Party Frocks, or When Bad Dresses Happen to Good People

Hello-Hello and welcome to a Monday. Most. Assuredly. A. Monday.

However, it could be worse, so we moved ourself to the NWZ (No Whine Zone).  How about we chat about party frocks instead of weather, shall we? (Of course you know right where this is going, no surprises here.)

Of course – last night’s Golden Globes!  But first and foremost, we do have something for our Help Us Understand category: can someone, anyone, help us understand how event planners responsible for the Red Carpet portion of last night’s festivities did not order a tarp? No one at the Hilton thought it a good idea to have a Plan B? Perhaps a tent? Anything? Below, Jessica Lange arrives amid a sea of umbrellas.

Danny Moloshok

We understand the sun was out most of the day, but as Women’s Wear Daily put it:

“…stars running for cover and publicists unfurling umbrellas as they tried to salvage the red carpet photo opportunities. (Although rain was predicted for over a week, producers decided not to tent the hundred foot long red carpet at the Beverly Hilton hotel.)

Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Look what it did to Gabourey Sidibe’s lush green gown by Kevan Hall:

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

As George Clooney said:

“We’re idiots standing in the rain out here.”

Of course we were delighted to see our beloved Mad Men take home an award for best Drama.

Mark J. Terrill/AP

Some were surprised to see Don Draper Jon Hamm sporting a look considered ‘bohemian’ and probably not allowed at any ad agency in the early sixities.

Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Mr. Hamm is seen with his wife, Jennifer Westfeldt.

Regular readers know how highly we think of Mad Men’s Joan Holloway Christina Hendricks, but we were not fond of the garment created for her by Christian Siriano.

But Ms. Hendricks’ hair and makeup were nothing short of spectacular.

Danny Moloshok /Reuters

As The Consort said, “She looks like porcelain, doesn’t she?”

We are on the fence about the Lanvin dress Betty Draper January Jones chose for the evening:

Tyler Boye for WWD

There’s no waffling on where we are with that headband — it did not work with the dress (too much going on) and detracted from Ms. Jones’ stunning looks.  We thought it was sweet her father was her escort for the evening, he looked just happy as a clam.

Jason Merritt/Getty

In our “was this really necessary?” category, Jennifer Anniston:

Much as we adore Valentino, it seems the actress could do with a “less is more” refresher class.

We were also happy to see another favorite win, Julianna Margulies took home the Best Actress in a Television Drama award for her starring role in The Good Wife. More good news for the show, CBS has ordered a second season of episodes for the hit Tuesday night series.

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

This is going to sound awful, but as soon as we saw darling Jayma Mays in this gown we thought about spider webs.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The folks at PopWrap make the point well that in this case, it wasn’t Pretty in Pink:

WireImage via PopWrap

From their post on Globes fashion:

“The night’s least flattering shade turned a duo of dresses, and the divine women wearing them, into prom night casualties. We’ve come to expect much better from both Diane Kruger and Lauren Graham!”

And is there any point in us commenting on this young heartthrob’s spiky do?

Katy Winn/AP

For those keeping score, Mr. Lautner was in Calvin Klein Collection. Also in attendance and presenting an award, Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Ummm… he looks rather dashing, no?

Victoria Beckham’s growing emphasis on elegant lines is evident in the dress selected by Courteney Cox-Arquette:

We believe it is dress #48 in the current collection.

This is a very busy time for folks in the entertainment industry with the Critics’ Choice awards on Friday. Below we see Marion Cotillard wearing Christian Dior at last night (L), the French actress also wore Dior at Friday’s gala (R).

A few questionable designs made their way to last night’s after-party, beginning with Ashley Olsen, in a dress from Erdem.

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Regular readers can guess what The Consort said as soon as he saw Malin Akerman: “oh, she got it at the drive-through car wash!”

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Generally Vanessa Hudgens looks lovely, but not last night in this Alberta Ferretti. 

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Another not-quite-right look from Valentino on Amanda Seyfried:

Phil McCarten/Reuters

There you have it.

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We leave you with a little something to brighten a rather dull and dreary day:

Leather Prince at etsy

This is the Umi Whale key fob from the Leather Prince on etsy.  Wouldn’t it be fun to have him swimming around your palace?

Until next time dollfaces, g’bye!

Brooks Brothers + Mad Men = Limited Edition Suit

Hello-Hello and happy Thursday!

We are attempting to get things back to normal here at Princess InterGalactic HQ following yesterday’s little hiccup. That incident is going to require more time and attention (there are many items no longer as frozen as they once were), thus we shall be brief today.

How are we all feeling about a Don Draperish suit for the man of the house? It seems there will soon be an opportunity to acquire one: Brooks Brothers and Mad Men costume director Janie Bryant have collaborated on a men’s suit.  WWD describes the look as “…inspired by Draper and the other well-dressed cads at fictional ad firm Sterling Cooper”.  We don’t know about you, but ‘cad’ is one of our alltime favorite words.

The limited edition suit will be available online and at 10 Brooks Brothers stores beginning October 19 through the show’s final episode November 8, but one can’t speculate how long the inventory will last, as only 250 of the Brooks suits have been made. Fans may recall that Ms. Bryant is an Emmy winner for her direction of the show’s costumes, we really are quite intrigued, and eager to see this creation.

As we’re talking about the Drapers, how did everyone like Betty’s updo for her romantic dinner with Don during their “Roman Holiday”?

Carin Baer/AMC-TV

We also liked the earrings Betty wore, oh-so-60s!

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Our next tidbit is also related to a television show, but in this case the focus is on an actress from the show, Kelly Rutherford of Gossip Girl. Monday’s Droolicious post is titled “Kelly Rutherford and Hermes Go Preppy“:

Droolicious

From the story:

“Well aren’t they a preppy site? Gossip Girl mom Kelly Rutherford was spotted in Manhattan strolling with her almost three year old son Hermes. With her tan Hermes handbag (the other Hermes), tweed coat and LL Bean boat bag, Kelly totally goes for that collegiate look. And for son Hermes? He pulls his own preppiness and rides in a plaid detailed Maclaren stroller.”

‘Pulls his own preppiness’ is a phrase we’ve not heard previously.

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It’s time for a big thumbs-up to the young men at the helm of Smathers and Branson, Peter Smathers Carter and Austin Branson. The two made Inc. magazine’s “30 Under 30” list of young entrepreneurs.

Courtesy Photo

It is likely their products are more recognizeable than their faces, with gems like the Pink & White Houndstooth Coin Purse, today’s Pretty in Pink.

Of course that is but one example of their fabulous needlepoint merchandise, many might find their traditional needlepoint belts to be more familiar.

We do adore their products.

With that we say g’bye until next time, may your afternoon and evening be calm and soothing.

Betty Draper & Nate Archibald? Not Exactly. Also, Preppy Sales & Discounts!

Hello-Hello!

We begin today with a stars from the hit show Mad Men, actress January Jones; she plays Betty Draper, our favorite character on the program. Ms. Jones is featured on the cover of the August Interview magazine.

Interview Magazine

The actress wears a vintage leather jacket with contemporary Tiffany earrings, a combination unlikely to be seen on Betty, but one that is smashing on the stunning actress.

Interview Magazine

There is a lengthy interview with Ms. Jones, conducted by none other than actor Jack Nicholson. The photography by Inoodh Matadin and Inez van Lamsweerde created incredible results.

Also in the magazine this month, a story with actor Chace Crawford, styled much differently from the look generally seen on his preppy Gossip Girl character Nate Archibald.

PHOTO: Solve Sundsbo, Interview

It might be the tattoos that are a little out of sync with the actor’s normally clean-cut image.

PHOTO: Solve Sundsbo

If the Interview look is striking fear into the hearts of G2 fans, worry not, and direct your gaze at Mr. Crawford’s appearance yesterday, shooting in the city with costar Blake Lively.

PHOTO: Bauer Griffin

Quite a transformation, isn’t it?

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Next, some significant Sales and Savings readers may want to be apprised of, beginning with the Vera Bradley Sale at ‘by invitation only’ shopping site Rue La La.

The pieces are about 50% off their original retail prices; patterns in the sale include Pinwheel Pink, Mod Floral Blue, Daisy Daisy, and Frankly Scarlet.

If you need an invitation, just email me at thePreppyPrincess@mac.com (There is also a Movado sale underway at the site if that tickles one’s fancy.) Both sales end Thursday, the 11th, at 11a.m.

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Several other retailers with a preppish slant are offering substantial discounts, among them Kate Spade, offering many items at a 50% or 75% discount.

From a philosophical perspective we differ with the company about their marketing of the so-called “Sample Sale,” as it is not, at least not in contrast to the true ‘sample sales’ we have attended. However, one cannot quibble with the fiscally friendly prices of the merchandise.

For example, the Union Square wallet in pink nylon is now $50; the original price was $175.

Another Pretty in Pink: the Fairmount Park in this fun stripe, now $129.

Much more can be found online.

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Also promoting deep discounts: Polo Ralph Lauren, online and in-store.  Just a sampling of the savings, the Jackie Striped Tee is now $19; originally the top was $65.

If one can cope with the oversized crest, the Stretch Cotton Crested Blazer is now $179, down from $498.

The Tipped Cricket Jacket also features a crest; we mention it as well because many stylists thought it projected a certain Gossip Girl flair.

This is the point at which TP feels compelled to interject her standard, “Some things have a duty to be discounted, don’t they?” comment.  Indeed.

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Regular readers know how much we love our Lilly, and how fond we are of the effervescent Muffy Martini.  We mention Miss Muffy’s new blog, Lilly Lovers, because she is sharing a must-have discount code at Splash of Pink, good for an additional 20% off Sale merchandise!

In case the print is difficult to read, use promo code MYBUDDY at checkout to receive the extra discount. The Splash of Pink promotion ends Wednesday, the 26th.

The other discount available compliments of Muffy?  10% off everything on the Preppy Princess site, with promo code MUFFYDEAL. The Princess deal ends Thursday night, the 27th, at midnight.

Sneak Peek Polo Spring, Madly Awaiting Sunday

Hello-Hello, and wishes for an ever-so-happy weekend to all of our cherished readers!

We start with a sneak peek at the Spring 2010 collection from Polo Ralph Lauren, if only because a few of the styles look like they would be ideal right now:

PHOTO: John Aquino for WWD

The photos are in yesterday’s WWD story on the company’s menswear collections for next year. Pieces from all three Ralph Lauren labels (Blue, Black and Purple) were revealed to fashion editors on Wednesday.  Next, a style from the higher-end Purple Label, the most luxurious of the three lines:

PHOTO: John Aquino for WWD

A look from the Black Label group:

PHOTO: John Aquino for WWD

The story describes three distinctly different looks within the sportswear collection:

“The first features a mix of vintagey athleticwear (evocative of Ralph Lauren’s Olympic uniforms for Team USA), washed white linens and cricket-player motifs.”

PHOTO: John Aquino for WWD

Remember this? It is the Ralph Lauren Team USA Opening Ceremony look referenced in the quote above, as dissected ad nauseam seen in this post and this post.

There’s something to look forward for those engaged in helping the man of the house put his best sartorial foot forward.

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As teased in yesterday’s post we are going to share some of the Mad Men frenzy currently washing over many of the media outlets we enjoy visiting here at the Palace.

USAToday has a series of stories, including a review of Sunday’s Season 3 premiere:

“The show gets off to a running start, with each of the major characters forced to confront some personal or professional shift, some of which you’ve seen coming, and some you haven’t.”

The paper also has a story titled “Distinctive ‘Mad Men’ reaches out to today’s style, culture” as well as a trivia quiz.

Below, a shot of Jon Hamm as Don Draper, and January Jones as Betty Draper.

AP Photo/AMC

We adore the image used in much of the promotion for Season 3:

Courtesy AMC-TV

Did someone say “metaphor”?

Not to be outdone, the folks over at Men’s Style have come up with “…a look at Don Draper through the years…” to see how he would fare in a variety of settings, beginning with Don visiting I Dream of Jeannie!

The Everett Collection/AMC/Illustration by David Wilfert

Moving beyond the 60’s, Don does Wall Street:

The Everett Collection/AMC/Illustration by David Wilfert

Over at Elle magazine’s online site there is a little quiz as well, asking “Are you a Betty, a Joan or a Peggy?”

Courtesy AMC-TV via Elle

And the site carries a brief story on Wednesday night’s screening of the Season 3 premiere sponsored by Banana Republic. Below, Jon Hamm arrives at the event.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Banana Republic

Banana Republic partnered with AMC, creating a “Banana Republic Mad Men Style Guide“.  Many readers have already seen the specially decorated store windows showcasing the joint marketing effort.

Courtesy Banana Republic/AMC-TV

Those wondering about a preppy connection to the show need only look at the endless number of bloodies consumed as a therapeutic tonic, or enjoy some of the fashions. (Not to mention the story line includes several blue bloods with money qualifying as ‘old.’)

Of course, there are the many references to the program’s fashions, as well as this mention of Jon Hamm’s style sense:

“…he grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, sporting head-to-toe prep gear…”

That tidbit comes via this story, and then we have one last snippet compliments of a story in today’s Women’s Wear Daily:

“Be it the critical acclaim and copious marketing budget of “Mad Men,” the retro mystique of his character Don Draper, or let’s face it, Jon Hamm’s chiseled physique and personal charm, the actor is undeniably having a moment.”

There you have it dollfaces, on the eve of another wedding weekend for TP and The Consort, we send fervent hopes your weekends are simply divine. You know that ours is going to end on a high note starting at 10pm EDT on AMC-TV. We’ll look for you there.

AP Photo/AMC