Simon Doonan Does Halloween Costumes for Target

by Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick (Subscribe to Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick's posts)
Posted Aug 18th 2010 at 4:20PM

Simon Doonan has a treat up his sleeve for Halloween. Photo courtesy of Target

Trick or Snooki?

Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys New York, is taking his sartorial sense of humor to Target this Halloween and launching a line of costumes for grown-ups and pooches inspired by reality TV characters.

Think fist-pumping "Jersey Shore" punk-rock pumpkins and not-so-real-housewife diva witches.

Horrified? Well, it's Halloween, so that's the spirit!

"I drew my inspiration from pop culture -- both high and low," Doonan, who just happens to celebrate his birthday on Halloween eve, tells StyleList.

"I think Halloween is a playful time, perfect for celebrating with the kids or getting in touch with your inner rebel. It's also a great time to step up your fashion game and take a few outlandish risks."

His Costume Couture collection starts at $10 for pup frocks to about $30 for adult looks such as Glamour Ghost, campy Candace Corn, and DJ from the Crypt.

That spooky number's sure to frighten the neighbor kids out of taking your last peanut butter cup.

StyleList's favorite look just may be the Pet-arazzi, a sassy ensemble for a fashionable Fido to wear as you dole out treats dressed as an A-list Celebrity in a one-shoulder bedazzled red dress that has Michaele Salahi's White House party-crashing sari written all over it.

As for that Spaghetti-and-Meatballs costume? "I wanted to have a happy, yummy moment with everyone's favorite dish," Doonan tells StyleList. "Can you say 'MANGIA!'"

Simon Doonan Target Halloween costumes fnspired by reality TV characters

Looks from Doonan's Costume Couture Halloween collection for Target. Photo courtesy of Target

Doonan adds that he was inspired to do the collection because he wanted to help people let loose. "I have always encouraged people to dress in an eccentric or innovative way," he says.

"Halloween gives everyone carte blanche to show off and have a little look-at-me-runway moment."

Reality TV shows such as the "Jersey Shore" and its self-professed guidos inspired him because "they get to be exhibitionists," Doonan told WWD.

Because it's a signature collection, Doonan got to exhibit a few tricks of his own, leaving messages such as "Chic or Treat?" and "Trick or Trend?" on each of the costumes.

There's only one look missing from Doonan's collection: A feuding monster bride and groom inspired by reality lovebirds-no-more Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi. Scary reality characters, indeed!

The collection will be available at Target stores beginning Sept. 12 and some styles are already available online.

Speaking of scary looks: Check out the grown men intent on copying the shaggy bangs hairstyle of teen idol Justin Bieber.

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