richard chai

>> In celebration of its fifth year collaborating with designers, Target will re-release 34 dresses from 17 past Go International participants — to hit most Target stores and online at Target.com on March 13, 2011.

The Go International Designer Collective line, as its being called, will feature signature dresses from the past Target lines of Luella Bartley, Tara Jarmon, Paul & Joe, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Libertine, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk, Rogan, Richard Chai, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon, Tracy Feith, Rodarte, Zac Posen, and Tucker. Only Patrick Robinson of Gap declined the opportunity to work with Target again, saying he had other commitments. Images of the collection, which will be in stores through April 10, 2011, are expected to be available in February.

What better way to herald the beginning of New York Fashion Week than with a little love? A little Richard Chai Love, that is. Chai hasn't strayed too far from his trademark feminine roots, and the result is downright gorgeous. I was happy, giddy even, to see Chai's version of delicate layering as it practically floated down the runway! Highlights: sheer pants billowing under light gray shorts, perfectly tailored boyfriend blazers paired with soft blue tees and maxiskirts, and navy bandeau tops peeking through nude maxidresses.

As a bonus, models wore metallic oxfords for just the right amount of accessory sparkle. As the finale looks filed down the runway, I spotted Style Rookie's Tavi Gevinson and Phillip Lim across the way. I'm sure they will wholeheartedly agree that Chai whipped up a dreamy collection of Spring 2011 must haves.

To see all of the pics from the Richard Chai Love show, read more

• First look: Christina Hendricks lends her Mad Men appeal to London Fog — People
• Marc's sore spot — Vogue UK
• Crystal Renn vs. the world — Interview
• America's Next Top Model winner Whitney Thompson poses nude, defends Tyra Banks — Stylelist
• 100 reasons to get excited for Fall — The Cut
• Drew Barrymore in Richard Chai and Camilla and Marc — Red Carpet Fashion Awards
• FNO highlight of the day: Bloomingdale's — Vogue Daily
• Fashion favorite: crossbody bags — College Fashion
• Sartorial secrets from festival queen Alexa — Modelinia
• Carlos Falchi makes my Fall dream bag — Purse Blog
• Fall Pierre Hardy for Gap collection out Oct. 19 — Fashionologie

>> Last night saw crowds on New York's West Side craning their necks in awe while Target's twenty-minute-long Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular took place. The mass retailer rented out 155 rooms — the entire south side of the Standard Hotel — and took advantage of the building's floor-to-ceiling glass, illuminating the windows to reveal 66 dancers performing a choreographed dance. The light show and dance sequences portrayed everything from a growing green vine, to lightning and rain, to a tie-dyed rainbow of colors before finally ending to applause in a red Target bullseye.

Among the audience were Prabal Gurung, Richard Chai, Georgina Chapman, who is due with her first child any day now (and still plans to be at Fashion Week), and reportedly Phoebe Philo. Target is clearly working on upping its image — and last night's display seemed a success, based on the enthusiastic audience reaction. It's also partnering with Gilt Groupe for the first time, allowing its collaboration with Mulberry (see images here), which doesn't hit Target stores until Oct. 12, to be sold on Gilt tomorrow, Aug. 20, in limited quantities.

A video of last night's light show, below.

The video! »

Lauren Conrad suited up in the navy this week — and she wasn't the only one sporting the trend. Jessica Biel also donned a playful Erin Fetherston jumpsuit in the same deep sea hue. And why not? This is an easy silhouette, and the moody midnight color is a chic Summer alternate for your basic black. The key is to work the sexy angle to avoid looking like you're in uniform. Try a little ruffle à la Lauren, or go strapless and bare some skin — anchors away!

Last night's CFDA Awards brought out a gaggle of impeccably dressed stars to Lincoln Center in NYC — Sarah Jessica Parker in McQueen, who gave a speech for the late designer, Alexa Chung in Marc Jacobs, and Gwyneth Paltrow in Michael Kors, to name a few. But besides the fashion, the much-anticipated awards were handed out to this year's lucky nominees. Without further ado: Marc Jacobs won for Womenswear Designer of the Year, Menswear Designer of the Year went to Rag & Bone, and Fab favorite Alexis Bittar scored Accessory Designer of the Year. Congrats!

To see who else got CFDA crowns, read more

Richard Chai and Jeremy Scott for Alternative Apparel

Re-imagining the classic tee, designers Richard Chai and Jeremy Scott have teamed up with Alternative Apparel founder Greg Alterman on a capsule collection. Sold exclusively at Refinery29, the lineup features a hooded minidress, long sleeve bodysuit, and turtleneck dress by Scott and ruffle-adorned tops by Chai—all in Alternative Apparel's signature, perfectly soft cotton jersey.