A British Invasion Hits the Vineyard

Hello-Hello, did everyone enjoy a wonderful weekend?

We begin with news about a British invasion; Jack Wills opened its first US store this weekend. The brand’s newest outpost is on Nantucket, with its next store planned for Martha’s Vineyard, and after that, a Boston shop. Below we see the interior of a Wills store in the UK.

Via AndyThornton.com

While not offering the staid, sedate lines one associates with old school British style, many of the younger set are gaga for pieces like these. Below left we show the Loudon Blazer, and on the right, the Tattershall.

We do love the brand’s cardigans; below left, the Boxford Cardie and on the right, the Brendenton Cardigan.

The women’s Otley Classic shirt (L) and Men’s Mattishall shirt (R) are both attractive, although cut very slim. Both are 100% cotton and both come in a broad range of colors.

The retailer has been extremely successful leveraging social media, hiring a number of Brand Ambassadors known as Seasonnaires; this story in the Vineyard Times has more on that phenomenon, or as today’s Financial Times puts it:

“Last year, Jack Wills hired 20 young people to party on the US East Coast while wearing its clothes. Videos of their antics were posted on its website and spread using social media.”

Below we see Ambassadors in Vermont this winter.

Image via Rovers North

It’s been so long since we popped in for a visit, we had forgotten the retailer also offers homegoods, like this Kimmeridge Floor Cushion, and the Tinmouth Cushion.

Also appealing, the Wanswell Mini Torch (flashlight) and the Love Hurts Stobhill Plasters (band aids), both shown in that classic Wills pink and navy stripe we adore.

We would probably describe the brand as somewhere between Rugby and Abercrombie, without Abercrombie’s sleazy and slime factor. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. However, we remain a Wills fan, and also recognize that once again, we are not exactly the target customer.

The company’s Aubin & Wills offshoot is more our speed, this is the line aimed at the ‘post-college’ crowd, launched in 2008. Below, two Kentwell Scarves.

Aubin & Wills Kentwell Scarves

We also like the Edenfield Duffle coat.

Aubin & Wills Duffle Coat

And two outfits by Aubin and Wills for this spring.

Regardless of either branch of the company, we wish them well with their launch.

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In today’s Bits and Bytes:

• We had almost forgotten that David Yurman did sunglasses.

John Aquino/WWD.com

As part of its story on the jeweler’s Madison Avenue store opening, Women’s Wear Daily offered scads of photos, including the one above and these next two, some of the latest in glasses by Mr. Yurman.  (Our previous post on Yurman eyewear may be found here.)

• And in completely random stream-of-consciousness-thinking, we have a quick question about this Zoe Jacket & Dress at Neiman’s.

Is it just TP, or is this much, much too matronly for such a young girl? Do tell.

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We close with today’s Pretty in Pink from a Princess fave, the Kids’ Castaway in Pink and Green by Sperry, peaking the Cute-o-Meter in the red zone.

On that cheery image we say g’bye until next time!

A Few Fall Accessories & Fab Preppy Sales

Hello-Hello and happy day to everyone!

Good gracious, it seems as if we have been away forever!

Before we do anything else, we send an enormous Princess “Thank You” to everyone for all of their kind thoughts and support in light of yesterday’s iPhone Tragedy.

The Consort (aka TSU, The Spousal Unit) once again demonstrated his capacity for level-headed thinking in response to our hysteria concerns about the missing Address Book data; he did something called a ‘Restore’ and all is now well in the Corner Condo here at Princess InterGalactic HQ.  (Our conclusion: we have probably had enough excitement on the electronics front for the time being. Really.)

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And so we return to the beginning of yesterday’s post, which started with TP once again expressing her gratitude to the Consort for Tuesday’s wonderful post in our absence.  When we grow up we want to be able to write just like him, he is so darn good at this stuff, we are continually amazed at his many talents.

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In more standard news of the day we share our concern that a major SOTT (Sign of the Times) bomb is emerging on the Princess radar, one that has been hovering in the background that is now being upgraded to a full SOTT Alert: word that our beloved T & C (Town and Country magazine) may be on its last legs.

Fashion Week Daily’s story on the topic details one of the more disturbing signs that Hearst may not keep the fabled title alive.

“Take a look at Townandcountrymag.com. Within the last three years, Hearst’s Digital division has aggressively invested funds in relaunching websites at fellow flagship titles like Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Esquire, and Seventeen.  Town&Country‘s site remains strictly a subscription model rather than a brand ambassador that offers original content.”

This would not be a good thing dollfaces, honestly.

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Next on our hit parade, a look at some of the fall accessories we will soon be seeing, according to this story in WWD.  First, the headband from A La Tête.

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

Evidently the popularity of this accessory is expected to continue:

“Thanks to the hipster-prep aesthetic of “Gossip Girl,” the headband has made a triumphant return to the well-coiffed head…”

The Bodhi Bag in a color probably not well-suited to those believing bags should only be brown or black.

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

Next, the Dog Tag necklaces by David Yurman.

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

While typing, the words ‘dog tags’ make us hesitate, and then we stop cold. Our immediate thought? “Wait a minute, this is what our military personnel wear for purposes too horrid to be considered acceptable conversation at most dinner tables.”  While we don’t believe Mr. Yurman intends in any way to belittle or demean those who keep us free and protect our safety, somehow the notion of marketing jewelry made in this image makes us uncomfortable.

What do you think? Are we being a bit of a crankenstein in our dotage?

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A few Sales and Savings of a Preptastic sort readers may want to be aware of, starting with the Vineyard Vines Friends and Family Sale.

To receive 20% off almost everything use promo code G0791.

The Tory Burch Private Sale is also underway; to sign in with your email, click here.

Savvy shoppers know ther are more seasonal sales and markdowns than anyone can keep track of, but we’ll continue in our efforts to post some of them.

With that we must fly out the door. May everyone have a big sunshiny smile of an afternoon!

Tiffany & Cartier for Sale at…Bluefly?!

Hello-Hello!

Because we have an all-afternoon volunteer commitment, today shall be more photos and fabulosity!

We begin by fulfilling a promise we made yesterday: more pictures from Saturday’s Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic. On the left, Emily Mortimer; Alek Wek is on the right in the cheery yellow Zac Posen dress.

Kelly Klein wore Dolce & Gabbana; Chloe Sevigny was in Chloé.

It’s possible readers are more interested in pictures of these two gentlemen, but we think not. We’re quite sure you are operating on a higher plane, coming from a much more cerebral place…yes?

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

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We move on to a rather amazing SOTT (Sign Of The Times): news that discount online shop Bluefly will be selling Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, and Cartier jewels. (Gasp! Oh, the horror!) However, it is not as if Bluefly shall be carrying new jewelry pieces on the site, nor shall they be regularly offering such upscale goodies as a matter of course. This story in today’s WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) explains:

“Bluefly has so far eschewed the private-sale format, but on June 8 will hold its first invitation-only, limited-time sale.”

“Prices are about 20 percent less than new. For example, an estate Cartier Love Bracelet will cost $3,080 rather than $3,850 at regular retail.”

We must confess our appreciation of the Love Bracelet; the Queen Mother still wears hers, acquired way back…well, just way back when.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Cartier via WWD

As noted, these are estate pieces, not brand new items coming directly from the jewelry stores themselves.

The sale is a joint effort with upscale estate jewelry wholesale firm Circa. (Come now, we’ve all noticed their ads in the Times discreetly offering ‘assistance’ in generating a little pocket change by liquidating those silly trinkets collecting dust at the estate. Oh, pshaw, admit it, you know you’ve secretly pondered the possibilities created by letting another generation ummm… experience the beauty of  Great-Grandmama’s pearls. And that monstrosity of a ring left from the wedding-that-wasn’t when that new-money-and-no-taste-man was chasing after Aunt Evangeline, you know the one with the 2.8 carat ruby absolutely laden with those garish diamonds?! Beyond Nouveau Gauche, it was an abomination – why not dispose of it? Good. At least we understand each other.)

And who might one see in the next sale of this kind at Bluefly?

“The next sale might feature the moderns David Yurman, Judith Ripka and John Hardy…”

(Pssst… again, that’s Circa.com and their number is 877.876.5493. Not that you would ever consider calling them. Indeed.)

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A few quick sales to share before we scoot:

That’s right, the Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale starts tomorrow!

Also, Polo Ralph Lauren is taking deeper discounts in their sale and clearance event.

We leave you with a darling shot of Daisy Duke’s darling godson, Baby Zeke, in his snappyseersucker sailor suit. Miss Daisy is clearly looking after his sartorial needs. (Heh-heh-heh.)

http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Highlights+From+Abercrombie+&+Fitch+(ANF)s+Q1+Conference+Call:+Disappointed+in+Quarterly+Loss%3B+Fashion+Headwinds+Remain/4657841.html

lll

* (CEO) There is a price consciousness dictating shoppers’ purchases today unlike anything I have seen before. We’ve spent years building our brands to compete on quality, aspiration, and a unique store experience, not on price.

* There are also fashion headwinds. We are currently in a cycle that lacks a dominant trend in the female business. Trends that appear to have some traction are not the long-term trend of classic, casual, preppy all-American sportswear that is core to our heritage.

* As an update to our specific plans for new store openings in 2009, domestically in addition to the Hollister flagship in SoHo, we now expect to open 10 stores in 2009. This figure includes 2 abercrombie kids’ stores, 4 Hollister stores, 2 Gilly Hicks stores, and 2 outlet stores.

This is Scary, Saks Shipping Offer, More J. Crew Problems, Suri Cruise is ‘Best’

Hello-Hello from Snow Central!

The Princess is trapped, unable to make her flight to Denver, thanks to a foot of snow in The Great Midwest. Harrumph.

It may be considered good news or not-such-good news depending on one’s perspective, but the weather does allow us to do a fresh post.  We start with an event creating a knot in the stomach and an awful sense of foreboding: the jewelry sale at Saks Fifth Avenue.  We thank the Madison Avenue Spy for the tip on this one. The sale includes this Judith Ripka Pavé Diamond Enhancer:

 

Judith Ripka, Saks Fifth Avenue

Many may be stupefied at TP’s negative anxiety about a sale. At Saks. But many also know upscale department stores like Saks, Bergdorf’s, Neiman’s, etc., do not have jewelry sales. Not. On. Fine. Jewelry.

Not on David Yurman.

 

David Yurman at Saks

Or Ippolita.

 

Ippolita Ring at Saks

If a store is financially healthy it would never put an Ippolita 18k Gold Two-Diamond Ring on sale. Would. Not. Happen.

BTW, Saks is doing complimentary free shipping on all orders, as well as offering a gift box and their red ribbon at no charge. Seriously. Just use PROMO code SFAGIFT at checkout.  If you missed yesterday’s post ,it contains a goodly amount of sale and promo code information.

We are off to stir up a Prozac cocktail. A pitcher full.

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Another Gossip Girl star has landed a Teen Vogue cover. Leighton Meester is showcased in the February 2009 issue.

We thought you might enjoy her comment on headbands:

“I don’t wear headbands, ever.”

 

Teen Vogue February 2009

In March co-star Blake Lively graced the magazine’s cover.

Teen Vogue Blake Lively

In January’s Vogue Ms. Lively is named to a list of the 10 Best-Dressed Women; while the print version of the magazine directs you to the Vogue.com website for more on this (and other stories), we cannot locate anything on the site about this story.

Back to Teen Vogue, the cover promotes “The Punky Preppy Mix.” Hhhmmmm. Just this fall the magazine listed the Top 22 Preppy Essentials, including items from many of the standard stores like Lacoste, J. Crew, and Smythson, as well as newer players: Tory Burch, American Eagle Outfitters, Tommy Hilfiger and others.

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Speaking of J. Crew... (you know where this is going), we continue to receive email about technical issues and problems with J. Crew’s online store.

This story in Thursday’s Storefront Talkback confirms the continued problems:

“Having suffered outages during Cyber Monday, J.Crew again became unavailable—to at least some prospective customers—for an extended period on Wednesday (Dec. 17). “

The subhead on the article reads “‘Tis the Season to be Jolly, Unless You’re in Charge of J. Crew’s Web site.” Ouch.  The retailer is awarded a lump of coal:

“Over at J.Crew, though, no apologies were offered. For those who know the tortured history of J.Crew and its site launch this summer, perhaps avoiding an apology was wise. This time, the site advised visitors to “stay tuned” and added that “even the best sites aren’t perfect.”

True. But as far as uptime goes, it’s clear that some sites are less perfect than others.”

Double ouch.  While management may be frustrated, customers always have choices, as the fabulous Mrs. Newlywed makes clear in yesterday’s comment:

“…I tried to place an order today for a very much unneeded sweater. The site wouldn’t let me place the order.

So, because after I realized it wasn’t working I didn’t actually NEED the sweater I won’t buy it at all  That is $70.00 they won’t get.

The phone line wasn’t working either.

tisk tisk on J.Crew”

The experience shared by another favorite, Lisa at Very Busy Mom with 4, ended on a more positive note:

“After three calls, I finally got my Crewcuts stuff, and they ended up Fed-exing it. I think they are still having issues–their site is moving very slow! Still love my stuff though.”

Frankly, we remain more than a little stunned the problems are not yet rectified.  For those willing to risk it, this particular sale continues through tonight, offering an additional 20% off with complimentary shipping for orders totaling more than $150; the promo code is MERRY.

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Best & Company

At Best and Company the discounts are also deeper, making the childrens’ designer duds irresistable.  The Girl’s Cashmere Hoodie is only $35.90, discounted from an original $158 selling price.

 

Best & Company

The striped sweater is also available in Pink & White; both colorways appear to be available in a broad size range. According to the JustJared site, Suri Cruise is wearing Best’s Scallop Placket coat in this picture with her mother, actress Katie Holmes.

 

PHOTO: Humberto Carreno/Startraks

If in need of a darling wool coat in winter white, Best still has this one in a few sizes, now 50% off its $398 price.

 

Best & Company

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We leave you with the ever-so-snuggly Pink Cable Cardigan, on sale at J. McLaughlin.

 

J. McLaughlin

An absolutely divine store, J. McLaughlin is also in the midst of a wonderful sale.

Don’t forget to enter our final Giveaway of the year, by leaving a question for The Princess Consort.  Here is a portion of a comment from the Fashion Herald and part of TC’s answer:

“Dear Princess Consort Sir, how does one stop one’s husband from stealing the covers at night? Please help, it’s getting really cold!”

“My dear freezing Fashion Herald – I understand your concern about your husband and his proclivity for stealing the bed covers. In the long term this will cease to be a problem because of global warming. However, we have an immediate situation that demands our complete attention. I will assume your husband has a ______________”

To read what it is TPC assumes Mr. Fashion Herald has, just click here & scroll down through the comments.

We are off to frolic in the snow! Happy day to everyone!

David Yurman Sunglasses and 18KT Kids Jewelry? A New AntiPrep is Crowned.

There is soon to be another name in the already crowded designer sunglass market: David Yurman is about to join the fray. The new collection for men and women was introduced at a rooftop launch party this week at Yurman’s Tribeca HQ. Co-designed with his wife Sybil (below right), the glasses come complete with the ‘Yurman signature’. Paper Magazine’s blog reports the following:

I asked Sybil, who co-designed the line, what her vision for the shades were, to which she replied, “It’s jewelry for your eyes.”

Readers will be pleased to note the madras presence at the event (above left), although we don’t really see a ‘preppy personality’ wearing the heavily embellished glasses seen above, do you? Prices for the shades will run from a low of $395 up to $1100; they will be available this fall.

Did you know there is a David Yurman Kid’s Collection? Yes, we discovered this while on the Yurman website. Indeed, there is quite the collection; if you are looking for a child’s gift in Sterling Silver with Gold and want to just scoot ahead, click here. If you are thinking that the little Miss really should have something in 18KT gold, click here. There is a broad range to choose from if you are selecting a gift, including this 18KT Gold Bracelet with Pave Diamonds, available in both Large ($1060) and Small ($990) sizes.

The Princess is flat-out stupefied by all of this.

We didn’t realize jewelry in precious metal and diamonds was now being made and marketed for girls 8 and up. This seems a bit insane – we’re not talking about a Disney charm bracelet, we’re talking about things like this:

From the Cable Kids Collection, 18kt yellow gold and pave diamond bracelet. 4mm cable. Cable Kids jewelry intended for use by children 8 years and older.

However, if one wanted to do matching Mommy-Daughter 18KT Gold bracelets they could, although we must point out the photo of the “Mommy Bracelet” on the right is ‘only’ sterling silver:

Forgive our naïveté, but when did it become necessary or even acceptable for little girls to wear things like this? Have we become too far removed from popular culture in our advancing personal growth years? We recognize and respect that in some cultures jewelry in many forms is worn at an early age, but these items don’t fall into that category. Nor is this about a pair of pearl studs or a sweet sixteen party.

If this were a :10 second tease for a newscast the script would read something like this: “Conspicuous consumption bumps it up a notch – tape at eleven.” Unless corrected by sound logic and even more solid reasoning, we call this such wretched excess we have no alternative but to dub it as our next AntiPrep.

One FYI in the interest of full disclosure, both photos of the Yurman bracelets above are from the Neiman Marcus site as these pictures are larger and better defined. And today’s ‘one last thing’ since we were already at Neiman’s and we are talking about kids and this simply popped up:

Truly, we much prefer leaving you with a bright and sunny child’s disposition in her perky Lilly Pulitzer Tiki dress over leaving you with the wacky remnants of the Princess’s crankenstein rant commentary on children and jewelry. As always, we welcome your thoughts on the topic.

(But honestly, don’t you think that an 8 pr 9 year-old child wearing that sort of thing is just Okay, we simply can’t leave without asking: isn’t this jewelry issue a bit beyond the pale?