A Lack of Logos? Yes, Please!

Hello-Hello! We enjoyed a glorious weekend and hope you did as well.

We begin today with what can only be described as good news, a story about These Challenging Economic Times and logos disappearing from upscale merchandise. The Financial Times recently ran a piece titled “No Logo - Luxury products without overt branding are the new mark of exclusivity“.

The appeal of living large hasn’t disappeared but it seems the logos associated with lavish lifestyles have.

Below we share two higher-end bags, the Valentino Aphrodite and Fendi Leopard-Print Peekaboo.

Valentino (L) & Fendi (R) at Bergdorf Goodman

Frequent readers are painfully aware familiar with the topic, we do blather on incessantly occasionally chat about the issue. This isn’t the first time we have heard about the disappearance of logoed-up (rather like tarted up, no?) merchandise, we did a post on the topic almost exactly one year ago.

In that post we used this screen grab from the Girls’ section at Burberry to demonstrate that perhaps the company wasn’t on board  with the logo-free movement.

Burberry Online October 2010

How refreshing to visit that same children’s department today.

Burberry Childrenswear October 2011

A look at the Girls’ section online reveals a positive scene indeed.

Burberry Girls

Jim Shi’s story talks about Valextra, exclusively sold at Barneys.

Emanuele Carminati Molina, president of the Italian luxury leather goods company Valextra, says the rich have “found satisfaction in rediscovering private luxury”.”

The brand is carried only at Barney’s, below we show the Valextra Caju Mirror Tote and Namaste Big Hobo.

Valextra Bags at Barneys

Another brand mentioned in the story is Hermès.

During the downturn, high-end brand Hermès known for timeless bags rather than a new, trinket-laden style every season – has thrived. It posted an increase of 50 per cent in its first half profits this year and is looking to hire 400 staff to boost production.

Hermès bags are not completely devoid of logos, as seen with the pink Clou de Selle below right, but it is a far more discreet look than many other brands. On the left we show the Picotin Lock, elegant and understated.

Hermès

Not all companies are entering the logo-free zone, here is an email that arrived this morning from Saks, showcasing the Gucci Resort line.

Saks Fifth Avenue

To be fair, not everything Gucci offers is a walking advertisement for the brand. We only wish the trend would filter down to more brands, allowing merchandise to speak for itself.

Not everyone got the memo, including Juicy Couture; on the left we show the Scottie Daydreamer ($198) and on the right, the High Drama Daydreamer ($248).

Juicy Couture

However, it *appeared* the percentage of bags sans the Juicy logo was higher than I recall, perhaps the company’s not-so-fabulous performance has positively impacted its designs.

We do want to share two items we stumbled on while wasting time window shopping researching things for the post. Both are by Bottega Veneta at Bergdorfs and both are insanely expensive. The Two Tone Deerskin Tote and Woven Lambskin/Linen Tote are today’s Pretty in Pink.

Bottega Veneta at Bergdorf Goodman

We would have to hold quite a few bake sales here at the Prepatorium to come up with the $$$ for either. Sigh.

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One quick Sales and Savings note:  J. Crew is offering an extra 30% off sale merchandise.  Additionally, Crew is leaving its online Factory Outlet ‘open’ through Thursday, especially good news for parents as the company just added childrenswear to the outlet this month.

J. Crew

Use promo code OURTREAT at checkout to receive the discount.

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Finally today, a look back at this weekend’s Head of the Charles.

Elise Amendola/AP Photo

The annual Regatta looked like another fabulous event.

Michael Dwyer/AP Photo

It was a good weekend for the Crimson, Harvard had a stellar showing. Several friends were on hand and/or actually competing, including the Queen Bee, a tip of the hat to them.  We also applaud several preptastic retailers, Brooks Brothers continued its sponsorship of the event, Smathers and Branson partnered with North River Outfitters for limited edition HOC goods like the flask shown below.

Smathers & Branson/North River Outfitters

Until next time, may all of your oars be pulling in the same direction!

Ralph Lauren’s New Wimbledon Uniforms & Tory’s New Digs

Welcome to a Monday, what a busy weekend it turned out to be!

In a sure sign that summer is here, Wimbledon officially got underway today, prompting our look at the new uniforms from Polo Ralph Lauren.

Courtesy Photos

The retailer continues its alliance with the All England Club, the new styles celebrate the event’s 125th Anniversary.  This is the first time the uniforms have been redesigned since Polo Ralph Lauren first made a deal with the Club in 2006, the firm has been doing uniforms for linesmen, umpires and ball boys/girls since that time.

Below, a Line Judge in uniform this morning.

Ben Stansall/AFP

Of course the pieces are available for sale at PRL stores and online, although we do not see that always-popular blazer available anywhere.

Via Ralph Lauren

The polo shirt showcases the special anniversary patch and overall the look is crisp and clean, nicely done.  Notwithstanding Ralph Lauren logos the size of canned hams (and larger).

Via Polo Ralph Lauren

There are also items like the men’s Classic-Fit Poplin shirt at PRL online.

The Ralph Lauren site has an interesting piece on the history of Wimbledon, with nifty background on the ball boys/girls, the average age is 15. Here is more:

Service is paid—a princely sum of €130-€160 (about $209-$258) for the thirteen-day period—and rigorous tests (fitness and written) and training must be completed before selection.

Some items offered for sale only appear to be available at the Wimbledon Shop, like the Logo Tee-shirt at $62.67.

This is where we have to ask for your kind assistance, as the shirt above has us simply baffled. Why on earth would the Ralph Lauren initials be larger than the word Wimbledon?? This clearly belongs in the “Help Me Understand” category, your faithful scribe is more-than-confused about that imagery, do weigh in with your wisdom and insight.

The rain did make an appearance.

Oli Scarff/Getty Images

One last Wimbledon item created just for the 125th Anniversary: special bottles of Lanson champagne. We’ll make them today’s Pretty in Pink.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

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Next, an update for those fond of Tory Burch, her new store under construction on Madison is getting some special decor… on the outside.

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

Women’s Wear Daily has more from Ms. Burch on the importance of the new store:

“It’s a big deal for the company, and for me personally,” Burch said of the Madison Avenue location. “Having a presence uptown was very important for us

The shop is slated to open in September, that vibrant artwork on the store’s exterior was done in collaboration with street artist James De La Vega.

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We leave you with images of fairy tales re-created in another medium: balloons.

Larry Moss/Newsteam via The Daily Mail

Above we see Jack in the Beanstalk as crafted by a gentleman named Larry Moss.  Below, Rapunzel as envisioned by the artist.

Larry Moss/Newsteam via The Daily Mail

Amazing.

With that we say g’bye until next time!

More Lilly Pulitzer Furniture Pix, Priscilla & Marchesa’s New Bridal Line,

Hello-Hello, welcome to a Wednesday Thursday.

There are things happening all over the Preppy Planet today, and with apologies, we have a hodge-podge of bits & bytes. We begin with an update on that much-discussed Lilly Pulitzer Furniture collection.

Sophie Pyle Style blog

The company marketing the new line, HFI Brands, shared more from the collection at the spring furniture market in High Point.

Via Sophie Pyle Style

You can see some of the new Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa fabric line in the photos. Below, the Lauren chair.

Via Sophie Pyle Style blog

Lee Jofa now says the fabrics should be in showrooms in June. (A reminder that the fabric will only be available to the interior design trade.)

Via Sophie Pyle Style blog

Our thanks to the always-generous Sophie Pyle for sharing her wonderful photos.

Via Sophie Pyle Style blog

The images show a broader color palette than what was seen at the fall market, we like the additional color schemes.

Via Sophie Pyle Style blog

To see all of Sophie’s images from spring market, click here. Or, visit the HFI Brands Facebook page and look at their album of photos.

The folks at Real Simple have discovered the line, they are fans of that Lilly shoe storage ottoman we have previously shared.

Via Christina Lee Design

The magazine’s May issue features a look at the ottoman, it will be priced at $599 once the line launches.

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Next, more news from Bridal Week, Women’s Wear Daily reports that Priscilla of Boston is partnering with Marchesa on a lower price-point collection. The new group launches in the 19 Priscilla stores this September, with prices beginning at $1,500.

Additionally, the Vera Wang collection at David’s Bridal is expanding to include bridesmaid dresses.

Courtesy Image via WWD.com

We promised to share a more styles from Bridal Week, below we have three stunners from Reem Acra.

PHOTOS: Jason Riffe/FashionWirePress.com

Oh gosh, look, they all have sleeves. Two more gowns from Reem Acra.

PHOTOS: Jason Riffe/FashionWirePress.com

Very pretty, all of them.

We also have a brief update on that “exclusive report” about Kate Middleton’s wedding gown being designed (we mention it here) by Sophie Cranston of Libélula, WWD shares the label’s response to the rumors.

“Libelula has a company policy of not commenting on any of the work they do for private clients, however due to the unprecedented media attention they would like to make the following statement: We are not designing Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. We, like everyone else, can’t wait to find out who is!”

Because The Consort is so concerned about the issue (cough-cough), he felt the need to set the record straight:

The Consort Responds

There you have it.

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Careening on to our next topic, a look at some of the new goodies from this spring’s Social Primer for Brooks Brothers reversible bowtie collection. Below, some of the ties as seen in the catalog.

Social Primer for Brooks Brothers

In addition to the fresh crop of ties, now there are key fobs in the line as well.

Social Primer

Those in (or near) Charleston can see the line’s designer, K. Cooper Ray, at the Charleston Billy Reid next Wednesday. Click here for more information on that event.

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We have a very quick mention on behalf of a friend, the Fresh Air Fund is looking for host families in the thirteen states the organization serves.

Fresh Air Fund

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We leave you with today’s “What Were They Thinking?“  Below, an image with a piece of fleece that Jo-Ann stores was selling at the top, and an authentic Coach handbag on the bottom.

Via The Cut

The two items are together illustrating a story about Coach suing Jo-Ann for trademark infringement, among other things, because of the similarity to the Coach logo in the fleece fabric design. In this instance we concur with Coach, the elongated O in the design is way-too-similar to the company’s distinctive logo. We wouldn’t want the image on fleece either, it makes visions of a Coach Snuggie painfully easy to imagine.

Brooks Brothers & Kate Spade Fall 2011 & “Swaddler of the Preppy Classes”

Hello-Hello!

We wrap up the majority of our Fall Fashion Week coverage with a look at two lines we love. We begin with the Brooks Brothers presentation for next fall.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

There are some wonderful looks.  From the Women’s Wear Daily review (subscription required):

“Brooks Brothers wants to embrace another generation of shoppers and it’s quite evident in the fall collection…. refining the classics across men’s, women’s and children’s wear to broaden the audience without taking a 180-degree fashion turn.”

Part of the presentation was set against the backdrop of an autumn tailgate party.

(Love that argyle sweater.) Other pieces were styled in a clubby library atmosphere.

Our friend Christian at Ivy Style was on hand for the showing and has a outstanding look at the line.

Courtesy Ivy Style

A women’s shirt and sweater from the group.

Courtesy Ivy Style

From the retailer’s still-new Fleece line for children.

More styles for the Young Miss or Master of your palace.

Many of the accessories exude the timeless elegance Brooks is known for.

Black Fleece also continues its far “hipper” and trendier styles.

Via Black Fleece Facebook Page

The palette is primarily gray, brown and black.

Although there are a few spots of color.

Overall it looks like a splendid collection, there is a great deal we like. However… (cue the tedious whining) regular readers won’t be surprised to know that we will always take issue with this sort of thing:

Courtesy Ivy Style

It is just so unnecessary, particularly for a company with Brooks’ heritage and pedigree, and especially so when considering the quality of this collection. (Insert sad shake of the head here.)

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Next on our Fashion Week update agenda, Kate Spade for Fall.

Via ShopStyle

The bright colors that are such a signature for this line were evident from the start.  We are presuming the hemlines on both suits will be dropped by several inches once the skirts go into production.

PHOTOS: Kevin Tachman/WWD

Shoes sure to evoke cries of “Those are daaaaaarling!” could be seen in abundance.

Via ShopStyle.com

As always, the accessories looked superb.

Via ShopStyle.com

There were pieces in more muted tones.

PHOTOS: Kevin Tachman/WWD

And there are party styles, something this retailer does so well.

PHOTOS: Kevin Tachman/WWD

No one will be surprised that today’s Pretty in Pink comes via the company’s fall presentation.

PHOTOS: Kevin Tachman/WWD

More angles.

Some fabulous photos come via the Audrey Hepburn Complex blog.

Via Audrey Hepburn Complex

Audrey Hepburn Complex is also where we found some great detail shots.

We aren’t the only ones who love this retailer, here is a snippet from today’s WWD story about the woes that Liz Claiborne continues to face and Kate Spade’s role in the company’s future:

“…often painful effort to reinvent Liz Claiborne Inc. has produced a series of businesses that are bleeding money and struggling through turnarounds, and one breakout star that just might be the company’s saving grace: Kate Spade.”

And one more tidbit from Evan Hughes’ story about the company, with a quote from the CEO:

““Kate Spade can no longer be viewed as too small to matter for our company,” McComb told WWD. “The business is very profitable and strong across all channels, all product categories and in all geographies.”

He described it as a “very Web-savvy” brand striving to connect retail and e-commerce.”

We concur wholeheartedly with the assessment of Spade’s web prowess.

BTW, Kate Spade and Tretorn are on sale next week at discounting site RueLaLa, both sales begin on Monday.  (If anyone is in need of an invitation, just click here.)

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A few quick hits from lines we simply don’t have the time to review, beginning with the Marc by Marc Jacobs show.

Kathy Willens/AP via The Guardian

Mr. Jacobs created so many divine styles, we highly recommend looking at them over at Fashionologie or Style.com

Carolina Herrera staged a beautiful show.

Via The NY Times.com

Again, so much to see, so little time, visit Vogue or StyleList to see much more from the show.

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We leave you with a headline from The Observer that made us both chuckle:

Swaddler of the Preppy Classes Picks Flagship

Of course the ensuing conversation went something like this:

TC: Ummm, are you swaddled?

TPP: Evidently not, and from all appearances, neither are you.  Oh, the horror.

The story is about the new Lacoste flagship store, here is a teeny bit from the story just so you don’t think we made this up:

“Popped colors and lavender pants are already the uniform of choice on upper Fifth Avenue. It seems only fitting that preppy designer Lacoste has chosen 608 Fifth Avenue for its national flagship.”

(Do you think they meant “popped” collars?)

Because we are chatting about Lacoste & because we need to revel in spring fashions as opposed to fall (desperately so), here are a few images of the spring Lacoste children’s collection.

Lacoste

The entire group is shown on the company’s Facebook page.

Lacoste

One more scenic shot.

Lacoste

We hope we haven’t disappointed anyone by not having the Ralph Lauren fall collection in today’s post, we will carry that in Monday’s column. Tomorrow we have a special treat, an update from our Royal Correspondent, Queen Bee Swain.

Until next time, may the sun be shining on your corner of the globe!

“The Importance of Being Preppy”

Hello-Hello!

Today we have a mish-mash (a highly technical journalistic term) of tidbits, many relating to topics recently chatted about in this space. The first is a story from our friends on the far side of the pond, “The Importance of Being Preppy“. The piece first ran in Saturday’s Guardian and has been picking up traction online, it profiles Tommy Hilfiger while also looking at the style many refer to as “preppy.”

Tim Know for The Guardian (UK)

Writer Hadley Freeman begins her story with a description of Mr. Hilfiger’s office.

“Even the designer’s office is American to a nigh-on parodic degree: on the top floor of an unassuming building in midtown Manhattan, Hilfiger has tricked the place out to resemble the inside of a chi-chi beach house, replete with white painted floorboards, beach chairs, antique mirrors and striped awnings, where waiters in white buttoned-up shirts tote around goblets of ice water with slivers of lemon.”

Some readers might already be speculating the story is pegged to the recent announcement from Mr. Hilfiger of Prep World, a capsule collection he is launching with True Prep author Lisa Birnbach; such speculation would be accurate. (For our tedious in-depth post on the topic and photos from the line, click here.)

Courtesy Image via Daily Front Row

Back to the story and Ms. Freeman’s description of the preppy aesthetic, it may surprise some readers.

“It is also, incidentally, a look that denotes wealth, or at least aspiration to it. Its nearest equivalent in Britain is the Sloane, but preppiness has less to do with old systems of class and more to do with new money.”

We suggest this might be surprising because of the general presumption that “preppy style” is attached to old money, not new. You know, back in the olden days when such things were not discussed?  (To be candid, any discussion of finances, be they rooted in relatives who floated over on the Mayflower or as new as this year’s hottest hedge fund, is vulgar and really not appropriate, we generally avoid the topic if at all possible.) Back to the Guardian story.

“…in lieu of having a centuries-old class system, America has a profound fascination with money. Along with Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren has long loved the preppy look, and many others – from up-and-coming designer Tory Burch to US high-street outlet J Crew – base their entire labels on the look. Hilfiger suggests its popularity now is a reaction to the global recession. After all, he says with a merry laugh, it’s a way of looking “not poor”.

The story’s timing also relates to Fashion Week, starting this evening; Mr. Hilfiger has been heavily promoting his runway shows via the company’s Facebook pages.

Via Facebook

Ms. Freeman’s story also offers detailed background on the brand:

“By the beginning of the 21st century, the Hilfiger brand had lost much of its fashion lustre, due to overdistribution and an overfondness of branding. “There was a bit of a backlash,” Hilfiger concedes with understatement.”

Understatement indeed.  Without commencing a yawn-inducing retrospective, we shall only say that we have long struggled with Mr. Hilfiger’s penchant for logos the size of canned hams.  Or bigger.  The designer’s recent move toward designs without his initials splattered everywhere is promising; we are intrigued to see the fall runway looks as well as the Prep World pieces.

Mr. Hilfiger is no stranger to the UK’s fashion faithful, during last fall’s London Fashion Week he appeared in a “My Week in Pictures” feature for the Guardian’s sister publication, The Observer.

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage via The Guardian

Above, a photo from the feature shows the designer and his wife Dee with Jennifer Lopez.

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Next, another story looks at the style, this one from The Cavalier Daily, UVA’s student newspaper. “Through pink-and green-colored glasses” provides a student’s view on “U.Va.’s preppy identity in popular culture”.  A snippet from the story by Caroline Massie:

“So where exactly does this reputation stem from? One may look to the year 1979 when alumnus Tom Shadyac (College, 1981) created the “Are you a preppie?” poster as a fundraiser for his fraternity, Sigma Chi, which needed money to pay off a debt.”

Mod Culture

“Shadyac said preppy attire was not unique to U.Va. at the time. Rather, it was prevalent among traditional East Coast colleges.

“Pink and green could’ve been our national colors,” he said.

To read Ms. Massie’s entire story, click here.

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One item that would have better fit in yesterday’s post with all of its bridal buzz, word that Isaac Mizrahi is doing a limited bridal line for Aisle New York, the online members-only (ahem) site offering flash sales of discounted gowns and accessories.

Courtesy Image via WWD

Here is more from Mr. Mizrahi’s site:

“Isaac’s capsule collection of gowns and accessories will be available for six months, launching at the end of February 2011. According to Isaac, “the best place to shop for your wedding gown is the privacy of your own computer.” Hooray for all you blushing brides!”

(If in need of an invite, just click here.)

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The other mention that would have been much more appropriate yesterday, a look at House Beautiful’s March issue, the cover highlights the upcoming Lilly Pulitzer Furniture line in a feature titled “The Power of Pink”.

House Beautiful via Lilly Pulitzer blog

For those who haven’t yet seen the issue the Lilly blog offers a look at the story, while the House Beautiful website carries a number of wonderful pink tie-ins, including a delightful look at “Pink in Unusual Places” from The Accessorator, Judi Roaman.  Below, Ms. Roaman’s picture of the pink roses sculpture on Park Avenue.

Judi Roaman/The Accessorator via House Beautiful

Pop over and visit the Lilly blog for more, or click here for our post on the furniture line.

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Our final two images are quasi-timely, the first involves a new movie and the other, Fashion Week.

Alberto E. Rodriguez for Paramount Pictures

Above, Justin Bieber last night as he arrives at the premiere of “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” in Los Angeles.   Next, Anna Wintour arriving for the Armani couture show in Paris last month.

Jacky Naegelen/Reuters

Why haul out the pictures? Because we just had to do a little side-by-side comparison.

And Young Mister Bieber.

Not bad at all IOHO, the finger puppets are from Mullish Muse on etsy, we thought they were cute as could be and couldn’t resist sharing.

On that wacky note we say goodbye until next time.