18 Reasons Why You'll Be Obsessed With Target's Newest Collaboration

"Being an American sportswear designer, plaid has been close to my heart since day one," says Lippes, who primarily drew cozy inspiration from his farm in the Berkshires.

Though his own ready-to-wear line has earned quite a following for its clean lines and classic-meets-cool aesthetic, "I didn't want to redo greatest hits," he says. "[Going plaid] really gave that perfect kernel to run with, to allow us to create a whole new collection around it."

"I was really inspired by that cozy, luxurious, refined lifestyle. We looked at a lot of images from the Berkshires, old-school furniture, old-school plaid, guys' shirts..."

The collarless coat shown here, which features luxe little details like piped seams, is Lippes' favorite piece—and it retails for $39.99.

Beyond apparel and accessories, Lippes made his home goods debut, bringing the mad-for-plaid theme to everything from picnic sets to dog beds.

"We worked on plaid!" Lippes says of the countless variations of the pattern, like the sketched windowpane design seen here. "There were no limits put on what we could do."

In spite of working with a big brand as well as a different reach and audience, Lippes says the design process for the collaboration wasn't far from his norm. "Only difference was I didn't have to make it!" he laughs.

There was one other difference: timing. "We certainly worked a lot earlier than we normally would," he says. "We worked on it six months ago and we're not even done with my own fall collection yet."

Lippes says that in spite of designing for a wider audience, it was important that the aesthetic be seamless with his own label. "I wanted to create elegant, refined pieces that could still take a woman a lot of different places," he says. "But I like to do that in my own collection as well, so it's not really a departure. I really feel any of these pieces could sit in my own collection beautifully as well."

Still, he says, putting his name out there beyond the usual fashion crowd is quite exciting. "I would never have had the chance for this exposure on my own," he says. "The exposure through partnering with Target is so amazing, and it's not like some compromise to get it."

"I'm so passionate about home," he says of the opportunity to try his hand at interior accessories. "So it was great, it was like, 'What do you want to make?' We did candles, pillows, stuff for dogs.... Lots of great stuff to explore."

One of the best parts of having Lippes take us through the collection? It was actually his first time seeing the finished products, and his giddiness was infectious. "I'm so proud of it," he mused aloud, and with good reason.

Of course, Lippes is also keeping one eye on the calendar (aside from this collection's September 27 launch, of course). "Fashion Week is coming up," he notes of his ready-to-wear label. "We've been growing super fast, the collection. It's been amazing."

One of the spotlight items from the wide selection of housewares is this cozy, reversible blanket. "We did it in black and white so you can pick. Isn't that great?"

No details were spared, including the thick fleece interior and hand-stitched piping of this must-have coat.

Not that we needed any convincing, but Lippes notes that style transcends price point. "It's in the quality of the fit, in the finish," he says. "There are some differences in what I typically use—the fabrics, for example—but I really believe that there are pieces here to buy and have in your wardrobe forever."

"Is anyone too old for backpacks?" Lippes jokes. With clean design and unexpected elements like fleece backing underneath the straps, the answer is a resounding no.