Worry not: Friday is back and so is your weekly wrap-up of weird and whimsical retail news.
This week, the ever-eventful New York Fashion Week came to an end, "Philly Jesus" received probation for trespassing at an Apple store, and Target amped up its employees for the holidays in a big way with celebrity cameos at its annual meeting.
This, and more, in this week's Retail Therapy.
The hottest takes from New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week has come and gone.
At least one clear trend has emerged: immediacy. Brands and designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Coach and Tom Ford broke with tradition and allowed eager shoppers to purchase styles right off the runway, cutting out the regular waiting period before clothes hit the racks. Known as see-now-buy-now, the format turned fashion showcases into sales events.
But New York Fashion Week wouldn't be New York Fashion Week without eccentric style choices and a little controversy. Take Marc Jacobs: He had his models rock dreadlocks down the catwalk made by a Florida woman who sells them on Etsy. Many took to social media to express their distaste for the look, calling out the designer for cultural appropriation.
But why not just have BLACK models with actual dreads...https://t.co/L4OpTN3F0K
— Vivian Mulondo (@vivianmulondo) September 16, 2016
The week also debuted the first-ever Halloween runway show. Yandy, the e-retailer perhaps best known for its sexy but strange collection of costumes, showcased its new line with the holiday season creeping up. And things got a little political.
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Judgment day comes for Philly Jesus
Philadelphia native Michael Grant — better known as "Philly Jesus" — was found guilty this week of trespassing on the grounds of an Apple store. As described in his Twitter bio, Grant is a "A BORN AGAiN CHRiSTiAN ARTiST OF JESUS CHRiST," with a modest social media following — 5,158 followers on Twitter. To connect with his following, he has an iPhone that he charges at Apple stores from time to time, Philly.com reports. (He told reporters he's on a family plan with God and the Holy Ghost.)
Following the ruling, Philly Jesus told members of the press that he forgave the justice system for “trespassing against” him “for they know not what they do.” Looks like Philly Jesus has three months probation until he can get back to charging his phone and spreading the gospel to his e-followers.
On 5/2 @phillyjesus cross not blocking aisle @Apple! Why guilty? @DASethWilliams @FOX29philly @NBCPhiladelphia @6abc pic.twitter.com/Jridumt3Dc
— Dot Lay (@dot_lay) September 16, 2016
Target just won meeting of the year
Normally reserved for concerts and sporting events, the Target Center in Minneapolis transformed into a venue for the retailer's annual meeting this week, hosting thousands of store managers and corporate executives from across the country.
Talk about making a meeting engaging. CEO Brian Cornell took the stage briefly to flaunt the diversity of Target's board and announce a new rule that Target leadership would not use teleprompters to talk to employees anymore. But this year's annual meeting was really more about boosting company morale before the holidays than anything else — so Cornell quickly passed the mic off to Bon Jovi.
Brian Cornell is the opening act for Bon Jovi at Target National Meeting. pic.twitter.com/JnGhwz1Prj
— Sarah Halzack (@sarahhalzack) September 15, 2016
In actuality, Bon Jovi wasn't even the main act. He was apparently opening for Gwen Stefani, who recently collaborated with Target to make the first music video created for live television.
Now it's @gwenstefani's turn to hit the stage @Target Fall National company meeting. pic.twitter.com/68gsEP8Aqf
— Derek Johnson (@derekjjohnson) September 15, 2016
And that wasn't the end of the celebrity cameos: Target then announced it will soon feature a special collection with Garth Brooks. Cue the country twang.
Enjoy friends, @garthbrooks collection coming to @Target in November pic.twitter.com/ZWLFqMu2BF
— Tracey Hester (@traceyhester1) September 15, 2016
Target's company meeting was basically a full-on music festival, minus the crop tops. Talk about a step up from last year, when all employees got was a free FitBit and some discounted produce.
Google drones are working on burrito delivery
In what is clearly the all-time best use of drone delivery systems, Google is bringing burritos right to college dorm rooms. The experimental service, called Project Wing, is set to begin this month, reports Bloomberg. Drones will take off from a Chipotle food truck before delivering hot bundles of joy to lucky batches of Virginia Tech students.