The Preppy Princess » Sarah Jessica Parker

FNO Follow-up & Fashion Week: the Lacoste Look

PreppyPrincess.com — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:20:02 +0000

Hello-Hello, and welcome to the work week…!

We want to follow up on our post about FNO, Fashion’s Night Out, as there was excitement in the stores and in the street with this enormous event. With the season premiere of Gossip Girl just hours away it seems only proper to start with Blake Lively, at Polo Ralph Lauren.

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Here is another shot, with Camilla Belle, Nacho Figueras (the polo playing model), Ms. Lively and David Lauren.

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Next, the Tory Burch block party:

PHOTO: Tyler Boye/WWD

Justin Timberlake was on hand at Saks.

PHOTO: Lauren Fleishman/WWD

St. John took on a special look for what they dubbed “Studio 53,” we like the little touch of humor. BTW, St. John’s tweeds for fall are TDF, we highly recommend treating yourself to a look!

PHOTO: WWD

Over at Brook Brothers, designer Thom Browne helped unveil a new product for the retailer.

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Mr. Browne helped launch the company’s new fragrance, Black Fleece, named for Brooks’ Black Fleece line of clothing.

Musician Tim Brantley offered up entertainment at Tommy Hilfiger.

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Now here’s a quartet: Sarah Jessica Parker, Barbara Walters and Bette Midler joined Oscar de la Renta in a little singing at his shop.

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

Reviews are mixed on actual sales (as opposed to shoppers) generated by the promotion, but as a stand-alone event, Fashion’s Night Out was clearly an enormous success.

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Moving on to Fashion Week, there is loads to share, today we look at the Lacoste Spring 2010 RTW collection.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

We simply adore the look seen above, fun, flirty, and filled of understated elegance.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

For some reason we prefer Spring RTW (Ready to Wear) shows over the Fall and Winter collections, probably because we find the sunny, warmer seasons vastly superior to their cold and gloomy counterparts.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

The review in WWD offers more on the Collection:

“a relaxed French sensibility — “simple, sporty and chic” according to show notes…”

Men’s styles echoed the colors and lines seen with the womenswear.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

Budget Prep, SATC Wedding Gown Update, More Preppy Sales

PreppyPrincess.com — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:35:15 +0000

Hello-Hello and Happy (oh-so-happy) Friday! We hope your weekends are going to be filled with fun and frolic, relaxation and perhaps even a break from the chaos of daily life.

We start today with the Sun-Times and a nifty little story they ran this week, Preppy on a Budget. The column is accompanied by a fun slide show called Preppy Shopper. The story by Jessica Sedgwick showcases several shops unique to Chicago as well as national retailers. From their slide show, the Spiegel signature stretch seersucker jacket.

“Those who enjoy rocking their inner Blair Waldorf (“Gossip Girl” queen bee of prep) might think the only way they can get that look is by spending big bucks. Not anymore.”

Collage Courtesy SunTimes.com

“Retailers such as Kohl’s, Old Navy and even indie-minded Urban Outfitters are unleashing affordable preppy pieces — many adorned with sailor-inspired buttons and crisp seersucker stripes…”

Also showcased in the story, the Unisa TammyLee Ballet Flat at DSW.

And these Chaps Madras Shorts for boys are only $18 at Kohl’s, originally selling at $30.

Chaps Kohls.com

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Other ‘preppy style’ retailers are discussed at length in an excellent story in yesterday’s Times; it surveys the competitive terrain at midlevel stores like Ann Taylor and Talbots.

The always-insightful Eric Wilson (a big favorite of TP’s) wrote the story:

“… mainstream retailers like Ann Taylor and Talbots have been hiring new designers and sprucing up their looks to appeal to modern women who are now shopping for style within their means.”

As these stores become “recession destinations,” shoppers are discovering that they aren’t as fuddy as they used to be.”

Here is an Ann Taylor Jacket with contrasting trim.

AnnTaylor.com

The jacket is now on sale at $69.99, but with the additional 25% discount the retailer is offering, the price is about $52.

Mr. Wilson’s story focuses primarily on Talbots, Ann Taylor and the new Liz Claiborne line from Isaac Mizrahi. The writer’s perception of the inside of a Talbots store makes for a fun read:

“Walking into the Talbots store on Madison Avenue, with its festive red painted door, homey décor and piles of melon-colored cardigans, bamboo prints and safari suits, the change is only beginning to become apparent. You might think that Michael Kors and Tory Burch had wed in a year-round Christmas superstore.”

And when considering the Talbots Sale is now offering an Additional 25% off reduced prices, you know there are likely to be possible purchases under the red awning. Even ‘wear now’ basics show significant price reductions, and that is before the additional 25% discount.

Talbots.com

A good example of the price cuts is Talbots Pima Cotton Crew Tee, on sale at $8.99, in 21 different colors.

The Times story is a fascinating read, well worth a little investment of time, but we want to know your thoughts…? What is making you buy… or not? Has Talbots updated its inventory, do you like what they are offering? How about Ann Taylor? TP is just dying to know your thoughts on this topic.

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Hayden-Harnett fans may want to scoot into their Online Sample Sale running through April 5, with bargains like the Margot Eyeglass Case at $10, reduced from$30.

Hayden-Harnett

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Then we have one more preppish retailer offering price reductions, Brooks Brothers. The company is doing their Preferred Customer Event, taking 25% off prices if one uses their Brooks card or Brooks MonsterCard Mastercard, 15% off for other forms of payment.

Brooks Brothers

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We have an update for those fond of Sarah Jessica Parker’s wedding gown in Sex and the City.

PHOTO: Diane Cohen/Everett Collection

There is (was) a shortened version of the Vivienne Westwood dress available.

However, the shortened version selling at Net-a-Porter was gone almost as soon as it went up on the site. But do not despair of owning this version, one merely needs to get in touch with Dame Westwood and be willing to part with about $9,900. BTW, the release date for Sex and the City 2 has been announced; ask your social secretary to mark you as “busy” on May 28, 2010, if planning to see the film its first day in release.

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On a lighter note, two young gentlemen have a new take on an old, and much-maligned medium: the Jello mold. Well, no one actually says the “J Word,” in all honesty. A NY Times story looks at the phenomenon and its creators, Sam Bompas and Harry Parr. (Below, the Madrid airport and aircraft in jelly.)

Photo: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

The wizards creating these masterpieces are definitely products of an ‘Old School’education, having attended both Eton and University College, London; they refer to themselves as ‘jelly mongers.’

On that creative note we shall take our leave! Happy weekend dolls!

Posted in Gossip Girl, nautical, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, preppy lifestyle

‘Pernicious Prep’ and Gossip Girls & Guys Hit the Shows

PreppyPrincess.com — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Happy Day everyone! The sun is bright & beautiful here at Intergalactic HQ for the Princess, it is just delightful!

First off, our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway (featuring this Mix ‘n Match set) winner is Preppy Mama! We used Random.org to select the winner, congratulations to Preppy Mama!

We continue our Fashion Week coverage with the focus on those lines showing a preppy aesthetic. But before we even get to looks for fall, how about this look for right now from Boy by Band of Outsiders?! If the brand is not familiar and the name perhaps off-putting, be assured this is the women’s collection by Band of Outsiders, marked by tailored lines, flawless fabrics and attention to detail.

The Cropped Blazer with Grosgrain Binding is available online at Opening Ceremony, an outstanding retailer that did not have online shopping until this week. We are ever-so-pleased we can now graze and perhaps purchase at the website, although the majority of their wares are far too hip for TP. They also do loads of collaborations, especially on footwear.

Last year the company collaborated with Sperry for distinctive Topsiders (Top-siders) and they are doing so again this year. In this post we talked about the line being named as “The Brand” for preppy attire by Complex.

Below, we shift to a Fall 2009 look.

In their review yesterday of the Band of Outsiders fall presentation at Fashion Week, Racked refer to it as “Pernicious Prep,” adding:

“…attendees found models posed in various tableaux vivants, all channeling naughty prep schoolboy/girl.”

Another style from the fall collection:

PHOTO: George Chinsee

BTW (by the way), the shoes in the presentation were all Manolo Blahni k. One more style below:

PHOTO: George Chinsee

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It was only a matter of time before we heard about Gossip Girl cast members in attendance at the shows. Chace Crawford was spotted at the Calvin Klein show; below, a look from the Men’s RTW Fall 2009 line.

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone

WWD caught up with the actor before things got underway:

“Crawford…had the day off from taping “Gossip Girl,” pleaded ignorance about fashion even though the show is so stylish. “The fashion on the show is really for women,” he said.”

The star sat next to Jared Leto.

PHOTO: Getty Images

And the folks at The Cut also queried Mr. Crawford about his reaction to the show:

“”Favorite pieces? Uh, I like the solids, the grays,” he said. “I’m not that savvy with fashion.” He added that he feels “very weird” going to fashion shows. So why was he there? “They give me great clothes.” Touché.”

The show is now such a part of fashion culture that in their Band of Outsiders review, the writer at Racked refers to a model in the presentation as sporting “…what we like to call the “Chuck Bass lewd leer”.

Some in the fashion media are speculating about the ‘dueling Gossip Girls’ at Thursday’s Proenza Schouler show. The word is that Vogue’s guest for the show is another G2 star, actress Blake Lively while Elle magazine is hosting Leighton Meester. We aren’t exactly anticipating any spat. Honestly.

Speaking of Vogue, editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and actress/designer Sarah Jessica Parker chatted up a storm at the Alexander Wang show.

PHOTO: Louis Lanzano/AP

In attendance at Herve Leger, actresses Lucy Liu and Mad Men star January Jones.

PHOTO: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Here is another shot of Ms. Jones at the Leger show, and we think she almost looks like an entirely different person:

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

It matters not what angle the star is shot, for she is always lovely.

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Time for us to toddle off to other duties, we shall close with a look at the new Samsonite Black Label group by Viktor and Rolf.

PHOTO: Courtesy Samsonite via Hypebeast

We can’t remember the last time we saw a bow on luggage! We also find the retro airplane print rather fetching.

Photos Courtesy Samsonite via Hypebeast

Our thanks to Hypebeast for the story tip as well as the images.

Until next time dolls, may it be splendid and sunny wherever you are today!

Posted in Gossip Girl, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion

Goodbye Goody’s, Permanent J. Crew Price Cuts & Next Target Designer Revealed

PreppyPrincess.com — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:38:14 +0000

Today we have an abbreviated blog, a Preppy Digest if you will, providing links on stories you may elect to pursue at your leisure. We start with a few more Signs of the Times; this first one you are probably well aware of as it has been widely reported by many of our favorite blogs and the media:

The Waterford Wedgwood group has filed for bankruptcy protection in Ireland
After successfully emerging from bankruptcy in October, family-owned department store Goody’s is planning to liquidate. In fact, by the time you read this they may well have auctioned off their inventory.
Our third SOTT (Sign of the Times) today is word that discounts are being offered to new Grosse Pointe Yacht Club members, according to a story in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press.

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Remember this post talking about the price cuts J. Crew planned to introduce with their spring line? Reading an Associated Press story “After sales, will shoppers pay full price again?“ we learned that:

“Already, retailers including Bebe Stores Inc. and J.Crew Group Inc. are cutting prices on selected spring styles to lure sale-savvy shoppers.”

Additionally, writer Anne D’Innocenzio notes:

“But many… predict early discounts on spring goods. The signs are already there. Bebe has cut certain spring sweaters by 25 percent, while J.Crew has marked some spring items anywhere from 25 to 40 percent off, according to Amy Wilcox Noblin, an analyst at PaliCapital Inc.”

Back in a November post we shared comments on pricing from Crew CEO Mickey Drexler:

“… our ballet flat category will start at under $100 for the first time ever…If you look at our January catalog, you’ll see a ballet flat assortment at $98. This year I think they started at $128.”

J. Crew

And to be sure, new shoes have arrived; they are priced at $98, as seen here with the Jane suede ballet flat.

J. Crew Jane Ballet Flat

How is your shopping psyche? Forever changed by the deep discounting, or are you still willing to make the purchase at full price? Or is it contingent upon circumstances, cash flow and need?

Speaking of discounts at Crew, the following landed in our email today:

This Final Sale promotion is online only, ends Sunday, and requires promo code FREESHIP09 for the complimentary shipping on purchases more than $100. Be advised we have read in a couple of places that once again the website is not functioning.

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A quick mention is needed on Target’s next GO International designer, Tracy Feith, known for his beach and surf looks. Below, Sarah Jessica Parker in one of Mr. Feith’s colorblocked dresses.

The line will hit online and in stores May 17, with prices ranging from $14.99 to $44.99. In this courtesy photo the inspiration board for the line can be seen.

Courtesy Target via WWD

In an interview with WWD (Women’s Wear Daily), we learn Mr. Feith’s color palette for the Collection:

“…shades called lollypop red, Persian turquoise, seafoam green, neon orange and pink, and Saturn lime.”

We like the way that sounds! The group will include one upscale item priced at $139.99, a cropped motorcycle jacket in leather. The good folks at Fashion Week Daily have this photo of Whitney Port in a Tracy Feith during a Clinique promotion they covered back in 2007. (Full story here.)

Fashion Week Daily

Grins and giggles until next time!

Posted in preppy, Preppy Fashion, Sign of the Times, Updates

Great Preppy Giveaway Week 3, Inaugural Dress Update

PreppyPrincess.com — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:02:40 +0000

We must acknowledge acting somewhat like a Pouty Princess over the seemingly never-ending debacle going on here:

Until we realized we get to give away some preppy goodies! It is time to announce the winner of the Great Preppy Princess Giveaway winner for Week 2…. (drum roll):

verybusymomwith4

Whoo-hoo! Some may recall that our Thankful Thursday topic for last week’s giveaway was ‘one friend you are grateful for,” and Miss Lisa, founder and curator of VBMW4, shared this comment as her entry for the giveaway:

“I am thankful for my friend Julie who knows when to help me, when to advise me and when I need to listen. I am in awe of how she just knows how to act in every situation.”

As the winner Lisa receives a treasure trove of goodies from the Preppy Princess, including a Boatman Geller Carrie & Tuck personal stationery station and a fab Madras Refill Set! (This is so fun!)

Now for Week 3, our comment topic is anything for which you are thankful. How easy is that? Just leave a quick comment on something, someone, someplace you are grateful for… and voilà! You are entered! Wonder what you can win this week? Read on.

Week 3 Great Giveaway goodies include this Perfect Circle Apron….

PreppyPrincess.com

Accompanied by the matching gloves; clearly one cannot risk a fashion disaster in their own kitchen.

PreppyPrincess.com

Of course, if Cook is handling the duties, and you have no worries about keeping the splish-splash off your cocktail dress, then the Apron/Gloves Set always make the perfect gift for someone else.

Also for the lucky winner, the understated elegance of the Trey’s Stripes notecards. Naturally the Princess will personalize the set of 10 cards, per your wishes.

PreppyPrincess.com

Don’t forget that if you mention the Great Giveaway on your blog or home page a Bonus Gift goes to anyone you choose! Because it wasn’t won this past week, we’ll roll over the Week 2 Bonus Prize Pack.

The Bonus Prize includes the Laguna Beach apron, along with one of our favorite books, Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart.

So don’t forget… scroll down and make a quick comment! “I am thankful for ______.”

Leave your comments before midnight next Wednesday, the 26th, and you are entered in the Giveaway. And because sharing is caring, *do* think about mentioning the Giveaway on your blog, or your Facebook or MySpace page, whatever works for you (in a good, clean fun kind of way) so you can share the Bonus Prizes with someone near and dear.

Our first comment comes from Legally Heidi, here is part of what she shared:

“i’m thankful for my pal Liz. Her and i have had a rough friendship but we’ve always come out on top She’s the one friend i know i could call at 2am upset and she’d listen to me.”

Do let TP know if you have any questions…that is why we are here!

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A quick update to our most recent post on the search for an appropriate prep school for Malia and Sasha Obama. We reported that our intuition pointed to Maret being out of the mix, with the choice down to either Georgetown Day School or Sidwell Friends. The Post (Washington) seems to confirm this:

“… school search appears to have narrowed… and the much-buzzed-about Maret School is apparently out of the running.”

Also, we promised to let you know what we discovered about Michelle Obama’s attire seen in the CBS 60 Minutes Interview:

Aaron Tomlinson/CBS News Handout/Reuters

As speculated, the pieces were by Maria Pinto, who seems to have achieved ‘Most Favored Nation’ status when it comes to the future First Lady’s fashion choices, IOHO. According to the Trib:

“… wore the “Eme” top and “Rani” skirt in an iris color, designed by Chicago’s Maria Pinto. The ensemble is from Pinto’s spring collection, but rendered in tweed for Obama, a loyal Pinto client. The sleeveless element was retained from the original design.”

We continue to see sketches of possible inaugural ball gowns from varying designers; here is one from Tracey Reese, as seen in this story from the Detroit Free Press. We simply love that look, the dress is absolutely beautiful.

Tracey Reese

BTW, today’s Times (NY) had an excellent story about price wars between online retailers and the tactics they employ to move merchandise. For example, we had no idea Zappos uses a sister site for its discounted and marked down products…did you? (If interested, it is 6pm.com) And 6pm does carry most, if not all, of the name brands Zappos stocks.

Also, Steve & Barry’s will be gone permanently. After being bailed out of an earlier bankruptcy three months back, yesterday the company filed for liquidation in New York. We have no news yet on what will happen with Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line of clothing, currently sold at the retailer.

Happy-Happy!

Posted in Argyle, Obama Fashion & Politics, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, preppy stationery, Updates

PB Teen News, Ralph Lauren, Sarah Jessica Parker & Brooks Brothers Sneak Peeks

PreppyPrincess.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:10:11 +0000

Everyone fond of Pottery Barn Teen rejoice – the company is opening its first PBTeen store in Atlanta.

Even The Princess, with no teenagers to cope with or decorate for, loves PB Teen. The vivid, vibrant colors and designs are good for the spirit, and the quality generally very good. Simply another reason to toddle on over to Lenox Hill and make another contribution to America’s economic recovery…yes?!

It has been an up and down year for Williams-Sonoma, owner of this line and several others. According to the San Francisco Business Journal, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma Home and PB Teen have all performed very well this year. Unfortunately, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and Williams-Sonoma itself are not doing as well.

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And now, a sneak peek at a few upscale perfume and cologne lines, the first from Ralph Lauren.

The perfect size for a stocking stuffer, the flask is sterling silver with a vintage-inspired enamel jockey on the front, ideal for the Lauren equestrian look.

Also on the way, three scents from Sarah Jessica Parker from her new Lovely Collection, available in February 2009. There will be three different fragrances: Dawn, Endless and Twilight.

Courtesy Photo

According to the story in WWD, the Collection will have an intensive TV and internet campaign.

Courtesy Photo

These will be available as eau de parfum at $38 and $58; there will also be a scented body lotion retailing at $28.

Courtesy Photo

And a reminder on the new Brooks Brothers scents, Brooks Brothers New York for Men and Women in cut crystal bottles that are actually quite attractive.

Courtesy Brooks Brothers

As mentioned in an earlier post, this is the first perfume introduced at B2 in fifty years. Brooks Brothers New York scents Men (scroll down to see new scent) and Brooks Brothers New York Women are to officially launch tomorrow in stores and online. However, as is becoming a more common practice, the items are already available online.

The Moment, the Times’ fashion blog, has an interesting review of the new fragrances.

“Given that feminines are almost always superior to their masculine counterparts (see Light Blue, Rive Gauche, Carolina Herrera, et al), it is always a surprise when the masculine smells better. But perhaps when it’s Brooks Brothers, this should have been expected.”

Hhhhmmm. Apparently this will require personal investigation before we can render a personal opinion. If any of you have remarks on the new scents, you simply must share with the rest of the class.

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As we are always on the hunt for new and exciting web sites, today we suggest readers may enjoy a visit to Ivy Style, a relatively new blog. One of the recent posts is on the “Return of the Young Fogey” and it is really quite entertaining.

Courtesy Ivy-Style.com

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We hoped to leave you with some witty thoughts on enjoying a preppy Halloween, but are not doing well on this mission. There is online advice on How to Dress Like an 80s Prep (rather lacking IOHO), and Diva Village shares their tips for dressing like Nancy Drew, with a cute collage.

Courtesy Diva Village

So we’ll merely say Happy, Happy Halloween to everyone – we hope it is warm and wonderful wherever you may be!

Posted in preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, preppy lifestyle, Updates

Preppy GOOP, & Brooks Brothers Bonanza

PreppyPrincess.com — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:25:27 +0000

Greetings and salutations from the sometimes strange land of the Preppy Princess, where today we start with GOOP. Surprisingly, this is not a Princess cooking tragedy resulting from an experiment in the kitchen on Cook’s night off. Rather, it is a website from über-preppy Gwenyth Paltrow. (Spence, three years.)

The GOOP site is being launched the same week as Ms. Paltrow’s cooking show on PBS with CelebeChef Mario Batali, “Spain… on the Road Again“.

Photo Frappe Inc./Courtesy of Public Television Series "Spain... on the Road Again"

GOOP still appears to be under construction, but in copy on the site Ms. Paltrow explains that while she has made mistakes over the years, she has also learned things and would like to share some of them with readers.

“I want to nourish what is real, and I want to do it without wasting time. I love to travel, to cook, to eat, to take care of my body and mind, to work hard,” she notes on the site. “I love being a mother who has to overcome my bad qualities to be a good mother. I love being in spaces that are clean and nice.”

Not shared is any info on the heels worn by Ms. Paltrow to the PBS show’s premiere Sunday night in New York. British tabloid the Sun is claiming the shoes worn by the star were studded with real diamonds on the heels. Please, please, someone tell TP this isn’t true.

In the “Thank God it’s Over” department we take a quick peek at the newly renovated Saks in Boston. If you are going to be in Back Bay, this is worth the visit, although at times it *is* far easier to navigate to Natick where one can do both Nordstrom and Needless Markup Neimans without the parking issues at The Pru.

The Meghan Jones photos above show off the new and improved look, with the second photo featuring the Swarovski crystals above the escalator in the store.

Wasn’t it divine to learn that one of the few things we try and watch on television, Mad Men, won an Emmy as Best Drama Series? Oddly enough we actually remembered to watch Sunday evening (a rare occurrence) but naturally found ourselves switching between amc and ESPN in order to see the Yankees’ last game at Yankee Stadium. And how does one prepare to attend the Emmy Awards?

Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times

If you are actor Bryan Batt (he plays Salvatore Romano, Sterling Cooper’s art director), with a glass of scotch in hand while having your eyebrows plucked. Mr. Batt said he would be wearing a Thom Browne tuxedo from Brooks Brothers’ Black Fleece collection to the show on Sunday. Below, a photo of the actor in a scene with Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olsen.

But it turns out Mr. Batt was only one of many gentlemen clad in Brooks eveningwear. Others included Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report and Rick Schroeder of A&E’s sci-fi series The Andromeda Strain. Mr. Colbert is seen below with fellow comedian Daily Show host Jon Stewart.

Others from the Mad Men cast expected to be in Brooks included Robert Morse who plays Bertram Cooper, one of ad agency Sterling Cooper’s founders.

In the picture just below there are four Mad Men cast members and all four are wearing Brooks Brothers:

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Aaron Staton far left, who plays Account Executive Ken Cosgrove…

Michael Gladis, second left in the photo above; Paul Kinsey is his character’s name…

Mr. Batt whom we have already shown in character, and then Rich Sommer, seen far right in the four-shot in his role as Harry Crane, a Media Buyer.

This does not include at least four other men who work on the hit show behind the scenes who were also expected to be in Brooks Brothers Sunday evening. If the fashions of the era interest you, amc-tv has a weekly Mad Men fashion blog, and there is also a good read, Mad Men Fashion: Then & Now on Black Book Magazine’s site.

The sense that all manner of things are going on simply because one is away from home is accentuated by the lack of that portable office created by a laptop. Imagine our dismay during our long weekend to find the wireless not working!

It must explain our missing the news of “The Carrie Diaries,” from SATC (Sex and the City) author Candace Bushnell. It seems we shall have the opportunity to learn all about a teenage Carrie Bradshaw, that character made famous by Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City. Ms. Bushnell has a new contract with publisher Harper Collins for not one, but two books, on Carrie’s life before Sex and the City. A comment attributed to the author from the news release:

“Carrie in high school did not follow the crowd—she led it. It was there that she began observing and commenting on the social scene.”

Both books are due out in 2010, and will be published as “teen novels.” Some readers may recall our previous mention of something due out much sooner from Ms. Bushnell, One Fifth Avenue. It was released yesterday.

Following closely on the heels of this story is more discussion of the possibility of another Sex and the City film, conversation spurred as a result of the movie’s release on DVD.

Posted in preppy

Maria Sharapova & Gymnast Nastia Liukin Front Row, Anna Wintour & Sarah Jessica Parker Throw a Party

PreppyPrincess.com — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:24:26 +0000

Well, it is a Friday.

And that means NY Fashion Week is kicking off, with more parties, functions and events that any human can possibly attend. And that’s before we even talk about the actual runway shows! TP is not at all disappointed to be passing on the big do this time around, and if pushed, would acknowledge a slight sense of relief at this fact. PreppyPrincess.com is consuming all our time and energies when we aren’t fulfilling social, charitable or familial obligations, which is as it should be.

Above we have a couple of advance sketches from designers, including a ‘nature-inspired sleeveless dress’ from Tracy Reese, and an enchanting floral halter “diary dress” designed by Wenlan Chia for Twinkle. The latter link is a delightful little site full of surprises and information in addition to the fabulous clothes, incuding the 2008 Holiday Collection. If interested, there is a great blog or running commentary that even has pictures of the models they selected for their show, some fun behind-the-scenes stuff for Fashionistas.

And should you fancy Tracy Reese, there is a quite substantial sale underway if you care to shop online. For example, the Flared Skirt with Pockets in Marine is discounted 60%, as is the Large Tote in its vivid turquoise and green tones (and lots of other goodies!).

While celebrities have always been a part of Fashion Week, this year there will be even more athletes and sports celebrities also in attendance. Tennis star Maria Sharapova invited Olympic Gold Medalist Nastia Liukin to attend the Peter Som show with her, something the teenage gymnast is very excited about. But that isn’t the only show for Nastia; she is also going to Isaac Mizrahi and Cole Haan. Below, Ms. Sharapova at the Valentino Couture show in Paris this July.

Photo by Eric Ryan/Getty Images

Here, a photo of Nastia in Beijing, wearing all of the medals she won at the Summer Games, followed by a promotional partnership benefiting the Susan G. Komen Fund.

The talented teen has been hyper-busy since returning from the Beijing Summer Games, inking sponsorship deals, making appearances and trying to relax. She is already working with Vanilla Star Jeans to launch Nastia Liukin Gold tops and bottoms in time for the holiday selling period, and hopes to do some designing herself. She is signed with Cover Girl Cosmetics, Adidas, AT&T, and a host of other companies. The Texas superstar is slated for an appearance of Gossip Girl. And then there is the Wheaties box….

One reason the Vanilla Star Folks are pleased to be partnering with the gymnast is explained in a MediaPost story:

“…Liukin embodies the brand’s “anti-jean” philosophy by opposing the trend of exploiting young teens’ bodies in its ads. “We always try to find personalities that our core Vanilla Star customer is attracted to and will set a good example…”

The company’s slogans are “Smart girls rock,” and “Live the dream.” And don’t we find that refreshing, albeit somewhat ironic, as the Fashion Week celebration of the “You can never be too thin…” philosophy gets underway.

Below we simply had to include what is arguably TP’s alltime favorite photo of Miss Liukin, taken at the Liukin’s training facility in northern Texas before the Games. We love the sensation of floating, weighlessness, as it appears she is simply suspended in air, all symmetry and lines, grace and strength, captured in this one shot.

As far as runway shows go, one of the first this weekend is Lacoste, at 10am Saturday, in the tents at Bryant Park seen below. Others we have an interest in are Carolina Herrera on Monday morning, the edgy Z Zegna and Ports 1961 are both Monday afternoon, Monique Lhuillier Tuesday morning, Milly and Oscar de la Renta both next Wednesday, plus Ralph Lauren on Friday morning. And that’s a very disciplined and highly edited list from the Princess!

Above, a shot of the tents in Bryant Park as preparations turn into realities, with shows starting today. Unfortunately the area stands to get as much as 4-6″ of rain from Hurricane Hannah, and that could be a challenge. Here’s something of a hot ticket, depending upon one’s political persuasion and capacity to donate their way into the party….

The Runway to Change party is Tuesday night, co-hosted by Le Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker; it will be held at desinger Charles Nolan’s studio. There is a *long* list of “Participating Designers” on the invitation, including Beyonce, Vera Wang, Russell Simmons, Zac Posen, Jay-Z, Juicy Couture, Isaac Mizrahi, and many more.

For those who are interested, don’t forget that Monday’s season opener for Oprah features 150 Olympic athletes and others, including Debbie Phelps accompanying Michael Phelps. Here are a few behind-the-scenes shots:

Chicago Tribune photo by Michael Tercha

Above we see Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, Olympic gold medalists in volleyball, arriving at Millenium Park for the shoot. Below, the family that fights together stay together…or something like that, here are Steve, Mark and Diana Lopez, Olympic taekwondo medalists, followed by members of our Gymnastics team, also all medalists.

Chicago Tribune photo by Michael Tercha

Tribune photo by Michael Tercha

May everyone enjoy an absolutely divine weekend free of stress and nasty weather!

Steve & Barry’s Bankruptcy, Gucci Olympic Collection, 40 Pages of Barneys Shoes on Sale!

PreppyPrincess.com — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:04:31 +0000

As everyone has been speculating, the Steve and Barry’s bankruptcy is official; the paperwork was filed today in Manhattan. As we first chatted about it back on May 5th, and then again just last week, the company’s ability to make a profit with clothing priced at $8.98 became questionable. As gas prices went north and the economy went south, so did Steve and Barrry’s business.

The company is known for its lines associated with celebrities like actress Sarah Jessica Parker, basketball stars Stephon Marbury and Ben Wallace, surfer Laird Hamilton, tennis star Venus Williams, a golf collection named after Bubba Watson and several others. As of this writing discussions continue as to what will happen to the stores; gift cards are being honored, returns are being accepted, etc. There is the very real possibility, if not the likelihood, the company will have to close the stores. We will keep you posted if anything substantive transpires.

Now we know that when you think Summer Olympics you think Gucci. It’s like macaroni and cheese… Gucci and Olympics. Olympics and Gucci. Totally. In fact, The Princess is anticipating several comments will come in that you don’t just think ‘Gucci,’ you think ‘Gucci Olympic Bicycle‘ don’t you? We thought so. To that end we give you the Gucci 2-2-2008 Bicycle.

We shall now remove the tongue firmly planted in our cheek. In case you somehow missed the announcement several months back, Gucci has created the “8-8-2008 Limited Edition” collection. Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini describes the bright red used for the special collection:

“Not only does red evoke happiness and celebration, two emotions that couldn’t be more appropriate to describe the excitement brought by the international sport games, but it also happens to be a very fashionable color for 2008…”

There is also the I-Gucci watch, seen to your left. It is the only item from the collection available to all; we point that out because the other items in the are only being sold in Hong Kong and mainland China.

The watch is offered in a number of variations, and is notable because it is the first digital watch Gucci has ever offered for sale. It is also available in a version with hands for those who prefer an analog world. (Is it our goofy brain or is the name sounding like an Apple product?) Click on the I-Gucci Watch link above if you are interested in more images and/or information about the piece.

There is also an amazing pair of sneakers in a vibrant array of colors, luggage, and a few other goodies.

Yesterday the Gucci Resort 2009 collection was shown and since we shared this Olympic group we thought we would do a little sneak peek at a few pieces from next years’ line. (A reminder these are not yet available for purchase.) Creative Director Frida Giannini is seen in the final photo, lower right.

Now we wouldn’t sleep tonight if we didn’t update you on a few opportunities to save a little $$$, even though we truly don’t believe in open discussions of the “M” topic. In addition to the additional price reductions, Needless Markup Neiman’s is also providing free shipping at any price. (Will wonders never cease?) The code for this amazing event is SHIPJUL.

If you have the time, the amount of shoes Barneys still has on sale is simply remarkable; there are 40 pages of shoes and boots marked down at Barneys! The Princess strongly urges you to check at least a few of these pages out if you are so inclined.

Banana Republic also has some fairly good markdowns and Ralph Lauren has an additional 25% off selected sale merchandise.

Terry de Havilland
Python platform wedge

Was Sarah Jessica Parker’s Dress “Too Cheap” for Steve and Barry’s? + Williams Sonoma Home Sale!

PreppyPrincess.com — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:48:27 +0000

Way back on May 5th of this year we chatted about the NY Time’s article on discount retailer Steve and Barry’s, home to Sarah Jessica Parker’s ‘Bitten’ line of clothing; the headline for the story asked “Is This the World’s Cheapest Dress?” with an SJP floral print dress (seen below) accompanying the story as the rhetorical dress in question.

In his article Times writer Eric Wilson looked at the retailing phenomenon Steve Shore and Barry Prevor created with their company, a chain where the most expensive items are just $8.98. More accurately, Wilson honed in on precisely how Steve and Barry’s merchandise could be sold profitably at that price. From the story:

The question on everyone’s lips: How do they make a decent dress or a jacket, with sleeves, or a pair of functioning shoes for $8.98?

Because that price point includes the dress shown above, from Ms. Parker’s ‘Bitten’ line, as well as merchandise tied to teen star Amanda Bynes, a relatively new line from surfing legend Laird Hamilton dubbed Wonderwall, basketball-themed pieces from Ben Wallace in additon to the Stephon Marbury basketball & sport tennis shoes, a performance collection from Venus Williams called Eleven, a golf collection named Bubba Golf after Bubba Watson and others.

“There’s been a revolution, a full-blown revolution,” Mr. Shore said, sounding, at times, just a bit like Crazy Eddie. “We just haven’t told anyone yet. If the Gap or Abercrombie & Fitch or J. Crew said that everything in the store is going to be $8.98 or less, it would be front-page news. But while no one was noticing, we opened stores across the country that have identical clothes for much lower prices.”

The question, again, is how.

That was, and remains, the question of the day. Mr. Wilson appeared to be pressing for an answer in his story, but never seemed to get one that spoke directly to the issue. It hasn’t been two months since the story was published, and well, here we are. Things are not good at Steve and Barry’s; they are in fact, very bad.

We don’t know if it was ‘the World’s Cheapest Dress‘ or not as the article asked, but we are pretty sure it probably needed to cost more than it did. A dollar more…? Two dollars…? How much exactly would have been enough to avoid what is going on now: a frantic search for funding to keep the company afloat, ongoing planning to close at least 100 of the company’s nearly 300 stores, continuing work on a bankruptcy filing should that be required, and all of the other unfortunate tasks that become necessary when the train leaves the tracks while traveling at a high rate of speed.

It is a shame, because a lot of people are impacted by what happens with the company, as are a lot of hopeful fans who believe in Steve and Barry’s credo that good fashion doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. We’ll keep you posted.

If you aren’t too depressed after reading all of that, here’s one activity to put on your list, be it online or in person: the Williams Sonoma Home Sale.

There are always loads of goodies at this one, and this year doesn’t disappoint. There are always wonderful finds to spruce up your own cottage or winter residence, and if that isn’t in the plan, they have so many items that make ideal gifts, especially Hostess gifts when heading out as a guest for a weekend at the beach. These Raffia Embroidered Pillows just scream “summer fun” with their whimsical fish and crab motifs!

And we’ll absolutely have to notify our recently returned stateside Nautical by Nature preppy to take a look at the Nautical Rope pillows, as they just looko like something she needs… if she doesn’t already have them. In pairs. The Pure and Simple Soaps from Scotland are always a hit and great to have in the house.

Those are just a few of the samplings from W-S Home, always worth a minute or two in our opinion, and not only because we were already at the website looking at Ice Cream recipes, as we were. So? I mean, what is the big deal if we have quite the full table for a festive Fourth gala. And Cook has been given the weekend off. The whole weekend. Off. And yours truly said she would make the ice cream. Personally make the homemade ice cream. This will be good.

You see we have one of the contraptions shown here, and it did seem like a good idea at the time when planning menus for the week to decide that the final course be something all American… ice cream! Of course! Homemade! Oh yes! In fact, I’ll make it myself, surely this is something I’m capable of! Oh Nooooooo.

Oh well. Photos may follow. If not, ask questions at your own risk.