Oh, That Bridal Biz & Poolside Preppy

Hello and happy Tuesday, the sun is shining here at the Prepatorium, it is a gorgeous winter day.

We have all manner of new bits and bytes today, we shall dive right in with a topic generating significant online buzz, Urban Outfitters‘ decision to get into the bridal business.

Kyle Ericksen/Women's Wear Daily

Women’s Wear Daily has a sneak peek at the line, here is a bit of Sharon Edelson’s story (an FYI, the name of the new line is not misspelled):

“There’s not a single Cinderella-style wedding gown in the Bhldn collection.

Bhldn, Urban Outfitters Inc.’s newest retail concept, is the firm’s attempt to put its unique, slightly off-kilter stamp on the bridal business.”

Bhldn delves into territory already explored (quite successfully) by J. Crew’s Wedding collection and freestanding boutique. There will be an online component as well as physical Bhldn stores, the e-commerce site is scheduled to be live on February 14.

Kyle Ericksen/Women's Wear Daily

Like Crew, Bhldn plans on carrying more than gowns and accessories, they want to be known for “special occasion dresses”. The company ultimately expects the website to expand beyond e-commerce, back to Ms. Edelson’s article:

“The Web site will eventually become a clearing house for services such as photography, catering and florists. “I can see us getting involved with event planning, helping with the look and feel of a wedding,” Norris said. “We’re not going to be like J.Lo’s [character] in ‘The Wedding Planner.’”

“We’ve taken DNA from Anthropologie,” Norris said. “I kind of think of Bhldn as the sophisticated older sister.”

And the name? We are guessing it is “beholden” sans vowels, for reasons our little pea brain is quite incapable of grasping.

As the WWD story notes, weddings continue to be big business, many other retailers are getting into the business or expanding existing lines; The Limited has launched an online-only Weddings & Events boutique.

The Limited

And Vera Wang has entered the mass-marketing venue with the Vera Wang White collection for David’s Bridal.

Vera Wang/David's Bridal

As the Times’ T Magazine explains:

“It’s official, ladies: You can now get married in Vera Wang for less than $1,500. Although the price may scream ABS by Allen Schwartz, design-wise, White, is all Vera.”

More from the White collection.

David's Bridal

Our final wedding note involves True Prep’s bestselling author, Lisa Birnbach.

Fashionable Bride

Fashionable Bride has a delightful piece on “preppy weddings” with insight from Ms. Birnbach.  The post is done in a Q&A format, and the first question asks about basic dos and don’ts:

“Lisa Birnbach: ‘First, no rhinestones or crystals on the invitations. Ever. And it’s very nice to use engraving or letterpress.’”

One of the fun facts discovered in the piece by Kelly Skahan was a tidbit about seersucker wedding gowns from designer Michelle Roth.

Michelle Roth

Above we see Ms. Roth’s Zoe at the Ball dress in blue and white cotton seersucker.  Other versions include Zoe by the Bay, below left, and Zoe in the Country, with a crochet top and seersucker skirt. All are a bit foofy for our taste, but the notion of using seersucker for a bridal gown is one we like.

One gown from Ms. Roth that we fell in love with – the Maya.

Something about silk organza and polka dots just invokes images of sunshine and happy smiles.

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Next, an early peek at yet another collaboration, this one from Trina Turk and Alice Supply. The new collection is showcased at She Finds, in a piece describing the designer as “the queen of California poolside preppy,” an appellation we like. Below, a coordinating ice bucket and glass.

Domestic tasks would have to be more fun with the pretty Dust Brush and Dust Pan from the upcoming line.

We don’t yet know when the collection will be available, click here to see all of the photos at She Finds.

A few fast notes on Ms. Turk’s more standard wares for spring and summer – we found lots to like.

The designer’s bright geometrics are always fun, frequently pieces employ classic lines ensuring longterm wearability.

We are also partial to Ms. Turk’s accessories and home goods, particularly her rugs and pillows.

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We leave you with two quick Pretty in Pink items. The first involves the soon-to-launch Lilly Pulitzer Home Furnishings collection from HFI Brands.

Although the line will be available only to the trade (interior designers, decorators), you can now email furniture inquiries directly to the Pink Palace, just click here.

PHOTO: Patricia Sheridan via Louisville Courier-Press

(For more on the 200+ piece line, here is a link to one of our more involved posts on the topic.)

The other item is from the folks at Nantucket Noose, perfect for spring’s rainy days.

Nantucket Noose

The Island Hopper Boots come in other colors if the pink and green is a little too bright (is that possible?), the boots showcase a  beach permit near the top.

Until next time, g’bye!

That Ivy Look, & Other Monday Musings

Hello-Hello, and Happy New Week to everyone!

We begin with a look at one of the WSJ stories we enjoyed reading in Saturday’s paper, “The Return of the Ivy Look“. In the story Darrell Hartman looks at the style’s recent rise in popularity among those generally attracted to more mainstream fashions.

“Didn’t go to an Ivy League school? Never played a team sport in your life? No problem! Jock-inspired styles cribbed from the golden age of collegiate athletics will win big for spring”

F. Martin Ramin for The Wall Street Journal,

In explaining the actual look, the piece quotes a longtime J. Press associate as well as our friend Christian Chensvold from Ivy Style:

“Ivy League style was something that just was, as opposed to something intended to create an effect,” said David Wilder…

At least it was for anyone who was the real deal—in other words, “old-money guys who’d all gone to prep school, had that natural nonchalance, and looked like they’d been living in their clothes since the day they were born,” Mr. Chensvold said.”

Mr. Hartman discusses the resurgence in popularity for what many call ‘heritage brands,’ those mentioned above as well as others, like Brooks Brothers, while also considering some of those new to the genre, including Polo Ralph Lauren and Band of Outsiders.  Below, two pieces from Band of Outsiders.

One of our favorite books is also referenced:

“That species is the revered subject of “Take Ivy,” an influential study of elite Northeastern campuses published in 1965 by a team of fashion-savvy Japanese writers and photographers. For years a cult item among fashion insiders, the book was finally released in U.S. stores (including the ever-trendy J. Crew) this summer, flooding the menswear world with images of wholesome-looking ’60s undergrads bent over books in libraries, strolling across leafy quads and—perhaps most importantly—demonstrating a robust enthusiasm for sports.

Via The Fox is Black

There’s much more info and insight in the WSJ story, we happily recommend this one, it is a good read.

The book cited above, Take Ivy, was discussed at length in many articles, The Daily Mail offered The Ultimate Guide to Ivy League Chic Straight from Japan last fall.

“Written around a collection of photographs by Teruyoshi Hayashida, Take Ivy proves how little the look has changed over the past 50 years.

The book deconstructs the ‘casual, yet neat’ style favoured by students at the eight Ivy League universities, such as the shirt-and-Bermuda-shorts look, and varsity colours.”

Via The Daily Mail

BTW, if interested in Take Ivy, we still have a limited number of copies, the book may be found here.

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Next, we wanted to share a few styles from the upcoming collaboration between designer Sophie Theallet and Nine West.

Courtesy Images via StyleList

Many of the styles are definitely Pretty in Pink, these pieces are made with a silk repp stripe.

Courtesy Images via StyleList

We are very impressed with the ballet flats, the styles will be available in more than just the pink color palette.

Courtesy Images via StyleList

The collection is slated for a May launch.

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Frequent readers know we have a fondness for Kate Spade, the styles are attractive and the company’s whimsical approach to marketing is a breath of fresh air.  Another reason we like the company?

Kate Spade

It’s open approach to online sharing. Above, an illustration for one of many free cyber Valentines that may be sent to anyone you choose; below, a look at how a full card appears.

Kate Spade

We show the artwork from two more cards below, but be assured there *are* many designs offered that are not pink, click here to peruse the pretty options.

Our thanks to the one and only College Prepster, Miss Carly, for the original tip on this!

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A quick note of the social sort for those near our nation’s capitol next week, Vineyard Vines is throwing a party to launch its spring collection.

Vineyard Vines via Sky Blue Events

V2 has partnered with our friends at Sky Blue Events for next Wednesday’s do at the retailer’s new Tyson’s store; the fun begins at 5pm, click here for more info.

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We leave you with two quick hits, the first involves this weekend’s bright and sunny Lilly fashion show at the Ringling Museum of Art.  The show was a fundraiser for the Museum, and the always delightful She Blogs Couture by the Sea was in attendance and shared *outstanding* images of the event on her blog.

The second comes to us via a gracious reader. Last week we showed the Sperry Top-Sider keychain in a post, but sadly, it sold out very quickly.

Sperry Top-Sider

That generous reader told us about these Rainbow Sandals Keychains.

We want to thank our kindly commenter for the link.

And with that, we say goodbye until next time.

Pink and Green With A Bow On Top

Hello-Hello, and happy Friday.

Please forgive our self indulgence, we are taking a day away.

Retro Bakery Las Vegas

(For anyone looking at the ‘Happy 30th’ decor above, sadly, that is not exactly the year we are commemorating this particular birthday. Ahem.)

Until next time, may everyone enjoy a delightful weekend!

Ralph Lauren & Brooks Brothers Expand Collections, Kennedy Mini-Series Finds a Home

Hello-Hello, happy, sunny day!

When composing the portion of yesterday’s post about the storm we presumed that would be the extent of our dealings with the matter.  Silly Princess.  The abundance of amazing images prompts just a bit more coverage, with thanks to our treasured readers for your gracious tolerance of our tedious fascination mild interest in the topic.

First, a photo from New Hampshire that gives new meaning to “Park & Ride”.

AP via The Telegraph

The interior of just one of the hundreds of vehicles left on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago Tuesday night.

AP via The Telegraph

Lower Manhattan Wednesday.

AP via The Telegraph

How significant portions of I-70 in Missouri looked on Tuesday and parts of Wednesday.

EPA via The Telegraph

One of our favorites is the “Free Snow – Shovel All You Want” sign in Massachusetts.

Via The Telegraph

Okay, we have had enough of the folderol, we move on.

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Our next item on the agenda, Brooks Brothers’ expansion of its Home Collection.

The growth of the line was noted in this story in Home Accents Today. The group now includes a broad selection of lampshades.

Brooks Brothers

Very much in keeping with the Brooks image and product line, the shades invoke visions of pinstripe suits, button downs and silk repp ties.  Below, Cotton Oxford Pleated Chandelier shades.

The Table Top category has been expanded as well; below we show a piece from the company’s partnership with the National Audubon Society, a beautiful Dessert Platter.

Brooks Brothers

In the Help Me Understand category we do have a few entrants, including the Asanoha Plate.

Brooks Brothers

The plate is more than attractive, with an appealing design. Nor do we have any quarrel with the necessity for The Consort the staff to wash the plate by hand, after all it is hand-painted. Our confusion stems from the logo; why would anyone want to display the retailer’s Golden Fleece on their dishes?

The pillow selection remains much the same as when the group was launched,the Striped Pillow collection is still very stylish.

Brooks Brothers

We spotted one addition to this group.

Brooks Brothers

For our thoughts on this item, just scroll back up and re-read the Help Me Understand section.  Overall we find lots to like in the expanded line, it is a stellar representation of the brand’s classic heritage. While not personally looking for gray flannel lampshades, we do think there are many places they will be simply perfect. (If desirous of more background on the collection, click here for one of our more in-depth posts on the topic.)

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Our other fashion morsel involves expansion for Ralph Lauren.  In a story about the designer’s fall preview, WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) explains:

“New this season is a distinct denim collection under the Black Label Denim moniker, as well as an expanded accessories assortment that covers shoes, leather goods and watches.

Here are some of George Chinsee’s photos that accompany the story.

Back to Jean Palmiere’s story:

“The new Black Label Denim component is designed to provide a “sexy, hip weekend look” for the customer who is comfortable in the label’s more-tailored offering. “It’s all aimed at that guy and takes him from formalwear to jeans.” Coated cargo pants and jeans with both skinny and wide legs were blended with cashmere sweaters and leather jackets.

Lauren said he decided to offer this collection after standing inside his Madison Avenue store and seeing all the women coming in to shop wearing jeans. “I realized we don’t have high-quality, high-fit denim,” he said. “So we did it for men and women. I wanted to make it a full business on a high level.”

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We have an update on an earlier story, the highly controversial “Kennedys” mini-series, the Hollywood Reporter has more:

“The controversial miniseries will world premiere on April 3 on the ReelzChannel, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.”

 

Via Reelz Channel

We anticipate this will start viewers scrambling as they try to sort out where the network is on their cable and satellite systems, if it is carried at all.  Click here to visit the Reelz website.

With that, goodbye until next time, we hope your day is sunny and bright!

Lisa Birnbach + Tommy Hilfiger = “Prep World”

Well, hello there. Did you say sunny and 75?

Sadly, if you were hopeful of a completely escapist post sans any mentions of the “S word” or “B word”, we are destined to disappoint.  Both of us have spent much too much time in Chicago (The Consort lived there for several years) to allow complete avoidance of last night’s storm.  Below, a view of Lake Shore Drive last evening.

Lauran Berta via Chicago Sun-Times

The conditions were beyond wretched, the road remains closed as of this writing, hundreds of people were trapped in a massive traffic jam for hours. How bad was it?  From a Trib story about the mess:

“With snow caked over the windows of his Honda, he called 911 for help. The dispatcher told him to use his best judgment.

So he turned off his engine to preserve gas, called his family to tell them that he was OK and split a snack-size Nestle Crunch bar with his friend.”

E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune

Lake Shore Drive remains littered with abandoned vehicles, above we show the road this morning. Below, a CTA bus that had to be abandoned.

E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune

Passengers were rescued after six hours.

Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune

Here is another look at LSD today, this one via ChicagoPhotoSho. The picture is rapidly going viral, perhaps because of its post-apocalyptic feel.

Via ChicagoPhotoSho

Another man’s story:

“Jim Kaczmarek said he was not rescued until 8:30 a.m. after spending more than 17 hours trapped on the drive… He said he called 911 several times, and was told officials were aware of the problem but couldn’t do anything about it.

He also called 311, where a woman who answered suggested he take a bus, flag a cab, or go to a homeless shelter.”

Mr. Kaczmarek also says he realizes he never should have gotten on Lake Shore Drive to begin with.  There is much discussion today about whether or not the City should have closed the road earlier, for more, click here for the Trib story.

Below, how Chicago firefighters got around.

Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune

We are more-than-grateful to be inside, warm and dry.

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On to our primary topic today, news of “Prep World,” a collaboration between author best-selling author Lisa Birnbach and Tommy Hilfiger.

Courtesy Image via DailyFrontRow

The True Prep author and Mr. Hilfiger are launching a capsule collection with that moniker.  The marketing campaign includes what some call a “pop-up shop,” in this case one inspired by a Hamptons cottage.

John Aquino/Women's Wear Daily

Lisa Lockwood at WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) was first with the story yesterday, “A Marriage Made in Preppy Heaven“.

“Prep World, a capsule collection for women and men, will launch this spring with a global tour, featuring “drop-in shops” and events hosted by Hilfiger and Birnbach. The line will include 60 pieces that celebrate Hilfiger’s preppy classics with a twist, accessorized with such accoutrements as boat shoes, duck boots, Ping-Pong paddles and badminton rackets.”

Here are some of the photos accompanying the article.

John Aquino/Women's Wear Daily

More pieces in the upcoming collection.

John Aquino/WWD.com

We do like the look of these shirts, no surprise to those already familiar with our fondness for madras and nautical looks.

There are polos shirts in a rainbow of colors.

Style wrote about last night’s preview for fashion editors, “…at a gin-and-tonic-fueled party.”

“Interested shoppers can get their hands on the goods when the roving store opens in New York on April 28th. But, please, don’t be so vulgar as to call it a “pop-up.” Others pop; true preps “drop in.

Oops. Dopey Princess.

Women’s merchandise will run $35-$298, the men’s line will be priced at $45-$178; the chinos also have appeal.

We have seen the new line referred to as a “True Prep” collection, although we believe the proper name is simply “Prep World,” among other things, Vineyard Vines already has items showcasing the True Prep name.

Many of the new styles look promising, while others are clearly not for us.  Tee-shirts proclaiming “prep” simply don’t work at the Prepatorium, nor do logos. Of any kind.

Yet there are many items we saw with classic lines and appeal.

Via Style.com

The collection mirrors our ongoing conundrum with Mr. Hilfiger’s merchandise, sartorial confusion perhaps best described in this post from last fall about the designer’s runway collection for spring 2011.

“We begin with a brand that we always approach with trepidation; Tommy Hilfiger. (We fear one day we shall be attacked by a giant “TH” logo.)

John Aquino/WWD

Our post went on to say the looks were surprisingly attractive, as we had long ago relegated the designer’s work to nouveau-prep status, verging on Anti-Prep territory, it was that hideous.  But many publications have noted Mr Hilfiger’s efforts to “re-invent” his merchandise, we imagine this is part of that effort.

Daily Front Row also wrote about the upcoming line.

“Their limited edition collection offers modern-day Muffys and Cuthberts prep attire that melds European silhouettes with Americana sensibilities, along with necessary lifestyle adornments like cocktail shakers and croquet sets. The collection channels “Nantucket, in the summer… it’s traditionally preppy but it has a bit of grime to it,” Hilfiger said in a conversation with Birnbach this week. “You know, like a salty dog.”

(We do carry True Prep at The Princess, and have also done multiple interviews with Ms. Birnbach, click here and here for a sampling of the of those posts.) Below, springtime candy colors from the collection.

Courtesy Image

Here is a look at some of the creative you will see in the upcoming advertising campaign.

Courtesy Image via DailyFrontRow.com

To read more about the collection:

• Daily Front Row story
• Daily Front Row interview with Ms. Birnbach & Mr. Hilfiger
• Style.com story on the collection
• Thread blog story

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We cannot do a post without marking the significance of the day; we simply must note that there is Punxsutawney Phil and then there is Punxsutawney Till.

Punxsutawney Till

(With apologies to our Twitter pals for the repetition.)

Our other whimsical tidbit comes via our friend Christian over at Ivy Style.

Via Ivy Style

An original Preppie video game, circa 1982, we had nary a clue such an item even existed. Just another example of why we love the interwebs.