The Recessionista Report: Target Previews McQ with a Private Sale in NYC

Target held a VIP preview of their upcoming Alexander McQueen “McQ” Target Collection Friday the 13th in downtown Manhattan. Always interested in the lower priced versions of designer lines, The Recessionista decided to cover the event to give our readers a first-hand look at the collection. With high hopes we sent our photographer and NY correspondents to take a “first look.” Some of you may remember that back in November, Target announced McQueen as their inaugural designer to introduce their new “Designer Collaborations” line, which is similar, but not to be confused, with it’s “GO International” line. This new “Collaborations” line promises to be sized for women, and not just juniors. This will be a welcome change for all the fashion forward who shop these collections but would prefer regular sizes.

Pictured : Recessionistas queue up for a Preview Shopping event for Target’s new Alexander McQueen “McQ” collection on Friday the 13th in New York City

The show, which was billed as a “private shopping event” gave viewers the opportunity not only to see what the collection looked like, but also a chance to purchase the goods right there. Sticking with their tagline “Expect More, Pay Less,” Target delivered trendy fashions such as colorful dresses, leather vests, hip graphic tees, and pants for reasonable prices. Regrettably, there were no reported sightings of the designer, Mr. McQueen. The clothes were set up in different “boutiques” around the floor where shoppers could pair up different looks. The McQ for Target Collection looked to be well-received by many of the attendees, as the line for the changing room was about 50 plus people deep ! The wait was so long that some jumped off the line and started to change in any corner they could find. Amazing, huh? Seems in this economy changing rooms are being downsized too! That is a shopping indignity that you don’t expect to see at a “preview party.”

Pictured: One of the McQ for Target One Shoulder Dresses on the rack at the Manhattan warehouse, Photo: Steven Pena

Target invited several celebrities to this little soiree, but we are not showing that here. The reason is, we don’t think shoppers should be influenced by what a celebrity is wearing, that most probably, was give to them free of charge. Remember Recessionistas, since you have to pay for these fashions out of your hard-earned dollars, you want to choose clothes that will flatter your shape and will make you feel good wearing them. Don’t make your fashion choices based on what a star from a TV show wears at a party for her “PR” photo opportunity.

Now back to the collection. Pink and black dominated the color palate of this collection, although there were also some blues, greys and dark greens spattered about. The collection included a few swimsuits, one all black bikini with metal rivets, a cream and black striped bikini. Edgy touches like metal rivets and zippers were prevalent. One of our favorite pieces was a black leather cropped vest ($139). We asked shopper Jorli, what she thought of the vest. ” I am really picky about leather and abhor cheap feeling fabrics, ” reports Jorli. “But, I must say I was impressed by the quality of this vest.” Some of the other top picks:

• A fitted, studded grey jacket (pictured below)
  
• A one piece, off the shoulder pink and black dress
• A strapless blue “tattooed dress” pictured below

Pictured: One to the McQ Collection’s Key Pieces, a denim studded jacket, Photo: Steven Pena

The one-shouldered look was repeated throughout the collection on tunics and blouses as well as on one of the clearly most popular items – a dark green and black mini dress. That dress was flying off the shelves, and looked even cuter on than it did on the rack.

Pictured: The McQ Black Jumpsuit, not our favorite piece

The biggest miss was a one piece black jumpsuit – not even the hordes of fashion forward peeps were really touching that one.
Another dress winner was a multi-blue strapless full skirted mini – very 1950s meets the 80s.
Pictured: The McQ “Blue Tattooed” Strapless Dress on the shopping racks and a model The blue tattooed print is also offered as a T-shirt which can be worn on its own or with the jackets from the collection. We interviewed one attendee and long time Target aficionado about the collection. Here was his take, “Most of the clothes shown are very trendy and I believe they’re great buys at that price. As with all fashion, there will be some misses and critics might knock the workmanship quality of the items, but for the most part, Target shoppers will like the clothes and eat them up.”

Pictured: Target McQ Blouse and High-Waisted Skirt with Belt

The entire McQ for Target collection will hit Target stores nationwide on March 4, 2009.

If you live in New York/New Jersey area, you can still check out out the McQ preview sale today, Sunday 2/15/2009.

Here are the details:

TARGET McQ PREVIEW TODAY Sunday 2/15/2009

Where: St. John’s Center
330 West Street
West Houston Street New York, NY

If you head over there, send us a comment and let us know what you think!
A preview of some the looks is available on the Target website for you to check.

One piece I will be looking for is this one:
Pictured: The Target McQ Zipped Shoulder Sweater in a beautiful blue, retails for $44.99

If any of you are looking to check out President’s day sales today, check my previous post.

Good values abound at high-end retailers, BCBG, Ted Baker, Bendels and more.

Happy Sunday! Hope all my dear readers had a great Valentine’s Day 2009!