Thursday, July 16, 2009

“Gossip Girl” a no-go?

According to the New York Daily News, Target’s upcoming clothing line by fashion designer Anna Sui is still a go, but the outfits may no longer be “Gossip Girl”-themed.

“One of Target’s top executives got nervous about being that closely associated with the show, given the [debauchery] its characters get into,” said an on-the-set source. For those of you unfamiliar with the show: the main character, Serena (Blake Lively’s character) has killed a man, and most of the characters frequently get wasted, do drugs and have promiscuous sex.

A “Gossip Girl” insider told the NYDN that a party scene featuring Blair and Chuck (played by Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick) was set to shoot at Sui’s flagship store in New York last week, with models wearing Sui’s Target collection being used as background extras.

“There was going to be signage, as well as Target symbols in purple and black — Anna’s signature colors,” says the source. “And it was rumored that Anna herself was going to be making a cameo appearance.” But at the last minute, the store pulled out of the event, sending the crew “into a frenzy because they had to scrap everything they had planned,” says the insider. “They can’t believe Target would bail on them, especially after publicly announcing the collaboration. It’s Target’s loss, because the line would have sold better if it had played a part in the show.”

The NYDN went on to report that Target would not comment, and that reps for both Sui and the CW network didn’t respond to calls. And now, Stylelist is reporting that this whole story has been blown out of proportion, and that the Target-Gossip Girl association is still definitely ON. But regardless, Anna fans shouldn’t fret. Whether or not you see Sui’s duds on “Gossip Girl,” they’ll still be for sale at Target stores come September.

6 comments:

Shelley said...

"It’s Target’s loss, because the line would have sold better if it had played a part in the show"

I have never watched the show and I have no interest in it... I just find it funny that it is so full of itself. Target can sell anything, as long as it is cute enough!

Unknown said...

I agree with Shelley. "Gossip Girl"'s popularity is overblown by the media. Sure it draws a lot of the demographic advertisers want, but it doesn't have "America's Got Talent" kind of ratings either. If anything, "Gossip Girl" needs Target more than Target needs it.

Marie said...

I haven't seen the show, but have read a book to see all of the fuss. It is quite full of debauchery I must say so I can understand their hesitation. Target will be fine without them.

Target Addict said...

Thanks for weighing in, readers! My question is: why would Target need this association with a marginal TV show when they already have ANNA SUI? I mean, her designs can certainly stand on their own; they don't need the TV tie-in.

Shelley said...

to answer that... They do have Anna Sui and if they want her designs on tv they will make a commercial. That commercial would air way more times and generate more $ than some stupid fashion show seen in the background of a teen/preteen soap opera!

CRibbits said...

Wow, what a gross exaggeration of GG plot lines. What would you say if this was a SIC tie-in? This was definitely a bad move on Targets behalf.