NEW YORK (AP) — Target is tapping designer and TV personality Isaac Mizrahi for a newly created role as creative director at large as the discounter aims to reclaim its reputation for stylish clothing on a budget.
In Mizrahi's new role, the fashion designer, who is known for his vibrant colors and who burst on the design scene in the late 1980s, will mentor Target designers, advise on product design and innovation and bring on fresh new partnerships, the company said Monday. Target said Mizrahi will work alongside Gena Fox, the retailer's senior vice president of design.
With this move, the Minneapolis-based discounter is going back to a familiar partnership. Back in 2002, Target launched a design partnership with Mizrahi, marking the retailer's first collaboration with a major fashion designer. Mizrahi's exclusive clothing and accessories collection for Target paved the way for the retailer's successful collaborations with other major designers ranging from Lilly Pulitzer to Missoni. Target's partnership with Mizrahi ended in 2009.
Mizrahi said in a statement that his role is to collaborate with the retailer's team "to bring more joy, style and sophistication to design through storytelling, creativity and a shopping experience that feels even more fun.”
The moves are part of Target's overall efforts to turn around sales under CEO Michael Fiddelke, who succeeded longtime executive Brian Cornell in February. Since Fiddelke has been at the helm, the company has reshuffled the leadership and named new outside executives including a Walmart executive to lead its supply network.
Target has been concentrating on overhauling its fashions. For example, in the home area, 75% of the company’s decorative assortment will be new, the company had said.
Target reported in May the largest jump in comparable sales in four years, but a cautious outlook overshadowed convincing evidence that changes under the company’s new CEO are resonating with customers.
FILE - The Target logo displayed on a sign outside a store, Nov. 18, 2025, in Salem, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Isaac Mizrahi listens as Jeffrey Banks speaks Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Richie Mo'unga was on his way to South Africa after New Zealand confirmed his recall on Thursday as an injury replacement for the ongoing tour of the republic.
The flyhalf replaced center Billy Proctor, who broke a shoulder blade against the Stormers on Friday in Cape Town. Another flyhalf, Damian McKenzie, twisted his ankle against the Sharks on Tuesday in Durban.
Mo'unga will arrive in Johannesburg on Friday, too late to take part in the All Blacks' third match against the Bulls on Saturday in Pretoria.
“Richie is the obvious choice as a replacement,” All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said in a statement. “His job now is to get in and learn our systems, get his head around the detail and earn the right to play.”
Mo'unga’s 56th and last test appearance for New Zealand was in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa in Paris. By then, he'd already signed a three-year contract with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo and moved to Japan after the tournament.
His commitment impressed as he led the Brave Lupus to Japan Rugby League One titles in 2024 and 2025, even playing with a broken hand in the 2025 final. He was player of the year in both seasons. This year they were knocked out in the quarterfinals in May.
In Mo'unga's absence, the All Blacks gave the No. 10 jersey to Damian McKenzie and the veteran Beauden Barrett without either nailing it down. Ruben Love was introduced in 2024 but wasn't trusted until Rennie gave him the reins last month in the Nations Championship. Love is expected to start the test series against the Springboks next week.
Mo'unga signalled his return to New Zealand a year ago for a third tilt at the World Cup next year in Australia. He signed for 18 months to the end of next year. But eligibility rules meant to be available to the All Blacks he first had to play in the New Zealand championship, the NPC.
And New Zealand Rugby said he couldn't be picked for the South Africa tour unless there was an injury.
Proctor's unfortunate break in the opening tour match gave Mo'unga that chance.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
FILE - New Zealand's Richie Mo'unga runs with the ball after beating the tackle of France's Cameron Woki during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
All Blacks' team perform the Haka before a friendly rugby match between Stormers and All Blacks, in Cape Town, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)
