Jewelry designer Philip Crangi and friend

Does the fashion crowd not have their calendars all up to date? With all the cheery, lovey-dovey announcements that flew through cyber-space today, one would think it was Valentine’s Day not the aforementioned Irish holiday. First, the head honchos at Gap announced that a few of the industry’s design darlings–including Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders, Michael Bastian, Philip Crangi and threeASFOUR–will all unveil their limited edition designs for the classic sportswear house on April 15th. (Remember the mad rush for last year’s Rodarte, Thakoon, & Doo.Ri numbers? Might want to consider canceling your personal trainer for the A.M. of 4/15/08. Just a thought.)

Michael Bastian

Phillip Lim

THEN, not to be outdone, Target tipped off a few fashion VIPs that Monica Botkier will be their next guest designer, with her cheap ‘n’ chic satchels hitting stores in late July-August. (Imagine: Botkier beach bags and back-to-school totes! What could be better?) What a lovely day! To top off these new designer-mega-brand orgies, the news serves as a reminder that Target and Gap have always known the style-savvy shopper’s guilty secret: The know the way to our heart is through our wallet.

Botkier bag (Hold your horses kids, it’s not a Botkier for Target version)

Snaps: Style.com, MenStyle.com, File & Botkier.com