INstore:

Teapots, Lampshades, Shirts & Bikes...
Liberty of London for Target

When one hears the label “Liberty of London”, thoughts of quilted make-up bags, ties, shirts, blouses & perhaps even a picture frame come to mind, but what about serving trays,  retro touring bikes & archery targets?  Well… no… until today, that is.  The store that all of America loves to love, Target, debuted it’s most extensive designer collaboration to date opposite Bryant Park today in a pop-up store concept that brought the entire collection together in one over-the-top presentation that was at times funny, at times whimsical & at other times “Alice in Wonderland”, but at all times addictive.

While the archery target was in an artful interpretation of the discount chain’s signature logo & obviously not for purchase, the rest of the items were available for sale & were being bought en mass at this morning’s preview.   The fashion offerings were numerous & ranged from boldly patterned jumpsuits reminiscent of 70’s garden party ensembles to extremely current looking ruffle hem silk tunics.  The lingerie offerings were a surprise with their print blocking & sweet ribbon entwined eyelet edge details.  Men weren’t forgotten about this time as they have been in so many of Target’s other designer collaborations.  The best items for men were by far the printed lawn shirts which are an incredible value at only $19.99, but the ties & boxers were also wonderful, the later priced at only $5.99.  Fashion-wise, however, nothing beat the children’s items, which looked more akin to a complete collection.  It was all so sweet & fashion “right” with every piece more adorable than the next.

The home ware offerings were numerous & were by far the most fun.  Here, the range started with teapots & mugs that looked best when mixed together rather than bought in a “matchy-matchy” way & ended with oversized silk twill throw pillows, but not before touching upon stacked mixing bowls, tumblers, serving trays, dining chairs, storage bins & even pumped up oversized lampshades, one of which is already gracing the nightstand of my guest room.

Of all of this Liberty-mania, the most covetable item was the retro touring bike mentioned above.  A cross between something Pee-Wee Herman & a British Mum would dream up, it was a paisley printed, wide white walled tire cruising machine that left the UK accented attendee standing in awe next to me to exclaim, “I don’t know where I’d park it in Manhattan, but I simply must have it!”  She bought it & at $199.99, I have a feeling you had better rush out to buy it if you hope to be cruising the Hampton’s in the height of Liberty style this summer on a paisley printed pedal powered cruiser of your own.  Set your alarm for first thing Sunday morning, when this collection debuts at every Target store nation-wide.

-Scott French