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 Fashion Frenzy, Gossip Girls and Mad Men

Hello-Hello, doesn’t it feel like time for some Friday Fun?

We are thinking this could be the theme for today’s post, we’ll steer our path away from anything serious or weighty, and have a look at Fashion Week, Fashion’s Night Out (FNO), Gossip Girl’s ‘fashionable new season,’ as well as the Brooks Brothers and Lilly Pulitzer ties to True Prep.

We begin with FNO, for where else would one see this trio?

Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Conde Nast

Anna Wintour, Blake Lively and Roger Federer were on hand Wednesday night for what was billed as the largest public fashion show in history (a quick sellout at $250 per ticket), held at Lincoln Center. The function was also taped for a one-hour special airing at 10 Tuesday night on CBS.  Ms. Lively’s co-star, Leighton Meester, was also in attendance.

It has been a busy week for the young actress, earlier Tuesday she was at the J. Crew/People StyleWatch screening of “The Romantics”. Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise also were at the private showing; we chatted about the J. Crew product placement in the film in this post.

Back to Fashion’s Night Out, London’s FNO is already in the books. Below left, the Burberry celebration featured models Rosie Huntington-Whitley (L) and Daisy Lowe (R) on either side of Burberry’s creative director, Christopher Bailey.  The photo on the right shows Claudia Schiffer, also on hand for the Burberry party.

On this side of the pond there are multiple FNO events with a preppish flavor: J. Crew’s Jenna Lyons will be at the company’s Prince Street store, while Jessica Alba and Andre Leon Talley will be at the Polo Ralph Lauren location in Soho.

Brooks Brothers’ FNO party starts at 6pm at the flagship store on Madison; we don’t know if they will have the Brooks Brothers True Prep limited edition available, but it can be purchased online at the retailer’s website.

Brooks Brothers

Lilly Pulitzer co-hosts a True Prep event at Bloomingdale’s, both Lisa Birnbach and Chip Kidd will be on hand to sign books,  there is also a very-limited-edition True Prep Lilly polo shirt, the words “True Prep” are visible when one ‘pops’ their collar.

Lilly Pulitzer

(True confession: we are not collar-poppers here in the Princess corner condo, don’t tell anyone lest they think poorly of us.)

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We move on now, to Fashion Week. Some shows have already taken place, like Jessica Simpson’s, held Wednesday; the entertainer launched her new denim line.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

Christian Siriano showed yesterday, below a sneak peek at some of his shoe styles for Payless.

Getty Images via The Cut

To see all of the designer’s looks from his Spring 2011 collection, click here. If curious about the lighter, summery looks, a reminder the styles being shown are for the spring 2011 RTW (ready-to-wear) season.

Shows we are interested in for today, Kate Spade, Steven Alan, and Ports 1961. Tomorrow’s schedule includes the Lacoste and Band of Outsiders shows, Monday we have Caroline Herrera and Marc Jacobs, Tuesday’s offerings include Karen Walker and Mulberry, while Wednesday is shaping up to be insanely busy with Tory Burch, GANT by Michael Bastian, Michael Kors and Milly, to name just a few of the shows. The big week wraps up Thursday, with collections from Ralph Lauren and the master, Oscar de la Renta.

The run-up to Fashion Week is always chock full of parties and this year is no different; one of the most coveted invites was for last night’s re-opening of Chanel’s Soho boutique. Below, Chanel Grand Pooh-bah Karl Lagerfeld and once again, Ms. Lively.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Chanel

It was quite the do, other guests included Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, Claire Danes and Diane Kruger.

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One other event to mention, this one taking place next weekend (and completely unrelated to Fashion Week or Gossip Girl!), but sure to be fun and for a good cause, Baltimore’s first annual Oxfords and Oysters. Below, a sampling of the logos from sponsors and those donating goodies for the VIP Guest bags, definitely a preptastic group.

Oxford and Oysters/Sky Blue Events

The philanthropic soiree benefits the Oyster Recovery Partnership, working to restore the oyster population in Chesapeake Bay. Our pal Jennifer at Sky Blue Events is in charge of the celebration, and several of our blogging friends are attending, we wish we could temporarily relocate Princess InterGalactic HQ to Baltimore so we might go too!

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And finally, GQ’s Man of the Year gala was celebrated Wednesday, the gala celebration was at London’s Royal Opera House, as this was hosted by the UK edition of the magazine. The big winner:

PA/The Daily Mail

Actor Jon Hamm was named International Man of the Year. Also being honored, Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick, recognized as “Breakthrough Talent of the Year”.

PA/The Daily Mail

Likely to also be of interest to Preppy101 a certain favorite blogger, Mr. Hamm’s appearance Thursday at the Venice Film Festival.

Also seen in this photo, co-star Jeremy Renner, director Ben Affleck and actress Rebecca Hall, the group is promoting their film “The Town,” opening September 17.

Two final notes:

• the latest collaboration for Gap is with (this is amazing) Valentino!
• don’t forget that Tucker launches at Le Boutique Targét on Sunday.

Until next time, may everyone’s weekend be filled with sun and laughter.

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Dave M. Benett/Getty Images
• Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Conde Nast
• Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

True Prep Update & Book Tour Details

Hello-Hello,

Welcome to a Monday, once again marked by more than a little madness here at the Prepatorium.  Today’s big news involves this:

Random House

Our initial copy of True Prep arrived Friday, along with the press kit; to say we were excited would be an understatement.  We have been busy scanning the book, looking at all of the great illustrations and photos and going through the marketing materials.

One of the more notable items in the kit, the dates and locations for the book tour: this is not your standard book tour, not by a long shot. The majority of functions are not at bookstores, but at fun, fashionable prep locales, like LL Bean in Boston and at Tyson’s, Vineyard Vines in Greenwich and Georgetown, multiple Cole-Haan stores, and J. McLaughlin’s Charleston store. There are many book stores as well, including Powell’s in Portland, a fabulous establishment we have enjoyed visiting on many occasions.

The tour officially kicks off in a major way at Bloomie’s, as part of Fashion’s Night Out (FNO is briefly discussed here) on September 10, and then moves on.  The schedule shows multiple appearances at Brooks Brothers in particular; this makes sense as we have word there is a Brooks Brothers/True Prep item that customers will be able to purchase in the not-too-distant future.  (There is a strong possibility you will also see the item at the Princess, it is in stock, but the crush of business has prevented the Consort the IT Department from getting it up on the site.)

Another preppy icon, Sperry, figures heavily in True Prep promotion, with tour stops at several new Sperry retail stores: Kansas City, Dallas and Westchester. Sperry is also co-hosting events at several Nordstrom stores; can you say “merchandising opportunity”?

Also well-represented on the calendar, Lilly Pulitzer, with functions slated for the Pink Magnolia in St. Louis, and the KOP (King of Prussia) Mother Ship store, in all of its remodeled splendor.

Via The Love List

Jenn over at the always-delightful Love List has more pictures of the fabulous re-do at the store, just click here.

One other site sure to be a hit, the “For the Love of Lilly” exhibit at the Museum of Lifestyle and Fashion History is the location for a True Prep event.

Via the Sun-Sentinel

One of the major contributors to that exhibit is the very talented Kristina from Lotus and Lilly, she has more about it on her blog.  The nearby Lilly store in Boca Raton will host Ms. Birnbach for a visit, near the end of the tour in December.  Other retailers hosting events include the always-stylish Stubbs & Wootton, and jeweler Verdura.

The material in the press kit indicates savvy marketing minds at work, with outstanding venues for the book tour, and word of solid merchandise tie-ins. (Although the stops are heavily concentrated on both coasts and in Florida, a few more in The Great Midwest would make us smile.) Methinks there will be several fun co-branded products with this one, not limited to the upcoming jewelry piece at Brooks and the Princess.

Our initial reaction to Ms. Birnbach’s latest offering is very positive, True Prep is similar in tone and tenor to The Original Preppy Handbook. We presume the light treatment of the topic is what most readers are looking for; the same irreverence that made TOPH such a hit is present in abundance, with lots of tongue-in-cheek comments and witty asides. We enjoyed our quick glance through the book, and look forward to settling in with it for a dedicated read, cover to cover. We hope to have our review posted at some point this week.

One other note before we scram-a-rama, because we somehow have multiple copies of the Original Preppy Handbook, we’re thinking a giveaway offering one of each might be in order.  Does that make sense?

Until next time, g’bye!

FNO Follow-up & Fashion Week: the Lacoste Look

Hello-Hello, and welcome to the work week…!

We want to follow up on our post about FNO, Fashion’s Night Out, as there was excitement in the stores and in the street with this enormous event. With the season premiere of Gossip Girl just hours away it seems only proper to start with Blake Lively, at Polo Ralph Lauren.

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Here is another shot, with Camilla Belle, Nacho Figueras (the polo playing model), Ms. Lively and David Lauren.

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Next, the Tory Burch block party:

PHOTO: Tyler Boye/WWD

Justin Timberlake was on hand at Saks.

PHOTO: Lauren Fleishman/WWD

St. John took on a special look for what they dubbed “Studio 53,” we like the little touch of humor. BTW, St. John’s tweeds for fall are TDF, we highly recommend treating yourself to a look!

PHOTO: WWD

Over at Brook Brothers, designer Thom Browne helped unveil a new product for the retailer.

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Mr. Browne helped launch the company’s new fragrance, Black Fleece, named for Brooks’ Black Fleece line of clothing.

Musician Tim Brantley offered up entertainment at Tommy Hilfiger.

PHOTO: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Now here’s a quartet: Sarah Jessica Parker, Barbara Walters and Bette Midler joined Oscar de la Renta in a little singing at his shop.

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

Reviews are mixed on actual sales (as opposed to shoppers) generated by the promotion, but as a stand-alone event, Fashion’s Night Out was clearly an enormous success.

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Moving on to Fashion Week, there is loads to share, today we look at the Lacoste Spring 2010 RTW collection.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

We simply adore the look seen above, fun, flirty, and filled of understated elegance.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

For some reason we prefer Spring RTW (Ready to Wear) shows over the Fall and Winter collections, probably because we find the sunny, warmer seasons vastly superior to their cold and gloomy counterparts.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

The review in WWD offers more on the Collection:

“a relaxed French sensibility — “simple, sporty and chic” according to show notes…”

Men’s styles echoed the colors and lines seen with the womenswear.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

More from the WWD review:

“Shapes were slouchy and swishy, as in terrific roomy knits, poplin micropleated skirts, poncholike toppers and ultrachic wide-leg linen pants.”

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

One unfortunate men’s top was reminiscent of something generally seen on the football field.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

And one women’s look seemed more appropriate to the hospital OR (think surgical scrubs), but this was more a function of pairing both pieces in the same color combination, than a flaw with the basic styles or colors.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

Overall we thought almost every look offered lots of possibilities.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

It is best summed up by these lines from the WWD review:

“The obligatory crisp whites (often with navy piping) were mixed with chambrays and whiffs of the sea via blue and green shades, which, coupled with the chic stripes and a charming dot print, lent a refreshing feel to the clothes — some of the label’s best to date.”

Much of the credit for this goes to Lacoste’s creative director Christophe Lemaire.

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One quick reminder, don’t forget to enter the Great Preppy Personalized Plate Giveaway to win one of these.

Preppy Princess

Just head over here to learn how to enter. The lucky winner will choose their favorite plate or platter, personalized as they wish, and it is free.

With that we say g’bye until next time, when we take a look inside the new Tommy Hilfiger mother ship, among other things.

say a quick g’bye, tomorrow

Lhuillier Bliss, FNO Plans of a Preppy Sort

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a wacky Wednesday that feels like a Tuesday. We cannot tell you how many times TSU has been required to answer the question “Okay, quick, is Tuesday or Wednesday?” But there shan’t be any complaining about the shortened week here at the Prepatorium, nay-nay, it is a lovely concept, simply bliss in our little brain!

Speaking of such, has everyone heard about the more affordable line coming from gown designer extraordinaire Monique Lhuillier? That is the name of her new line, “Bliss“.  The eagle eyes over at StyleList mentioned it in a post last week, including these sketches:

Courtesy Photo via StyleList

As the article details:

“The line will offer dresses in the best lace, organza and silk, featuring both ML’s signature embellishments and flair for fashion, but priced for the masses.”

Pricepoints for the gowns are expected to range from $2,300 to $3,500; the line will include fifteen styles available this fall.

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Is everyone familiar with FNO, Fashion’s Night Out? The brainchild of Anna Wintour, it is officially described as a “global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion…”. We like Christina Binkley’s description better, as seen in this Journal story:

“… a global pep rally sponsored by two fashion icons, Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg.”

“The goal is to revive the now-comatose basic human urge to snap up lipstick, socks, neckties, designer gowns, jewelry, handbags and all the other goodies that people cut—with a certain pride—from their household budgets…”

All over the country tomorrow night hundreds of stores will be staying open until at least 11pm, offering special promotions, gifts with purchase, and more. Events range from free chocolates at Maison du Chocolat (the Rockefeller Center store) to the Olsen twins serving drinks at Bergdorf Goodman.

If not out watching the Open, shoppers at Cole-Haan (on Madison) can meet Maria Sharapova, showing her new Collection again (previewed in this post), while also sampling goodies from Dylan’s Candy Bar.

Fashion's Night Out

As is the case with almost any event held these days, one may acquire a tee-shirt commemorating the occasion. For those not attending in person, the shirt is available online at Needless Markup Neiman Marcus.  The nice thing about the tee? 40% of the proceeds are being donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center.

A number of Preptastic retailers are participating, including Lilly Pulitzer.

Lilly plans include giving shoppers a chance to see some of the amazing designers in action at the Mother Ship on Madison Avenue, and it seems there will be liquid refreshments as well, the invitation does say “Cocktails and creativity will flow.” For more on all of the Lilly events, click here.

Tory Burch has even designed a special tote for the occasion.

Purchase *anything* at either the Nolita or Meatpacking stores and one of the limited edition totes is yours. Kate Spade shoppers have an opportunity to party, as the retailer is offering cha-cha lessons and Havana highballs will be served!

Brooks Brothers is unveiling a yet-to-be-announced product, Polo Ralph Lauren is hosting an art event, and J. Crew is promoting their Jewelry/Accessories store by offering refreshments and a chance to meet a jewelry designer.

We have read of several bloggers planning to partake of the festivities, including the fabulous Magnolias, Marriage & Manhattan. There are also events scheduled all over the country, including Los Angeles and Orange County, San Francisco and Chicago.  If interested, check online, in the local newpaper or at the official FNO site. For a list of events in London, click here.

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One other quick note: the Anna Sui Gossip Girl-inspired line for Target launches tomorrow. Below, a look at the ‘Blair dress‘ as seen in a print ad for the retailer.

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We close with a few more lines from Ms. Binkley’s excellent story about tomorrow’s big events:

“But can fashionable entertainment persuade people to pay full price when they are still feeling queasy and bloated from over-spending?

Discounting is a matter of supply and demand. During the boom, luxury goods and fashion brands became so plentiful that they turned into commodities. Stores, carrying the same items around the world, were left to compete on little more than price when the recession set in.”

We are curious about your thoughts on shopping…? Do you spend less time engaged in that activity than you did a year or two ago? Did you always look for bargains regardless of the economy, or are you more cognizant of that now?  Do you have any concerns about being perceived as someone who is a conspicuous consumer, or are things essentially the same? Is your perception of luxury different in any way?

You know TP has an inquiring mind, and she is simply dying to hear your reactions to this idea of an evening spent celebrating shopping.