Two New Prep-Influenced Lines, Pink & Green Gifts

Hello-Hello, welcome to a new week, and yet another of our annoying this-will-have-to-do-for-two-days posts, with apologies.  (Yes, the mayhem has commenced, heaven help us all.)

We have looks at two soon-to-debut lines.

Via Jak and Jil

These styles are from the upcoming Thom Browne women’s collection.

Via Jak and Jil

(This may surprise readers, but we don’t recall ever seeing sequined madras before.)

Many of the styles echo pieces in Mr. Browne’s men’s line for spring.

Replication in theme and fabric can be seen throughout the collections.

Via Jak and Jil

The Brooks Brothers Black Fleece designer has previously done small collections for women, but this is Mr. Browne’s first step into a mass produced line.  Pearls and grosgrain are used generously.

Via Jak and Jil

We are guessing that taken alone, several of the pieces are stunning in person; the detailing on Mr. Browne’s designs is always exquisite.

While TP is *nowhere* near stylish enough to sport pieces this cutting-edge, it will be interesting to see the line in its entirety.  (Umm, TP and cutting edge in the same sentence? Hee-hee-hee.) As far as the collection falling into a ‘preppy’ category..? Non, non, non. Grosgrain ribbon accents and piped lapels do not make it thus.

The new line launches in the spring; the Jak and Jil blog has more photos, just click here to be transported there.

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Next, a new line from designer Tommy Hilfiger.

The new line is simply called “Tommy,” these styles are from the spring 2011 debut collection.

Women’s Wear Daily has more:

“Comprised of preppy-with-a-twist women’s and men’s wear, the youthful lineup included casual separates.”

“The styles, which Hilfiger describes as playful, are priced from $29 for a knit top to $119 for a short trenchcoat, while handbags and footwear begin at $49 and $59, respectively.”

Many pieces show a classic influence, but the more closely fitting and shrunken silhouettes belie a prep heritage.

On another note, the company is making a return to television advertising, beginning this evening, something that can only be deemed a positive SOTT (Sign of the Times).

Courtesy Image via WWD

The spots will feature the fictional Hilfigers, wackiness personified.

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It has been a few weeks since we shared any Gossip Girl fashion news. The LA Times has an interesting story about fashion on the show.

From the article:

“Leighton Meester and Blake Lively, the actresses who portray Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, respectively, have been fêted and flung under the wing of Vogue’s Anna Wintour faster than either of them could utter an “OMG.”

The piece is accompanied by a slide show with images showing some of this year’s fabulous styles.

This brings us to a “Help Me Understand” moment:

Giovanni Rufino/The CW

Does the little ferret-faced Ed Westwick character (Chuck Bass) frequently receive pedicures on the show? Really?

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We wanted to share a smattering of pink and green gift ideas, starting with an item from Lands’ End that works for just about anyone, the Antistatic Fleece Throw.

If seeking something for the ladies on your list, Lands’ End offers its Half-zip Pullover comes in a variety of pink and kinda-sorta-green shades.

If shopping Lands’ End, a quick Sales & Savings note: their 30% off everything promotion ends tonight (Monday, 11/15/10) at midnight.

Lands' End

(Use promo code LESHARE and PIN 7785 to receive the discounts.)

We have a few more quick  ideas, the first is the Grosgrain Ribbon ornament, $2.79 online at Sears.  On the right, the Pink Flamingo Double-Walled Tumbler, at Le Boutique Targét.

The set of Tinsel Alpine Trees is also from Targét; they run $79.99 and also come in the bright lime color shown on the right, as seen in the chartreuse Pre-lit Fantasy Tree.

Le Boutique also has energy efficient LED lights in our favorite color (well, close enough); put those on the Lime Cashmere Tree, and you would have quite the look. Quite. The. Look.

But the favorite item seen online in today’s colossal waste of time research comes from LL Bean, and shows nary a hint of pink or lime green.

LL Bean

The Deluxe Edition Scrabble Game looks like loads of fun, we wouldn’t turn Santa away if he appeared with this in hand.

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We leave you with a word about two delightful bloggers, we are flattered both are offering giveaways showcasing Princess products.  Amid Privilege is celebrating her newly overhauled (and ever-so-chic) blog design, and the inimitable Nautical by Nature is commemorating her three year Blogiversary. Do pop in and say hello to both charming ladies if so inclined, we are grateful they to call them friends; they represent our favorite result of having an online presence: friendship. 

With that, g’bye until Wednesday!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Giovanni Giannoni/WWD:
• Thomas Ianaconne/WWD

A Fashion Frenzy, Gossip Girls and Mad Men

Hello-Hello, doesn’t it feel like time for some Friday Fun?

We are thinking this could be the theme for today’s post, we’ll steer our path away from anything serious or weighty, and have a look at Fashion Week, Fashion’s Night Out (FNO), Gossip Girl’s ‘fashionable new season,’ as well as the Brooks Brothers and Lilly Pulitzer ties to True Prep.

We begin with FNO, for where else would one see this trio?

Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Conde Nast

Anna Wintour, Blake Lively and Roger Federer were on hand Wednesday night for what was billed as the largest public fashion show in history (a quick sellout at $250 per ticket), held at Lincoln Center. The function was also taped for a one-hour special airing at 10 Tuesday night on CBS.  Ms. Lively’s co-star, Leighton Meester, was also in attendance.

It has been a busy week for the young actress, earlier Tuesday she was at the J. Crew/People StyleWatch screening of “The Romantics”. Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise also were at the private showing; we chatted about the J. Crew product placement in the film in this post.

Back to Fashion’s Night Out, London’s FNO is already in the books. Below left, the Burberry celebration featured models Rosie Huntington-Whitley (L) and Daisy Lowe (R) on either side of Burberry’s creative director, Christopher Bailey.  The photo on the right shows Claudia Schiffer, also on hand for the Burberry party.

On this side of the pond there are multiple FNO events with a preppish flavor: J. Crew’s Jenna Lyons will be at the company’s Prince Street store, while Jessica Alba and Andre Leon Talley will be at the Polo Ralph Lauren location in Soho.

Brooks Brothers’ FNO party starts at 6pm at the flagship store on Madison; we don’t know if they will have the Brooks Brothers True Prep limited edition available, but it can be purchased online at the retailer’s website.

Brooks Brothers

Lilly Pulitzer co-hosts a True Prep event at Bloomingdale’s, both Lisa Birnbach and Chip Kidd will be on hand to sign books,  there is also a very-limited-edition True Prep Lilly polo shirt, the words “True Prep” are visible when one ‘pops’ their collar.

Lilly Pulitzer

(True confession: we are not collar-poppers here in the Princess corner condo, don’t tell anyone lest they think poorly of us.)

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We move on now, to Fashion Week. Some shows have already taken place, like Jessica Simpson’s, held Wednesday; the entertainer launched her new denim line.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

Christian Siriano showed yesterday, below a sneak peek at some of his shoe styles for Payless.

Getty Images via The Cut

To see all of the designer’s looks from his Spring 2011 collection, click here. If curious about the lighter, summery looks, a reminder the styles being shown are for the spring 2011 RTW (ready-to-wear) season.

Shows we are interested in for today, Kate Spade, Steven Alan, and Ports 1961. Tomorrow’s schedule includes the Lacoste and Band of Outsiders shows, Monday we have Caroline Herrera and Marc Jacobs, Tuesday’s offerings include Karen Walker and Mulberry, while Wednesday is shaping up to be insanely busy with Tory Burch, GANT by Michael Bastian, Michael Kors and Milly, to name just a few of the shows. The big week wraps up Thursday, with collections from Ralph Lauren and the master, Oscar de la Renta.

The run-up to Fashion Week is always chock full of parties and this year is no different; one of the most coveted invites was for last night’s re-opening of Chanel’s Soho boutique. Below, Chanel Grand Pooh-bah Karl Lagerfeld and once again, Ms. Lively.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Chanel

It was quite the do, other guests included Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, Claire Danes and Diane Kruger.

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One other event to mention, this one taking place next weekend (and completely unrelated to Fashion Week or Gossip Girl!), but sure to be fun and for a good cause, Baltimore’s first annual Oxfords and Oysters. Below, a sampling of the logos from sponsors and those donating goodies for the VIP Guest bags, definitely a preptastic group.

Oxford and Oysters/Sky Blue Events

The philanthropic soiree benefits the Oyster Recovery Partnership, working to restore the oyster population in Chesapeake Bay. Our pal Jennifer at Sky Blue Events is in charge of the celebration, and several of our blogging friends are attending, we wish we could temporarily relocate Princess InterGalactic HQ to Baltimore so we might go too!

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And finally, GQ’s Man of the Year gala was celebrated Wednesday, the gala celebration was at London’s Royal Opera House, as this was hosted by the UK edition of the magazine. The big winner:

PA/The Daily Mail

Actor Jon Hamm was named International Man of the Year. Also being honored, Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick, recognized as “Breakthrough Talent of the Year”.

PA/The Daily Mail

Likely to also be of interest to Preppy101 a certain favorite blogger, Mr. Hamm’s appearance Thursday at the Venice Film Festival.

Also seen in this photo, co-star Jeremy Renner, director Ben Affleck and actress Rebecca Hall, the group is promoting their film “The Town,” opening September 17.

Two final notes:

• the latest collaboration for Gap is with (this is amazing) Valentino!
• don’t forget that Tucker launches at Le Boutique Targét on Sunday.

Until next time, may everyone’s weekend be filled with sun and laughter.

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
• Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Conde Nast
• Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

A New Member Named to the AntiPrep Wall of Shame

Hello-Hello!

How happy are we all that it is Friday? Really a very silly sentiment, particularly when one considers the holiday-shortened week, honestly.

This is definitely a “when it rains it pours,” situation; we go weeks without any Gossip Girl news and then suddenly it seems we have almost-daily happenings! Today we share updates on two of the show’s more notable stars, seen Wednesday at the gala hosted by Valentino at Château de Wideville, the retired designer’s home.  Women’s Wear Daily covered the festivities, below we see their photo of Blake Lively with Gwyneth Paltrow.

Stephane Feugere/WWD

The party is the traditional conclusion for Paris couture week, and as one can see, the Château is an inspired location for the gathering.

Stephane Feugere/WWD

Another G2 star, Leighton Meester, is seen at the party with designer Marc Jacobs.

Stephane Feugere/WWD

We love this image of Lee Radziwill on the left; on the right we see Jane Fonda with the host.

Definitely the place to be for the fashion crowd on Wednesday night.

One other Gossipy note, the show continues shooting in Paris for the new season, below we see both Ms. Lively and Ms. Meester on the set.

Via Celebrity-Gossip.net

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Our other television related item involves Mad Men‘s costume designer, Janie Bryant and her upcoming clothing collection for QVC.

The line won’t be available until the end of September, but Women’s Wear Daily (subscription req’d.) had courtesy images of several styles, including the two above.  We like the coat on the left (and actually have a very similar vintage piece) but feel lukewarm on the other items.

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Next, our first look at the Keds – Gap collaboration, below we see the Womens’ styles.

Courtesy Photo via StyleList.com

The Mens’ collection features neutrals in cotton canvas.

Courtesy Photo via StyleList.com

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Vera Bradley fans will be happy to learn the company is now offering backgrounds for one’s phone, iPad or desktop.

VeraBradley.com

Click here to see the offerings.

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We do have news of a new AntiPrep. Can you guess who or what or why?

Bruce Weber for Abercrombie via Fashionista.com

Word that Abercrombie and Fitch is bringing back its catalog prompts the addition to the AntiPrep Wall of Shame.

The company announced last week that its racy catalog, gone for the last seven years, is returning this month. Fashionista has the story, and some photos: “Exclusive: Inside the New (and Very Naked) A&F Quarterly“. The picture shown above is about the only one safe enough for today’s post.

Other news about the retailer concerns bugs, more specifically bedbugs.  Last week an infestation of the creepy critters closed both a Hollister store and an Abercrombie in the city.

Image via Racked.com

The witty minds at Racked came up with the image seen above, we couldn’t resist sharing it.  Both stores have since reopened, but NY magazine asks if the Hollister problem is really solved in this interview with an expert on the topic:

“We also just learned that Abercrombie on the Seaport has bedbugs, too. What does that say about the problem?
The worst-case scenario is one of their warehouses had it. And if that’s the case, that’s frightening, you know what I mean? Because you’re not just talking about a few stores anymore. But I think it’s actually really scary that it’s more than one location. They have so many employees at Hollister and we don’t know whether any of them have it at home or not.”

Absolutely. Hideous.

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We leave you something a tad more upbeat.

Timex

That is a Timex Design Your Own watch created by yours truly for today’s Pretty In Pink; click on the link to go make your own. Our thanks to the folks at High Snobette for the tip!

With that we bid adieu until next week, may everyone enjoy a splendid summer weekend!

Gossip Girls Do Chanel, New Designer Baby Goods at Targét

Hello-Hello and Happy Thursday from the corner condo here at The Prepatorium!

We apologize for the completely disorganized random nature of today’s post, we have only a few items to offer as we are simply swimming in a frenzy of business. Not that we complain, mind you, nay-nay, but there just are not enough hours in the day.

We begin with a summertime update on those favorite faux prep-school students from Gossip Girl.  It is the fall couture season, both Blake Lively and Leighton Meester were front row at Tuesday’s Chanel show in Paris.  WWD’s Stephane Feugere took these first two photos.

Ms. Meester wore leather Chanel while Ms. Lively was in a silk Chanel frock; both wore Christian Louboutin heels.

Ms. Meester and Ms. Lively, along with many other cast members, are shooting next season’s episodes in La Ville-Lumière (the City of Light).  We have nary a clue as to whether or not the following advisory is needed (TP has never seen an episode of the program), but we’ll trust the Women’s Wear Daily story; it carries an alert, so we shall share this advance warning as well.

***SPOILER ALERT***

There. Now it is safe to share a few tidbits:

“Blake Lively — aka Serena van der Woodsen — let slip a few plot hints at the Chanel couture show. “It involves hidden identities and Chuck and Blair bumping into each other, and just love affairs and beautiful clothes,” she said.”

Photo: FAME

Looking at the image of Ms. Lively approaching the set, we are more concerned about the return of even bigger shoulder pads are on the way than any plotlines. Below, costars Ed Westwick and Ms. Meester are seen in costume.

Even we can tell that this next snippet from the WWD story is safe to share, it shan’t ruin any upcoming episodes:

“Leighton Meester said she had just taken a break from her role as queen bee Blair Waldorf by playing a character who is “sort of dorky and uptight and a bit insecure” in the teen flick “Monte Carlo,” co-starring Selena Gomez and Katie Cassidy.”

Here are two more looks, via JustJared.

There may actually be some Chanel/Gossip Girl linkage if the rumors this photo prompted are reality.

Trago/FilmMagic via Glamour UK

The picture of Blake Lively and Karl Lagerfeld leaving the Ritz together has many speculating that the Chanel Grand-Pooh-Bah might be making a guest appearance on the show.

Another Gossip Girl phenom was spotted at men’s Fashion Week in Milan.

Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty

Chace Crawford put in an appearance at the Dolce & Gabbana show last month.

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Of course, everyone who is anyone on Planet Fashion is in Paris.

Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

We are simply smitten by the ensemble seen on Ms. Wintour below.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

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Next, a look at some of the new infant goodies now available at Le Boutique Targét.

Target Courtesy Image via All the Rage

Several new designer collections are now available at Target through mid-October, according to this report at All the Rage. The cute pink and green items seen above are by Baby Buggy for Target, the other line being offered is by Little Seed, a maker of organic cotton goods.

Courtesy Target

Another special edition item at Le Boutique, Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bags in pink, and on the right, the bag in blue.

Both are also known as ‘Clever Carryall Diaper Bags’; both are $49.99

The designer duds and accessories are all part of a larger fundraising effort for Baby Buggy, the charitable group providing baby necessities to those in need.

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Two quick Mad Men notes. First, a different look for Betty Draper actress January Jones.

Courtesy via InStyle

Ms. Jones is seen here in the look done by celebrity hair stylist Mark Townsend as part of his new online magazine. We are more used to this style for Betty.

AMC-TV

Our other note comes via Very Short List, a look at the soon-to-be-released “Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 1960′s America.”

From the VSL story:

“Here you’ll find anecdotes and analyses of a time passed. Did you know, for instance, that Don Draper is based on a real ad man named Draper Daniels? Or that a polite wedding night in the ’60s didn’t involve sex? If yes, there’s plenty more.”

The book is available for pre-ordering at Amazon.

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And a few quick updates to our Monday and Tuesday posts on the Lilly Pulitzer Fall 2010 Gift and Stationery Collection.  (Those not fond of Lilly can simply skip to our next items.)

• Our first shipment of the new Lilly Agenda Books and Pocket Agendas arrives here at Princess Intergalactic HQ tomorrow! The Consort & I mighty Princess staff will have them turned around and winging their way to you late tomorrow or early Saturday.
• The Lilly Personalized Acrylic Home Collection should be available around September 1st. As soon as we know more and have product photos we will post them on our Facebook page and/or here.

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We share a few Argyle Adventures, these two via Under the Palm Tree; both are Lilly sweaters, both are reduced in price to $76.80 and both were originally $128.  The are also both the same model, on the left, the Halle sweater in pink and green argyle on white and on the right, the pink argyle Halle V-Neck.

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Two quick Sales & Savings opportunities to share, the first at Vineyard Vines.

Vineyard Vines

And also at Garnet Hill.

GarnetHill.com

Because we care about the state of your pocketbook.

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Our final image is another sent by our friend MLD (she of the Jon Hamm/Mad Men Mizzou story), this one answers the question “How hot is it?”

(No, that is not Silly Tilly, she said it was too hot for any photo ops!)

Additional Photo Credits:

• Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Gossip Girl Collection Launches & A Coupon Caution

Hello-Hello! Welcome to a wacky Thursday here at the Prepatorium, we are careening from project to project and today’s post is likely to reflect a bit of that chaos!

We begin with the just-launched Miss Selfridge for Gossip Girl collection.

MIss Selfridge

Below, two Blair dresses.

Jenny and Vanessa dresses from the collection.

From the official snooze news release:

“Executives at Warner Bros have teamed up with U.K. chain Miss Selfridge to create a range based on the show’s stylish characters, including Blake Lively’s couture-clad socialite Serena van der Woodsen and Leighton Meester’s Blair Waldorf.”

Perhaps more interesting than the clothes, Chace Crawford’s appearance at the party celebrating the line.  The collection debuted this week; below we see staff from the retailer’s Oxford Circus store sporting the new styles.

PHOTO: KirstinSinclair.com

Miss Selfridge does ship stateside for those interested.

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Lots of bits and bytes, beginning with word of even more three collaborations:

• The Isabel Toledo collection for Payless hits stores in September, the average price point is expected to be $40.

Courtesy Image

• Luxist reports that Elle Décor magazine will create a line of home products to be sold exclusively at Kohl’s.  Look for small furniture pieces, pillows and the like this fall.

Courtesy Image via Luxist

• WWD reports (Women’s Wear Daily, subs. req’d.) that NBC is releasing a line of Biggest Loser clothing in the fall. Pieces will retail from $39 – $59 in Sizes Small – 5XL, and fashioned specifically for the plus-size market.
• A celebrity who doesn’t have a fashion line but would like to: Faith Hill. She shared this information with the AP when commenting for another story.

• We have two entrants for our When Preppy Goes Wrong category, both likely to ignite some debate. The first is what we call the Cable Sweater pump from Rocket Dog.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

• The second item is a bit pricier, this is the Love Boat Pump from DSquared2, available at Shop Bop.

Photo via Luxist

(Truth be told, the shoe really is very appealing in many ways, despite the fact that ‘preppy stiletto’ is an oxymoron.)

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We spend a lot of time here at the Princess blog chatting about lighter fare, preppy style, fashion, jewelry and the like; we don’t do politics or causes as a rule. We shall remain true to our lighter fare when it comes to subject matter. But today we deviate a bit, requesting patience from our treasured readers should the following topics be unappealing.

We have three ‘activist issues’, the first being a note of caution on privacy.

The Times did a fabulous piece on an increasingly popular phenomenon, web coupons. The revelations were almost enough to scare TP right out of her loafers.  Seriously.  Here is a sample from Stephanie Clifford’s outstanding story:

“While the coupons look standard, their bar codes can be loaded with a startling amount of data, including identification about the customer, Internet address, Facebook page information and even the search terms the customer used to find the coupon in the first place.”

“The coupons can, in some cases, be tracked not just to an anonymous shopper but to an identifiable person…”

If interested in online coupons and/or your privacy, this one merits a read. (For anyone wondering about their privacy at the Preppy Princess, rest easy: we do not, nor shall we, ever share, sell or otherwise divulge any information you give us. It’s that simple. All those years in journalism taught many things, including the importance of respecting privacy.)

The second item also relates to privacy, and is one we won’t attempt to explain, something many readers may have already heard about: recent changes to Facebook. For anyone interested in learning more about the growing controversy about Facebook and privacy issues, click here. (Many readers know The Princess maintains a Facebook fan page we have fun with, we post little tidbits of a preppish nature, updates on upcoming sales, etc. It is very low key, and has proven a good tool for staying in touch with some of our customers.)

The third item that may press a hot button involves cell phones and automobiles.

As a rule we are not big joiners, rarely jumping on a bandwagon.  But in this case we thought we wanted to mention Oprah Winfrey’s push for a No Phone Zone.  Tomorrow is the day being targeted by Ms. Winfrey and others to draw attention to the problems created by distracted driving; one can read more about it here.  There is even an online Pledge that can be signed; we are surprised to see there are only 207712 participants at this point and the pledge has been up for some time.

There you have our tedious recitation; perhaps now it is even clearer why we rarely delve into weighty issues!

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We close on an up note, a delightful Adventure in Argyle, courtesy of Talbots.

The Argyle Cardigan also qualifies for a Pretty in Pink, IOHO.

May everyone’s afternoon be outstanding!