Zac Posen For Target: A Perplexing Collection

It is with great displeasure that I reveal the best of the looks from Zac Posen’s collection for—yes, who else, Minneapolis-based retail giant Target. I usually have a blah feeling about some piece in all of the GO collections but Posen’s line is just plain confusing. For one, it is disappointing because it feels like a page out of the 1980s. We might’ve expected this from Madonna and Lourdes’ upcoming collection, but from the CFDA-winning New York native? So, we culled out the looks that don’t look like Madonna circa 1986 or a 1990s prom dress. Here goes.

The native of lower Manhattan began his design career with a high school internship at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, after which he headed to the UK to study womenswear at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design at the University of the Arts. After that, he was named a 2001 Fresh Face by GenArt, opened his own studio and debuted a collection, all by 21. So, naturally, we expect more from this type of person than most. Years, later, he wins the CFDA award for RTW and the list goes on. But, in this case, something is missing.

These two short dresses are fun and playful but the rest leave me wondering why he just raided the Material Girl tour archives for inspiration? Add to that the funky, lace-inspired black and tan bustier dresses and the black lace-up dress, all of which scream JPG, whose own Target line was just released, and I’m utterly perplexed. Still, while the collection is a bit teenybopper, and 50s meets 80s, thanks to the tulle, print and ankle sock combo, there are decent frocks in the collection.

Finally, a casual summer style for the 30+ crowd. Paired with metallic flats or wedges, and either big hoop earrings or a chunky necklace, this would work well from day to night.

Check the styles out for yourself at Target, from April 25 through May 30.  The prices range from $17-199.