Tag Archives: Sophie Countess of Wessex

A Different Crew Clothing, Gwyneth for Coach, Wedding Preps

Hello-Hello, happy Tuesday, we’re so glad you popped in for a visit, we don’t say that nearly enough. Thank you reading our goofy blog.

Today we begin with a look at something new, at least for us, Crew Clothing.

Crew Clothing

The company is based in the UK.

Crew Clothing UK

Crew carries loads of fascinating styles, the good news is that they ship to the US.

Crew Clothing

A number of their basics look appealing.

Crew Clothing UK

A bit of background on the retailer via Think Local UK:

“Crew started life way back in 1993 when Alistair Parker-Swift found himself running a successful windsurfing company in Devon during the summer, and spending his winters in France as part of England’s ski team.

The brand’s roots are thoroughly planted in the UK coastline, celebrating heritage and history with classic designs.”

To say I am fond of the Gerty Plimsolls (sneakers) would be the understatement of the decade.

Crew Clothing UK

The company offers a jacket favored by those inspired by the so-called Gossip Girl look, theirs is the Rowley Blazer.

Crew Clothing Company

But anyone seeking upscale dresses and business suits will have to look elsewhere, Crew’s designs are targeted to a casual, outdoor lifestyle. The company also carries a full range of menswear.

Crew Clothing Company

The Consort is more-than-fond of his sweatshirts; on a frequent basis rare occasions yours truly has swiped borrowed one or two.

Crew Clothing Company

These look like they have a high snuggle factor, we like that. :)

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We have a few quick updates, beginning with word that über-prep Gwyneth Paltrow is the new brand ambassador for Coach.  The job comes at a propitious time, the company is planning a significant media blitz starting in September, they are celebrating the firm’s 70th Anniversary.  Women’s Wear Daily broke the story:

““I grew up in New York City and I’ve always thought of Coach as the quintessential New York brand,” Paltrow said. “I’ll never forget getting my first Coach bag.”

Something else we stumbled upon, new treasures from Nautical Luxuries, a Princess favorite. Below, the Signal Flags Custom Initial Bracelet:

Nautical Luxuries

If seeking a more dramatic look, the Code Flag Link Bracelets a different style statement altogether.

Nautical Luxuries

If looking for the perfect thank you gift after a week on your friend’s boat, perhaps the Custom Nautical Scarf will fit the bill, these are handpainted to order, you can select up to 20 flags (letters).

Nautical Luxuries

A more understated look is found with the Tiny Rope Anchor Earrings from a fabulous shop, Giles and Brother.

Giles & Brother

Giles & Brother offers other treasures, including the Luck Love and Hope necklace (L) and the Nautilus necklace .

Sadly, we can waste while away more time looking at nautically inclined treasures than we care to admit.

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It’s no secret that we enjoy gazing at chapeaux here at The Prepatorium and Easter Sunday presents prime viewing opportunities; the Royals are top-notch in this department.

Pool Photo by Oli Scarff/AP

From left to right: Princess Eugenie, Sophie Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, Prince Andrew, Tim Lawrence, the Duke of York, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and Princess Ann.  Below, a better view of the styles worn by Princess Beatrice (L) and Princess Eugenie (R).

Getty Images / Reuters

Both young ladies are sure to be all dolled up come Friday.

Speaking of Friday, the media has descended en masse for the continuing overkill coverage; we are reveling in every minute, although our schedule has kept those minutes to a minimum.  Below, a seaman at HMS Collingwood naval base is photographed; the Royal Navy and Royal Marines will be part of the 1,000+ military personnel lining  the route from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

At times like this one is forced to take photos of other people taking photos. (We are not being scornful, having directed many others to do the same during our years in the vast wasteland business.)

Getty Images

We’ve not had time to watch much coverage on television, but presume there have been many wide shots of the media village and other facilities created for the wedding.  The work put into building adequate structures and technical capabilities has been immense.

Kieran Doherty/Reuters

The Times has an excellent article about the British celebrities US networks are using in their coverage of the wedding.

“Because every network will be sharing the same camera feeds of the royal wedding on Friday morning, they have competed fiercely to sign up on-air talent in an attempt to make their hours and hours (and hours) of coverage stand out.”

Via The New York Times

A few bullet points, all from Brian Stelter’s story in the Times:

  • ABC’s biggest booking was probably Ms. Nicholl, whose book “William and Harry: Behind the Palace Walls” was published a week before the wedding date was announced.
  • ABC’s other contributors will include Tina Brown, the Newsweek and Daily Beast editor; one of Princess Diana’s bridesmaids, India Hicks; and a former press secretary for Prince William, Colleen Harris.
  • Mr. Morgan, who is British, said what he wants out of his guests on “Piers Morgan Tonight,” his 9 p.m. show on CNN, are personal stories and anecdotes. He said he would be recalling a private lunch he had with Princess Diana and Prince William when the prince was 13 years old.

We sympathize with anyone covering the event, working with pool feeds creates daunting challenges in terms of distinguishing yourself from competitors.  Perhaps the best way a network might differentiate itself from the pack would be to invoke a “less is more” philosophy, minimizing the amount of chatter, allowing the pictures and natural sound to tell a good part of the story.

The Guardian also has a splendid article, talking about the plethora of “royal experts” and some of the alleged “inside information” being bandied about, including one outrageous rumor that Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, would be speaking at this wedding (the ‘Katie’ mentioned below references Ms. Nicholl):

“And so to Katie’s most recent dispatch, which goes big on the fact that “William’s uncle, Charles Spencer … will have no formal role” in the wedding service – though he “had been expected to deliver an address”. Had been expected by whom, you might wonder? Meth addicts? People without access to media since 1986?”

BBC presenter Huw Edwards offers excellent insight on covering the wedding, here are a few tidbits from his post:

  • The homework is essential.
  • There will be a mountain of paper but most of that will not be accessible when we’re on air.
  • Let’s just say it’s a good memory test.

An FYI for readers, you can download the most recent media briefing released by Clarence House, complete with lists of invitees, the seating arrangements at the Abbey, and a very (v-e-r-y)  precise schedule detailing exactly who is supposed to be where at what time. Just click here to go to the Official Royal Wedding website.

Below, in preparation of the event an Irish Guardsman is measured last week for his uniform.  Guards soldiers just back from Afghanistan are preparing for ceremonial duties, Prince William is the Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images

Regardless of who is doing the commentary, one must admit no one does pomp and pageantry better than our friends across the sea.

Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty

Anyone tasked with working on preparations will tell you it is all in the details.

Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty

Tilly was intrigued by Conmael, an Irish Wolfhound and mascot for the unit.

Peter MacDiarmid/Getty Images

We leave you with a few images from the last royal wedding receiving this kind of attention.

STR/AFP/Getty Images

Via Elite Choice

Via Breakfast with Fashion

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Filed under Gossip Girl, nautical, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, Royal Wedding

Royals, Ascots, and Royal Ascot

Hello-Hello!

As promised in yesterday’s post, we are taking a more in-depth look at Royal Ascot.

Before delving into Ascot, a reminder the Royal Family does know how to dress; below we see everyone at this weekend’s Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Back to the subject at hand, yesterday was Day One at Ascot, and both the Queen and actress Amanda Holden opted for this season’s “it color”.

Today brought more pink; Princess Anne stood out amid a sea of black (L), and Jackie St. Clair (perhaps best known as Simon Cowell’s former girlfriend, good heavens) is on the right.

Clearly, dining before things get underway is a rigorous exercise.

AFP/Getty

Lending an entirely different meaning to the word “picnic”.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Back to our topic, the fashion sported by race-goers.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Above, a vertigo-inducing image,  and below, efforts to avoid a chapeau tragedy.

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Lest there be any confusion regarding proper apparel for watching the activities from the Royal Enclosure, let us we remind readers there are rules.

“Her Majesty’s Representative wishes to point out that only formal day dress with a hat or substantial fascinator will be acceptable. Off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch and miniskirts are considered unsuitable. Midriffs must be covered and trouser suits must be full length and of matching material and colour.”

Also looking smart yesterday, a cousin of the Queen and 34th in line to the throne, Princess Alexandra (L); on the right, the BBC’s Kate Silverton.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex (perhaps better known stateside as Prince Edward’s wife) was in muted tones both yesterday (L) and today (R).

The dress code is not only applicable to the ladies, back to the Official Rules:

“Gentlemen are required to wear either black or grey morning dress, including a waistcoat, with a top hat. A gentleman may remove his top hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden. Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden.”

Luke MacGregor/Reuters

Most of the gentlemen looked topnotch, including soccer star Michael Owen (injured, thus not enduring the vuvuzelas at the World Cup) on the left, and on the right, jockey Frankie Dettori.

To read the full dress code code for those heading for the Royal Enclosure, click here.

The hat on the left is shared on behalf of the delightful Nautical by Nature, on the right, an elegant ensemble in what we’ll call royal blue. (Clearly the Silly Princess was let out today. Sigh.)

We’re not convinced matching one’s escort is necessary.

Alastair Grant/AP

And we must query our cherished readers about this next image: is it just TP, or do these dresses look like something better worn in the boudoir? (They are prompting Paris Hilton Anti-Prep flashbacks for some reason, envision the involuntary eye twitch, the sudden jerking movement of the head.)

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

As someone who spent 18 years in broadcasting, naturally we read the Media Guide, you would expect no less. Trust us when we say it is full of amazing information, not all of it what we are used to seeing in such publications.

Vehicular Egress! Ladies, the easiest way to exit a vehicle is to take a firm hold on the back hem of the skirt, twist your body with your legs together until your legs are toward the exiting door of the vehicle, and then stand.

Stuart Wilson/Getty

We are wondering if Australian entertainer Holly Valance (above) needed those pointers?

Here is another tip from the Media Guide for the gentlemen:

Zips Gentlemen ensure these are always done up. A simple schoolboy error can spoil even the most distinguished of outfits!”

Indeed.

Here is a bit of insight from the Media Guide on an essential topic:

…And Hats Simply the Ascot accessory! Wear hats straight on the head or tilted mysteriously over one eye. How a hat looks from the neck up is most important.”

Stuart Wilson/Getty

The Guide also addresses the topic of footwear:

Feet! No pain, no gain! High heels look fabulous but don’t neglect your feet girls! The site is a quarter of a mile long so lady visitors may wish to consider their footwear carefully…or just wear the heels, everyone knows they look great!”

Luke MacGregor/Reuters

It seems someone elected to leave the pain and/or gain behind.

Next, this lovely image of The Queen on her way to today’s events, definitely a Pretty in Pink.

Press Agency

And if one were seeking a Pretty in Pink and Green from Ascot, we can supply that image as well.

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If wondering whether Princes William and Harry are enjoying the races, that is a ‘no,’ they are in Botswana.

Chris Jackson/Getty

Above we see Prince Harry and Prince William holding an African rock python yesterday, at an Education Centre they support. The final stop for this Royal duo includes watching the England vs Algeria World Cup match in Cape Town.

The young men are not the only royals doing the World Cup; Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe, and Princess Letizia at today’s World Cup match between Spain and Switzerland.

Julie Jacobson/AP

The outcome was an upset, Spain (reigning European champions) did not win the match.

Our final tidbit in what has become “Your Royal Update from the Princess,” a reminder about this Saturday’s big event, the wedding between Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and former fitness instructor Daniel Westling.

Jonas Ekstromer/Scanpix/Reuters

On the left, the Princess at a function last December, and on the right, leaving the Cathedral where the ceremony will be held.

We look forward to seeing the wedding gown the Princess will wear.

Until next time, may your afternoon be sunny and bright!

ADD’L PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Stuart Wilson/Getty
  • REUTERS/Luke MacGregor
  • REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Getty Images

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