When I started designing for Xhilaration in 2006, leggings were really hot. We started selling them like crazy, which led to the sales of other things, like poly-rayon tunics and sequin tops. Later on, I got lucky and started working with a true gem and darling friend, Ann Marie Freeman.
One day, we showed up to the office wearing nearly identical sweaters...
In my mind, our greatest accomplishment was an adaptation of Multiples for Target, as shown below. Unfortunately, this concept never took hold with our buyers even though we wore the outfits to work. We had grandiose plans for matching vests, cardigans, oversized t-shirts and so on. This was in 2007.
During this time, I was also designing juniors' outerwear which was interesting. The outerwear buyers at Target were not yet convinced that teenagers actually wore jackets. Hoodie sales were on fire, after all. We forged on...the cire puff jacket made it into stores for Fall 2008, and the rain slickers set in Spring 2009. Here they are modeled by Emily Snyder, Elliott Kozel, Lindsay Noble and myself. Photographs by Eric Carlson.
Sometime in the middle of 2008 I moved to the Men's design team, where I worked on classic knits and sweaters. This transition happened at a really appropriate time, as I was trying to become more classic myself. Designing sweaters was the best part of my Target career, hands down. My bosses were da bomb.
Pictured below is the Merino V-Neck in nine colors. Since we use a special yarn book to order colors, I had the privilege of naming them myself. Some of my favorites from this season are Aquamerino, Grape Expectations and Dense Foliage.
And finally, there is this darling being that is still wandering the great halls of Target. This photo of Erin Smith and I was taken inside of Target HQ sometime in 2008. Hearts forever...
