Style File

This Sunday will be the highlight of my week. I’m already feeling the anticipation: huge crowds, cutthroat competition, intense strategizing and maybe some blood, sweat and tears, for good measure. 
 
Wait — you thought I was talking about the Super Bowl? Not quite...

As the true antithesis of a sports fan, I can assure you there’s something far more fabulous in store for Feb. 5.

Four words: Jason Wu for Target.

The favorite designer of celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Diane Kruger and Michelle Obama (he designed her white inaugural ball gown), Jason Wu will debut a 53-piece line for Target this Sunday.

A buzz-worthy launch on Super Bowl Sunday seems like a brilliant strategy to appeal to women while their football-obsessed boyfriends and husbands become rabid animals screaming at the TV.

It’s already working — I’m planning on being first in the door at College Mall.
If you’re still wondering who Jason Wu is, let me tell you: He is no small fry designer. Wu has gained worldwide fame for the unmatched elegance, beauty and sophistication of his designs.

A diverse background — he was born in Taipei but has lived in Paris and Vancouver — has given Wu a global perspective that can’t be duplicated. From his sharply tailored pieces, such as blazers and high-waist shorts, to flowing, romantic skirts and dresses, it’s difficult to find a single flaw in his formula.

Wu’s collection for Target is truly an extension of his high-end design aesthetic. Every piece is utterly charming, from circle skirts to prim blouses, and it’s clear Wu spearheaded the design process down to every last detail.

Wu’s vision for Target was to create the wardrobe of “an American girl in Paris.” A theme that could quickly become cheesy, but of course, Wu executes it perfectly.

Wu takes direct inspiration from Jean Seberg and French New Wave films, and that iconic French style — fresh, minimal and chic — is unmistakable.

To me, the collection’s standout pieces are undoubtedly the dresses. Simple, feminine and oh-so French, you can almost imagine them jumping off their hangers and sauntering down the Seine.

They’re flowy, figure-flattering and crafted in patterns and shapes that translate seamlessly from day to night — the key to budget shopping.

Plus, simple silhouettes allow Wu to play with little details, which is his favorite part of the design process. Stripes, sheer panels, fluttery sleeves and delicate collars are unexpected and add a touch of humor to the collection.

Basically, Wu nailed it. Not only is his collection a relief for anxious fans, but Wu will be sleeping easy, too.

After Missoni for Target caused a global frenzy — i.e. fist fights and a website crash — earlier this fall, the pressure was on for Wu to really deliver.

The Jason Wu for Target collection ranges from $19.99 to $59.99 and will only be available until March 6, so I advise you follow my lead and line up bright and early Sunday morning.

­— emfarra@indiana.edu