First, a disclaimer—I always confuse Kohl's with JC Penney—there's something about all that grey bulkiness and the not-so-memorable logo. When I moved to the U.S., the big department stores—all of—hypnotized me with their behemoth magic. I'd wander around them like Alice in Wonderland, touching the seething shelves and racks of Martha Stewart plates and Lauren Conrad sun dresses. Target, the red-dotted middle-class parlor, stood out with its cheap, plastic cheerfulness. Perhaps ironically, within that not-so-illustrious bull's-eyed store, that I first encountered a designer collaboration—all sophisticated prints and almost-runway fantasies.
I bought the Philip Lim sweater, the Parabal Gurung psychedelic dress, the Peter Pilotto swimsuit. I raved about Target's future collaboration with Joseph Altuzarra just a month ago—and yes, I'll see you at the parking lot, 8 a.m, the day the collection drops. But after a recent trip to the gym, I decided to visit Kohl's, the last frontier of my all-American shopping journey. Surely, no one will find me there, sweaty and make-up free. I walked in, and found out that the world doesn't end with the big red dot.
Did you know Kohl's have designer collabs too? Me neither. Quietly killing it under the radar, this chaotic chain taps names like Narciso Rodriguez, Derek Lam and recently, Peter Som. Upon my visit, Som leftovers were sold at a heart-palpitating 50% off—intoxicated by endorphins, I carefully approached . . .
Nautical stripes, Greek white-and-blue patterns, sexy fabrics that scream vacation? Pineapple prints?! How could the world hide be hiding this from me? Walking out with a new dress, just like the one Kate Bosworth is wearing above—less gracefully, might I say—I left behind two floors of otherwise incoherent choices. I felt like a damn trail-blazer. Sure, Target is recruiting some undeniably hot industry names and promoting the hell of them—we're all craving the new winter looks in July!—but hype-less, humble Kohl's deserves some love, too. (Especially when pineapples are involved.)
Just stay away from my secret location.
Images: Facebook
