Target Harlem officially opens to the public tomorrow, Sunday, July 25th but the store held a block party for Target employees, their families and friends (and a ton of celebs – no press allowed inside) filled with star studded entertainment – guests were treated to a live performance from Harlem-based musician Doug E Fresh, who entertained them atop a throwback to the legendary Apollo Theater stage.
as well as viewed dish demonstrations from renowned New York chef (Top Chef Masters Season Two Winner) and featured Harlem Designer Collection (more on that below) artist Marcus Samuelsson who co-owns Aquavit Restaurant in New York, while they shop the new store prior to the July 25th opening.
This grand opening also served as preview for the exclusive Harlem Designer Collections – a limited-edition collaboration series featuring designs from Isabel and Ruben Toledo (Isabel Toledo rocketed into super stardom for being a designer favorite of First Lady, Michelle Obama and Ruben is an acclaimed artist and Isabel’s partner), Stephen Burrows ( an Iconic African American designer who first came onto the scene in 1969 who originated “lettuce edge” finish) and Marcus Samuelsson
Below are examples of what is offered in the Harlem Design Collection from these three innovation designers. When you purchase a piece from Stephen Burrows’s, Isabel and Rueben Toledo’s, and Marcus Samuelsson’s collections for Target, “5% of the purchase price will be made to their charity of choice—respectively The Fund for Public Schools in support of The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem, El Museo del Barrio and The Fund for Public Schools in support of the library at PS 180: Hugo Newman.”
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| Stephen Burrows’s Hooded Dress – Beach Towel by Isabel and RubenToledo – Marcus Samuelsson Apron |
The new Target Harlem will feature a variety of merchandise targeted at the melting pot of people who now live in Harlem, “including a generous selection of multicultural offerings and apartment-appropriate items, such as storage solutions, pillows and airbeds. As with all Target stores, the new general merchandise store will offer everyday essentials, household products, electronics, clothing and seasonal items, as well as Target’s new expanded food layout, offering fresh packaged produce, meats and baked goods.”
Red Carpet arrivals included Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld, Katrina Bowden (30 Rock), Michelle Trachtenberg (“Gossip Girl”), Joseph Simmons (aka Reverend Run of “Run-D.M.C.”), Russell Simmons, Marsha Thomason (“Lost”), Adrienne Bailon (“Cheetah Girls”), Stephen Burrows, Marcus Samuelsson, Kelly Rowland, Tracy Reese (My Favorite Designer), Selita Ebanks (Model/Actress), Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Tracee Ellis Ross,
