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.

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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.

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Jessica Alba also wore Ralph Lauren, she was radiant.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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

Fashion Week: Tory Burch & “Where Fashion Is Not Our Friend”

Hello-Hello, happy Thursday!

As New York Fashion Week draws to a close, we have a look at yesterday’s Tory Burch show.

As in other shows, dresses and skirts ran longer, many hitting mid-calf, a marked (and welcome) departure from what we have been seeing on the runway in previous years.

From the Women’s Wear Daily review:

“For every jet-set babe, à la Marisa Berenson (peasant blouses, sensual silk dresses), there was a louche Lauren Hutton (slim, tailored suiting) or bohemian Ali MacGraw (crochet polos, Baja sweaters).”

There was much to like, including many pieces in the navy group.

Even the shimmering lamé looked tailored and glamorous, not loud or inappropriate.

We very much like the navy tweed jacket on the left, as well as the trench coat on the right.

But our favorite look has to be this one, right down to what looks like a wicker handbag.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

One of the fashion world’s most plugged-in designers, Ms. Burch uses her Facebook page, blog and Twitter account to gather opinions and share information, attributing some design decisions to feedback she receives from customers.

Via Tory Burch blog

Many celebrities were seen in the front row for the show, WWD’s Steve Eichner snapped these images of Kanye West and Aerin Lauder.

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When it comes to a broader view of significant trends, here is a snippet from Sally Singer’s story in T Magazine, “The Rise and Fall at New York Fashion Week”:

“One thing we have learned so far from the New York spring runways is that waistlines are rising and hemlines falling, and heaven help those with stubby legs.”

One thing that does not appear to be going away:

PHOTO: Bebeto Matthews/AP via T Magazine

The shoes above are from the Tory Burch show; more on the styles from Sally Singer’s story:

“But then there is the conundrum of footwear, and here is where fashion is not our friend….it’s back to the platforms (terrific at Tory Burch)….”

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We also have images for next spring’s line from Nautica, a brand we remain fond of here at the Prepatorium.

Courtesy Photos via WWD.com

Back to womenswear, St. John showed spring styles last week.

Courtesy

More images from Robert Mitra and WWD.

We are not sure St. John, struggling for some time now, has fully found its way, although some pieces looked appealing.

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A few quick True Prep notes:

• Ralph Gardner profiles author Lisa Birnbach in today’s Journal, “The Official Preppy Author” also offers this image of the writer.

Ross Mantle for The Wall Street Journa

• For more on Tuesday’s night True Prep event at Brooks Brothers, you may want to visit the Facebook page, there are some fun pictures from that party.

Via True Prep Facebook page

• Today the book tour heads to LL Bean at Tysons Corner, that would be a fun event to attend.

With that we say so long until next time!

The Preps Hit Fashion Week: Tory Burch, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren

Hello-Hello and Happy Weekend!

In yesterday’s post we promised more photos from the Tory Burch show at Fashion Week.

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

There was some angst here at the Prepatorium about the direction Ms. Burch is taking with this Fall’s Collection, and more than a few readers echoed these concerns. Below, the portion of the WWD story that we shared yesterday:

“Tory Burch is trading in her sandals and ballet flats for a pair of ready-to-rumble combat boots. This season, she’s gone streetwise and edgy.”

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

More from Women’s Wear Daily’s story:

“Burch still has those charming ladyfied pieces, as in the polkadot blouse and a prettily allover petaled jacket. The rest just skews oh-so-darkly glam. “I’m pushing the limits,” said Burch. “There’s a lot of leather.”

There is.

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

As far as there being “… charming and ladyfied…” styles, we scanned each and every look and encountered difficulty locating much we would call ‘ladyfied’ in the collection.  There are a few pieces reminiscent of the Tory Burch style existing customers expect to see from the designer, including this dress.

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

As well as this coat, not entirely flattering in the shot below.

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

One last style:

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

The Burch show attracted its share of entertainment industry stars, including Kanye West, LL Cool J and Russell Simmons.

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

Women’s Wear Daily attributes some of the directional shift in the line to the designer’s romantic life:

“Ever since she’s been dating Warner Music Group Vice Chairman Lyor Cohen, Tory Burch’s fashion week presentations have felt more street than Park Avenue.”

Indeed.

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We also promised to share more from the Tommy Hilfiger show.

PHOTO: Marcio Madeira

The collection was titled “Quintessentially Fifth Avenue” in honor of the enormous Hilfiger flagship store on Fifth Avenue opening this summer.

PHOTO: Marcio Madeira

The program for the show started with this:

“It is aspirational yet affordable, inspirational yet attainable.”

Menswear is shown simultaneously; WWD had this to say in their review:

“Although the show failed to define the Tommy Hilfiger man, it had polish and ample commercial appeal.”

“

PHOTO: Marcio Madeira

Some may remember the coat from yesterday; we had to share it one more time.

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

Also “Pretty in Pink,” the sheath:

PHOTO: Robert Mitra

We found this an elegant look:

PHOTO: Marcio Madeira

For some reason, this model looked exactly like Matt Damon to us.

PHOTO: Marcio Madeira

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Today’s hottest tcket had to be the Ralph Lauren show, drawing A-List celebrities like Gossip Girl star Blake Lively.

PHOTO: Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Also seen in the photo with Ms. Lively are socialite Amanda Hearst, David Lauren, and designer/model Lauren Bush.  You may remember our previous posts showing other G2 stars (Leighton Meester, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen) at other shows earlier this week; this was the first appearance for Ms. Lively.

Below, a few looks from the Fall 2009 RTW (ready to wear) Collection:

PHOTO: Kyle Ericksen

Another look:

PHOTO: Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images

One more shot below; we promise to share more from the Ralph Lauren show in our next post.

PHOTO: Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images

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Because we all want to pursue fiscally friendly investments, we leave you with a few more opportunities for savings, starting with the latest J. Crew promotion: 30% off Select Women’s, Men’s & Kid’s pants online and in stores.

Speaking of the Crew, has everyone seen the ABC news stories about Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts? There is a possibility she will wear J. Crew to the Oscars this weekend, as detailed in this story.

PHOTO: Ida Mae Astute ABC News

The coral dress on the far left is the J. Crew, in silk tricotine.  The lavender in the center is silk chiffon by J. Mendel, and the cobalt blue on the far right is a Reem Acra creation.

Wisely, the retailer is promoting the possible Oscar connection:

Courtesy J. Crew

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We close with an “Adventure in Argyle,” the Four Seasons Argyle sweater on sale at Bobby Jones.

Bobby Jones Four Seasons Argyle Crew

Originally $275, the Men’s sweater is now $68 as part of the President’s Day Sale. There is more Men’s merchandise in the sale than Women’s, but you may find it worth a small investment of time.

Enjoy the weekend!

Brooks Brothers & the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval?

Hello-Hello and happy start to the new week!

Let us ponder the relationship between the Brooks Brothers cashmere cardigan….

Brooks Brothers

and the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval?

Courtesy Good Housekeeping

But of course, silly Princess! We didn’t realize testing was done on cashmere sweaters by the folks at Good Housekeeping!  The Brooks Brothers sweater was described:

“…aced both the construction and fabric-weight tests…it’s one flaw: moderate pilling.”

Oops.  Testers appeared to favor the Ann Taylor V-Neck Cashmere Sweater:

(Ummm… might we just interject that this Ann Taylor sweater is now running about $52?)

We get a teeny bit confused by the description of results for a few of the sweaters (Land’s End and LL Bean are included), not clear about the pilling on a few. Those categorized as Not-So-Good include Kohl’s Apt. 9 Cashmere Crewneck for Misses, a shame as their argyle sweater looked cute!

Also scoring poorly were two sweaters from Macy’s Charter Club.

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We have chatted previously about all of the fun events surrounding Barbie’s 50th Anniversary, most recently last Saturday. We neglected to mention the very grown-up cosmetic collection Barbie is getting as part of her anniversary celebration! Mattel has partnered with Stila Cosmetics; below, some of the products in the Foxy Doll collection:

Courtesy Mattel via WWD

Mattel did a Barbie collaboration with MAC cosmetics in 2007.  According to the story in WWD, this collection will be a limited edition, available at select Sephora stores and Sephora.com.  Four different dolls will be featured, including Ponytail Barbie from 1959, Foxy Doll, the first African-American Barbie, Malibu Barbie and Jewel Doll.  (Of course, discussion of anything related to Barbie is quite difficult for TP, related to the childhood Barbie trauma that we explained in this post; do scroll to the bottom if you glance at it.)

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Frequent readers may recall a post back in September, “Another ‘How to be Preppy Guide,” featuring insight from the wise folks writing the Style section over at Complex.  In a Friday story they point out the attributes of the classic pea coat:

“…. “so-called “pea coats” have become associated with preppy blueblood types, but their roots are much more rugged. The classic American style is actually based on Britain’s Royal Navy Jacket, which was designed to help sailors withstand the brutal conditions of the high seas without getting tangled in the mess of sails and ropes. Before long, the American Navy adopted it as its own.”

Complex also shares info about a great deal, Schott NYC’s Melton Wool pea coat:

Schott NYC Pea Coat

This fabulous creation is available in several colors, including black, grey, and navy. Schott is family-owned; all of their products are made in the USA, and they are outstanding investments.  Obviously this is an upgrade from the Isaac Mizrahi pink pea coat at Target we shared just a few days ago.

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We close today with a fun “revision” to the back cover of The Preppy Handbook:

House of Cassette

It is difficult to discern the text, but the photos probably tell you everything you need to know. The “new back cover” includes some choice writing:

“Consider the ascendance of Gossip Girl’s upper east side snot Chuck Bass…and the steady resurgence of populist-prep label J. Crew…”

There are also mentions of Kanye West, described as ‘the Fresh Prince of Nantucket’, Band of Outsiders designer Scott Sternberg, and preppy band Vampire Weekend.

We hope everyone enjoys a simply splendid week!