you'll find there are some flirty party dresses that are totally wearable and even tempting.

Of course, the true test will be seeing the line in person. Til then, watch this bizarre short film on YouTube called Dollhouse (not to be confused with Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House), costumes courtesy of Erin Fetherston for Target.

What do you think of the collection? Love it or leave it?

P.S. Last chance to shop Alice Temperley, her GO collection departs 11-17-07. >>

In a recent post, we reported on fashion's piracy paradox, which argues that weak intellectual-property rules for fashion haven't harmed the industry, but rather, they've helped it thrive. (In other words, knock-offs aren't the devil incarnate as so many fashion idolaters contend.)


Zoo York Doodle Messenger, $36.50 at Pacific Sun


Cali Canvas Shoulder Bag, $15.80 at Forever 21

Of course there are two sides to every coin, and the debate on copyrighting fashion is no exception: Susan Scafidi is a law professor and the brains behind of CounterfeitChic.com. She's also one of the most fervent opponents of the ideas set forth by the piracy paradox (aside from maybe Diane von Furstenberg), calling it outmoded, economic fiction.

Scafidi says the absence of strong IP rules harms young or emerging designers and robs other designers of a share of the profits. Not surprisingly, Scafidi is an outspoken supporter of the bill currently before Congress which would allow fashion designers to copyright their designs.

So far, Scafidi has failed to convince us of her position. How would you scientifically, objectively, and systematically defend the uniqueness of a piece of fashion? Would the gains from IP protection outweigh the costs of enforcement? Has Scafidi (and in fact the original authors of the piracy paradox) underestimated the impact of existing protection for such nonfunctional aspects as fabric patterns, decorative elements and trademarks? How does Scafidi factor in fashion cycles? And why do designers continue to create and emblazon their items with repeated logos that are so easily copied?

We could go on and on, but instead, we hope you'll read this interview of Susan Scafidi by Condé Nast Portfolio's Felix Salmon, who makes some great counterarguments (even though it sounds like he's agreeing with her at times). Read especially the comments following the article posted by others in disagreement with Scafidi.

Now that we've presented you with the other side of the debate, we offer you this parting copycat conundrum (above) for discussion (which incidentally we discovered thanks to Youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com via Scafidi's blog, Counterfeitchic.om): Did Forever 21 knock-off Zoo York's doodle bag? If so, is it normatively wrong? A cause for concern? An injustice? How would you feel if you designed the fabric?

New arrivals for the Simply Vera by Vera Wang collection at our local Kohl's store exude casual elegance in relaxed cuts and subdued gemstone hues. More details after the jump...


Left: Striped Top, $58 $34.80; Right: Charmeuse Camisole, $54 $43.20


Left: Orange 3/4-Sleeve Blouse, $64; Right: Colorblock Tank, $54 $43.20
The Skinny: There are a bunch of new items for the Simply Vera collection at our nearby Kohl's, including dresses, tanks, blouses, sweaters, skirts and lightweight coats. All the items can be mixed 'n' matched and dressed up or down with ease.

After recounting our search for the perfect sweater dress in an earlier post, some readers suggested we photograph ourselves wearing the items—so what you see above is our compromise! And it's a good thing, too, cuz almost all the latest Simply Vera styles were flouncy and full, so it helps to see them on. We love how everything draped, but we'd probably cinch the waist with a thin belt for an evening out.

Good Stuff: All the straps on the sleeveless tops expertly covered our bra straps. Genius. Also loved the little details, like the tulle covered gemstone designs around the necklines, or the interesting colorblocking patterns with fabrics in various hues and textures (satin, stretch velvet, jersey). Love it.

The Downside: Nearly every item we tried on was made of 100% polyester. You'd never guess by the touch alone, but really, what gives? Clearly, not all poly is created equal but we're still confused by all the synthetics...

Prices were a tad steep (ranged from $54 for a dressy tank top to $138 for a black brocade car coat), however, everything was 20% off at our Kohl's store (as well as online), and of course, you get additional discounts if you use your Kohl's charge.

The Verdict: You've got to try this stuff on, especially if you're looking for something different for the holidays. It really comes to life when you put it on. Just don't pay full price and you won't be disappointed!

Find a Kohl's store near you. >>