Don Draper and the Anti-Preps, Plus “Do The Preppy Thing”

Hello-Hello, what a gorgeous spring day it is. We are in the middle of a major heat wave, it is supposed to be 86° here today, more-than-unusual for March in The Great Midwest.  But as you might imagine, there are no complaints from these quarters, we are reveling in every nano-second of it.

Today we take a look at something characterized as a “war of words,” a “spat,” “fight,” and too many other names to list. It involves Don Draper Jon Hamm, coming as we approach this Sunday’s launch of Mad Men Season 5. (We can’t resist showing this still from one of the upcoming episodes, that madras jacket ‘Pete’ has on is just too cool.)

Michael Yarish/AMC

We’re talking about comments actor Jon Hamm made on the cult of celebrity (note: there is an f-bomb mostly deleted in the quote) in Elle UK’s April issue.

“Whether it’s Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian or whoever, stupidity is certainly celebrated,” said Hamm. “Being a ****ing idiot is a valuable commodity in this culture because you’re rewarded significantly.”

As some readers may recall, both Ms. Hilton and Ms. Kardashian are among our original AntiPreps, longtime members of the Wall of Shame. Mr. Hamm’s comment was part of a much lengthier story, in which the actor also says “Incuriousness has become cool… It’s celebrated. It doesn’t make sense to me”.

As one might expect, Ms. Kardashian responded, using her Twitter account to make her point:

Twitter via The Daily Mail

To his credit Mr. Hamm remains steadfast in his opinion, telling E! Online:

“It’s surprising to me that it has become remotely a story,” he told E! News. “I don’t know Ms. Kardashian, I know her public persona.

“What I said was meant to be more on pervasiveness of something in our culture, not personal, but she took offense to it and that is her right.”

The subject was raised again on Monday’s Today show appearance promoting the show’s return.

The Today Show

Host Matt Lauer asked about the kerfluffle (technical phrase):

‘I don’t think [my comments] were careless. I think they were accurate.’

The Today Show via The Daily Mail

That is from the Daily Mail’s story, here is more.

He pulled no punches as he made another attack on the culture of reality television.

It’s a part of our culture that I certainly don’t identify with, and I don’t really understand the appeal of it other than in a sort of car crash sensibility,’ he said.

By the way, Pete (shown above in the snappy madras) Vincent Kartheiser concurs with Mr. Hamm, back to E! Online.

“I agree,” he said. “He said it very eloquently. I agree with everything he said. I think our society enjoys to turn on the television and see someone who’s maybe awful and they can say, ‘Maybe I’m not as terrible as that person.’ “

The most interesting thing about all this? We’ll let the Ministry of Gossip point it out:

Meanwhile, Paris Hilton is actually looking pretty smart in all this, for going happily on with her Twitter life and not saying a thing.

Perzactly.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Also today, a glance at “Do The Preppy Thing,” a series of links to other sites with hypothetical preppish styles.

Styel.DailyBuzz.com

Most didn’t work for us, but some are fun to look at, including the link to “Under $100: Perfectly Preppy Spring Must-Haves” from Fit Fab Cities.

Fit Fab Cities

There is also a fun one from the always-delightful Pretty Worthy, a collection of things for the “Rainy Day Prepster“.

"Pretty Worthy" Blog

If interested in seeing all of the sites/stories linked to in Do The Preppy Thing, click here.

Our final tidbit is the lucky winner of our LL Bean 100th Anniversary/Preppy Princess 100th Post giveaway:

That is Stacy L., her favorite LL Bean product is her Boat Tote, she gets the fabulous 100th Anniversary Book and the world’s cutest key fob. (Stacy, I am sending you an email today.)

LL Bean

Many thanks to everyone who entered and shared their favorite LL Bean products and stories!

Gossip Girls at Fashion Week, Early Look: Liberty of London/Target Collaboration

Hello-Hello, and welcome to another wacky day at the Prepatorium!

Our focus today is Fashion Week.

Courtesy photo via WWD

Front and center at the Calvin Klein show yesterday, one of the Gossip Girl guys, Chace Crawford.  To the right of Mr. Crawford we see actors Ryan Phillippe and Kellan Lutz.

Another G2 star, Jessica Szohr was spotted in the front row at the Hervé Léger presentation; actress Melissa George is also seen in the picture.

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty

All of which brings us to the issue of fashion’s front row and the “M Word”, aka Money. Many years (many, many) years back we learned stars didn’t just appear at runway shows because they liked the designer and were able to acquire an invitation. Nay, nay fellow inhabitants of Planet Prep; the celebrities are paid to be there.

Cathy Horyn, fashion writer extraordinaire, has an outstanding column on the topic in Saturday’s Times.

“… once the exclusive domain of influential editors, retailers, socialites and celebrity friends of the designer. That fortress was breached long ago, about the time Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua showed up.”

Natch, we appreciated the reference to one of our original Anti-Preps, Ms. Hilton.  Rebecca Taylor’s front row included actresses Sophia Bush and Carmen Electra.

Brian Ach/Getty

Ms. Horyn’s article sheds light on other costs incurred by brands looking for what The Consort calls “warm props”:

“… the deals, trades and exclusive contracts — first-class airfare, hotel rooms for friends, per diems, designer boutique shopping sprees — that miraculously clear a path to the front row for a busy actress.”

Style site Fashionista ran a fascinating piece earlier this month, “How Much Brands Pay For Celebs to Sit in Their Front Rows“. Writer Lauren Sherman set out to determine what we’ll call ‘guesstimated rates’ for celebrities to appear at a show. Here are a few names from the Fashionista “A list”:

• Rihanna ($100,000 or more)
• Beyonce ($80,000-$100,000)
• Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen ($80,000 each)

Several Gossip Girl stars are on the “B List”:

• Blake Lively ($50,000)
• Leighton Meester ($40,000)
• Hillary Duff ($40,000)
• Other Gossip Girl cast members ($25,000 a piece)

For some reason we are guessing Mr. Crawford draws more than the $25,000 number cited above for appearances by ‘other cast members’.

Andrew H. Walker/Getty

The actor is seen with musician Lee Pace and actor Jared Leto in the photo above.  To see the rest of Fashionista’s list, including where Paris Hilton ranks, click here.  The story mentions that Marc Jacobs and Carolina Herrera have “virtually banned celebrities from their front rows,” an interesting turn of events.

Ms. Horyn’s story in the Times also discusses rates, quoting a publicist in the business, Roger Padilha:

“… “If you see an A-list star at a show, that’s because she’s making $100,000 on the deal.”

And talked about this year’s most wanted stars:

“Last season, Ms. Lively, a Gossip Girl, was considered a good get. This week, according to Mr. Padilha, “Sandra Bullock is the get. Even more so than Anne Hathaway.”

Back in the olden daze these were the only kind of people designers wanted to see at their shows:

Bryan Bedder/Getty

That is Grace Coddington (L) and Anna Wintour from Vogue magazine at this morning’s Zac Posen show.

We continue with another quick Gossip Girl mention; we can’t resist sharing two looks from the Peter Som show, as it was dubbed “Bohemian for the Blair Waldorf set” by Women’s Wear Daily.

That seems an appropriate description.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We now move on to the Lacoste show.

Reviews for the fall/winter styles were mixed. The Journal’s Heard on the Runway blog was favorable:

“All of the looks were infinitely wearable, suggesting that what Lacoste lacks in high fashion, it makes up for in saleability.”

That ‘saleability’ factor is not always seen as a positive to fashion editors; from the NY Times’ brief review:

“… as the show evolved into hot, strong color, Lacoste seemed to be trying too hard to be a “fashion” brand.

WWD was not complimentary in their review.

“In a rather lackluster show missing Lacoste’s usual verve and focus, there was layering, bright color blocking and sometimes an easy slouchy mood.”

Heard on the Runway’s writeup also explained the look seen on the female models:

“A highlight of the collection was the knit leggings that widened at the bottom to cover the high heels….  dubbed “longjohn [sic] leggings” and called them “his answer to sweatpants.”

“The look gave off something of a pants-cum-legwarmer appearance… a fresh take on what is becoming a staid trend….”

More from WWD:

“Still, designer Christophe Lemaire reminded his audience of the panache of seasons past with some chic little sweater dresses and terrific outerwear in double-faced wool or handknitted alpaca.”

Women’s Wear Daily also went backstage at Lacoste to look at what the trade paper called “smoldering eyes”.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

With the insanely high-heeled shoes continuing to dominate shows it is no surprise to see more models struggling to stay vertical. Below, Agyness Deyn took a tumble at the Haiti Relief benefit show.

Frazer Harrison/FFR/Getty

Actually the supermodel fell twice at the show.

The young woman handled the falls with aplomb.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We close with a look at some of the designs from the Liberty of London and Target collaboration.

Courtesy photo via Oprah.com

Targét elected to release a few styles exclusively via the Oprah website, an interesting decision on the retailer’s part.  The infant’s dress will retail at $13, the Misses dress at $35.

Courtesy photo via Oprah.com

The hat is going to be priced at $13.

Courtesy photo via Oprah.com

The collection launches March 15.

Until next time, may all of your runways be trouble-free!

PHOTO CREDITS:

• Peter Som/WWD:
• Robert Mitra/WWD: Lacoste Runway
• Couturture: Lacoste Runway
• Kyle Ericksen/WWD:

Cartier Has a Party, Mascara Wars Round 3, Anti-Preps Update

Hello-Hello!

Well, if it isn’t a major Monday.

We extend our apologies to those readers subjected to this post’s predecessor, the incomplete horror that yours truly somehow managed to publish late last evening.  (Trust TP when we say it was not ready for primetime, not ready for any time.) Upon discovering our little boo-boo this morning we went for the online circular file, the DEL key.

Friday we mentioned the news about Tiffany’s acquisition of upscale leather goods firm Lambertson Truex. Today we mark a major event at another iconic jeweler, Cartier. The jeweler is celebrating their 100th Anniversary in America; one of the galas honoring the occasion took place late last week.

Preps on hand included Tory Burch (L) and Dylan Lauren.  The über-talented Bruce Weber edited a possible addition to the library:

Cartier I Love You hits stores mid-June, but can be pre-ordered at most local bookstores as well as online sites such as Amazon.

One more online shopping note, Ms. Lauren’s company, Dylan’s Candy Bar, now has online ordering, all the better to put a five-pack of Barbie Chocolate Bars in the mail.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We have another party story, this one an update to our post “A Derby Dustup?” that looked at dueling Derby parties. It appears the 20th annual Barnstable Brown gala continues to be a hit with locals and some celebrities.

PHOTO: Darron Cummings

As seen in the photo, even an Anti-Prep was in attendance at Brownstable Brown.  Other attendees at this year’s festivities included Brooke Shields, Kid Rock, Danica Patrick, and Gretchen Wilson.  To be fair, we’ve yet to speak with anyone about the ‘competing’ party at Briar Rose Estate, so this is a not-quite-complete assessment of things.

Ms. Hilton was not the only AntiPrep spotted in Louisville over the weekend:

PHOTO: Brian Bohannon

Yes, it is the one and only Kim Kardashian.  Frankly, she has upgraded her look of late, looking much less tarted up. (Well… what adjective would you suggest we use? Honestly.)

For years (and years) TP understood that Kentucky horse country was a bastion of, well, to be vulgar, old money. Notwithstanding the stray Sheik or Prince of course, although much of that money is older than dirt.

Clearly things have changed over the decades. Perhaps the Stealth Deflecting shield was down.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Regular readers may recall some of our posts last summer on the new vibrating mascara hitting the market. According to Elle’s Beauty Intelligence blog we have word that a more egalitarian cosmetics company is going to offer the same thing:

“Enter Maybelline’s new Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara: With 7,000 vibrations per minute the brush wraps each lash with a thickening, lengthening formula.

Courtesy Maybelline

The story does explain how to get a sneak peek at this entrant to the wand wars:

“The product won’t be available in drugstores until July 2009, but you can try out the mascara earlier by logging onto Target, Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens websites May 18 for an exclusive online (one day only!) preview sale.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We have a brief look at some of this season’s fabulous knits from John Smedley, a company we have previously raved about.  We toddled back to the online store this morning when we should have been working to look at their S/S ’09 offerings; we were not disappointed. Below, Smedley’s Cindilou for women. We’ll fudge the line a bit and use this cardigan for today’s Adventure in Argyle.

Courtesy John Smedley

Below, the Islington classic cardigan, offered in a rainbow of colors, but shown in pink so we might say it is included in the Pretty In Pink collection.

Courtesy John Smedley

Next, the men’s Gaston, a little precious for TSU (The Spousal Unit) but we adore the look.

Courtesy John Smedley

The retailer also has a small collection of great looks for children.  The merchandise is available at a number of upscale US retailers including Barneys and Bergdorf.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Over the last 18 months or so we have met some of the nicest people online; one such doll runs Two Preppy Girls.

How is that for a look? Margaret’s shop offers fun car and wall decals, checkbook covers and headwear.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Again, our apologies to those who may have ended up with the previous version of this in their Google readers.  We must say, one of the benefits of Twitter is knowing we are not alone in having a less-than-auspicious start to the week! (To follow us, just click here.)

With this we say g’bye until next time.

NOTE: Cartier party photos by Steve Eichner for WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.).

A New Anti-Prep is Named, Pink Panther Collection in at Pink’s

Regular readers are familiar with an exclusive club, The Order of the Anti-Prep.  Membership in this society is reserved for those individuals or items so wretched, so horrid in their excess they simply shriek bad taste.  Conspicuous consumption. More than nouveau gauche.  You know what we mean, you don’t need us dredging up the gory backstory.

Our newest member is someone we have pondered naming previously, but we declined to do so out of concern for the ongoing challenges she seemed to face in her personal life.  We no longer harbor such concerns.

Once again Lindsay Lohan appeared on the Princess Radar, this time over the weekend. The reason was a plethora of gossip and non-news news stories about her demands for a First Class seat on a flight back to Los Angeles from Florida.  Ms. Lohan had journeyed to Florida for a Stoopid Super Bowl party, a paid appearance, we are speculating.

PHOTO: Steve Nesius/AP

According to Fox News:

“The 22-year-old caused chaos while departing on a Delta Flight from Tampa, Fla. on Saturday morning when the airline was unable to provide her with a first-class seat on the already overbooked flight.”

Besides being another episode in the “It just isn’t done” category, this is another in a series of seemingly endless incidents pushing TP  and the Consort over the line, leaving us no choice but to name Ms. Lohan an official Anti-Prep.  Honestly.

For those unfamiliar with the dubious title, previously named antipreps include Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.  These individuals are also referred to as TAPWSNBN (The Anti Prep Who Shall Not Be Named), an acronym created by none other than the wonderful I Pick Pretty.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Another stellar job in a trend report from the sharp minds at Women’s Wear Daily, as they take a look at a wardrobe basic, the white shirt.  Below, the shirt as Tory Burch does it:

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

Another example, this one is from Tommy Hilfiger:

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

This example comes from Thomas Pink, whose shirts we adore.

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

While white is a must-have, isn’t this gem by Pink more fun?  We offer the Pink Fever shirt for your perusal and consideration.

Thomas Pink

It is one of many fabulous pieces in the retailer’s new Pink Panther collection:

Courtesy Thomas Pink

While the next item is crafted for the Man of the House, we do adore them. (However, there is not a chance the Spousal Unit is wearing these, no chance whatsoever.)

Thomas Pink

If any of these tickle your fancy and you plan on buying them online, haste in doing so may be wise, as the collection just went up Saturday and some items are already sold out.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: We must amend this to reflect updated information on the Consort’s socks sentiments: “What do you mean??!! I’d wear those, I think they’re pretty sweet!”  We stand corrected.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

The sales continue everywhere – we haven’t been posting most, as there are just *so* many. But we thought we would mention the Last Call at Emporio Armani:

And also remind everyone of the outstanding offers at J. Press.

J. Press

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

We feel we must share a few more “When Pink Goes Bad” items that caught our eye:

Photo: Michiel Meewis

If one is thinking the neon creation above from designer Carly Garwin is merely an aberration, think again.

Montage Courtesy Refinery 29

The folks at Refinery 29’s Pipeline blog shared these in a post last week; you know we couldn’t keep them to ourselves!

All of these creations are from the recent Menswear Fall/Winter 2009 shows in Milan and Paris. Givenchy is responsible for the suit on the far left, Calvin Klein deserves credit for the middle photograph, and the more formal look on the far right comes from Dolce & Gabbana.  We thought the Givenchy was one of the “worst ever” suits until we saw this:

Courtesy Givenchy

To be fair, all three design houses showed some outstanding styles, especially Calvin Klein, frequently worn by yours truly.  But there was simply no way we weren’t posting some of the more outrageous creations.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

We close once again with a Pretty in Pink, sharing another delightful item from our new Lilly Pulitzer Stationery & Gift line. These are the Letterpressed Correspondence Cards, or note cards.

Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com

They are shown in the Color by Numbers motif; we are fond of its elegant look accented by a touch of whimsy.

Thakoon for Target Now Online, Gossip Guy goes Prep

Hello-Hello and Happy Days-After-Christmas!

A quick reminder to all that the Thakoon for Target collection has dropped, at least online. 32 items are priced below $24, the additional 23 items are in the $25 – $49 range, so the Collection is fiscally friendly, as promised.

As best we can tell from the photos, there are some nice pieces, like the Oxford Stripe Tee:

Thakoon for Target®

The Sleeveless Sweater is also cotton, available in ‘navy pride’ and grey.

Thakoon for Target

The brightly colored bathing suits look fun, and are wisely being sold as separates, similar to the way Shoshanna markets her fabulous swimsuits. Many of the looks carry a preppy aesthetic in either their overall design or the textile pattern. (Or both in isolated instances.)

We aren’t overly entranced with all of the pieces in the collection; this Pleated Stripe Dress is 100% polyster. Ouch. It is a shame, because it almost looks like the perfect repp tie stripe, no?

Sadly, the colorblock dress we were so enchanted by in all of the early photos is also polyester.

We just don’t understand the poly, especially when used for pieces designed to be worn next to one’s skin. Who knows, TP is frequently wrong and it is entirely possible our opinion will be changed after visiting the Boutique and feeling the material firsthand. So to speak. At any rate, the entire Collection should be available tomorrow morning at those Target stores  designated to carry the line.

We can only hope it won’t be long before we learn if this gifted designer has been selected to style either Michelle Obama’s Inaugural gown, or her daytime look for January 20th.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Another month, another big magazine story featuring one of the oh-so-popular Gossip Girl stars.

PHOTO: Terry Richardson

In the January 2009 GQ (yes, the one with Ms. Aniston on the cover in nothing but a Brooks Brothers tie) issue, actor Penn Badgley is featured in “AMERICAN SPLENDOR – Essential pieces of sartorial Americana worn by Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley. In the photo above Mr.Badgley wears a Lacoste sweater and polo shirt.

PHOTO: Terry Richardson

All pieces shown in the photo above are Polo by Ralph Lauren. We found the caption/descriptor intriguing:

“It used to be that cardigans were worn by preppies and grandpas. Lately, they’re worn by everyone from artists to DJs (and yes, still grandpas). Try yours with a tie—you needn’t belong to a Princeton eating club to pull it off.”

BTW, Mr. Badgley and co-star/off-screen companion Blake Lively are named as one of the “Best Celebrity Hookups 2008” in a story from Canada’s National Post.  (We can hardly contain our excitement.)

PHOTO: Robert Pitts/Landov/MCT

Another ‘Gossip Guy’ figures in a cover story for the upcoming Spring issue of “YourProm” magazine. Teen singing sensation Taylor Swift (a talent of whom we are quite fond) shares her dream date for prom; it is none other than Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford.

Your Prom

BTW, GQ is running a contest on their site featuring (among other prizes) a $10,000 J. Crew wardrobe.

And finally, a look at what happens When Pink Goes Wrong:

No one will be surprised to learn the pink Bentley belongs to one of our very first anti-preps.

We are now speechless.

🙂