For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds, sign up for the weekly Cut Shop Newsletter.
Your next Target run just got a lot more exciting. Once again, the retailer has new designer collaborations on its hands. Following last season’s collabs with Sergio Hudson, Kika Vargas, and La Ligne, Target has tapped three woman-owned brands for limited-edition collections.
Do I need this?
Absolutely. Here’s why: The collaborations featuring Fe Noel, Agua Bendita, and Rhode range from sizes XXS to 4X and include more than 100 items including accessories, swimwear, and ready-to-wear pieces. Prices start at $15 with everything less than $50.
If your closet is in need of a spring and summer refresh, these items are made for mixing and matching — even the swimwear can be worn off the beach (a one-piece makes a great bodysuit). We caught up with the designers for more details on the collection.
Felisha Noel, the designer behind Fe Noel (which counts Beyoncé and Michelle Obama as fans), says that working with Target is a milestone for the brand. “My family is from Grenada, and working with Target helps me carry that story in a way that I couldn’t do on my own,” she says. “It’s superspecial to have this opportunity, because it’s going to include so many people. It’s also size-inclusive and price-inclusive.”
The influence of her Caribbean roots can be seen throughout the collection — from a nutmeg-charm-adorned necklace (Grenada’s biggest export is nutmeg) to the bright printed robes, caftans, and wide-leg pants the brand is known for.
Another milepost for these collabs is category expansion. Fe Noel’s new line offers sunglasses, handbags, jewelry, and beach accessories. And Rhode, a ready-to-wear brand, expanded its vibrant prints to accessories and swimwear for the first time ever.
Phoebe Vickers and Purna Khatau, founders of Rhode, calls the collection momentous and a true collaboration in every sense. “We created swimwear and, they then made it happen,” Khatau says. Vickers continues, “They know their customers so well, so they were able to pick things they thought would really resonate with them. The most amazing thing working with them is that we were able to offer extended sizing.”
Agua Bendita designers Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza say that a piece of their Colombian heritage is in every collection. One important aspect of the brand’s DNA is the hand-painted prints by in-house designers featuring a mix of colors and florals. “This collection is special, because agua bendita means ‘holy water,’ so we were thinking good energy, good vibes, good things for you. So the woman who wears Agua Bendita has to be confident,” they say.
Noel agrees, saying that the Fe Noel x Target woman is “not a wallflower. When she walks into the room, everyone knows. She’s a leading woman. She has style and wants to make the most of life.”
How do I get it?
You might want to add this to your calendar now: The collection officially launches in Target stores and online on April 15.
Here’s what I tried
This beachy take on cargo pants is made of a lightweight linen blend, and you can layer them over a swimsuit or wear them out. I tried a size 8 — it was true to size, and you can adjust the length with its ties.
The crochet cover-up is another beach or poolside piece that you can wear out if you’re willing to lean into the sheer trend. I sized up and got a large, but it’s stretchy enough to size down for a tighter fit.
Worth a weird tan line, this one-piece swimsuit can also be worn as a bodysuit, and the puffy sleeves can be worn off the shoulders. It’s stretchy but a little snug, so size up for a more comfortable fit.
The printed bikini top features an extra-long rope tie, so you can get creative wearing it. I went a size up for the best fit.
This superlight printed skirt is more than versatile — pair it with one of the matching tops or your own summer tanks. It runs true to size and is a midi skirt even if you’re on the shorter side.
Again, these collections were all about making the most of your swimwear, so it’s not just a swimsuit, it’s also a bodysuit. It fits a little snug, but there’s some stretch — you can size up if needed.
