Target wants its employees — not just customers — to feel stylish, too, with a new apparel selection for store associates.
The collection was designed by Target's in-house design team with involvement and advising from Creative Director At Large Isaac Mizrahi, according to a Target spokesperson.
The company’s employee attire line is titled Collection186 after Pantone 186, the specific shade of red Target utilizes for its branding. Collection186 first launched online in June, and the latest 16-piece Design Drop inspired by Mizrahi will be available Oct. 5, according to details the company shared.
“At Target, we believe great design should make everyday life better, for our guests and for our team,” Gena Fox, Target’s senior vice president of design, told Retail Dive. “We designed Collection186 with our store team members in mind — offering them more options to their wardrobe that are unmistakably Target. For this latest drop, we were inspired by Isaac Mizrahi's incredible fashion perspective throughout the design and styling process. Together, we created pieces that feel fresh, expressive and thoughtfully functional for how our team moves through their day.”
The latest apparel drop includes crew-neck T-shirts, polos, cardigans, blazers, vests and more.
Employees can preview the new collection starting Wednesday, and select options will be available in limited quantities. Store employees are not required to purchase their work attire through Target and can wear any clothing that complies with company policy.
Mizrahi’s new role at Target was announced in June amid Target’s broader effort to regain style and design authority. His position involves product and design consultation for Target's internal design team, as well as talent mentorship.The move marked a return for the fashion designer nearly a quarter century after his first collection with the company brought on the “Tarzhay” era it became known for.
Industry analysts have called out Target’s need to regain authority in apparel, and the category is a core aspect of the company’s turnaround effort under CEO Michael Fiddelke.
While the retailer has shown some progress in recent quarters by reversing topline sales decline trends, its return to growth in the apparel category has lagged compared to categories such as beauty and hardlines.
Chief Merchandising Officer Cara Sylvester in August said the company was not satisfied with its Q2 performance in both apparel and home, but stressed that the retailer was confident heading into 2027.
