“This is NOT Jersey Shore. It’s classier, smarter”

Hello and welcome to a Wednesday here at the Prepatorium, where we share an item we think will provide a modicum of entertainment.

Apparently a reality TV show based in the Hamptons is in the works, this story in Curbed notes that “nothing says classy like a Hamptons-based reality show”:

Now, we didn’t think it possible to assemble a more detestable group than that of The Jersey Shore, but it looks like that’s the goal here. Read it and weep (for humanity):

A prestigious NYC production company is planning to shoot a reality TV show about The Hamptons this summer. We are partnering with a major television network to bring the fun, drama, and ups and down of summer in the Hamptons to a national audience. We are assembling a diverse group of people who are from the area or who will be spending the summer in The Hamptons.

The Curbed story is illustrated with a great graphic.

Curbed.com

East Hampton Patch notes in its story:

The shoot is planned from July 1 to Aug. 31. East Hampton Town Clerk Fred Overton said no one has applied for a film permit yet, but they have until seven days before the first day of shooting to do so. If the shoot is taking place exclusively on private property, a permit will not be required.

Back to the actual ad:

Do you like to have fun, enjoy the limelight, have goals…. like starting a business or engaging in a new job, winning a surf competition… like to party, know the scene, are new to the scene, have boyfriend/ girlfriend problems, work hard to be able to afford a great lifestyle, don’t work at all because Daddy pays for everything, or just simply has a lot of charisma and want a shot at being on TV? Then be in touch!

This is NOT Jersey Shore. It’s classier, smarter. It’s The Hamptons, after all. Age range 21 – 30.

Thank heaven it’s NOT.

Of course, this isn’t the first time efforts were made to launch a reality show in this locale, here is a snippet from a reality ad of two years ago:

“If you are  21 to 35 years old and considered by others to be a TRUE “socialite” then our casting team wants to hear from you ASAP.  You must come from prominent family and have ties to the Hamptons.  Especially interested in those with a privileged lifestyle and a boarding school background.  Are you the first one to be invited to all the best parties and charity events?”

There’s nothing like looking at reality tv casting calls to restore your faith in America, here is an ad trying to cast a new show called “The Staff,” they’re looking for pool men, housekeepers, nannies, gardeners, estate managers with these qualifications:

• Do you have loads of personality and love to gossip?
• Do you think some of the people you work for are ridiculous in how they treat their family or run their house?
• Are you good at what you do and not afraid to talk back to your boss?

Naturally all of the employees participating in this show will be able to keep their jobs, regardless of what they say about their employers. Really.

To be honest, I hadn’t heard of a show following this particular plotline before:

Big Frame Productions is doing an open call looking for strippers ages 18 – 28 for make-over show. Looking to upgrade their life.

It’s good to see casting calls for topics that are woefully undercovered, this show is seeking:

“…couples trying to save their relationship. Couples should be outgoing, no holds bar type personalities who are willing to open up about their relationship troubles on camera.”

Here’s the part from that couples ad that should answer any questions anyone has about the ‘reality’ of reality tv:

If you and your significant other have acting experience, that is a plus. Your relationship doesn’t have to be in major trouble. You just have to have the ability to play up the issues you do have.

Nothing says reality like professional actors.

You find so many unexplored topics on these reality casting sites, why has no one focused on this theme before?

Will you or anyone you know stop at nothing to meet pro athletes, and date them? Is it a weekly thing to go bars and events to meet athletes?

If that doesn’t ring your bells, the one for “Grossest Person in America” is arguably the most revolting thing we’ve read this week.

• Do they cough or sneeze and not cover themselves?
• Do they refuse to do laundry, clean the bathroom, or clean up after themselves?
• Are they Rude? Crude? Or just plain Gross?

Here’s my personal favorite, I’m guessing you will like it too: “CASTING: MIDWESTERN GIRLS FOR NEW REALITY TV SHOW”:

• Are you an outdoorsy chick who is also a major girly girl?
• Do you wear stilettos and drive an ATV?
• Do you and your friends hunt all day and party all night?

A major television production company is looking for a group of friends to follow in a brand new TV show. If you throw epic parties, always have boy drama and know your way around the woods then we want to hear from you! We are looking for those girls that everyone knows and everyone wants to be. Let’s show the world how real Midwesterners party!

What do you think, should I apply? (I know you all harbor an image of your trusty scribe careening around in an ATV, hunting all day and then partying all night. Admit it, that’s what you think.) Heh, heh, heh.

We leave you with a little something to make you smile, a few of the images that have popped up showcasing The Leg.

Via The Daily Mail

Until next time, may your reality be fabulous.

Hamptons Shopping Update & YSL’s Nautical Look

Happy Friday everyone, it is delightful to be contemplating a weekend after only four ‘office days,’ no?

We share more Friday Fun today, beginning with some updates for anyone planning a little playtime in the Hamptons this summer.  There are many additions to the retail landscape, with several stores recently opening or about to open, including Crewcuts by J. Crew (inside the existing Crew store), Restoration Hardware and Steven Alan, all in East Hampton.

There are also many seasonal shops, including pop-ups from both Sam Edelman and Stuart Weitzman, as well as Trina Turk and Lacoste. It’s TBD whether Lacoste’s new home will become a permanent fixture or just a summer shop, obviously we’re hoping for the former.

Via Guest of a Guest

Lacoste actually has a line of Hamptons Bags, below we show the Tote.

MacKenzie-Childs has opened its new Southampton store, not far from Vineyard Vines.  Also adding an East End outpost, The Black Dog, long a Princess favorite.

Via The Black Dog Facebook

In addition to all of the standard Black Dog fabulosity, the Southampton store will carry several lines specific to its locale, including Ella Vickers recycled sailcloth totes.

The Black Dog via the NY Times

This weekend and next week bring more openings, including a new Bond No. 9 store in Sag Harbor.

Courtesy Photo

It makes sense, considering the firm does market a ‘Hamptons’ fragrance, as well as a ‘Montauk’ scent.

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Regular readers know we have been loathe to spend much time looking at the fall fashion collections, let alone the resort/cruise lines that have been showing in New York the last two weeks.  Spring has just been too slow in coming this year, and in many cases when it did arrive it came with deadly, destructive force, leaving us eager to simply revel in a few days of warm, sunny skies and gentle breezes. Contemplating a future need for heavier, warmer garments just hasn’t been on the radar. Until now.

Mimi Ritzen Crawford/Vogue

Today we make an exception, sharing a few pieces from the Yves Saint Laurent 2012 Resort collection.

Mimi Ritzen Crawford/Vogue.com

The entire line carried a strong nautical vibe (sometimes overly so) in seagoing colors and details, as well as bright florals reminiscent of island tides.

Mimi Ritzen Crawford for Vogue.com

Very bright, very fun, perfect for a beachy escape.

Today’s final note consists of exciting news here at the Prepatorium, in the form of an announcement from our friends at Clairebella, they are officially Greek licensed!

That means very shortly we’ll be offering Clairebella’s wonderful accessories personalized with your favorite Greek organization.

Clairebella

May you enjoy a delicious weekend, marked by relaxation and good times.

Jack Rogers Plans Huge Expansion

Hello-Hello everyone!

We start with news about a favored brand that is expanding their product offerings. Serious expansion. We’re talking about Jack Rogers, makers of the ubiquitous Navajo sandal seen below.

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

For those not familiar with the footwear, here is a brief explainer from this story in WWD:

“In resort towns like East Hampton and Nantucket, the Jack Rogers Navajo sandal has for decades been as much a part of the scene as tennis skirts and tunics. In the Sixties, the sandal was popularized by Jackie Kennedy.”

Those paying close attention to that photo probably already noticed something else: the new Jack Rogers slim ballet flat. Below we see another version of their new flat.

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

But new footwear isn’t the only thing on the drawing board for the company.  This story from Women’s Wear Daily (subscription req’d.) offers more information about plans for the Jack Rogers brand:

“…sportswear, dresses, handbags, shoes, boots and a wider selection of sandals, and the first Jack Rogers retail stores, for the upcoming resort and spring seasons.”

The new merchandise will be available at Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, along with 400 independent boutiques already selling the brand; the plan is to expand this footprint to include:

“…Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and other stores. Trousers, priced at retail at $170; cotton sundresses, $168 to $200; woven dress shirts, $148, and closed-toe shoes, generally $129 to $189, are among the items being offered. There will be also be some handmade, detailed ballet flats and items in more expensive skins, priced at $225. Shorts, T-shirts, purses, totes, clutches, jelly sandals, driving shoes, boots and moccasins are also being designed.”

On a personal level this is splendid news. But from a business perspective we are reminded of many recent brand extensions that have not fared well, many with disastrous results. The failed Ruehl stores Abercrombie opened so quickly come to mind, as do the continuing rumors that Crocs, following explosive growth, could soon file bankruptcy. Even smaller efforts like the Oilily expansion into the US was not successful.

However, there are several executives at Jack Rogers who possess solid resumes with experience at firms like Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap and Tory Burch. This leads us to hope that the broad brand extensions of the kind detailed above prove to be the exception, rather than the rule.  When we see the word ‘jelly sandals’ included in the new product line we cringe more than just a little.

Wondering where the new Jack Rogers stores might be going…?

“…. the first expected to open around February 2010 in Manhattan, followed by units in the Hamptons, and Palm Beach or Bal Harbour, Fla.”

We know quite a few folks who will be pleased with this news. Are you excited by the news? And thoughts on Jack Rogers Jellies?

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We close with a fun tidbit we saw on British Vogue’s site, news that Christian Louboutin has teamed up with Ladurée, the famed French macaroon and pastry house.

Courtesy Ladurée via Vogue UK

The luxury shoe designer has created special boxes for all those delicious goodies, they will be available in the UK this September, no word yet on the possibility of anyone on this side of the pond being able to purchase the designs.

Those ‘Filthy Rich Teens’ & The New T Studio at Tommy Hilfiger

Hello everyone, how is everyone today?

Regular readers know we aren’t prone to public navel-gazing or introspective monologues in this space, with the exception of a few posts related to respect and remembrance of our military personnel. So we shan’t go into any long dissertations on the events of yesterday afternoon and evening, other than to say it certainly was a rather strange and bizarre turn of events.

Moving on, we have a quick glance at Gossip Girl star Blake Lively‘s latest style statement as she headed into last night’s gala opening of the new Swarovski Crystallized store in Soho.

PHOTO: Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Much of the conversation among guests centered on yesterday’s west coast events, especially as it was only Wednesday that Swarovksi announced they were doing the costumes for Michael Jackson’s upcoming concerts.

Also out and about in the city last evening, Ms. Lively’s co-star Leighton Meester, seen in Thakoon as she heads over to MTV for a taping.

PHOTO: Janet Mayer/Splash News Online

We seem to have spent an inordinately large amount of time discussing  Gossip Girl this week, including this post on sales of actor Chace Crawford’s People magazine cover issue vs. a Kate Gosselin cover on another magazine. (The numbers favored Ms. Gosselin.) Now it seems People is heading down the same path as that other magazine; behold their July 6th issue:

Courtesy People Magazine

As we have already spent too much time on G2, it seems only appropriate to spend even more time on the topic, sharing this link to a very funny WaPo (Washington Post) story comparing Gossip Girl with NYC Prep.  Here is the paper’s synopsis:

After watching the first episode of Bravo’s new “Gossip Girl”-as-reality-series show “NYC Prep” (it debuted last night), WaPoTeamTV’s “Gossip Girl” correspondent Emily Yahr decided she much prefers watching the filthy rich Made-for-TV Teens of the CW soap to the filthy rich Actual Teens featured on “Prep.”

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A few speedy more updates for you this afternoon, particularly a reminder the rather significant Sales & Savings opportunities continue at almost any establishment where preps might shop.  Not only are Brooks Brothers, J. Crew and Talbots all doing substantial markdowns and discounts, the major department stores are as well.

Neiman Marcus is promoting “An Additional 25% Already Reduced Prices” along with complimentary shipping regardless of how much one spends.

The promo code to receive no-cost shipping at Neimans is NMSUMMER.

Barneys is doing the additional discount, without the complimentary shipping:

Completing the trifecta is Saks, also offering no-charge shipping at any purchase amount, use promo code SAKSSHIP9.

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In other retail notes, on the heels of a successful opening for their new Tommy Hilfiger store in the Hamptons, there is word the retailer has plans to generate buzz for that location in another way, with the launch of ‘T Studio.’

PHOTO: Courtesy Tommy Hilfiger via Hamptons.com

Starting next Saturday (July 4th), the first 50 folks visiting the new Studio at the East Hampton store receive a silk-screened tee made to their specs. There will only be 50 made each week, so these are being dubbed “limited editions,” a very interesting maneuver on the part of the Hilfiger marketing machine.

It will be fun to watch this one play out and see if the concept is launched in other locations. This is only the company’s 10th free-standing store, an excellent location to test-drive the idea.

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As discussed in this post, the Coach Poppy line is officially on sale today, and there are some wonderful, fun, whimsical pieces.

This of course circles back to that whole ‘new definition of luxury’ and ‘changing pricepoint’ issue we keep reading and posting about. As this story from AP notes:

“The Poppy collection follows through with Coach’s previously announced plan to lower prices 10 percent to 15 percent … The strategy includes offering half of its handbags – about 70 different types – for $200 to $300.”

Do let us know if you end up acquiring any treasures from the Collection, sharing is caring!

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Finally, how many readers would recognize this as a Target store?

PHOTO: Bruce Bisping/Star-Tribune

Yes, it is the new Target concept store located in downtown Minneapolis, not far from the retailer’s headquarters. This story in the Star-Tribune explains the mini-grocery store opened in October:

“the company has since added fresh meat, chicken and produce to 14 general merchandise stores around the country. Other Twin Cities test stores are at Ridgedale and Medina. The concept will expand to 100 stores by year’s end.”

Would you purchase fresh fruit and veggies at your local Target? It is how the company plans to compete with the behemoth known as Wal-mart. Perhaps the one and only Queen Bee Swain can investigate, it is in her neck of the woods, although not in her back yard.

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With that we say adieu until next time, may your weekends be splendid, full of fun and spent in the company of those you love.

The Princess Gets Back to Basics

Happy-Happy almost-weekend everybody! Here at the Prepatorium we finally have something resembling normal temperatures: we might hit 75 degrees today. Calm yourselves, it has not yet happened, it is merely a prediction made by the Weatherologists on teewee, so there’s just an itty-bitty chance they could be wrong.

Regular readers are aware we feel strongly about the virtues of basics upon which one can construct a meaningful existence: basic decency towards others, basic recipes, basic apparel and accessories.

One such elementary item is a simple watch on a classic ribbon band.  Today we bring you a new entrant to this sector of the market:

Bobby Jones

The new watch from Bobby Jones is just out. It has a stainless steel case and comes in two additional striped ribbon patterns, as well as a solid black ribbon for those preferring a more understated look. (TP’s father wore a plain Timex with a plain black ribbon strap as far back as she can remember.)

The movement is by Seiko, so this one isn’t just a pretty face. It is available now at the Bobby Jones Shop.

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We have several other opportunities for you to make contributions to the economy, all of them fiscally-friendly, of course.  Bergdorf Goodman is having their Designer Sale with “Prices as much as 40% Off” on items like the D & G Pumps(L) and the Tory Burch Megan flat (R).

Another emporium offering substantial savings: J. Press. Their Blue Silk Herringbone jacket is an excellent investment for the MOTH (Man of the House) in your life.

J. Press

Classic stalwart Banana Republic also has scads of goods with revised price points. Below, the Cotton V-Neck Sweater, now $39.99 for most colors, but only $24.99 in white.

Banana Republic

Not to be left out, Brooks Brothers is promoting some solid discounts on Men’s merchandise for Father’s Day.

Brooks Brothers

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Our next company covered is assuredly not known for helping one save their pocket change; we quite respect that policy. We’re talking about Hermès.

Hermes

The luxury firm has opened a seasonal store in East Hampton. The shop is located right on Main, will be open until Sept. 20, and will carry some limited edition goods.

PHOTO: Skot Yobbagy/WSJ Magazine

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In another SOTT (Sign of The Times), word from P&G that Max Factor cosmetics will no longer be sold in the US.

PHOTO: WWD Staff

Today’s story in WWD about the planned phase-out quotes an unnamed P&G executive:

“It’s a shadow of what it once was. Domestically it’s just so competitive. They have lost considerable real estate over the years and certainly over the last two years. It’s actually long overdue.”

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Because we adore The Queen (we more-than-adore our own TQM but today we speak of the one on the far side of the pond,), we thought we would close out the post with this photo, perfectly suited to be today’s Pretty in Pink.

PHOTO: Phil Noble/AFP/Getty

The picture of HRH and Prince Philip dates to late May, and we think she looks faboo.

Enjoy the weekend, dollfaces, we’ll chat again soon!