Little Fashion Bird

With all their unending collabos with high-fashion’s most sought-after talents, Target has added another much-loved name to their popular roster. This time all eyes are on famed accessories designer Joy Gryson and her off-the-wall, limited-edition handbag collection. After reeling through Joy’s Target items in Bazaar’s March ‘08 issue, I think it’s safe to say that I’ll probably be one of those crazed ladies waiting in the front lines when her collection hits up stores on April 6, 2008. Gryson, who once worked alongside the ever-so-ubiquitous and heavenly adored Marc Jacobs, helping him dream up his own bags, will now be incorporating her own signature appeal to the Target line, “combining great style with function.” And while I’ve never been much of a fan of Target’s past accessory lines like Hollywould and Loeffler Randall (ok, ok…I’ll give the latter some credit since they did have some fairly credible items), I believe Gryson for Target will definitely leave a mark on the minds of us “cool-fashion-on-a-budget” junkies. Hmmm, I think the last time I felt this anxious over a Target collabo was awaiting the launch of Proenza Schouler. It is just THAT exciting.

With the lovely, much anticipated Spring season just around the corner I think it’s due time for every gal, myself included, to give the closet a little happy boost. On my college-friendly budget, however, it’s not always easy to indulge in my current off-the-runway obsessions. But with a few weekend shopping trips to our vintage/thrift store hotspots, some added imagination, and inspiration from our high-fashion true loves, we could all pull off some ultra-cool looks and even personalize it a bit to make it our own. At the moment I just CAN’T stop obsessing over up-and-coming designer Alexander Wang and his laid back, rather “scuffed-up minimalist”, yet completely captivating Spring 2008 collection. Collaborating with supermodel and stylist-muse Erin Wasson (she ROCKS btw), Wang’s clothing perfectly epitomizes what many of us young, 20-somethings strive to go for as we wake up, scan our closet racks, and get prepped for the day - the “I just woke up, threw it on, and looked oh so ridiculously cool in five minutes kinda thing.” Some of my runway faves of his include:

A slightly oversized blazer w/rolled-sleeves and cropped, “beat-up” cut-offs is too hot for words.

Pair a crisp tailored bottom with your favorite, kinda worn-out cotton tee that’s sitting in the back of your dresser drawer.

A simple fresh look we could all pull off with just a little tweaking (make note: loose, grey vest is a must-have).

To sum it all up, here are my absolute must-buys:

1. A loose-fitting blazer that hits below the waist
2. Vintage blue denim wash jeans, shorts, and jacket.
3. A high-waisted khaki skirt
4. Light n’ airy tanks n tees
5. The perfect cropped shorts
6. A not-too-tailored grey & black vest
7. Super baggy belted trousers

Romania-born and Canada-raised, Irina Lazareanu, is currently making massive waves in the fashion scene, and in record-breaking time – opening up for almost all the best shows in New York, Paris, and Milan. Being the first ever model to have the most runway work in fashion’s history of big-time models is a sure feat [retract those claws, Naomi]. With those big and smokey Louise Brooks eyes, chunky flapper-style bangs, and slender cat-like frame, it’s no wonder why she has caught the fashion gods by storm. And, we indeed applaud her for it. But that’s not the only thing this gal has on her itinerary. While dashing through those catwalks, creating ground-breaking editorial, working tediously to promote Kate Moss’ new line for Topshop, and being the muse of designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Nicole Ghesquiere, and photographer Steven Meisel (with whom she has a contract), Lazareanu is also an aspiring singer/songwriter, playing music on her down time with her Brit band buddies like the Libertines and Baby Shambles. She already has a folk album in the works, entitled Some Place Along the Way, in which Sean Lennon will be the producer and collaborator.