You may have already heard about, or seen, the 2009 Holiday collection for Target by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. A designer with a sense of whimsy, excellent taste and style (and easy on the eyes to boot), I have blogged about him four times before, including his gorgeous Christmas collection and displays for the Dutch department store, Bijenkorf from last year.
This year, he lends his Christmas designs to Target. In his own words, here's the directive from the United States chain of stores: The brief asked for a modern and unexpected "Wanders" twist to the traditional holiday giving season. The concept behind the collection, "It's A Gift To Give" resulted in a holiday collection that reinterprets classic icons and plays with charming patterns, festive decorations, and distinctive designs with flair and style that will surprise and amaze guests all over the U.S., making it enjoyable to be the gifter or giftee.
But it's what you don't see at Target that is really spectacular. In addition to the items in the collection, I'm going to share with you some of his prototype designs for Target from his Inspiration Book. I'm also going to show you some of his sketches, fun 'extras' and photos of his work, some of which combine several of his pieces for Target with some of his pieces for Moooi and Droog.
What You Will See At Target:
First, the products that were produced and are presently being sold at Target consist of wrapping paper, a bell wreath and bell tree, flocked stockings and tree skirt, tableware, disposable tableware, pillar candles, some bar ware, a few vases, a teddy bear with light-up nose and a few other attractive, but inexpensive pieces of festive decor:
Shop for the above items and more from the collection at Target here.
When shopping online at Target, the Marcel Wanders collection, while appealing, is not incredibly impressive. The simple products on white backgrounds don't do the work of Mr. Wanders justice. For example, the products for Target, when placed against his signature flourishes, backgrounds and patterns in the four images below, take on a greater festive significance and style:
That's where his "Inspiration Book", a 314 page online flip catalog created by the Marcel Wanders Design Studio and Culture & Commerce. comes in. It is from this catalog that all of the following images come.
What You Won't See At Target:
Temporary lip tattoo:
Pattern Paint:
Helium Filled Flying Balloon Netted Chair designed to fly over the North Pole during Summer:
Faces Of The World Ornament:
Bobbleheads:
Still lives of his products for Target combined with his products for Droog, Mooi, Habitat and from his personal collections:
Pages from his sketchbook of Target products:
Rejected By Santa:
The Use... And Misuse Of Products:
The Marcel Wanders Paper Doll:
A special Christmas Edition of his VIP Chair produced by Moooi for Santa:
This is just a small sampling of the fun, inspiration and design process behind the Marcel Wander Collection for Target. There is so much more to enjoy, like I said, the Inspiration Book is 314 pages. See more here.
More Marcel Wanders:
•Marcel Wanders Designs a Regal Christmas Collection for Bijenkorf Department Store
•Marcel Wanders For Holland Electro: WOW
•Marcel Wanders' Carpets For Colorline: World Carpets & Tartan Collections
•Marcel, Mondrian & Miami: Wanders Designs Luxury Apt. Complex In Biscayne Bay.