When the Dress Code is ‘Lilly or Louder’, Tretorn at J. Crew

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a very busy Tuesday, we are off to a volunteer function almost all afternoon, so today’s post is brief.

Many readers may have already read or heard about last week’s big bash at the American Museum of Natural History, we’re more than a little late reporting on the festivities.  If it doesn’t sound familiar, we offer a visual clue:

Patrick McMullan via Huffington Post

It was the annual spring dance, and Lilly Pulitzer sponsored the event. The party was much brighter than most black tie events, compliments of a dress code that said “Lilly or Louder”. Below, the retailer’s design director, Janie Schoenborn, wore Pandamonium.

Patrick McMullan via Huffington Post

Below, socialites Blair Husain and Sara Peters.

Steve Eichner/WWD

Below we see Tinsley Mortimer in what we’ll call “modified Lilly,” as she explained to Women’s Wear Daily:

“I shortened it to make it cuter,” said Mortimer. “I took a pair of scissors to it right before I left the house.”

Peter Kramer/AP

Lilly pooh-bah Jim Bradbeer and his wife Carol were colorfully clad.

Patrick McMullan via Huffington Post

On the not-so-Lilly list, actress Michelle Trachtenberg (L) and model Coco Rocha.

The event’s Honorary Chair did not wear Lilly, actress Claire Danes was in Zac Posen.

Actors Sebastian Stan and Matthew Settle (of Gossip Girl).

Steve Eichner/WWD

One of the best parts of any function Lilly is involved with has to be having the chance to watch the amazingly talented artists from the Lilly Mother Ship in action.

Steve Eichner/WWD

Below, the über-talented Paige Smith works on a floral canvas.

Patrick McMullan via Huffington Post

It sounds like an delightful time, you can read more about it here at the Lilly blog.

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Loads of bits and bytes today, here are a few quick links:

• This story hypothetically lists the “10 Preppiest Colleges,” at least according to the Huffington Post; the comments are as entertaining as the story IOHO.

• J. Crew’s design guru Jenna Lyons will be featured on tomorrow’s (Wednesday, 4/21) Oprah show; the topic is Dream Jobs. (Click here for a teeny bit more info.)  Below, Ms. Lyons in her office.

Roger Neves via Oprah.com

• Speaking of the retailer, our friends at High Snobette report that Crew has launched its collection of Tretorn.

Via HighSnobette.com

With that we say g’bye until next time!

Brooks Brothers Online Outlet & “High Society”

Hello-Hello, welcome to a Wednesday.

In honor of the warming temps here at the Prepatorium we share a few looks from the Brooks Brothers spring/summer collection.

This seems to be the navy sleeveless wrap dress in the photo on the right.

Brooks Brothers

The images immediately below are all clickable if any of the styles are intriguing.

We do like most of the madras pieces shown for men.

The Black Fleece items are always… interesting. The spring styles seem much more wearable than Thom Browne’s previous collections.

Certain motifs work better on the ladies than they do on the gentlemen.

Indeed.

Perhaps of greater interest, word the retailer will be offering merchandise in a new format; more from a late February WWD story:

“eBay also is creating an online outlet mall for the U.S. with some well-known retail and apparel brands. Lord & Taylor’s outlet division is already on board and Brooks Brothers will be added next month.”

This one may hold promise for those seeking outlet mall price point without having to make a trip to said outlet.We’ll let you know when the site is live.

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Next on today’s agenda: High Society. We are not talking about this version.

We refer to this incarnation.

Courtesy the CW

Debuting a week from tonight, the show is launching on the CW; the network’s blog describes the program:

“HIGH SOCIETY follows Tinsley Mortimer, New York’s most talked-about “Park Avenue Princess,” as she and her circle of often-controversial friends circulate through New York’s most prestigious black-tie affairs, outrageous parties and fashion exclusives, with never-before-seen access from behind the velvet rope.”

Or, as the New York Tix blog says:

““Jersey Shore,” look behind you. “The Real World,” step up the pace. “Dancing with the Stars,” watch your step. A new breed of reality show is coming to town, and it’s the New York bluebloods who will be in the spotlight. And no, it’s not “Gossip Girl”: This is the real deal.
Premiering March 10 on the CW, “High Society” looks at the infighting, cat-fighting and general, well, fighting, of a group of upper-crust society ladies.”

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We close with two more quick items. First, yet another in the ever-growing list of Gossip Girl magazine covers, this time Jessica Szohr showcases the April issue of Lucky.

Lucky Magazine

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Second, a sorta’-kinda’-maybe-not-really Pretty in Pink.  Meet the Christian Louboutin Barbie 2.0. (That’s our name for it.)

Net-a-Porter

The official title is Dolly Forever Barbie, we love the miniature shoes that come with the doll.

But the life-size version is much more fun.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Until next time!

PHOTO CREDIT:

George Chinsee/Brooks Brothers Spring Collection