A New Retailer to Love, Also, Ralph & Oprah Together Again

It’s another busy Tuesday, so we jump right in with word of a new emporium offering SSP (serious shopping potential).  Behold, the just-opened C. Wonder.

Kyle Ericksen/Women's Wear Daily

Located in Soho, the boutique is the brainchild of venture capitalist and retail whiz Christopher Burch. Sometimes known as the former husband of Tory Burch, he has been one of the primary contributors to that brand’s success.  Below we see Maria Menounos (large photo), Kelly Ripa and Chris Burch, and Kelly Rutherford, all at the store’s grand opening.

Via PopSugar NY

We have been reading about the new shop for some time, it looks simply delightful. One aspect we particularly appreciate? It seems to have a touch of whimsy, much like that found at Kate Spade, an appealing characteristic for a retailer.

Via Design Wire

The boutique carries all manner of merchandise, including apparel and accessories.

Courtesy Photos

C. Wonder also offers homegoods.

Via Racked NYC

A montage of the housewares from HGTV.

Via HGTV

Most prices are less than $100, making this a fiscally friendly place to shop, always a bonus. Mr. Burch has aggressive plans for expansion, more from the Journal:

Three additional C. Wonder stores will open this year at the Westchester, Garden State Plaza and Roosevelt Field. Approximately 20 more will open in 2012 across the country.

Ultimately Mr. Burch hopes to have as many as 300 stores. Nor is this the only store being launched by the financier, the recently opened Monika Chiang in Los Angeles is one of his endeavors, he has several other brands in the works as well. The always fabulous Saving the Best for Last blog was on hand this weekend for the grand openin and says we’ll love the place, below we share a few of her photos. (Click here to read her post on the shop.)

Via Saving the Best for Last

We like what we have seen and heard about the store and its merchandise, not to mention the cute pink and green shopping bags!

Via PopSugar NYC

The brand’s strongest online presence right now is its Facebook page, probably the best bet for those of us not within visiting distance at the moment, at least until a more robust website is up and running. You can also follow C. Wonder on Twitter if so inclined.

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Our other item today, last night’s big doings at Lincoln Center. The festivities offered something for everyone, with an oh-so-chic dinner, Oprah Winfrey’s live interview with Ralph Lauren and a showing of next spring’s Ralph Lauren line.

Steve Eichner/Women's Wear Daily

Above we see the designer and Ms. Winfrey, as well as Dylan Lauren, and newlyweds David Lauren and Lauren Bush Lauren. (yes, it is the first time I have written her full name since the wedding, how fun?!) Here is more from a Women’s Wear Daily story:

In a sequel of sorts to their televised tête-à-tête earlier this year, Lauren coaxed the former talk show host back into the interviewer’s chair for the evening, which dually benefited the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (to the tune of more than $7 million dollars).

Below, Jessica Alba and Cash Warren.

Steve Eichner/Women's Wear Daily

Also on hand, Barbara Walters, Camilla Belle and Martha Stewart. (Ummm…how are we feeling about Martha’s platforms?)

Steve Eichner/Kristen Somody Whalen

TV types in attendance included Al Roker, Deborah Roberts, Hilary and Bryant Gumbel, along with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lisa Oz.

Dimitrios Kambouris & Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Ralph Lauren Getty Images

Here is a better look at some of the party frocks, from left to right: Camilla Belle, Dylan Lauren, Jessica Alba and Lauren Bush Lauren.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Ralph Lauren

Clearly it was the place to be last night, to see and be seen.

With that, goodbye until next time!

About That Fashion’s Night Out Celebration

Isn’t it nice how quickly Friday rolled around this week?

Today we focus on only one topic, Fashion’s Night Out, last night was the third year for the event, and we’re curious about your thoughts on the celebration. Below we share the official description of FNO.

Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative originally created in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy during the recession.

On September 8, 2011, in response to overwhelming demand, Fashion’s Night Out will return to New York City and over 250 cities nationwide to highlight fashion and support retail with exciting events that include designer appearances, celebrity guests, fashion shows and musical performances.

The event was started by Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, she was a busy lady last night; below we see her with Lea Michele at Saks and with Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein.

Getty Images

Here is another perspective from the City of Light via a Reuters story:

“What I love is to see youngsters,” Dior Chief Executive Sidney Toledano told Reuters in Paris, where thousands thronged the fashion mecca of Avenue Montaigne, home to Dior and to flagships for other luxury brands such as Chanel and Gucci.

“All (these young people) will not become clients, but we need to seduce them today to have them tomorrow,” he said.

In Soho Victoria’s Secret hosted a bevy of beauties: models Alessandra Ambrosio, Erin Heatherton, Adriana Lima and Lily Aldridge.

John Parra/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

There were parties all over the world, including the UK, where we see Samantha Cameron, Asprey managing director Paddy Byng and Vogue UK editor Alexandra Shulman (L) and über-prep Gwyneth Paltrow wearing Stella McCartney at Stella McCartney.

AP via Vogue UK

Back in the States Brooks Brothers Black Fleece designer Thom Browne was at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street Store, while candy store owner Dylan Lauren and pal Olivia Munn were at Dylan’s Candy Bar.

Getty Images

From a story in yesterday’s Times, before the parties got underway.

Fashion’s Night Out, the annual retail bacchanal, is back tonight. The city’s fanciest retail corridors will teem with celebrities, designers and the tipsy shoppers who love them until long after posted store hours say they should.

From another Times story about FNO from today’s paper.

As an attempt at crowd control, many stores kept their guest lists secret until the last minute on Thursday, when word was sent out through Twitter and Facebook.

But just as suddenly as those announcements were made, almost frightening scenes seemed to materialize outside and inside stores like Yves Saint Laurent (for Nicki Minaj), Dolce & Gabbana (Justin Bieber and Beyoncé), Moschino (Cyndi Lauper), Michael Kors (Michael Kors) and Saks (Joe Jonas, plus a cast member from “Glee”).

At the Soho Bloomies there were bunnies.

Craig Barritt/Getty Images for GQ

Oscar de la Renta serenaded Sarah Jessica Parker.

Jenna Greene via WWD

The Dolce and Gabbana store was almost overrun by shrieking, weeping teenage girls on hand to see Justin Bieber.

Women's Wear Daily L)/Associated Press (R)

After all was said and done, did cash registers ring up big sales? Was the economy helped? Did people get to interact more personally with brands and designers?  We’ve nary a clue, although we do know some charities will benefit, as varying stores used the event as a fundraiser., and that is a very good thing.

So here’s the question: is Fashion’s Night Out an event that is still needed? Is it necessary, or appropriate to say “Let’s go shopping!” when faced with the current unpleasant economic realities? Does FNO offer a fun (and free if you don’t purchase anything!) and frivolous celebration that at the least can’t hurt the industry? Or has it become simply another celebrity-laden marketing tool?

As we clearly don’t have the answers we’re asking for your insight and gracious assistance, hoping you will take part in our utterly non-scientific poll. You can pick one or two answers (no more than that) and even add a suggested answer of your own.  It will be wonderful to see your thoughts, thank you!

A Busy Week for the Ralph Lauren Clan, An Unexpected Royal Wedding Dress Reaction

Hello-Hello, please forgive the lack of a post yesterday, things have been crazy-busy here at the Prepatorium.

We begin today with an update on someone we don’t follow in-depth, Dylan Lauren of Dylan’s Candy Bar notoriety.

Photo via Lifeguard Press

There is a significant amount of buzz surrounding the entrepreneur’s activities of late, not all of it limited to her popular candy stores. Some of it involves the launch of her new Stationery and Gifts line with our friends at Lifeguard Press.  Above she is seen at the official début of the new collection yesterday, wearing one of the Candy Bar Tiaras.

Ms. Lauren is also going to be featured on the cover of the May 23 Forbes.

Courtesy Forbes

From that story:

“When your dad is worth $5.8 billion, it’s not like you need to work for a living. But Dylan Lauren, 36, daughter of fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, devotes round-the-clock energy to her ten-year-old retail sweets business, Dylan’s Candy Bar.”

Some pieces from the new stationery collection are available now, like tableware for parties, pens, and sticker sets.

Dylan's Candy Bar at Lifeguard Press

Future additions to the line include agendas, scented iPhone cases and candles.

Ms. Lauren continues to work on expanding her original candy store business as she looks at other endeavors:

“The Manhattan flagship just got a liquor license and opened a redesigned upstairs space to serve candy-themed cocktails as well as pizza, cupcakes and ice cream. There’s talk of a children’s book and a TV show.

To see the entire Forbes story, click here.

In related news, expect to see Dylan, as well as the other Lauren kids on Oprah tomorrow, part of a show featuring Oprah’s interview with their father, Ralph Lauren.

Photos via Styleite.com

As portrayed in USA Today, the “queen of daytime is taking on the king of the runway.” (Cough-cough.)  Here is more from the paper’s story:

“As part of her élite eight — those last eight shows — Oprah Winfrey is sitting down Wednesday with the famously press-shy Ralph Lauren, who is giving his first TV interview in nearly 20 years, according to Harpo, and opening up his RRL Ranch outside Telluride, Colo., also a TV first.”

It is common knowledge within the industry Mr. Lauren is not at all fond of television interviews, tomorrow’s show is likely to do a huge number. (Translation: the show should have big ratings.)

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We bring you a quick look at a line we weren’t aware of until today, Regatta.

Regatta

The company’s runway show at Philippine Fashion Week caught our attention, the pieces are from the Holiday 2011 collection.

Via Regatta Facebook Page

Clearly derivative of sailing and beachside motifs, the line was intriguing.

Via Regatta Facebook Page

The downside is that we don’t see any locations where Regatta is sold in the US, so we can’t speak to the quality of the clothing. (A caveat if thinking about looking for the company’s wares online, this is not the same as the UK’s Regatta, a much older firm whose quality we can attest to.)

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A note for royal readers, expect to see author Andrew Morton simply everywhere as he hits the promotion circuit for his new book, “William & Catherine: Their Story“.

Borders.com

Mr. Morton is perhaps best known for his books on Princess Diana.

From his biography:

“He became an overnight sensation with the publication of his groundbreaking 1992 biography revealing the secret world of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.”

Although the book was published just three days after the wedding, the serious publicity only started yesterday, with appearances on morning shows, with lots more on the schedule.  The timing coincides with the launch of Mr. Morton’s new website, The Morton Report. To read excerpts from the new book, click here.

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We leave you with a “Help Me understand,” for your devoted correspondent is confused and we just know you can provide insight. Our question involves a surprising reaction to the Kate Middleton wedding gown, it seems a burgeoning number of fashion stories feature similar headlines, “________________ dresses like Kate Middleton at ______________” whatever event.  A case in point, Penelope Cruz and the Givenchy dress worn for the UK première of the latest Pirates film.

Photos: Courtesy Givenchy/Getty Images/AP

From The Daily Mail:

Very Kate Middleton! Penelope Cruz wears white lace to Pirates London premiere

“It had been said that Kate Middleton’s wedding dress would influence bridalwear for years to come.

But it seems her Alexander McQueen lace gown is influencing more than that, as Penelope Cruz showed when she arrived at the premiere of Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in London last night wearing a full-length white lace dress”

Really? Are we supposed to believe that Penelope Cruz and/or her stylist saw the Sarah Burton/Alexander McQueen wedding gown and said “Oh, I must have something like Kate Middleton’s dress to wear in two weeks for the UK opening”?! We think not. (Unfortunately this is not one of Ms. Cruz’s best looks, she is generally in something much more flattering.)

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Our final note (so we don’t leave you thinking we are a Crankenstein), some of our favorite new pillows, perfect for the sailor in your family.

Cottage Coastal Store

One would also make a splendid hostess gift for your next visit to a friend’s cottage. On that happy thought we say g’bye until next time!

Oh, Those Party Frocks! And Prep World New York

Hello-Hello, it seems we might be back to “normal,” although ascertaining just what ‘normal’ is continues to evolve.

At the very least we return to more normal blather and bloviations topics, beginning with last night’s Met Ball. Considered by many as the fashion world’s Oscars, the night brings out the A-list.  As Hilary Alexander wrote in The Telegraph:

“In terms of style, effort, money and glamour, this red carpet mother of all fashion-fests, orchestrated by Anna Wintour for the last 13 years, outshines them all.

It was an occasion for the well dressed and the merely wealthy.”

Below we see Ms Wintour (yes, that is The André in all his regal splendor to her right) in a stunning Chanel couture gown. On the right she is with her daughter, Bee Shaffer, who wore Balenciaga.

Getty Images

The formal name for the event is the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala.  This year’s event coincides with tomorrow’s opening of the highly anticipated Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty show.

Met Photos via WWD

As one might imagine, coming on the heels of the royal wedding and the two Sarah Burton McQueen wedding gowns, the atmosphere was electric. Below, the woman of the hour, Ms. Burton.

AP/Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker was in vintage McQueen.

AP Photos

Hamish Bowles was in McQueen.

Via

For those not familiar with the Costume Institute, it is part of the Met, housing more than 75,000 costumes and accessories.  Below, part of the Lauren clan, left to right we see Dylan Lauren, David Lauren and Lauren Bush.

Getty Images

Jessica Alba also wore Ralph Lauren, she was radiant.

Getty Images

There were some figure-hugging creations; below left, Fergie in a Marchesa gown more reminiscent of a wedding dress, on the right we see Beyonce in Emilio Pucci with her husband, Jay-Z.

Getty Images

How snug was Beyonce’s dress? She was unable to climb the stairs in it,

Getty Images

The lights are blinding, Renée Zellweger is silhouetted below.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty

Some of our favorite faux-prepsters from Gossip Girl were on hand, Leighton Meester was in Louis Vuitton, Blake Lively in Grecian-inspired Chanel and Jessica Szohr in… in.. umm, we have lost our notes, eek!

AP/Getty/WWD

The level of detailing on these gowns is extraordinary.

AP/Getty/WWD

Below, Dakota and Elle Fanning, both wore Valentino.

Getty Images

Perhaps our favorite gown of the evening was Ashley Greene’s, custom Donna Karan.

Getty Images

It was exquisite.

Last night the first menswear from Tory Burch debuted, seen on Kanye West; the designer was in vintage Jean Patou that was gorgeous.

Mike Segar/Reuters

Tommy Hilfiger his wife, Dee,and Jessica Stam wore Hilfiger.

Reuters

It is a busy week for Mr. Hilfiger, the designer’s collaborative line with Lisa Birnbach, Prep World, launches its first pop-up store in the US.

Prep World/Tommy Hilfiger

As covered in this post, the first pop-up store was in Paris. The temporary stores are designed to look like a beachside cottage in the Hamptons, below we show the model store.

Courtesy Image

And here is the real deal under construction in the Meatpacking district, originally scheduled to open the 28th of April, now looking like it will be ready for a Thursday opening.

The capsule collection features an array of products, many of them appealing.

 

Some of the merchandise is available online.

http://usa.tommy.com/tommy/index.jsp?ctcampaign=871&ctkwd=tommyhilfiger&ctmatch=Exact&ctcreative=10700438385&gclid=CMGv_q2izKgCFUOo4AodOWuZpQ

For more background on the line, click here. If interested in seeing the Paris Prep World, click here.

Apologies for the brevity today, but we must race out the door!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Kristin Somody Whalen/WWD
• Steve Eichner/WWD

J. Crew Spring 2011 Preview, Gala at Ralph Lauren

Hello-Hello, and welcome to an almost-weekend, isn’t it awful we’re thinking that and it’s only midday?

The crush of business mandates a shorter-than-normal post today, so we jump right in with a very quick glance at J. Crew‘s Spring 2011 Collections, previewed last night for the media.

Via Shawn Punch/Examiner.com

On an up note, there are lots of bright, bold colors. On a less-than-up note, there seems to be an abundance of sequins and other not-so-preptastic embellishments.

Glamour has images of the line (above), as does Habitually Chic (below).

Here is a closer look at the sequin cutout piece above.

Via Thread NY/NBC

We think it unlikely many of our cherished readers will be making mad plans to purchase the piece shown above.

Via Thread NY/NBC

The next two styles come via Jim Shi’s Plixi photo feed.

This may surprise you, but the studded sweater above isn’t destined for the walk-in. We leave the topic for now with these two images from Habitually Chic.

Women’s Wear Daily (subscription) has a look at the men’s line today; we expect they’ll have photos from the womenswear up Monday and we’ll share them with you.

To see more images from the women’s collection for next spring we suggest the Examiner story, Glamour, or Habitually Chic. For more on the men’s line, we recommend Selectism or Bold on the Street.  To view the Thread NY “Behind the Scenes with Jenna Lyons” story, click here.

Ms. Lyons’ influence is evident throughout the spring collection; below, the executive attending this week’s Accessories Excellence awards.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for ACE Awards

We expect to have better shots of the women’s Spring 2011 collection next Monday.

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A quick social note, the new Ralph Lauren women’s shop was the setting for last night’s big do celebrating Gloria Vanderbilt’s new book.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

“The World Of Gloria Vanderbilt” was published this week; WWD has more on the party.

“Suitably, Lauren’s first major party there — to celebrate Gloria Vanderbilt and the new book — felt a lot like the salon gatherings of the days of yore, drawing a mix of people from fashion, Hollywood, society and politics.

Also attending, Lauren Bush, as well as Andrew Lauren.

Ms. Vanderbilt’s son, newscaster Anderson Cooper was on hand, as well as actress Uma Thurman.

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A final note, we are excited to share the most recent addition to our Preppy Paper line,

The Dittie Notepads are from our friends at Donovan Designs, above we show varying Madras Plaid designs, but there are loads to choose from, some are preprinted, like the Lunch Box Notes and Note to School pads.

Others are blank, like the Flower Notepads and the Diamond Notepads.