Prabal Gurung

We're going to go out on a limb here and say that the Prabal Gurung for Target collection — slated to launch Feb. 10 — is one of our favorite designer collaborations come to life yet. Yesterday, we got our first in-person look at the collection, and while we can guarantee you'll want a piece, we had to promise not to take any photos (translation: our lips are sealed). On the bright side? Instead of Instagramming up a storm, we caught up with the designer himself. Gurung was on hand to speak candidly about this exciting new partnership, dish on what it was like to veer strongly (and if we might add, he nailed it) into the accessories category, and what he's giving and getting this holiday season. Hint: he's got love on the brain. Want to know Gurung a little better? Right this way.

On the piece he loves most: It's really difficult to pick just one piece. For me, the essence of every look is to make my friends, the girls that I know, and the girls that I don't know feel beautiful. That's the idea behind it all, and for girls to feel and look their best possible. I'll say — in the most abstract way — that any piece that makes you feel great is the piece I love most in that moment.

On how a collaboration line is different: From a design perspective, there wasn't much of a difference between doing a collaboration line and working on my own line. I always approach designing from [the angle of] what makes a girl feel beautiful. Yes, the volume [of a collaboration line] is bigger, so from a logistics standpoint, it's a bit different. But the way I design is very similar.

On his (very cool) lineup of accessories for Target: I wanted this girl to have a head-to-toe look without looking too matchy-matchy. She should look very put together. With the accessories — shoes and handbags — you feel like you've got the complete wardrobe.

On holiday giving . . . and getting: I always give one thing — love — and I want love back. That's it.

All the news bits fit to print here, in our daily roundup.

• Cara Delevingne graces the cover of Style.com's Spring 2013 issue, which hits newsstands Nov. 5. [Fashion Etc.]
  

• Singer Rita Ora has replaced Alexa Chung as the face of Superga and will appear in the brand's Spring 2013 campaign. [MTV Style]
  

• Speaking of campaigns, Olivia Thirlby will star in the ads for Prabal Gurung's upcoming collaboration with Target. Thirlby was spotted shooting the campaign with the designer in New York this weekend. [Fashionista]
  

• Proof that body art can be chic: Dior has released a set of temporary tattoos made from 24-karat gold priced at $120. [Fashion Indie]
  

• So, what did Donna Karan and Valerie Steele discuss at this weekend's Designers & Books Fair at FIT? Life and death, of course. [The Cut]
  

• Vivienne Westwood showed her support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange by paying him a visit in London. On Nov. 3, Westwood will take her support one step further when she starts selling t-shirts online to support WikiLeaks' work. [WWD]
  

• Suzy Menkes says wool is making a comeback. [The New York Times]
  

• H&M has been accused of underpaying its workers in Cambodia. [The Daily Telegraph]

Prabal Gurung must have been feeling festive when he opted for the blood-splattered nails he sent down the Spring 2013 runway, because they're the perfect nail art for Halloween. A toothpick and some red polish are all you need to pull off this gory manicure. Start with completely nude nails, or a base coat if you prefer. Dip the toothpick into the polish and place a small dot about halfway down your nail. Using the toothpick, drag the polish up to the tip of your nail. Repeat one or two more times, depending on how many blood drops you want on each nail. Connect the tops of your smudged drops with a stroke of polish, French manicure-style. Seal the splatters in with a top coat, and you have a creepy, runway-ready manicure for your next Halloween bash.

Jessica Alba arrived at her NYC hotel looking part sweet, part badass in a flowy printed Prabal Gurung skirt and a black leather biker jacket by Ralph Lauren ($5,350). This isn't the first time we've spotted Jessica working this supple leather topper, but this girlie-gone-edgy style is much different from her preppy New York Fashion Week look. The actress layered her jacket with a black tank, then accessorized with stunning Rupert Sanderson t-strap sandals ($985), cool cat-eye shades, and a padlock Dolce & Gabbana leather bag — available in a lighter hue here ($1,975). Shop Jessica's exact biker jacket to pair with everything from full feminine skirts to skinny jeans to sheath dresses.