She first made her mark selling expensive ready-to-wear clothes to Saks Fifth Avenue and Jeffrey stores in Atlanta and New York.

Now, Behnaz Sarafpour has designed a collection for Target so the masses can enjoy her snappy collection of miniskirts, lace-trimmed sweaters, dresses and a too-cool black trench coat.

Target (ENLARGE)

A lace overlay jazzes up a T-shirt ($16.99); pants ($34.99) also get lace treatment.

"My inspiration came from the energy and nightlife in New York," said the Iranian-born Sarafpour. "The fashion is fun and glamorous yet uncomplicated, and ultra-chic, at the same time.

"New Yorkers always look fabulous, as if they didn't try too hard. That's the idea behind my designs."

Her Target collection, part of the store's Go International series, will be available starting Wednesday and run through December. Prices range from $14.99 for a T-shirt to $89.99 for a Persian lamb jacket. Accessories, including jewelry and bags, range from $7.99 to $39.99.

By designing for Target, Sarafpour follows in the footsteps of her mentor, Isaac Mizrahi, who designs chic clothing and accessories for the retailer. But several other well-known designers are offering collections at both ends of the price spectrum.

Low-priced Swedish retailer H&M has lured European designers Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Viktor & Rolf to its label. In addition to the Very Vera by Vera Wang collection for Kohl's, the retailer also carries model Daisy Fuentes' line of casual separates.

Sarafpour, 36, is the fourth rotating designer to partner with Target in the limited-edition series. Others tapped to do affordable clothing and accessories have included English designer Luella Bartley and French designers Tara Jarmon and Sophie Albou. The latter designs for the label Paul & Joe.

"Go International actually gives a global message to a brand that is simply geared to designer consumers," said Roseanne Morrison, fashion director of fashion and retail trend forecaster the Doneger Group. "Even though Vera Wang is a bridal designer, her collaboration with Kohl's [next year] will bring her brand to another level and provide a new design element to sportswear collections.

"Design is important to consumers at all price levels."

So far, Target has been "thrilled" with the series, said spokesman Joshua Thomas. "By making global fashion accessible and affordable, it differentiates us from other fashion retailers." At this time, Target has no announcement regarding future design partnerships.

As for Sarafpour, she hopes that women will wear her ready-to-wear label with her Target clothing.

"That's what fashion is all about," she said, "mixing your expensive pieces with your favorite affordable pieces."

Trend tracker Morrison agrees that there's not a conflict of interest between Sarafpour's two labels. "Upscale designs are specialized in superior fabrics and quality," she said. "But it ultimately benefits the customer to have a taste of design that has only existed in another price sphere."

The Behnaz Sarafpour collection is available Wednesday at select Target stores and is online at www.target.com.