Lilly Pulitzer for LeSportSac Early Look, Lacoste Updates

Hello-Hello!

The insanity seems to be ebbing here at Princess InterPlanetary HQ, phew! Now we move on to one of our favorite wintertime sports: extreme baking. (The Consort will politely confirm this is no exaggeration. Simply step away from the computer and say a prayer of gratitude you aren’t a recipient of one of our cookie plates.)

But before that gets underway, a few morsels of info and lots of pictures to kick-start things before our Christmas break.  We begin with an early look at the Lilly Pulitzer for LeSportsac collection, compliments of the folks at M.I.S.S. & JuxtaPoz.

Courtesy Photo via M.I.S.S.

As previous posts described, the Collection pops with bright colors and the inimitable Lilly style.

Courtesy Photo via M.I.S.S.

Some readers may recall this line is part of the Lilly Loves Green initiative; some proceeds will go to the World Wildlife Federation.

Courtesy Photo via JuxtaPoz

Our favorite pattern is probably going to be the green and white Hip Hop Hooray (L), although we like the blue and coral in Purrr-fect Patch as well.

Purrr-fect Patch is slated to hit LeSportsac and Lilly stores in March, with She’s A Piston (shown below) scheduled for an April launch. This design is so fun we’re making it today’s Pretty in Pink.

Courtesy Photo via Nitrolicious

This is just one of the Lilly collaborations headed our way next year, the M.A.C. in Lillyland cosmetics are also on the way, scheduled to debut January 7.  The Cut blog offers the following on this line:

“But M.A.C. added a much-needed dose of coolness to the pink-and-green paisley label; the products are bright, fun, and of course, colorful (it is M.A.C. after all).”

Not to be forgotten, the spring collection of Lilly stationery and gifts are being readied – can you say plates and market totes?! (If you aren’t on the Lilly Stationery & Gifts mailing list, just click here to sign up for the latest on new offerings and special deals from the Princess.)

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Also donating funds to a good cause, Lacoste.

PHOTO: Elodie GrEgoire

The company plans to give $500,000 to help preserve the Gange gharial crocodile; above, Michael Lacoste is seen holding one of these.  As this story in WWD explains, the Gange gharial is known for “…its long, slender mouth with fully visible teeth.” Perfect for this brand!

Women’s Wear Daily also reported this week that Lacoste plans to expand its shoe offerings for childrens and juniors, including infants; good news, unless perhaps one is a parent responsible for putting said footwear on those little feet.

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We also have word of several more celebrity perfumes in the works. Because there are not enough on the market.

Courtesy Photo via Fashionista

• Eva by Eva Longoria Parker is scheduled for a spring launch
• Danica Patrick will debut Danica Patrick for Her in mid-March
• Beyonce’s perfume, Heat, goes on sale in February

Courtesy photo via Fashionista

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Holiday activities around the world are always fun to see, especially when they involve royalty. (The real kind.)  Below, Princess Caroline of Hanover and her daughter, Princess Alexandra, head to the annual Christmas tree lighting in Monaco.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Gifts are handed out to Monegasque children at the ceremony. The next photo features Princess Caroline of Hanover Prince Albert II, and Princess Stephanie.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

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We leave you a look at Montauk Light, also dressed to celebrate the season.

We hope everyone stays warm and safe, wreathed in smiles. (Silly Princess.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: In case you miss it, Kim at M.I.S.S. was good enough to leave a comment indicating Hip Hop Hooray  is not being produced. So much for our favorite pattern! And our thanks to Kim for the info!

Sneak Peek at Isaac’s Line, Lilly & Kate Online Only Sales

Hello-Hello and welcome to the mayhem that is the Prepatorium today, in large part because yesterday we were a tad under the weather. We thank The Consort for stepping in and penning the blog, what a dream of a spouse he is!

We are so woefully behind in personal and professional obligations we fear our pointy little head is about to explode!  Therefore our bloggage will be brief.  We begin with a sneak peek at a line from a designer we adore, Isaac Mizrahi, for a television shopping channel we had never visited, QVC.

John Aquino/WWD

It seems the talented designer is using many of the classic design lines he employed at Le Boutique Targèt. Above: the Wool blend duffle toggle coat, $198; cashmere sweater, $88, and taffeta skirt, $60; shoes, $70. We aren’t crazy about this next look; the word ‘matronly’ comes to mind, oui?

John Aquino/WWD

We’ll use this next item as today’s Pretty in Pink; the leather Drawstring Bag is expected to be $200.

John Aquino/WWD

The Patent Leather clutches are going to be in the $75 range.

John Aquino/WWD

Mr. Mizrahi’s collection is also going to include housewares. Below left, the set of Three Vases are going to retail at $75 (the candy dish price isn’t available) and the Bow Plates will be $40 for a set of four.

The talented designer is also going to offer a wide variety of tartan products, including the Cotton Pajama Set, $67, and the Plaid Throw, $49.

A new and nifty option for storage? The Tartan plaid boxes in two sizes at $55 and $70.

For an entirely different look at the popular plaid motif:

John Aquino/WWD

Yes indeedy, that is an edible tartan: the cheesecake will be offered at $40, and the plaid platter at $40.  Yumalicious! Below, Mr. Mizrahi and a model in his Gold paillette tank and silk pants.

John Aquino/WWD

Target still hasn’t ‘replaced’ Mr. Mizrahi as far as we are concerned, they have yet to procure a stellar talent as an in-house designer, although they claim to be content with the status quo in this respect.

The collection launches on QVC December 4 – we may actually tune in for the unveiling.

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A few quick Sales & Savings opportunities we must pass along, the first already underway….

The Kate Spade Sample sale is generally worth a visit, with things like the Bon Vivant zippered Chrissy only $81.

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An upcoming chance to enhance one’s walk-in starts Thursday (the 12th), this one courtesy of the good folks at Lilly.

This is the first time Lilly Pulitzer is doing an online-only sale; if interested in being able to get a head start on shopping, Lilly Facebook fans will be able to start browsing and buying at 7am Thursday.  Those who subscribe to the Lilly newsletter may begin at 8am, and the sale opens to ‘regular shoppers’ online at 9am.

It seems the success of the online sale might have a direct impact on what is available at the Lilly Warehouse Sale next week, the 19th – 21st.

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Finally, we are struggling in our efforts to adapt to life without our dear friends Don and Betty Draper Mad Men every Sunday evening. Below, Jon Hamm and January Jones on the set.

Courtesy AMC-TV

A season that started with such promise ends with the couple having “the talk” with their children.

Courtesy AMC-TV

We shall have to wait until next season to learn about the family’s future, including how little Bobby and Sally Draper handle Daddy’s absence from the family hearth.  Sigh.

For those fond of Ms. Jones, she is hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend. On that note we say g’bye until next time!

Next Target Designer Revealed, “Grunge Empress” for J. Crew?

Hello…

Remaining a little low on energy we shall resort to merely sharing news and photos…no snappy patter (like this is a daily offering?), no snarky asides…. our version of “We post, you ponder”, so to say.

The news is out, the next designer capsule collection coming to your local Targèt is from the brains behind this (these?):

A story in WWD confirms that Jean Paul Gaultier is doing the next capsule  collection at Le Boutique. More from the story:

“The exclusive Jean Paul Gaultier for Target collection will debut on March 7 in more than 250 stores nationwide and on target.com. The collection will be available through April 11.”

Below, a look at pieces from Mr. Gaultier’s Spring/Summer 2010 Hermès collection.

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

A collection referred to as ‘preppy’ by several fashion experts and writers, one we we hope to share more from in the next week or two.

But then we also have this from Mr. Gaultier:

Who knows what we’ll see come next March. We’ll cross our fingers and  hope for something more like this creation, again from the Hermès line for next spring.

Benoit Tessier/Reuters

We also have an update and photos of the upcoming Rodarte for Target collection, arriving in stores December 20th, created by designing sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy.  The ‘skeleton dress’ from the 55-piece line:

Courtesy Target via Refinery 29

This piece won’t surprise most fashionistas, aware of the designers’ fondness for horror films. Other looks, all via Trendhunter.

As Refinery 29 wrote in a story headlined “More Pantsless Tomfoolery in the Rodarte For Target Line“:

“Rodarte’s genius might have gotten lost in the commercial translation, but we’ll have to wait until December to get the last word in.”

We don’t link to the Refinery 29 post, evidently this particular story has been removed from the site.

These thoughts on the collection from BlackBook:

“First and foremost, the lace pieces will be perfect for layering no matter the season. Here’s hoping that the patterned tights… … will retail along with the rest of the collection—at a Target-appropriate price point of course.”

Of course.

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We finally have a look at the Mad Men Suit from Brooks Brothers.

As described on the B2 website:

“Directly inspired by the razor sharp 1960s tailoring favored by the characters of Don Draper (played by Jon Hamm) and Roger Sterling (played by John Slattery), the “Mad Men Edition” suit has been reinterpreted for today….”

There you have it.

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While visiting the good folks at Refinery 29 we noticed their story, “Grunge Goddess Erin Wasson Cleans Up for J. Crew’s November Catalog“.

Photos Courtesy J. Crew via Refinery 29

Connie Wang’s story notes:

“Erin Wasson is one of those models that can be molded to look crazy-good in anything from the pages of Vogue Paris to a Macy’s flyer. But, we were a little surprised to see the head empress of grunge leave her jorts and worn-out tees at home in the new November catalog from purveyors of preppy-chic J. Crew.“

Photos Courtesy of J. Crew via Refinery 29

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We close with a look at Blake Lively of Gossip Girl, attending the premiere of “Where the Wild Things Are“.

Lucas Jackson/Reuters

The actress was wearing Marchesa.

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Whoops, in our addled state we almost forgot two additions to our Pretty in Pink gallery, courtesy of our friends at the Pink and Green Scene.

First, the Yummy Kitchen Lunch Sack:

Courtesy Pink and Green Scene

And one of the cutest things we’ve seen,the Peas in a Pod Salt & Pepper Shakers Set, also at Bibelot.

Courtesy Pink and Green Scene

On that cheery image we say goodbye until next time.

Monday Musings: Liz at QVC, In the Pink

Hello-Hello, and Happy Day to all, especially those enjoying a day off, a little respite from their normal schedule!

We must begin by sending great good wishes, big smiles, hugs, prayers and lots of love to two of our favorite bloggers who started on a new path this weekend….

Courtesy Classic Confection Cakes

Congratulations to the one and only Muffy Martini and Daisy JD (Just Daisy), they married the loves of their lives Saturday.

Courtesy BlissTree.com

And now they are off honeymooning, whoo-hoo! (Note: photos are not from either wedding.)

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Moving on, big news for anyone who enjoys Liz Claiborne:

The line is being moved exclusively to Penney’s. Both the men’s and women’s labels are making the move; if things are going well after five years, Penney’s can even buy the name.

John Aquino/WWD

Liz Claiborne New York, moves to QVC and the company’s outlet stores.  The WWD story on this notes something TP has wondered about for some time: the perils of watering down a designer’s caché by creating multiple labels sold in similar stores.  As the firm’s CEO, William L. McComb, put it:

“It was time to break the conflict inherent in the strategy that had a lower-priced offering of the Liz Claiborne brand at one department store in the mall [Penney’s] and a higher-priced version of it in a department store across the mall [Macy’s],”

This brings comparisons to American Living, the Polo Ralph Lauren brand sold at Penney’s. Below, a fashion look and a table lamp, both from that collection.

It’s unlikely there is much brand dilution with this line; most retailing insiders believe the line really bears little resemblance to standard PLR merchandise.

Other retailers have done well with designer collections specifically for their customers, such as the Simply Vera by Vera Wang and Dana Buchman lines  at Kohl’s, and Tommy Hilfiger is now sold only at Macy’s or Hilfiger stores.

From a big picture perspective this also allows the Claiborne company to focus more attention on several brands many readers are familiar with: Kate Spade, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Juicy Couture.

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We have a few more Pretty in Pink things to share, starting with an extra cute pair of Keds.

The Keds Champion Pink Ribbon sneaker benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation – the company is donating 100% of proceeds to the BCRF.

Speaking of shoes, how about these Ragg Kids Puppy for infants and toddlers?

Or these Bibi Kids Laceups, also for infants and toddlers?

If TP and the Consort had been blessed with human children we would be bankrupt; every single cent would be spent on shoes for the little ones, they are simply too cute!

Another delightful find, Kate Spade’s Bon Vivant Lilia, actually something of a bargain right now.

Because of the chilly temps outside, we have to share the Pink Funnelneck coat from Old Navy.

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We leave with a look at the next generation Armani phone.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

It does look sleek and elegant – dare we say understated?

Courtesy Photo via WWD

However, we’re more than content with our iPhone tucked into its shocking pink case and we also have a greater understanding of just how easily one might become addicted to dependent upon the technology.

Until tomorrow,  we send smiles to each and every cherished readers!

Your Vote is Needed, and a Preppy Mish-Mash

Hello-Hello and happy sunny, breezy, blue-sky-kind-of-day!

We spent the morning away from the Prepatorium and are racing to catch up, so we shall primarily offer what we believe to be called ‘eye candy’ in our little post today. (Do tell us if this usage is improper.)

Because we know you frequently awaken in the middle of the night, unable to sleep because of your concern about the Hope Diamond and how it is faring, we bring you an update:

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

The company that originally donated the diamond to the Smithsonian, Harry Winston, is going to be resetting the famous (and many believe cursed) stone.  There are several design options under consideration, including this:

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

As well as this….

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

The Smithsonian is saying, “The Fate of the Hope Diamond is in your hands.”

How can that be? The ultimate decision on which new design Harry Winston will use for resetting the stone is open to a public vote; here is the third design you may select:

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

Just click here to review the three designs, learn loads more about the 45+ carat stone, and cast your vote.

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Next, a little retail news with word that Fornash has opened their new store at Tysons!

Simply one more reason to visit that corner of the globe when in the area. We have long favored the Gecko Bangles from Fornash:

In other retail news, J. Crew is promoting their Long-Live Summer Sale.

We haven’t perused the offerings, but do have one thought to share: if it is at all possible to hold off on purchases, we’re betting Crew does the “Take an extra 20% off sale prices” promotion sometime around the approaching holiday weekend. We have nary a clue other than past experience.

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Next, how is this for an Adventure in Argyle?

The Prinz Preppy Photo Album holds forty 4″ x 6″ pictures, and is only $2.99.

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If seeking a little Pretty in Pink for your four-legged friends and family members:

Yes, it is the Preppy Puppy Tank from PetCo, described thusly:

“…A cute and sassy tank top that goes anywhere…”

Silly Tilly would like to be “sassy” but sadly (ahem), is a little rotund for such apparel.

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We close with a look at Gossip Girl’s ‘Chuck and Blair,’ from ads running in this month’s NYLON Korea.

NYLON Korea

The ads are actually for ASK clothing (we’re not linking to the site as Google warns it may harm one’s computer), and feature Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick.

NYLON Korea

For more on the ads, pop over to the NYLON blog.

This concludes today’s preppy mish-mash. Thank you for your patience with our goofy little mess today!