Style Road Trip

From Business Week: "At the Target store in Brooklyn...As the women enter, large cardboard signs proclaim that the store's wares are "way cool." The Afghan ladies are just getting to understand the concept of "cool" as not a temperature gauge but a popular expression for hip or trendy. Inherent in that is lesson No. 1: They have to ensure that their products fall in the "cool" category to make it to the shelves of a store like Target. TIME TO SHOP. Inside the store, the various brightly lit sections beckon the women in all directions. Before long, they're all dispersed. Hanifa, 45, who distributes embroidered clothing and accessories in Afghanistan, can't stop marveling at the beauty of the home furnishings, including the place mats and runners that fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi has made for Target. "It would be so easy for any of my tailors and embroidery women to make this," she coos. Bpeace volunteers want Hanifa to learn that success comes not just in making a good product, but also in keeping the quality consistent. Many of the women also decide that this is a good place to make a few quick purchases. They find the products very expensive compared to prices in Afghanistan but are told that this is the cheapest store they will be visiting today. While underwear is the most popular pick, others choose products that are useful but not available in Afghanistan. Mahboba, 48, who would like to start a guest house for women in her country, picks up a small coffee grinder. "I can grind spices in this," she says.