Target has announced a collaboration with renowned designer and TV personality Isaac Mizrahi for the newly created position of creative director at large. This move signals Target’s commitment to reviving its reputation for affordable and stylish clothing.
Isaac Mizrahi, known for his bold and vibrant designs since the late 1980s, will mentor Target’s design team, advise on product innovation, and initiate new partnerships. He will work alongside Gena Fox, Senior Vice President of Design at Target.
Returning to a familiar partnership, Target first collaborated with Mizrahi in 2002, marking its initial venture with a major fashion designer. Mizrahi’s exclusive line for Target set a precedent for successful design collaborations with figures like Lilly Pulitzer and Missoni. The partnership concluded in 2009.
Mizrahi commented, “My role is to collaborate with Target’s team to infuse more joy, style, and sophistication into design through storytelling, creativity, and a fun shopping experience.”
These initiatives are part of Target’s strategy to boost sales under new CEO Michael Fiddelke, who took over from Brian Cornell in February. CEO Fiddelke has revamped leadership, bringing in new external executives, including a former Walmart executive to improve supply chain operations.
Target is focusing on updating its fashion offerings. Notably, 75% of the home décor inventory will feature new items. Though Target reported its highest rise in comparable sales in four years this May, cautious forecasts have tempered optimism about customer response to these changes.