GAULTIER FOR TARGET

French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier, as previously speculated, has now been officially confirmed as Target’s next Designer Collaboration designer. Not to be confused with Target’s Go! International initiative (which has enlisted the likes of Jonathan Saunders, Tracy Feith, and Rodarte, come the end of 2009), the Designer Collaboration series entails the luxury designer basing a collection on a particular muse.  For example,  Alexander McQueen based his collection on Leila Moss, the lead singer of The Duke Spirit, and Anna Sui based her collection on the popular CW series Gossip Girl.

Gaultier’s collection for Target will pay tribute to the American woman, and will mark the third in the series of limited edition-only lines when it debuts in around 250 Target stores (compared to about 600 doors when the Anna Sui collection hit), and online on March 7th through  April 11th.

I’m bubbling with excitement about this collection, especially given how great the looks from Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy look (they hit stores and online December 20th, and will be available through February 6th with nothing retailing for over $79.99). While I love H&M’s designer collaboration, there’s no denying that the quality, prices, and styles of Target are always a cut above the rest. Here’s to hoping New York City gets its own Jean Paul Gaultier for Target pop-up shop!

Images courtesy of the Fashion Spot forums.