Behind the scenes of Prabal Gurung's new Target campaign starring Olivia Thirlby - as they brave New York hurricane warnings

By Olivia Fleming

Published: | Updated:

While New Yorkers were evacuating their homes and stocking up on supplies in advance of Hurricane Sandy, Prabal Gurung hit Manhattan streets with actress Olivia Thirlby to shot the designer's new Target campaign.

Chris Conroy also stars in the yet-to-be-released ad, which was shot in New York's West Village yesterday.

Giving us a sneak peek at several more looks from his high-low collection for Target, Miss Thirlby sported a graphic floral print blazer and matching shorts, as well as a for a black and white dress with a black bow at the neckline.

Hurricane who? Prabal Gurung hit Manhattan streets with actress Olivia Thirlby and Chris Conroy to shot the designer's new Target campaign

Hurricane who? Prabal Gurung (middle) hit Manhattan streets yesterday with actress Olivia Thirlby and Chris Conroy to shot the designer's new Target campaign

Prabal Gurung, who believes making a line with Target is 'a rite of passage for young designers,' is the newest kid on the fashion block embarking on a collection with the retailer, after Jason Wu's successful line sold out in a matter of hours earlier this year.

According to Vogue, there will be 'loads of his signature prints and graphic details,' with pieces ranging from $20 to $200, all inspired by love.

The 80-piece collection of clothes, handbags, shoes and jewellery will hit stores and Target.com on February 10, 2013, with a T-shirt priced at $19.99 and a leather jacket retailing for $199.99.

Flower power: Four years after launching his own label, Mr Gurung is entering the collaboration arena just in time for Valentines Day with a Target collection inspired by love
Flower power: Four years after launching his own label, Mr Gurung is entering the collaboration arena just in time for Valentines Day with a Target collection inspired by love

Flower power: Four years after launching his own label, Mr Gurung is entering the collaboration arena just in time for Valentines Day with a Target collection inspired by love

Sneak peek: Giving us a sneak peek at several more looks from his high-low collection for Target, Miss Thirlby sported a graphic floral dress

Sneak peek: Giving us a sneak peek at several more looks from his high-low collection for Target, Miss Thirlby sported a graphic floral dress

Inspired by love: The 80-piece collection of clothes, handbags, shoes and jewellery will hit stores and Target.com on February 10, 2013, with a T-shirt priced at $19.99 and a leather jacket retailing for $199.99
Inspired by love: The 80-piece collection of clothes, handbags, shoes and jewellery will hit stores and Target.com on February 10, 2013, with a T-shirt priced at $19.99 and a leather jacket retailing for $199.99

Inspired by love: The 80-piece collection of clothes, handbags, shoes and jewellery will hit stores and Target.com on February 10, 2013, with a T-shirt priced at $19.99 and a leather jacket retailing for $199.99

Over the past six years, Missoni, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Jason Wu and fifteen others have brought their design sensibilities to Target for limited edition collections.

Now, nearly four years after launching his own label, Mr Gurung is entering the collaboration area just in time for Valentines Day.

'My own collection is also inspired by the idea of emotion and all of those things. Since this is coming out in February, I thought it was the perfect fit,' he said.

Loose and ladylike: Inspired by Amish Kapoor, a Mumbai-born, London-based sculptor, Prabal Gurung looked to India to produce loose and freeing, rather than constricting, clothing
Loose and ladylike: Inspired by Amish Kapoor, a Mumbai-born, London-based sculptor, Prabal Gurung looked to India to produce loose and freeing, rather than constricting, clothing

Loose and ladylike: The designer's spring 2013 collection was inspired by Amish Kapoor, a Mumbai-born, London-based sculptor - producing loose and freeing, rather than constricting, clothing

Printed matter: Swirling feathers, as well as orchids and gathering clouds - to match the designer's bright bolts of a purplely colour he called 'storm', featured heavily throughout the collection
Printed matter: Swirling feathers, as well as orchids and gathering clouds - to match the designer's bright bolts of a purplely colour he called 'storm', featured heavily throughout the collection

Printed matter: Mr Gurung has become well known for his wild prints and graphic details, as seen in his spring 2013 collection, which will also feature in his Target collection

The designer also told Target’s blog A Bullseye View that the collection is inspired by 'a girl’s journey through the different stages of love and the clothes she wears during each milestone - from the first date to meeting the parents to the engagement'.

Target is also focusing on its Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection super collaboration this Christmas, but Mr Gurung doesn't seem believe his collection will be sidelined because of it.

Fit for a princess: The designer (right) is a favourite of Kate Middleton, who wore one of his designs in September last year (pictured)
Fit for a princess: The designer (right) is a favourite of Kate Middleton, who wore one of his designs in September last year (pictured)

Fit for a princess: The designer (right) is a favourite of Kate Middleton, who wore one of his designs in September last year (pictured)

He said: 'The Holiday Collection definitely gave me a taste of what the partnership would be like, but this collection took it to a whole new level.

'I knew Target would be a great partner to introduce an affordable collection that still reflected my design aesthetic.

'I believe collaborations... allow you to reach a wider audience. For me, it is an exciting challenge to interpret my aesthetic into a mass-produced product,' he added.

Most watched News videos