Tuesday, August 07, 2001

Right on Target - Literally and Virtually

I'm sure you've seen those funky, catchy advertisements for Target stores--you know, the ones with red and white circles everywhere and a contract of items for sale. Well, while Target doesn't have a store in New York City (they do have one in Queens and New Jersey, though), you can visit the full store online at www.target.com.

Now that in itself may not be terribly exciting, but wait till you hear what they did as a recent promotion of their store, merchandise and Web site. In trendy Tribeca Target took over a five-story townhouse and completely outfitted it with Target merchandise. From top to bottom all the appliances (except a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a few other major appliances), clothing, decorations and accessories were all from Target. Furniture was from their sister store Marshall Fields. Imagine taking a 6,000 square foot townhouse, for sale incidentally through Brown Harris Stevens, and totally decorating it with every item from one store. That's what they did.

Pretty nifty, eh? This transformed space from an empty house to an environment of chic living, balance and great design also featured the eye-catching and quality design work by Target Design Partners Sonia Kashuk (with her makeup line), Mossimo (all the clothing in the house) and Michael Graves (architect and small appliance designer). And - all this style is available for those on a shoestring budget. Perfect for out-of-work dot-commers!

Check out the Web site to see all the cool rooms! (http://cyberscene.fotki.com/2001/080701_~_target/)

Throughout the house were amazing art pieces, all done by different artists, and which will be for sale on the Web site. Proceeds from the sale of the art go to the Coalition for the Homeless, as will everything inside the house after the exhibit closes. Target selected this organization in part because it is the nation's oldest and most progressive organizations directly helping homeless men, women, and children.

Don't sniff your nose at the cache Target holds either. This event was good enough to draw notables like CBS newswoman Diane Sawyer and actress Marlo Thomas. Star Rial, a student and winner of the Target-sponsored annual Target/Council of Fashion Designers of America Design Initiative was also at party. Among the other guests were high-level media, many editor-in-chiefs and fashion insiders. Since Target doesn't have a store in Manhattan, this virtual tour online will give visitors design ideas for their own homes. They're hoping that seeing things in context will facilitate sales and show people that they can look great on a budget in home and with fashion.