Target Corp. has created an apparel and accessories brand called Future Collective and featuring a rotating roster of style and cultural influencers "with diverse points of view in fashion."

The brand's first partner is Kahlana Barfield Brown, a beauty and fashion influencer who has worked with Target to promote its Black Beyond Measure marketing campaign and specifically the retailer's work with designers from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Retractable Laundry Line Indoor

Barfield Brown's collection, which will become available Sunday, features women's items with a streetwear aesthetic, including tracksuit-inspired overcoats and trousers, and oversized boyfriend-fit shirts. The collection will have 120 items over four seasonal refreshes.

"By co-creating collections with a roster of amazing influencers who have diverse fashion perspectives, Future Collective is an exciting evolution in our owned brand assortment — offering guests more ways to celebrate their individual styles," said Jill Sando, Target's chief merchandising officer.

The Future Collective launch follows Target's debut of its clothing collaboration with Minneapolis entrepreneur Houston White, the retailer's most extensive partnership with a Twin Cities designer. By working with White, who like Barfield Brown is also a Black designer, Target continues to advance its efforts to bring to its shelves more products by Black creators.

The launch comes as clothing sales are declining for retailers as consumer spending shifts away from goods this year.

Target reported in August that its apparel sales saw low, single-digit declines in May, June and July compared with the same period last year. However, the company reported "meaningful growth" in women's fashion-forward categories. Target's profits fell 90% in the quarter as it tried to rightsize its inventory and clear its shelves of poorly selling merchandise.

Nicole Norfleet covers the fast-paced retail scene including industry giants Target and Best Buy. She previously covered commercial real estate and professional services.

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