This week I have a special guest post from Scott- Social Media & Fashion Trend Expert- to give my readers a sneak peek at whats ahead for the Holiday Season.

During the 2012 holiday season, Target will launch a collection of merchandise built out of a collaboration with high-end department store Neiman Marcus. According to New York Fashion, the collection will consist of products by 24 different high-fashion designers and will be available at Neiman Marcus locations, Target stores and on the websites of both retailers. Target and Neiman Marcus intend to debut this joint project on December 1.

The Designers

Neiman Marcus is known for its solid relationships with notable designers, 24 of whom will participate in this collaboration. The participating designers include:

• Prabal Gurung
• Tracy Reese
• Thom Browne
• Skaist-Taylor
• Robert Rodriguez
• Rag & Bone
• Proenza Schouler
• Philip Crangi
• Rodarte
• Oscar de la Renta
• Marc Jacobs
• Lela Rose
• Judith Leiber
• Tory Burch
• Band of Outsiders
• Jason Wu
• Eddie Borgo
• Marchesa
• Diane Von Furstenberg
• Alice + Olivia
• Carolina Herrera
• Brian Atwood
• Altuzarra
• Derek Lam

Products and Anticipated Pricing

The collaborative holiday collection will be composed of more than 50 distinct items with one to three contributions from each participating designer. All types of products from sandals to suits will be available in the electronics, home goods, sporting goods, children’s, women’s and men’s departments. The prices of these items will range from $7.99 to $499.99. However, shoppers can expect prices to average around $60 or less for most items.

Target has yet to release the details of the collection, but fashion enthusiasts expect to see a selection of holiday party dresses with plenty of options for accessories, such as strappy sandals and exclusive jewelry. All items offered are limited edition and are likely to sell out quickly. At the present, Neiman Marcus and Target have no plans to continue the partnership after this collection is sold.

Previous Collaborations

When it comes to partnerships between fashion designers and low-price department stores, Target has been a pioneer. Last fall, the retailer made headlines when it launched a low-price collection designed by Missoni. However, the release of the products received so much attention from shoppers that Target’s website went down for nearly 24 hours, resulting in multiple order cancelations and annoyed consumers.

In the past, Target has also hosted limited-edition fashion collections produced by high-end designers such as Proenza Schouler, Rodarte and Jason Wu, all of whom are involved in this latest collaboration as well. Nonetheless, the upcoming partnership is unprecedented. While Target is known for low-priced home goods, such as laundry detergent and toilet paper, Neiman Marcus has a reputation for high-end luxury.

A Highly Anticipated Release

At the present, all parties involved are keeping quiet about the details of the collection, but shoppers can’t wait. Target and Neiman Marcus plan to reveal some offerings in October, followed by the launch of a joint marketing campaign on television, in print and via social media beginning in November. Because so many people are already excited, Target is taking precautions to prevent the technical problems it experienced with its launch of “Missoni for Target” last fall.

Though collaborations between department stores and designers are a common occurrence, the partnership between Neiman Marcus and Target is anything but ordinary. Until the items are released, no one can be certain of the outcome, but both retailers are confident in their decision to work together. How do you feel about this collection? When December 1 rolls around, will you be on Target.com?