Ultimate Fashion Gala, & A Sneak Peek at the Preppy Laptop

Hello-Hello, we hope the sun is shining as brightly in your corner of the globe as it is here!

We begin with an apology to those not fond of fashion-laden posts, we must beg your indulgence one more day, as we have yet to share the images from another big do. The Met Ball was Monday night, arguably the season’s most important event for seeing, and being seen, in serious formalwear. (The official name for the event: the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala.) The evening also officially kicked off the Museum’s special exhibit, American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.

For decades the Gala has been overseen by Anna Wintour.

Via The Cut

The Vogue magazine editor was in an ensemble by Chanel Couture; some found it less than attractive, but we actually liked the look, and thought it was flattering on Ms. Wintour.

Two of the evening’s most elegant looks: Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad.

Kristin Somody Whalen/WWD

And Marion Cotillard in glittering Christian Dior.

Kristin Somody Whalen/WWD

They are both wearing what we refer to as “SPFs,” Serious Party Frock.  The editors at Refinery 29 came up with this group of “Best Dressed” ladies at the Gala.

Via Refinery 29

From the left, Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein, Kate Bosworth wears Valentino, Rosie Huntington (apparently a popular model) in Burberry and Emma Watson, also in Burberry.

The event is A List only; below we see Lauren Bush and David Lauren, on the right, Ricky and Ralph Lauren.

In an unusual twist, we thought the younger generation’s styles were superior to those seen on their elders; the blue jeans looked horribly inappropriate.  Below left we show Dylan Lauren, and on the right, Tommy Hilfiger and his wife, Dee Ocleppo.

Taylor Swift was in Ralph Lauren Collection, and Tory Burch in Tory Burch.

From the Gossip Girl contingent, Blake Lively wears Marchesa and Jessica Szohr in Versace.

Leighton Meester and Penn Badgley were also on hand.

The Cut had an intriguing tidbit in their post about the G2 stars and the event:

“… all the relationship drama has made the cast of Gossip Girl skittish around reporters, because Penn Badgley, Jessica Szohr, and Blake Lively each didn’t so much as turn their heads as they hustled up the stairs, surrounded by flacks, and went inside.

And how did Ms. Lively look for the after-party? Below left we see the more casual look she sported, and on the right, co-stars Penn Badgley and Chace Crawford at that function.

We were not crazy about Ivanka Trump’s Atelier Versace dress, nor did we think highly of the Chanel look seen on Kristen Stewart.

We also struggled with someone we generally adore seeing in a fab frock, Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks; this blue gown simply didn’t work.

The black and white gown on Malin Akerman was another miss IOHO.

One dress creating quite a stir (and also making it onto almost every ‘worst dressed’ list), Katy Perry’s LED light-up dress.

We absolutely adored WWD’s commentary on the gown:

“It was enough to provoke a seizure (or at least a headache), but Perry behaved as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Guess no one told her there’s a difference between dressing to stop traffic and dressing like a traffic stop.”

Note who leads off Refinery 29′s review of the “The Bad” styles:

Photo Collage via Refinery29.com

Also seen with Ms. Perry in the dubious distinction category above, Chloë Sevigny in Proenza Schouler, Tina Fey in a jumpsuit of unknown origin, and another Mad Men fave, January Jones.  Ms. Fey and Ms. Jones surprised, they usually appear far better put together. In a new category we are calling “Worst Gown by Volume,” model Coco Rocha and her Zac Posen.

WWD.com

As the Fug Girls wrote:

“…that reminds me of every Bed In A Bag on sale around the time I was going off to college.”

We don’t consider our reading on any fashion topic complete until we have seen what Cathy Horyn writes, we especially like this comment from her story:

“I thought Lauren Santo Domingo looked terrific in a sparkly, long-sleeved beige dress by Proenza Schouler. It suited her height and coloring and it’s nice to see long sleeves.”

Just in case anyone missed the most important part of the comment:

“… it’s nice to see long sleeves.”

Not that we’re obsessed proponents of bringing back sleeves for some styles. Not at all. (Heh-heh-heh.)

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We share good news and not-so-good news in today’s SOTT (Signs of the Times):

• Saks is closing their San Diego Fashion Valley store in July and the NorthPark (Dallas) Armani store is being closed the 16th of this month. (Muffy and Hopsy – oh no!)
• Saks is expanding their Off Fifth stores, adding outlets in Pittsburgh, Portland, Houston and the Raleigh/Greensboro area
• On an up note, Nordstrom opened their new store at Fashion Island (Orange County) a few weeks back

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And with apologies to our Facebook pals who may have seen this on one of our Fan pages, we close with a stellar Pretty in Pink that also qualifies as an Adventure in Argyle:

HP Courtesy Image

That is the soon-to-be-released Preppy Pink Mini from HP, a thing of beauty.  The Mini 210 is technically a netbook, not a laptop, and while we aren’t crazy about the pink keyboard, we are gaga for the overall design.

HP Courtesy Image

The HP Mini 210 in Preppy Pink (it will also come in “white crystal”) launches June 15 in the USA with a $355 price point.  Click here to register for availability notification from HP.

With that, g’bye until next time!

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ADD’L PHOTO CREDITS:

• Katy Perry Dress: Steve Eichner/WWD
• Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

The Mad Men Barbie Collection, “Future Prep”

Hello-Hello, happy rainy day! Yes, we are so gaga over the warmer weather we are happy about the rain, it is so much nicer than the snow!

We start with absolutely delightful news: the folks at Mattel have made our favorite Mad Men characters into Barbie dolls. As the Guardian put it:

“It is a move that would have the male denizens of Sterling Cooper reaching for their whiskey and cigarettes. Don Draper, a symbol of pre-sexual revolution male values from the hit TV show Mad Men, is to be made into a Barbie doll.”

Courtesy Photo via NYTimes.com

We think Joan Holloway and Betty Draper look simply smashing, their hair and makeup are captured perfectly, although Joan is nowhere near as curvaceous as on the show.

Unfortunately Don Draper and Roger Sterling aren’t as easy to depict, especially their clothing, an element key to the show’s success and cult following. Their suits just don’t translate well, they are not as well-tailored. Here is a comparison:

But then, these are merely 11-inch dolls, oui?

More on the wardrobe selections from amc’s Mad Men blog:

“Don Draper wears his classic, polished red-lined suit and comes accessorized with a hat, overcoat and brief case; Betty Draper’s classic look is captured with unparalleled detail, from her faux pearl necklace to her pumps; Joan Holloway looks chic in a purple skirt suit and perfectly styled coif with her staple accessory – a pen necklace; and Roger Sterling is looking dapper in his monogrammed shirt.”

Stuart Elliott’s column in today’s Times is excellent, loaded with interesting background on the Mattel deal and addressing almost every question that sprang to mind, including these:

“The dolls come with period accessories like hats, overcoats, pearls and padded undergarments, but no cigarettes, ashtrays, martini glasses or cocktail shakers.”

The dolls launch in July at a retail of $74.95, they will be available at the Barbie Collector site. (We apologize to our Facebook and Twitter friends for repeating this item, as we did Tweet and put the photo up on the Princess FB fan page as soon as we heard about the dolls, we simply couldn’t wait.)

We’re thinking a few bloggy friends may contemplate bringing Don home. So to speak. (You know who you are.)

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We have a few quick SOTTs (Signs of the Times) to share:

• It’s official, American Eagle is closing all 28 of its poorly performing Martin and Osa stores.
• Stationery and gift retailer Swoozie’s has filed bankruptcy but hopes to keep most stores operational. In looking for recent updates we noticed the last time Swoozie’s Twitter account was active was Feb. 3, the company’s Facebook page is more current.  We wish them the best, we always enjoyed a trip to Swoozie’s.

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We are intrigued by a line from across the pond, Polistas.

Courtesy Polistas

Described by Luxist as “… the first true polo lifestyle brand made for polo players by polo players…”, the company is now launching a Polo Dress.

Courtesy Polistas via Luxist

We enjoyed bouncing about the Polistas website.

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We close with a few more looks from Paris Fashion Week, beginning with the Balenciaga fall collection, characterized by at least one trade magazine as “future prep”.

We are guessing the crewneck sweaters from designer Nicolas Ghesquiere contributed significantly to this appellation.

While there was some lovely pink and green in the collection we wouldn’t exactly refer to it as preppish. But doesn’t it look pretty, like candy, or Easter eggs?

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We close with a bit of retail bliss:

Jason Squires/Getty Images for Sperry

Remember when we chatted about Sperry opening retail stores in select locations?  The Kansas City store celebrated its grand opening on Saturday and the liquid refreshments look dreamy.

Jason Squires/Getty Images for Sperry

The clothes are also easy on the eyes, as is the footwear.

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If interested in the company’s 75th Anniversary CVOs seen above right, they are now available online.  We initially stumbled on the party pix while gathering the info for today’s Pretty in Pink, the Seasonal Bahama.

Sperry Top-sider

We shall pray to the retail Pooh-bahs for a Sperry store in our corner of the globe someday.

Until next time dollfaces, grins and giggles!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Balenciaga: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

An Anti-Prep’s Antics, Chanel Does It Again

Hello-Hello, happy Tuesday!

We have a slew of bits and bytes combined with a heavy out-of-the-office schedule, so today shall be somewhat scattered and mercifully brief.

We begin with an update on a member of that oh-so-exclusive (but sadly growing) group known as the Anti-preps. We are referring to an individual sometimes called La Lohan; the celebrity is seen below just before today’s Chanel showing at Paris Fashion week.

Thibault Camus/AP Photo

The reason for mentioning Ms. Lohan today?  News she has filed a $100 million lawsuit over this television commercial.

Courtesy E-Trade via Page Six

For those unfamiliar with the E-Trade television campaign, the spots feature “voices” of babies who invest in the stock market. In this particular commercial the little tyke is apologizing for not calling his little female friend the previous night when she inquires in an accusatory fashion: “And that milk-a-holic Lindsey wasn’t over?” (As far as we know it could also be spelled Lindsey.)

Unless Ms. Lohan’s legal counsel has evidence the Grey creative team (E-Trade’s advertising agency) sat around discussing the benefits of aligning E-Trade with Ms. Lohan (an unlikely scenario) we fail to grasp the grounds for the litigation.  This story from Page Six explains that evidently Ms. Lohan believes she is on a level with entertainers recognized by a single name, like Oprah or Madonna.

Courtesy E-Trade via You Tube

Additionally Ms. Lohan’s counsel is requesting an injunction forcing the popular commercial off the air; more from the Post’s story with quotes from her attorney:

“”They used the name Lindsay,” Ovadia said. “They’re using her name as a parody of her life. Why didn’t they use the name Susan?”

Precisely our question.

This takes us back to our television days, when a certain NFL Team Owner decided that his Football Team owned the color orange. (This is also in the You Can’t Make This Stuff Up category.) Seriously. No one but the Official Team Station was to use that color in conjunction with the team. At all. That particular legal action was short-lived and unsuccessful for the Team Owner.

One last quote from the story:

“This is a subliminal message. Everybody’s talking about it and saying it’s Lindsay Lohan.”

Now we’re feeling like we’re not part of ‘everybody’.  Sigh.

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As we mentioned the Chanel show at Fashion week, we want to share a few images. Below we see Alexa Chung and Caroline Seiber on their way into the event.

As always, there was incredible staging; in this case 25 tons of ice was brought in to create the desired backdrop.

Eric Ryan/Getty

It’s a tad difficult to look at fall/winter clothing when it is finally springlike outside.

We did like some styles.

Mr. Lagerfeld never fails to raise the bar, an amazing accomplishment considering his tenure at Chanel.

BigPicturesPhoto.com

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In our Sales & Savings category, J. Crew is doing an additional 30% off sale merchandise, use promo code EXTRA30 at checkout.  The promotion ends at midnight Friday, but we would not be surprised to see email on Friday announcing the discount has been extended through the weekend.

Speaking of J. Crew, the firm’s Bomber Jacket has been updated.

J. Crew via Luxist

This is the jacket done in collaboration with UK retailer Belstaff, the same one worn by Hilary Swank in Amelia.

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For today’s Pretty in Pink we offer two items, the first is only available for a limited time at ‘by invitation’ sale site One King’s Lane.  Accessories from a line we love, Baekgaard, are on sale through the 12th.

Passion Fruit by Baekegaard

The group of four pieces seen above is now just $59.  If in need of an invitation to the site click here or email us at thepreppyplanet@gmail.com

Our piece of pink perfection is actually edible.  Meet the Candyglam ring.

If It's Hip It's Here

It definitely looks good enough to eat, and that’s the idea, these are made of hard candy. For more on the tasty jewelry visit If It’s Hip it’s Here.

On that yummy note we say goodbye until next time, may everyone enjoy the bright sun we are seeing here at the Prepatorium!

• Lorenzo Santini/Getty Images
• Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

Sneak Peeks: Zac Posen & John-Paul Gaultier for Target, Longchamps Sale

Hello-Hello and welcome to a Thursday Friday!

Many thanks to all for their lovely comments  on yesterday’s post, we appreciate the support more than you may realize.

Back to today, there is lots and lots going on!  In an effort to jam it all most of it into this post, we’ll do some of the newsbytes headline-style

Our Twitter followers saw this yesterday, but for those who don’t Tweet, we were spreading the word that Longchamps is on sale at Magnums (the best online dealer for the brand IOHO, and more importantly, an authorized vendor), with discounts of up to 40% on some pieces.  (A bit of unsolicited advice: if interested, don’t dilly-dally here, go shop now, styles sell out quickly at these prices.)

The Longchamps site also has markdowns on some merchandise; if unable to find your heart’s desire at Magnums, it is worth a visit.

Also in Longchamps news, WWD reports today that model Kate Moss has done a line for the luxury label, scheduled to launch in stores February 11.  Ms. Moss has been the brand’s face for several years.

How could we not do this for today’s Pretty in Pink?

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Other bullet points today:

• Jimmy Choo is doing a line with Uggs.  No, we did not make this up.  (However, another individual here in the office did ask if this makes the new collection “Chuggs”.)
• Word is that Bloomingdale’s is working on opening outlet stores to better compete with Neiman’s Last Call and Saks’ Off Fifth.  Lord & Taylor’s first outlet store opens in February.
• Women’s Wear Daily also has a story about the future of Martin & Osa, the concept store American Eagle Outfitters debuted in 2006. The story quotes retail analyst Liz Smith:

“The older customer AEO attempted to target with M+O proved hard to please and AEO has struggled with fit, design and building awareness for the new brand,”

Ouch.

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WWD also has the news about a new face at Polo Golf:

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

Webb Simpson has been signed by Polo Ralph Lauren as a brand ambassador.

If interested in seeing precisely what looks Mr. Simpson is wearing, he is currently playing in the Sony Open in Honolulu. (Pssst, if in need of any polos from the Women’s Golf line, these are on sale!)

Polo Golf

That pictures looks like a pile of ice cream sherbet to us. Yumalicious.

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We have an early look at the Zac Posen for Target collection via Refinery 29 and Fashionista.

The collection is slated to be in stores April 25.

Fashionista has images of all the looks.

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But that is not the only designer line for Le Boutique Targét we have photos from – Refinery 29 snagged pictures from Jean-Paul Gaultier’s upcoming collection.

This group launches March 7.

From their story on the collection:

“At times the looks can look sweet, ranging from prim floral A-line skirts to bustier tops with a chipper, sailor’s neckline. But other times the looks can be positively head-scratching.”

And finally, Fashionista is reporting that Target’s next designer collaboration will be Tucker by Gaby Basora.  Below a few looks from that line:

Photo via Blackburn & Sweetzer

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We leave you with two delicious looks, the first a different take on a classic.  Regular readers know are familiar with our completely irrational devotion fondness for Hello Kitty; below, the Hello Kitty LOVE Pendant in sterling with Pink and White sapphires/diamonds. It is available at some Zales stores.

The second item is related to someone’s addiction to appreciation of a certain snack food:

Hershey's

The Hershey’s Kiss Pendant in sterling is rather cute, perhaps a little something for a Valentine on your list.

With that sweet thought we say g’bye for now, hoping everyone enjoys a simply splendid weekend.

Turquoise Talks, and Are Lands’ End & LL Bean Dowdy?

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a Monday.

We begin with a congratulatory note about our friend Erin from the Pink and Green Scene; Erin finds all manner of nifty treasures in our favorite color combination and shares them on her blog.

The Butterfly Pillow post is here, and the Tote Bag post is here.

Or the Salad Plate and the Door Plaque.

Back to Erin; some readers may recall she has more than one colorful blog, actually writing blogs that showcase a panoply of colors.

In fact, Erin’s House of Turquoise blog was featured last week in the Washington Post, yippee-skippee! That blog is like Erin’s online inspiration board, but doesn’t necessarily include lots of items available for purchase. So if desirous of hearing about things one can acquire from shops around the world, Erin’s Everything Turquoise is the place to be. The site showcases merchandise across a broad spectrum of categories, like the Via Spiga satchel, or an ever-so-fun Shower Curtain.

Erin also has blogs featuring purple, chocolate & brown, and several more. Decor by Color is the perfect place for anyone interested in a spot of color on these gray and gloomy days.

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We have a sad SOTT (Sign Of The Times) to share today; news about the auction for Tavern on the Green’s contents;  it is this Wednesday.

Luxist has a good story on the auction accompanied by photos of items for sale, like an iconic Doorman’s Coat.  There are three of these offered, the opening bid is $500.

The Bar sign will be appealing for many.

Guernsey’s is handling the sale, lots may be viewed online here.

In all candor, we have only dined at the restaurant once, and yes, it was mediocre. But we have also enjoyed a liquid refreshment or two at the landmark spot, so while we aren’t crushed by its demise we are saddened by the idea of it no longer being there.  It is representative of an era, something one wants to be there, where it has always been.

The restaurant is now representative of that place in the road where ‘always’ and ‘forever’ meet. And part company. Sigh.

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On an up note we are very excited to have been nominated for the Beutiful Blogger award! We send gracious thanks to the oh-so-nice GingerSnap for bestowing such an honor upon us! Here are the rules:

1) Thank the person who nominated me for this award.

2) Copy the award & place it on my blog.

3) Link to the person who nominated me for this award.
4) Tell us 7 interesting/random things about yourself.

This is where it becomes a bit of a challenge, as we were taught it isn’t proper to spend much time chatting about oneself. (And there are few activities more tedious than hearing about TP, TC and life at the Palace, we are the world’s most boring couple.) However, because Miss GingerSnap has been so generous in sharing this, we shall make an effort to abide by the rules:

1) TP was a regional Singer sewing champion back in the day.

2) We hate the cold weather, and cannot. wait. for. spring.

3) We swipe borrow The Consort’s library books on occasion.

4) Our favorite part of Christmas is the baking of cookies for family and friends.

5) We harbor secret hopes our intensive Scrabble training sessions (ahem) on the iPhone will help us beat a certain sibling at the next family tourney.

Apple

6) We are secretly alarmed about our FF (Frump Factor) now that the Journal has called both Lands’ End and LL Bean dowdy. Dowdy. Here is the headline and subhead from the story.

“Two Dowdy Clothing Brands Go for Vogue”

“L.L. Bean and Lands’ End don’t exactly bring to mind the word “cool.”

Ouch.

7) TP can recite the starting lineup of the 1967/1968 Detroit Tigers. By position.
(And it isn’t long until pitchers and catchers report to training camp.)

There are so, so many beautiful bloggers we enjoy each and every day, we could list everyone on our blog roll and then move on to another 100 or so that we haven’t managed to get listed on the roll yet! Yikes!

1) Wendy Brandes

2) The Couture Cookie

3) Miss Privilege (aka Lisa)

4) Alexander Grant

5) Nautical by Nature

6) Preppy Pink Crocodile

7) Suburban Princess

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today, we hope to see you back again tomorrow!