NEW YORK (AP) — Target is bringing fashion designer and TV personality Isaac Mizrahi back into the fold, naming him to a brand-new position called creative director at large as the discount retailer works to rebuild its standing as a go-to spot for budget-friendly style.
In this new capacity, Mizrahi — known for his bold use of color and his emergence on the fashion scene in the late 1980s — will guide Target’s design team, offer input on product development and innovation, and help forge fresh creative partnerships, the company announced Monday. Target noted that Mizrahi will work closely with Gena Fox, the retailer’s senior vice president of design.
The appointment marks a return to familiar ground for the Minneapolis-based retailer. Mizrahi was the very first prominent fashion designer to partner with Target on a clothing collaboration, doing so back in 2002. That relationship wrapped up in 2009, according to Target. His exclusive line of clothing and accessories for the chain helped set the stage for a series of successful designer partnerships that followed, including collaborations with names like Lilly Pulitzer and Missoni.
In a written statement, Mizrahi described his mission as working “to collaborate with its incredible team to bring more joy, style and sophistication to design through storytelling, creativity and a shopping experience that feels even more fun.”
The hiring is part of a wider effort by Target to reverse a slide in sales under CEO Michael Fiddelke, who stepped into the top role in February after longtime executive Brian Cornell’s departure. Since taking over, Fiddelke has reorganized company leadership and brought in outside talent, including a Walmart executive to oversee the supply chain network.
Revamping its fashion and home offerings has been a central focus for Target. The company has said, for instance, that 75% of its decorative home assortment will be replaced with new products.
Target posted its biggest jump in comparable sales in four years this past May, though a cautious financial outlook tempered enthusiasm over signs that the new CEO’s strategy is beginning to connect with shoppers.
