Target Is Launching Rotating Collabs With Off-the-Beaten-Path Shops, Opening Apple Boutiques In Stores

Target is making it difficult to not spend our whole lives shopping with the now inclusion of "The Shops" coming this year. Fashionisto.com has the inside scoop on what were to expect from the second-largest discount retailer in the United States.

As if we weren’t already obsessed with Target for giving us affordable duds from the likes of Jason Wu and Missoni, their new venture has officially pushed us over the edge: The “Shops at Target,” which the retailer announced today, will be an ongoing program that tries to recreate the ambiance and products of small boutiques within their own mega-stores and online. New shops will be introduced every two to four months. And, of course, it’ll all be affordably priced, reports NBC.

The first batch of stores partnering with Target includes The Candy Store, Cos Bar cosmetics shop, Polka Dog Bakery for dog accessories, Privet House home and The Webster; they’ll debut May 6 of this year. Each collaborating store will design new products, from homeware to pet items, just for the project, and the wares will be sold in boutique-like enclaves within Target stores, creating a “shop-within-a-store” vibe. Prices start at $1 for a nail file to $159.99 for a pouf chair.

Since Miami boutique The Webster carries labels we love like Celine, Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs, we’re obviously most excited for whatever they’ll cook up for the project. From the first look at their line (above), it seems we will not be disappointed! And though Target discontinued its Go International program, it still intends to do the designer collaborations we love. WWD reports that it’s “graduated” from up-and-coming designers, which means we should potentially expect more collabs with established brands, including but not limited to only fashion. Yes, please!

And in a move that will have techies swooning, Target also confirmed to WWD that they’ll be opening Apple boutiques within about 25 of their stores. (No word on whether there will be the usual Target discount.)

Is Target poised to take over the retail world?

Update: This afternoon, we got a chance to preview all five of The Shops, including the full Webster Miami and Cos Bar collections, which peaked our interest the most.

Laure Heriard, co-owner of The Webster, chatted with us briefly about developing the collection for Target, which is full of affordable dresses, skirts, blazers and more that you’re going to want to buy for summer. The collection was inspired by Miami, which is very clear when you see the brightly-colored, print-filled clothes and accessories. “The sun and the light fabrics, colorful prints, it’s very lively and we have the navy blue color which is more cool and yet the coral which is from the flamingo which is our logo and green for the tropical feel.”

There are also prints inspired by the vintage wallpapers that line their chic Miami boutique and the art deco trims seen all over the city. She also insists she would wear any piece from the collection–except for of course the men’s offerings and ridiculously adorable childrenswear. There’s also footwear, handbags, jewelry, lingerie and sleepwear.

The Cos Bar, a high-end multi-line cosmetics and skincare boutique based in Aspen, Colorado, created a range of super affordable (all under $20) range of soaps, lotions, nail polish, beauty tools and more. See below for a video introducing you to all of the shops and their owners.