Target’s first GO International Collective, which brings together previous hits from their many individual designer capsule collections in one place, officially launches today.

GO International didn’t invent the designer/fast fashion collaboration, but in the US it was one of the first to offer clothes from emerging designers at Target prices (read: almost nothing over $100). {Target}

Over the past five years, the Target collaborations have expanded to more established luxury fashion labels like Mulberry for Target, Jean Paul Gaultier and Liberty of London, with collections selling out even faster than Target themselves anticipated. The young designers are where it all started though, and this year Target has decided to bring back the “greatest hits” of the past so you can score some of the must-haves you may have missed.

This Thursday in New York stars gathered to celebrate the launch of the upcoming design collective showcased at the Ace Hotel. Featured designers in the great re-release will include 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 (perfect timing with all of the Black Swan buzz), Zac Posen and Tucker – with all dresses on offer coming in under $50. We have no doubt the lineup will see a fight to the register or online checkout for those who missed out on the first versions.

We absolutely can not wait for the release of the 34-dress collection, which is scheduled to run through April 10th. Our advice? Wake up early and get a spot in line to ensure you get the dress you want, or bookmark the Go International page and click quickly.

Has the Collection Already Sold Out?

One important tip if you’re shopping online: it looks like Target hasn’t worked out all of the bugs as far as the website navigation goes, so the only way to get to the collection items is through the special section included on the main GO International page. If you click the links on the left to browse by designer or color, you may get a message saying there aren’t any items in the category. Rest assured, they haven’t sold out that quickly, but if you want a bunch of styles for yourself, you can continue to let everyone else think that’s the case. We won’t judge.

Happy Shopping!

This weekend Signature9 attended Diet Pepsiâ€s Style Studio event in SoHo as part of New York Fashion week, and we have to say we were a bit disappointed with the whole thing. The night promised to include designs by Jonathan Adler, a Diet Pepsi “Skinny Bar” and most importantly a window display by Barneys†Simon Doonan, who was recently moved from being their creative director to “creative ambassador at large.”

The window creation Doonan produced for Diet Pepsi was somewhat impressive. It featured a giant high heel made of the new Diet Pepsi skinny cans (which wonâ€t hit retail shelves until March) as well as an equally large Diet Pepsi skinny can, also made out of regular-sized skinny cans. Both were pretty cool by themselves and must have taken quite a lot of work, but overall we got more of a tart than art vibe from the whole setting. The models working the display were dressed in just a t-shirt, panties and fishnets, and the giant shoe was stripper-heel style, though we do have to give props to the models for being able to balance on a platform made of soda cans. A model laid out on a chaise lounge was also sprawled by the front door, but it came off as cheap rather than eccentric chic.

The interior decorating was classier, but less creative, as it consisted basically of a few white flowers stuck in Diet Pepsi skinny cans throughout the room. There were also apparently special straws by Adler in the Diet Pepsi skinny cans that were served, but we really didnâ€t notice anything special just from drinking from them. Maybe weâ€re oblivious, but we thought they were just colorful.

Most of the headlines and blog posts about the Diet Pepsi Style Studio are actually about Blake Livelyâ€s attendance at the event, not the event itself, which pretty much says it all about just how memorable the night was.

We must say though, if Diet Pepsi is angling to replace Diet Coke as the fashionistaâ€s drink of choice, as many speculated a few weeks ago, they might have more of a chance than we initially predicted. The event was buzzing with fashion types, and Gabrielle Union, Rachel Roy and Lala Vazquez made an appearance in addition to Lively. The brand also partnered with Charlotte Ronson and Betsey Johnson for promotions. Plus, as an official sponsor of Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week, Diet Pepsi was very present in the main tent at Lincoln Center where we didn’t see one Diet Coke. There is work needed on the uptown class part of the campaign, but diet drink loyalty from the fashion set does seem to be up for a Pepsi challenge.

According to a press release from Deckers Outdoor Corporation, which acquired the Ugg brand in 1995, Brady adores Uggs and wears them all the time (doubtful), and company Chairman and CEO Angela Martinez said Mr. Giseleâ€s status as a highly noted football player and “style icon” makes him their ideal spokesman.

We were going to say that what that likely means is Brady is meant to make Uggs seem more masculine and thus more appealing to a wider population of men, but actually Uggs are already pretty masculine-looking and have somehow become associated with women and girls. The Uggs will probably, therefore, have the opposite effect on Brady. In other words, heâ€s liable to find his Ugg boots wearing him, not the other way around. The score for now: Ugg-1, Brady-0.

It was announced this week that Teva has partnered with Grey Ant, a New York City-based designer known for tongue-in-cheek interpretations of old trends, to create Teva high heels. They come in “Natural,” which is tan and has a buckle closure, and “Worlds Unite,” a black and white mash-up with – you guessed it – a Velcro closure. They go for $330. {the gloss, New High (M)art}

You can order the shoes by phone at 323-638-0271. {Daily Candy} They are also available online at New High (M)art, whose product page for these babies says New High (M)art is “proud” to exclusively present Teva Stilettos and includes the following copy:

It’s the classic “Hurricane” style sport mandal re-imagined as a STILETTO. This co-branded effort sees the Teva velcro-strap styling and grip-sole construction on a 4″ stacked heel. They’re calling it the most comfortable, performance high heel on the planet — we call it the most daring mash-up of the decade. This is anti-fashion at its purest. And so good when paired with socks.

A note at the bottom of the page adds, “*Not recommended for actual hiking, gardening, mountain climbing, or Phish concerts :).”

For once, weâ€re speechless. Especially because these things cost more than $300. The Teva Stilettoâ€s availability on New High (M)art seems to be as tongue-in-cheek as the shoeâ€s actual creation, but the high heels do legitimately exist and are for sale online, nonetheless. And we have a feeling there are people out there crazy enough or determined enough to be anti-fashion that they will purchase them. Hereâ€s the only silver lining to this situation: New High (M)art has limited quantities available. (Phew!)

The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio enlisted von Furstenberg to create a patient gown that does not have the undignified back opening hospital gowns are known for, and she delivered, designing a gown that has side ties instead. She also put her signature into the work, as the gowns appear to have been inspired by the wrap dress and feature a bold, graphic print. {LA Times}

News of the more stylish hospital gown was released this summer after the new design was unveiled at the 2010 Patient Experience Summit in Cleveland, and word has been slowly spreading through the media. The LA Times reports that patient feedback has been mostly positive, with the only major gripe coming from some men who feel the design is too feminine. Weâ€re not sure how masculine these men think something that is essentially a dress can be, but we suppose it is a fair complaint.

Von Furstenberg reportedly came upon the project when she met the Cleveland Clinicâ€s CEO Toby Cosgrove at a networking conference in 2007. {Newsweek}

Jeanne Ryan, a Cleveland Clinic employee who has led the design project for the past three years, said patients†needs were the chief concern in the creation of the gowns.

“We painstakingly chose the material, which isnâ€t as easy as one would think to decide upon,” she said. “You need something heavy enough so it is not transparent. But patients†biggest complaint throughout the hospital is that they are too warm. So we wanted a light-enough weight so it is not transparent but comfortable enough that it can be worn in bed.” {Newsweek}

The previously standard hospital gowns with the back opening were created with cost in mind as well. Those gowns were relatively cheap to produce, while the new model costs roughly $9. Ryan said the team producing the new gowns did consider costs as well.

These new hospital gowns sure are more stylish than traditional ones (not to mention way more convenient since you can walk down the hall without having to hold the back closed), but the design is still not exactly haute couture, though weâ€re not sure just how much potential there even is in a hospital gown to be highly stylish. We also wonder why von Furstenberg was needed for the design. If the new model is meant for widespread use, couldnâ€t whoever normally designs hospital gowns have come up with this years ago?

In any case, von Furstenberg is to be admired for her philanthropic spirit and dedication to clothing design.

If you’ve already voted, and are over the political stories, we sure hope you like Lanvin, H&M or both. H&M’s collaboration with Lanvin, the oldest French fashion house in operation, seems to be the hottest buzz in the fashion community (including our coverage, here).

The new collection will be reviewed by American press sometime today, while the U.K. and Japan have already seen the stellar lineup.

While the pieces haven’t hit store shelves just yet, it is highly-anticipated. From the photos, lookbooks, videos and advertisements there is no doubt items will fly off shelves in a matter of seconds.

Cocktail and party dresses overwhelm the line. Sweetheart necklines, frills, belting, rouching, tiers, pleats, faux furs, exotic prints, bows, silks, metallics, buttons, florals and beads create a colorful, youthful feel, creating a strong, feminine silhouette.

One thing we love about Lanvin is the the femininity and elegance of their exquisitely-crafted apparel.

When asked about how the project came together Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz comments, “When H&M approached us to do this collaboration, they asked if I could actually translate the dream that we created at Lanvin to a bigger audience. It wasn’t a project to about a dress for less. I think I loved the idea that H&M was going luxury rather than Lanvin is going public. I thought it was a smart concept, so I said I do.” {You Tube}

Alber Elbaz has definitely not disappointed. The stylish and colorful pieces are easily mixed and matched and transition from day to night effortlessly. The YouTube video for the Fall Winter 2010/2011 collection is stunning and makes you want to run out on November 20th and buy everything! It all looks so good we can’t wait to get our hands on a few of things. The leopard print heels and fur-trimmed vests are the perfect combo for a night out this season and the short and frilly cocktail numbers are perfectly festive for the holidays.

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M menswear here

View the Lanvin for H&M shoes here

View the Lanvin for H&M jewelry, bags and accessories here

While this is really a collaboration that’s all about the clothes, the shoes are nothing short of perfect and the trinkets are still in line with the quirky glamor of the brand. Nothing feels out of place, but unlike the shoes, the leather gloves are probably the only “I’d fight for this” accessory out of the bunch. Photos don’t ever tell 100% of the story as far as materials and clothing go. While the ruffles and bows seem to have translated amazingly for the mass market collaboration, and the shoes could blend in with their high end counterparts, the one weak area seems to be the jewelry. The vast majority of Lanvin’s jewelry is costume, so it’s a little disappointing to see things that could easily be part of the normal lineup at Claire’s.

Considering the strength of the dresses though, that definitely wouldn’t convince anyone to sit this collaboration out though.

Update: Necklaces range from $29.95 (the chain and rhinestone necklace) to $49.95 (the pearl and sequin flower necklace), sunglasses will be $19.95  and the gloves will be $49.95

Lanvin for H&M Jewelry, Bags & Accessories

Photos via Vogue UK

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M menswear here

View the Lanvin for H&M shoes here

The frayed edges on the ribbons, the rhinestone studded heels topping patent leather or pretty prints are all so distinctly Lanvin that the H&M fans are bound to be fighting it out with the fashion fans who pay full price for the label.

Update: The shoes will retail for $99

Lanvin for H&M Shoes

Photos via Vogue UK

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M menswear here

View the Lanvin for H&M jewelry, bags and accessories here

While the shopping on the menswear side may not be as frenzied, we can bet there will still be a healthy amount of competition for guys looking to step up their style with tuxedo shirts and jackets, as well as girlfriends and sisters going for holiday gifts.

Lanvin for H&M Menswear

Photos via Vogue UK

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M shoes here

View the Lanvin for H&M jewelry, bags and accessories here

Steve Madden has been working hard lately. We recently reported his collaboration on Zac Posen’s moderately-priced Z-Spoke line, and it seems he has his sights on a new venture with pop star Katy Perry. Although she may have been dubbed too sexy for Sesame Street, it seems Steve thinks she is just the right fit for Seventh Avenue.

Known for her outrageous and buzzworthy sense of style it comes as no surprise that Madden has reportedly approached the singer with a proposition to collaborate on a “creative fashion collection” {Second City Style}.

Madden has also come to Betsey Johnson’s rescue after the designer suffered financial hardships. He generously loaned her the funds to get out of debt, leaving the Betsey Johnson empire basically under Madden’s control. This begs the question, is is possible that Perry’s crazy fashion sense will translate into the Betsey brand as well?

“Steve Madden is not taking over the company, and Betsey Johnson is not leaving the company,” Jonathan Friedman, Betsey Johnson’s executive vice president and chief operating and financial officer, told Page Six. {New York Post}

Either way, it’s a match that makes sense. Katy’s kitschy, colorful style (think Candyland figure youthful and brazenly bright) would compliment for Betsey Johnson, or add a bit of teen style to Madden’s own line. We can’t wait to see what the duo come up with.