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!

We haven’t found a measurable way to tally best and worst dressed just yet, so we’ll just just round up the larger trends and add our favorites to the mix. Click on images to view at a larger size.

Golden Globes 2011 Fashion Trends

Pretty in Pink and Red or Dead

Save: Julianne Moore in Lanvin, Julianna Margulies in vintage Yves Saint Laurent

Skip: January Jones in Versace

Don’t get us wrong, January Jones looks great and men probably got a lot more interested in the red carpet after seeing that dress; but the line between vamp and tramp is thin and we’re not sure how many women would be able to toe the line in this dress or any “inspired by” designs.

What They All Wore

1st row L to R: Julianne Moore (large image) in Lanvin, Claire Danes in Calvin Klein, Megan Fox in Armani Prive, Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta, Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs

2nd row L to R: Naya Rivera, Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf, Emma Stone in Calvin Klein, January Jones (large image) in Versace

3rd row L to R:  Julianna Margulies in vintage Yves Saint Laurent, Christina Hendricks, Edie Falco in Valentino, Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

The sometimes curvy, sometimes slim, always gorgeous Crystal Renn. Despite the appearance of variation in size, each photo is from the same shoot.

Other than Crystal Renn’s smaller shape, the thing that stood out to us most upon going in for the closeup view on Vogue UK is that the models look like real women.

Allow us to explain: we don’t mean that in a “real women have curves” way (real women come in all kinds of shapes, including thin and curveless), but that real women have sharp bones, and freckles, and moles, and underarm folds of skin, and angles where these things can be more or less prominent, and any number of things which are normally Photoshopped away in a quest for the type of aspirational imagery that even the models who are the basis for the images can’t achieve in real life.

Hilary Rhoda's unairbrushed freckles and underarm skin folds. Beautiful.

We don’t highlight any of these things as a negative: even without being airbrushed into CGI quality illustrations, each of the girls has an aspirational quality that would make us buy what they’re selling. Knowing that industrial strength makeup, just the right lighting, and an unachievable body aren’t required to look good in a certain dress gives just enough reality to make us believe in the fantasy of the clothes.

“It has been nearly 10 years since Zac, Alexandra and I founded Zac Posen,” Susan Posen, who will continue to serve in her role as chair of the board, said yesterday by email. “During that time I have had the privilege to work — both within the company itself and in the larger fashion arena — with an amazing group of people. The company is now poised for a new phase of growth, and I have decided it is time to step aside from my current role as acting CEO and pursue other interests.”

Susan Davidson, the CEO of Scoop NYC, a sister company of Ron Burkle’s, The Yucaipa Cos, will take over as CEO of the brand.

The move comes on the heels of Yucaipa’s growing frustrations “with the lack of return on its Zac Posen investment and sought a change at the helm to steer the business in a new, more profitable direction.” Susan Posen said.

She is however welcoming the change saying she is “pleased to welcome Susan Davidson, who has joined us as CEO. She will now steward the Zac Posen and Z Spoke brands. I look forward to their success and growth.” {Fashionologie}

The Posen label, despite having a stable amount of press, is reported to have yet not yet delivered on profits and the most recent showing of his more moderately priced Z Spoke line in Paris has received not-so-stellar reviews. {NY Magazine}

Perhaps this change will be just what the label needs to boosts revenues.

On September 11th at New York Fashion Week, Madden debuted his first high-end collaboration for the Spring/Summer 2011 Z Spoke show for Zac Posen at Lincoln Center. The collection is truly unique and the sky-high, strappy numbers are fit for an eclectic and bold fashionista!

Making their Fashion Week debut, Madden’s shoes included metallic green (left) as well as black sky-high platform sandals with ankle straps and buckles, black peep-toe stiletto lace-up ankle booties, and ladylike lavender pumps with wicked heels. The line was made especially for the runway so it is unlikely we will see mall-goers rocking these elite styles- but we have no doubt that the man known for knockoffs will jump at the opportunity to reinterpret his own designs (at least he won’t have to worry about legal fees). {Stylelist}

Even model Ataui Deng wobbled in the tipsy footwear and fell victim to Fashion Week’s first tumble on the runway. {Refinery 29}

Tell us what you think about Steve Madden’s luxury footwear collaboration! Would you rock these styles?

Zac Posen has released another runway-inspired line for Target, after a hugely successful previous release, which will debut April 26th. The anticipation must be too much to bear because Target is launching its first-ever 24-hour shopping party-complete with designer Zac Posen himself.

The whimsical and fantasy-filled collection spans the spectrum of femininity to androgyny. Women’s suits and long floral gowns are indicative of what you should expect to see a full 10 hours before the line goes public. There are plenty of brights and floral prints to keep in line with the more upbeat feel of clothing this spring that’s lifting spirits and sales.

We love the idea of an all-night party, and adding shopping to the mix is an all-around dream come true. We can’t wait to get our hands on some of the goods. If you need an inspiration, here are a few of the looks we’d line up to buy. Don’t miss out on this one-time event, see you there!

Zac Posen for Target floral print brocade dress with bow

Zac Posen for Target red leather jacket, tuxedo bodysuit and tuxedo skirt

Zac Posen for Target tuxedo jacket and pleated sleeve top

Zac Posen for Target polka dot thick seamed dress

Pamela Love for Zac Posen Fall 09

Pamela Love X Zac Posen Morning Glory earrings

Love's Raven necklaces

Next up are her Where The Wild Things Are leaf-crown cuffs, necklaces and other of the storybook’s accessories – also a collab with OC.

Love's Where The Wild Things Are jewelry for Opening Ceremony

Love's Where The Wild Things Are jewelry for Opening Ceremony

Love's Where The Wild Things Are jewelry for Opening Ceremony

Loveâ€s style is daggers and talons sharp with a Gaelic-princess bend but changes based on the project. Materials remain metal (gold, silver, bronze, vermeil) with fairytale and mysticism consistent. A darling to high fashion and commercial clients alike, there’s a lot to love.

Opening Ceremony

Pamela Love

This announcement comes on the heels of news about Z Spoke, Posen’s exclusive Saks Fifth Avenue collection, and we’re pleased that designers like Posen are attempting to appeal to us more plebeian fashionistas.

Target is giving us a lot to look forward to in the coming months — next up is Rodarte and, with Posen and Gaultier waiting in the wings, we’re definitely eager for the new year to begin.

Read the full story {WWD}

We’re certainly surprised by the preview of the 60-piece line; rather than being a “Zac for less” or a “sister collection,” Z Spoke is meant to speak to a different consumer entirely and is comprised of breezy American sportswear basics in cheery, optimistic colors and prints, which would look right at home in the closet of a Lower East Side fashionista.

Read the full story {WWD}

After the “elimination” of the Vice President of Communications position formerly held by Karen Duffy whose responsibilities are now being divided by Zac Posenâ€s mother Susan and long-time Director of Public Relations and Celebrity, Alexandra Smith, major layoffs are expected to continue to shake the showrooms of Posen and now… Gucci! While it may have been a foreseeable regret for a new label like Posen in these tough times, it’s an even more devastating defeat for fashion powerhouse Gucci. Chanel had a round of layoffs that affected mostly contract workers, and luxury makers in general have had a difficult 2008. There have been glimmers of hope that economic difficulties wouldn’t continue to 2010, but these recent developments make us wonder. If fashion heavyweights are still shedding staff, just how long will it take for a full recovery? With investors in other sectors returning to the table, we hope that retail and fashion aren’t far behind.

Read the full story {Daily News}