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

J. Crew Execs Everywhere, Are Crossword Puzzles an Ivy Thing?

Hello-Hello and Happy Monday!  We hope everyone enjoyed a splendid weekend!

It seems this past weekend had a bit of a J. Crew management theme in some of the national media. As previously mentioned, J. Crew Grand Pooh-Bah Mickey Drexler was profiled yesterday on CBS’ “Sunday Morning” program.  The feature looks quite interesting, click here to see the full story.

Also this Sunday, the LA Times carried an interesting story on Jenna Lyons, J. Crew’s Design Director.

PHOTO: Melanie Acevedo

If curious about what duties and responsibilities her job actually involves, the story explains:

“That title means she’s in charge of every design element of the company, website and catalog, and it’s her attention to detail — delicate beading, raw edges, crepe de Chine ruffles — that sets J.Crew apart from other mall stores. The company’s ability to be both aspirational and attainable has made it popular with Indianapolis career women and Birkin-toting Malibu trophy wives alike.”

Fashion Critic Booth Moore’s article looks at the ‘cult of Jenna’:

“Bloggers evaluate her personal as well as professional style, contributing to the budding cult of Jenna. They wax eloquently about her love of neutral colors, Sharpie pens and Maybelline Cool Watermelon lipstick.

When it comes to the monetization of this phenomenon or other tangible values attached to such popularity, stock analysts aren’t necessarily seeing it:

“But praise in the blogosphere can’t guarantee a surge in sales of all those pencil skirts and cardigans. “Nobody needs another one-pocket tee or twin set or pleat-front skirt,” says Richard Jaffe, a retail analyst with Stifel, Nicolaus and Co. “Your closet is full of them.”

This feature on Ms. Lyons, when read in tandem with the CBS profile on CEO Mickey Drexler, provides insight into the business of fashion. More from the LA Times piece:

“The chief executive and the designer behave a little like a father-daughter team. Over lunch at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, she tells him that “being back here even for one day, all my insecurities come back. Women here are in such great shape. Everyone is blond and beautiful. Girls are trying on bathing suits and coming out of the dressing rooms and I’m like, ‘Just stay in there!’ “

The story also  offers a look at select items from the Fall 2009 J. Crew Weddings & Parties line.

Lucinda Gown at JCrew.com

The dress is a poly/cotton/silk blend retailing for $2500.  Also shown, the cotton Erica dress in Cypress, a color available this fall.  (Note: our link connects to the current Erica dress, with most colors on sale for $99.)

Erica Dress at JCrew.com

And finally in our “J. Crews News section” this morning, word the company’s spinoff brand Madewell 1937 is launching a jeans collection deemed “… a bit more price friendly.”

Courtesy Photo via WWD

This morning’s WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) reports on the new line, Madewell ’37s, focusing on a single “skinny skinny” jean available in five colors. Perhaps most importantly,the new jean will retail at $58.50; other Madewell denim starts at $78.

Courtesy Photo

As far as differentiating the new jeans from other ?

“The tag line for marketing the ’37s is “Cool jeans. Great price. We’ve got your back.”’

This article also quotes J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler:

“There’s a new world today. The denim customer is no longer trading up to higher price points. With customers giving us feedback and the marketplace changing, it was pretty clear there was a need to come out with a collection of jeans a bit more price friendly. Jeans at $92 to $110 represented the heart of the business.”

While we are not exactly the Madewell demo (cough-cough), it is good to see retailers being smart in pricing.

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Our final item today has *nothing* to do with either J. Crew Group or Mr. Drexler, not that we are Drexler-averse, to the contrary, we think very highly of his skills. We just need to chat about something else, don’t you think?

No, our next item involves a statement contained within this story in yesterday’s Times, a feature looking at the continued demise of the crossword puzzle, along with other puzzles, in many publications.

“The Atlantic’s Puzzler, which will take its final bow in September, and The New York Sun’s crossword are among the most notable recent casualties, in part because of their Ivy League street cred. (Let’s face it: the crosswords in TV Guide and People magazine seldom generate heat at Hamptons dinner parties.)”

“Ivy League street cred?” Now, TP adores her crossword puzzles. Nothing is quite as comforting as settling in with pen (it must be a very specific pen you understand) and newspaper, generally the Times, but we have been known to utilize others in a pinch. But we have never heard them associated with an Ivy, that is a new one for us.

Have you heard of such an affiliation in anyone’s mind previously? More importanly, do you use pen or pencil when you do the puzzle? When pondering how to best answer these deep questions, do keep in mind the world’s fate hangs in the balance. (Heh-heh.)

With this wackiness we say G’bye until next time!

Ivy League Bag, “Preppy Chic,” & The Coolest Sneakers!

Hello-Hello and Happy Day! It is dismal, dreary, and downright nasty outside. This is not our favorite time of year. But you knew that. Onward.

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We start with last week’s opening of the new Fred Flare in Brooklyn, more specifically, Greenpoint. Flare is one of our favorites, approaching fashion with a light and whimsical touch while also carrying solid merchandise. Here we show the Ivy League weekender, available in two colorways at a reasonable $66.

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A peek inside the new store.

Courtesy Refinery 29

We neglected to provide yet another view on Men’s fashion involving ‘preppy’ style, this one from a site in the UK, the “Here is the City” blog. In an outstanding column entitled Men: Your Look Next Summer, writer Lisa Bathurst shares thoughts on next Spring’s look, including this on Preppy Chic:

Preppy Chic
Preppy chic continues as a running theme from recent menswear collections with a cropped trouser and jacket look as seen on the Rag & Bone catwalk in NYC. Plenty of smart preppy black blazers and shirts, perfect for work and easily translatable to an after work date.

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Another negative shot has been fired at über-preppy retailer J. Crew, this time from popular fashion and style blog Fashionista. In a post titled “J. Crew Needs a Lesson in Subtlety” writer Britt Aboutaleb makes a point about this Crewcuts Girls’ ivory tweed Coco jacket priced at $248.

“… But we would suggest taking note of the catalog description which oh-so-subtly admits that, “this little jacket is a nod to vintage.  It is indeed.  As well as a nod to Karl Lagerfeld and the team of couturiers who continue to produce Coco Chanel’s signature tweeds.

Tangentially, even if you’re disgustingly obsessed with your gorgeous kid, do you honestly buy them a $250 white jacket?”

Ouch. If one is not familiar with J. Crew’s recent run of negative press in publications ranging from the Times to simple blogs, here is one of TP’s posts on the issue.

On a more up note the retailer hosted a party last week for Domino, the interior style magazine, at their new J. Crew Collection store in the city.  The celebration honored the magazine’s new book, Domino: The Book of Decorating (seen above).  The newest issue of Domino features J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons on the cover.

Below, a photo of Ms. Lyons with husband, artist Vince Mazeau at the Domino party.

Photo: Patrick McMullan ©

The story gives readers an inside peek at the personal style of the Lyons-Mazeau household.

PHOTO: Melanie Acevedo

There is also a video with Ms. Lyons, her husband and their baby.

“J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyons brings her talent for updating classic silhouettes to her elegantly edgy Brooklyn brownstone.”

PHOTO: Melanie Acevedo

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Speaking of launches, American Eagle’s new website 77Kids is now live, offering clothing and accessories for the little ones. They carry Toddler, Boy’s, and Girl’s sizes.  There are lots of fun things, like this Toddler Girls Cat Hoodie sweater, and the oh-so-cool Rad Plaid Trapper hat.

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If this isn’t one of the coolest designs for “fashion sneakers,” we truly don’t know what is.

These are Van’s Authentic Modular tennies. The Begonia Pink/Neon Pink color combination is like a massive smile for the feet.  And the primary color combination is equally fabulous. It is possible we will require both pair.

We are betting that even The Queen Mother might be inquiring about a pair.

Finally, today’s Pretty in Pink picture comes to us via another incredible pastry chef, Michelle Doll Cakes.  Below, the Pink Argyle Topsy Turvey non-traditional cake.

Michelle Doll Cakes

Grins and Giggles for whatever your social secretary has you scheduled for this week!

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J. Crew Accessories, Fashion Week Continues: Preppy Karen Walker

Well, hello world on another bright and sunny day! We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and rewarding weekend wherever their time was spent.

As mentioned in our previous post about the Lacoste Spring/Summer 2009 show, the insanity that is Fashion Week continues apace!

We thought some might enjoy a few more impressions from the earlier shows, starting with a somewhat preppy looking collection from Karen Walker, starting with the three-shot above. Ms. Walker is from New Zealand, and the bio on her website describes her design aesthetic:

“Karen’s collections are high casual with one foot in tailoring and the other in street wear. The recurring theme is taking extremes and pushing them together – masculine and feminine, tailored and street, luxury and non-luxury, dark and super-cute. Overall the label has a feeling of effortlessness and has been described by the UK’s Independent newspaper as being ‘The kind of look that provides a means of appearing cool but not trying-too-hard…’ “.

Ms. Walker titled her collection “The Believers,” and many looks had an old school appeal, right down to the modified Keds worn by the models. The ‘preppy’ influence on her design preferences is not surprising, considering her years at the rather refined Epsom Girls Grammar School in Auckland. Now, TP’s evil twin must have been out of her cage this morning, as she directed us to the actual school website upon reading about Ms. Walker’s background, and because of our years spent wearing uniforms at school we simply had to look up Epsom’s to see what Ms. Walker was subjected to in this arena.

This helps TP understand the oversized blazers in the collection, which we think are excellent.

The Princess is not the first to report on J Crew’s expanded Accessory Collection, enlarged substantially by Creative Director Jenna Lyons, but we thought we might share her insight on the move to grow this category.

Anyone perusing their J. Crew ‘Indulgences‘ catalog will note the changer in the catalog, as it is not a glossy magazine-style piece, but done on newsprint, a coarser feeling material. Frankly, this almost went the way of the weekly shoppers and other flyers, straight into the recycling bin; fortunately we knew to look for it in its different format.

Aficionados will also note the increase in shoes offered, with that category header online touting their ‘Ballet Flats starting at $138,’ as seen below, perhaps a nod to the tight economy. As a recent online WWD story (subscription required) explains:

“Lyons said the shoe business has increased incrementally. ‘It’s something that kept growing,’ she said. ‘People kept asking for more. We ended up having this really broad range of shoes.'”

The website carries J. Crew’s long-established basics such as the “Dorian Driving Moc,” although the WWD story questions some high-end styles, like the Tivoli Ballet Flat:

“…One of the most expensive, the Tivoli ballet flat in python, is priced at $398. ‘Our shoes are made in Italy and snakeskin is rare,” Lyons said. “It’s speaking to a slightly more sophisticated customer….'”

For those fond of this material, there is also a snakesin clutch at $495 and snakeskin slingbacks at $495. TP would be remiss in her obligations if she did not mention there are also snakeskin flip-flops and they happen to be on sale, however one must note they are referred to in a more refined fashion as “Metallic snakeskin Capri sandals.” Of course.

Lyons also told WWD there will be more emphasis on handbags:

“That’s an amazing opportunity,” Lyons said. “We’re looking for ways to build on our Uptown tote. We’re looking at how we can make our [handbag collection] larger and exploit it online.”

J Crew Uptown Tote

Ms. Lyons had a strong attitude on pricing in the market overall:

We’re frustrated with what we see going on with designer handbags. The prices are insane and the [devaluation] of the dollar has made things worse. We want to be very conscientious. Can a handbag be $700 or $800? Sure. But do we want to get to $1,200? We want to win people’s trust with the quality of the goods without doing it big and expensive.”

Hair accessories may not have sold as well as hoped; all are now on sale. TP’s favorites are unlikely to  surprise readers, as she is always vocal about her interest in an item’s ‘snuggle factor’ and her love of argyle:

It will be interesting to see how the expanded inventory fares, especially the brand’s move into fine jewelry for the first time. The line includes the 10K gold Boule ring and the Ribbon-tied long pearl necklace with genuine freshwater pearls.

TP actually prefers the company’s costume pieces, especially the broad range of enameled rings and bracelets, always lovely additions to one’s look. BTW, one mustn’t forget the continuing end of summer sale with clearance prices on almost everything.

As always, happy hunting!

Also, a very quick peek at the first-ever runway collection from Catherine Holstein, with lots of long, leggy casual-but-elegant looks that we found rather intriguing. Ms. Holstein is Parson graduate, and also

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

As always, we’ll be back!