For their 838th designer collaboration (we're kidding, but they have had a lot) US superstore Target have teamed up with Joseph Altuzarra. For anyone who works in the fashion industry, this was a real 'FUCK, YES' moment. But chances are, if you don't work in the industry, you won't actually know who he is. And that's ok - that's why we're here! To tell you that there's a lot more to him than a very ritzy surname.
So here are Joseph Altuzarra's vital stats: The French born 31-year-old designer launched his label in New York (where he chooses his catwalk collection each season, instead of Paris) in 2008 and has since accrued a reputation for combining French sophistication with a deconstructed American silhouette. Which essentially means that he makes very chic pieces that are comfortable and easy to wear - at unsurprisingly elevated price points. In just six years, the luxury label has garnered a huge number of celebrity megafans, including Kate Upton, Cate Blanchett, Kate Bosworth, Jennifer Lawrence, Cameron Diaz and every streetstyler in between.
Like Target's last ridiculously fast-selling collaboration with Peter Pilotto, the collab will also be available on Net-a-Porter (Target doesn't ship internationally - not that weird when you consider that they are, essentially, a Yankee Asda) which has genuinely thrilled us in a way that a lot of, er, fashion news doesn't really. Joseph is producing 50 pieces for his collaborative collection, although only 28 will be available via Net-a-Porter when it launches in September. There's no news on the prices, yet, but they're likely to be between £30-£250 like most of Target's collaborations.
In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Joseph revealed a sketch for his collection - a flowy keyhole maxi dress, cinched in at the waist - explaining that he saw the dress as something that a woman would feel 'confident, sexy and sophisticated' when she wore it.
Here are the things that we are very much hoping he might reproduce for his Target collaboration. So that we can also feel confident, sexy and sophisticated. Thanking you kindly in advance, Joe!
The skinny rib knit // SS13
Our search for the perfect super-fine, super-skinny rib v-neck (essentially the sexiest sweater you will own) is as long as we are in the tooth. Joseph answered the prayers of anyone who could afford it, with this one. Now we just hope he brings some version of this khaki excellence to the budget retailer.
The one-shoulder metallic dress// AW09
Altuzarra's isnanely strong debut collection included this one-shouldered liquid silver party dress - which looks like the designer took Kate Moss x Topshop's super cute lemon yellow number and dipped it some 'Kate Moss at Night' dust. It's pretty much our perfect party dress.
The split pencil and plunging shirt // SS14
This is classic Altuzarra - a super-split pencil skirt and a preppy but plunging striped shirt have been referenced in multiple collections. This stripey combo was the stand-out hit of this year's summer collection - and we're really, really hoping that something similar crops up in his Target one. That skirt would take you everywhere (and over jeans or leather trousers in winter) and you'd definitely have a brilliant time.*
The snakeskin blazer// SS11
Like Phoebe Philo (of Chloé and now Celine) Joseph loves a bit of snakeskin. This snakeskin blazer would be pretty much the ideal evening jacket, to chuck over your proletarian daytime garb (say, black trousers and a white tee). Snakeskin can be dicey territory (oh, hey there Cavalli) but the lack of 'disco' around this one makes it very chic, and the perfect offbeat blazer.
The contrast colour belted coat// AW14
Goddamn brilliant coat, this. Joseph isn't the first person to recognise the winning colour combination that is slate grey and fuchsia pink, but he might be the first to weave it into a coat so successfully that it doesn't look too 'statement'. So here's hoping that a bi-coloured belted coat makes it into his Target collection....
The kalediscope pants// SS12
The styling of this Magic Eye pantaloons - a mash-up of folklore, 70s and boho - means that this trousers somehow don't look too 'much'. With a black poloneck and some pointed black velvet boots, that would be our Christmas party oufit sorted for the whole season.
Follow Pandora on Twitter @pinsykes
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.