No words could really explain the whirlwind of amazing adventures that Kathryn and I experienced this past week. Having been named Target Canada’s VIP Mom for World Mastercard Canada Fashion Week came with more privileges and pampering than I could have ever dreamed and a chance to escape reality for just a few days!
Check out our Target Canada #VIPMom Video!
Our adventure started off with the incredible team of Laura and Jen from Target Does it Again, who took us to our local Target location to shop for our outfits to wear to the #TargetStyle runway show. Followed by a videographer (eek), we had the experience of a lifetime to have Jen and Lauren not only pick our looks for the show, but help me use my Target REDCard to buy two more outfits that I just had to have. Finding the confidence to try on clothes I never would have picked on my own and really learning to dress head to toe within a budget was an experience I will never forget. The chance to feel beautiful and confident in each outfit…was priceless.
On Tuesday, we checked into The Ritz Carlton and then had industry leaders Matthew and Diana create our hair and make up looks in ways we had only imagined. Getting dressed into our final outfits, and “modeling” for the photographers was how our night continued, before the actual show. With front row seats, we got to see all that Target had in store with hot looks for the upcoming cold season in Canada. With quilting, plaid, the season’s must-have booties, leopard prints and faux fur making a huge impact on the red carpet, I found myself making my next shopping list! When the show was over, our giggling continued as Kathryn and I made our way back to the hotel for a chance to discuss the amazingness of the experience that Target had worked so hard to provide for us. It was a chance to talk about how our voices were important to Target and how truly transparent they have been in discussing their inventory challenges and the fact that it is their TOP priority for the future.
The talk continued after the article in Marketing Magazine was published about the buzz Target Canada created at Fashion Week. The buzz was not only about the 360 Twitter Vine videos at their runway show, but also the approach to include a somewhat skeptical but hopeful VIP Mom (me!) who could offer readers and shoppers a glimpse behind the scenes to learn more about what this new-ish Canadian retailer was doing to address concerns voiced by their customers. This refreshingly transparent approach is what has already endeared this brand to me and will no doubt keep me shopping for years to come. Check this out….my memories from the week I will never forget.
And remember my original tweet to the Canadian retailer? The one about those empty shelves? During one of my visits back to Target this week (to get that leopard cardigan I saw on the runway that will be 10% off this weekend), I wanted to walk back to that infamous sock aisle that got me worried last Spring. Is Target Canada really making an effort to fill the shelves and win customers like me, back? As I rounded the corner, I crossed my fingers and looked down the wall. It was COMPLETELY FULL. Keep it up, Target! You’ve earned one more loyal customer in me. Thanks for bringing me along for this incredibly memorable ride.