Target deal good for Goot
"I think the program is a great idea. I really believe in it. It's important to be able to gain a wider audience for designer clothes," said Josh Goot, who will release his 12-piece 'Josh Goot for Target' collection into selected stores on June 19.
"It's been good for us commercially, working with a legitimate organisation who pay on time, and the way the deal is structured means it doesn't cost us anything. It's not our cash flow that gets tapped into. We're a young brand in our third year of business and the Target deal has really freed us up financially. When Target says it supports young designers it really means it - not just in the sense of widening awareness of the brand but also commercially."
Featuring racer back tanks, leggings, pencil skirts, cardigans and blazers, easy dresses for day and evening, as well as a jersey trench coat, the range is built around a specially developed merino wool, tactel and elastane fabrication in signature shades of grey marle and silver, navy, black and bright green and blue. Prices start at $50 for a tank, with the trench topping the range at $150.
Speaking on the eve of the collection's Sydney launch, Goot described the process as an "invaluable learning experience".
"I have to say I was extremely impressed with the Target team. It was interesting to work with such long lead times, with a much bigger team than I am used to and with huge runs compared to the volumes I usually do.
"You need to have very specific skills sets for this type of project. It's about being able to impart information to other professionals and work to stringent standards."
Goot denied criticism the Designers for Target scheme - which has featured lines from Alice McColl, Tina Kalivas and UK fashion star Stella McCartney - risked over-dilution.
"I did this project because I believed in it. It's a great opportunity to bring the brand closer to the market, particularly as my label is very much a niche brand, but one that also has potentially broad appeal."