A Gossip Girl at Prep World Launch & Kate’s Coming to California

Hello-Hello, we are just all adither, business and volunteer commitments have combined to make the time fly by, so we are brief.

We begin with a more in-depth look at the Prep World pop-up shop.

Tommy Hilfiger

From a NY Times story about the store:

“It could have come straight from the Hamptons or Martha’s Vineyard, or “The Wizard of Oz.” Instead, it came from a warehouse in Yonkers, a pop-up dwelling built to look like a fancy beach vacation house, and assembled in less than three days on newly planted sod in Gansevoort Plaza.”

The cottage/shop is designed to have a weathered feel.

Via Dazed Digital

The store opened with a party last night, bringing out a number of celebrities, below we see John Legend and Christine Teigen, as well as model Jessica Stam and Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szohr.

Steve Eichner/WWD

Prep World is a collaborative effort between “TOPH/True Prep” author Lisa Birnbach, and mass merchandiser Tommy Hilfiger.  Below we see the best selling author at last night’s party with actress Hayley Atwell, on the right, Mr. Hilfiger with his wife, Dee.

Steve Eichner/WWD

Teen Vogue has photos from inside the store.

Via Teen Vogue

Why do the limited edition line? More from the Liz Robbins story in the Times:

“The preppy lifestyle has gone global,” he said. “We feel that our business has grown so well because preppy travels so well. It’s all-American classic.”

Via Teen Vogue

Below, merchandise from the 60-piece collection, the Fabric Boat Shoe, and the Anchor Tote.

Via Tommy Hilfiger

More of Mr. Hilfiger’s thoughts on the designs from the Times story:

“When you’re wearing it, maybe you feel like you are a yachtsman,” Mr. Hilfiger said of the line. “Or if you’re wearing something madras, you feel like you’re out on the lawn playing croquet, or if you’re wearing something beachy, you feel like a surfer. It has a lot of different meanings to a lot of different people.”

Shot By Jake

That is true, the word definitely has very different connotations to people.  Just how different? Well, most preps we know wouldn’t even consider wearing these shoes, yet they have already proven to be very popular with the more fashionable crowd.

Tommy Hilfiger

More photos from the store may be found on the the Hilfiger Facebook page.

Tommy Hilfiger

Fortunately there are a number of the cottages, because the London shop in Covent Garden is opening as we type, with another Gossip Girl star on hand, Ed Westwick.  For more detailed background on the collaboration, click here for our original post.

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Our other tidbits involve Prince William and Kate (more formally The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). St James’s Palace has verified the newlyweds will visit the US, spending three days in California. They are expected July 8-10, following almost ten days in Canada. From The Telegraph’s story:

“While on tour, the Duke and Duchess will take part in Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on July 1. They are also expected to zigzag across then country, visiting the Arctic, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Alberta.

It will be the Duchess’s longest time in the public eye to date, with the world’s media scrutinising all that she wears, says and does.

The Duchess will have more than enough time to prepare herself – and her wardrobe – for the trip.”

And for those curious about how photographers managed to keep the young bridesmaids and pages entertained while taking the formal photos, The Daily Mail has a cute story explaining the secret.

“…a £1 ‘wiggly worm’ which Camilla revealed yesterday had been bought by her stepson Prince Harry especially for the occasion.

Yesterday, the Duchess revealed that she had been ‘terribly worried’ that three-year-old Eliza and the other bridesmaids might find the event overwhelming.

AFP/Getty

“‘Harry pulled this wiggly worm out of his pocket in the carriage to keep them amused. Eliza loved it so much that she wouldn’t let go and it even made the official photographs.

‘Can you believe it? She was holding onto my finger but in her other hand was this worm.

The young lady was absolutely precious, and very well-behaved throughout the day’s events.

AFP/Getty

On that darling image we say goodbye until next time!

Target’s Next Designer Collaboration, & It Was Bobbi Brown for Kate Middleton

Hello-Hello, happy middle-of-the-week to everyone.

We begin with what could be wonderful news, word that Le Boutique Targét’s next collaborative partnership will be with Missoni.

Stefano Rellandini/Reuters; Luca Bruno/AP via The NY Times

The styles above are from 2007, but you get the idea. For those unfamiliar with the brand, Missoni is known for their strong designs, saturated in lush, vibrant colors.  Below, Alessia Piovan in Missoni, surrounded by pieces from the home collection during Milan Design Week last month.

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty

Below we see Margherita Missoni at Monday’s Met Ball with Joy Bryant.

Mike Segar/Reuters

Vogue broke the news:

“…the 400-plus fruits of their collaboration (the biggest to date, apparently) will hit Target stores nationwide, the latest in a long line of couplings for the retailer (Proenza Schouler and Rodarte among them). Everything from clothes (women’s, men’s, kids’), to bed sheets, to enough dinnerware to set the table for colazione, pranzo, and cena—all in plenty of Missoni’s swirls, zigzags, and near-hallucinogenic florals.”

Although concerned by sentiment that the Target/Calypso collaboration is sub-par, we are optimistic this will be a strong collection. Our favorite part of the group is likely to be things made for the home.  Below, Missoni dinnerware shown at Milan.

Getty Images

Missoni Rugs via Verde Design Studio .

Verde Design Studio

A look at the results of this spring’s collaboration between Missoni and Converse,

Via High Snobiety

The spring 2011 Chuck Taylor All-Stars by Missoni come in a number of color palettes.

Via High Snobiety

More formal shoes.

Via Shoeblog

The company has been busy, a collaboration with Bugaboo was just announced as well.

Via Missoni

The line is slated to launch September 13.

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Next, we look at a line being shown at Australian Fashion Week, now underway in Sydney. The designer is Lisa Ho, we may have a new obsession.

All Photos by Getty Images

The clean lines, structured cut and strong colors make the designs more-than-appealing.

All Photos by Getty Images

This is something your intrepid scribe feels the need to investigate.

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Another follow-up to our royal wedding coverage, word on who helped Kate Middleton with her makeup. From the Bobbi Brown FB page:

“We are proud to confirm that Bobbi Brown Cosmetics makeup artist Hannah Martin provided makeup artistry assistance to members of the bridal party for the Royal Wedding. We wish to respect the privacy of all those involved, and therefore will not be releasing further details.”

The company has a step-by-step primer for those interested in learning more about the look, or trying it themselves.

Via Bobbi Brown FB page

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We have news about still more ‘copy-Kate’ gowns, dresses imitating the Sarah Burton/Alexander McQueen dress created for the newly titled Duchess of Cambridge.

Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty

Here is the version made for House of Fraser, a UK retailer. The Belfast Telegraph has more:

“Local dressmaker Mary Rose McGrath was among the hundreds of designers who got to work making cut-price copies of the regal look.

Her take on the gown, made of French lace and delicate ivory fabric, was put together in less than 24 hours.

It is said to be a perfect replica of Kate’s dress.”

Below, the McGrath dress.

Via Mary Rose McGrath

Ms. McGrath displays her Royal Replica gown.

Via Mary Rose McGrath

We’ll have more on this knockoff and others at our sister site, What Kate Wore, later today. (We already have a lengthy piece looking at other dresses copying both Kate and Pippa Middleton’s gowns, including one Nordstrom is offering.)

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We leave you with today’s Pretty in Pink, personalized hard candy.

Yum Baked Goods

How darling would that be as a wedding favor? The candies are from etsy seller Yum Baked Goods, and they come in a variety of colors.We also like the company’s Tie the Knot rings.

Yum Baked Goods

Until next time, g’bye!

That Party at the Palace, Official Photos Released

Hugo Burnand

Hello, and welcome to another wedding-filled day here at The Prepatorium.

We thought we’d start things off with a look at the official photo by master photographer Hugo Burnand. Above, the actual wedding party is shown in the Throne Room; in addition to the Prince and Princess, we see Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Miss Eliza Lopes, Miss Grace van Cutsem, Lady Louise Windsor, Master Tom Pettifer, Master William (Billy) Lowther-Pinkerton. (To see all three formal photos, click here to visit the official Royal Wedding site.)

There are very few photos from yesterday’s wedding receptions, below we see the Duchess greeting guests.

WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe

Here is another shot giving a better view of her gown.

WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe

As most readers know, there were two receptions.  The bride and groom looked elegant as they headed out for last night’s party.

PA

One might say they looked downright glamorous leaving Clarence House for Buckingham Palace.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Kate wore another Sarah Burton/Alexander McQueen design, a strapless white satin gown with a diamente rhinestone belt and white angora shrug, or bolero.

Getty Images/PA

The gala was officially hosted by Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla. Her hand-embroidered blue gown was another style by Anna Valentine, who also did her dress for the wedding.

Getty Images

A crowd favorite yesterday, Kate’s sister and Maid of Honour, Pippa Middleton.  She chose a rich green Alice Temperley gown for the second reception.

Photos via The Daily Mirror

On her feet she wore a silver sandal by Aruna Seth, the “Lynn” style in silver leather with a 4″ heel.

Courtesy Photo Aruna Seth

The shoe is still available as of this writing (click the link above), although we expect it to sell out very quickly.

Bauer-Griffin

A quick note on Pippa’s McQueen dress that had everyone talking yesterday.

Reuters (L) / Getty Images (R)

Many have said it is the same gown worn by Cameron Diaz to the Golden Globes in 2009.

Courtesy Photo

While similar in fabric and cut (the exaggerated cowl neckline and drape of the skirt are very much alike), it is not the same gown.  Carole Middleton, Kate and Pippa’s mother, also wore Temperley last night, a black chiffon dress.

Erotme.Co.UK

The dress featured multiple tiers of pleated fabric and a deep v-neckline.

Not taking part in last night’s festivities, the Queen and Prince Phillip, they turned the Palace over to “the younger people”.  Below we see Prince Harry headed home after the festivities.

Splash News

If keeping track of such things, Harry’s guest Chelsea Davy did not leave with him. She departed with Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. (Oh my!)

For the Middletons, things started getting back to a new normal for the family today, below we see the family as they left the Goring Hotel.

Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Pippa was in a royal blue double-breasted jacket over a cream top and white jeans.

Getty Images/Reuters

For the newlyweds there was a change in plans. The much-discussed honeymoon has been postponed, they are merely taking a two-day weekend before Prince William returns to work in Wales.

AP Photo

Above we see them on the lawns of Buckingham Palace this morning.

PA Photo

Kate wore a deep blue dress with a black belt and a black three-quarter sleeve jacket.  They left on a helicopter for an undisclosed location, some think it may be Balmoral, the Queen’s estate in Scotland.

We leave you with two other official photographs shot yesterday by Hugo Burnand, first TRH, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in their formal portrait.

Hugo Burnand

And then this image of the larger wedding party.

Hugo Burnand

Here are the names of those shown in the official portrait above (left to right): : Front row (left to right): Miss Grace van Cutsem, Miss Eliza Lopes, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HM The Queen, The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Lady Louise Windsor, Master William Lowther-Pinkerton. Back Row (left to right): Master Tom Pettifer, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Henry of Wales, Mr Michael Middleton, Mrs Michael Middleton, Mr James Middleton, Miss Philippa Middleton.

Thank you for popping in, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

She Wore McQueen & Cartier, Prince Harry to William: “Wait ’til You See Her”

What a truly splendid wedding.

Referred to as an “act of faith in a world of doubt” this morning’s wedding had us all a-Twitter, literally. The internet crackled with questions we all had: was Kate Middleton wearing a tiara? Who made the dress? What did it look like? Miss Middleton’s secret was kept successfully, even when seeing the bride with her father on the way to Westminster Abbey we couldn’t decipher who created her gown.

AFP/Getty Images

One could almost hear a collective intake of breath when seeing Miss Middleton emerge from the Queen’s Rolls Royce.  This was the shot that wowed the world.

Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

The Alexander McQueen gown was designed by Sarah Burton. It was exquisite.

Getty Images

The dress was both ivory and white, incorporating hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace, appliqued by hand. The work was done by artisans from the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. (Psst, they offer day classes!)

Getty Images

From the Palace news release:

“Individual flowers have been hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.”

Some of us immediately thought of Grace Kelly’s gown, with its similar use of lace and high neck, tasteful and elegant.

EPA (L), Sipa Press/Rex Features (R)

Prince William wore the uniform of Colonel of the Irish Guards. He is commissioned in all three armed services, but the Army’s honorary Irish Guards position is his highest military title. The best man, his brother Prince Harry,wore the uniform of Captain of the Household Cavalry, also called the Blues and Royals.

Paul Rogers/Pool/The Times/AP Photo

Kate’s sister Pippa did a masterful job managing the train, almost 9′ long.

Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

More on the dress from the news release:

“The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs.  The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops.”

Via AOL's Royal Wedding

The veil needed to be simple and it was.  Made of ivory silk tulle, there were no gathers, it wasn’t hooped, just flat, allowing the focus to be on the bride and her gown.

Getty Images

The tiara was by Cartier, loaned to the bride by the Queen, definitely fitting the ‘something borrowed’ category.

AP Television News

‘Something new’ came in the form of a gift from her parents, diamond drop earrings shaped like oak leaves with a pave diamond acorn suspended in the middle. Pippa wore a similar pair, both pair were made by Robinson Pelham, and said to be inspired by the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which includes oak leaves and acorns.

The bride’s wedding ring was made from Welsh gold by Wartski, an upscale jeweler and antiques firm located in Mayfair. The ring was crafted from a piece of Welsh gold given to the couple by the Queen.

AP Television News

Using Welsh gold for wedding rings is a royal tradition going back almost a century. Wartski is no stranger to Royal commissions, they made Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles’ wedding rings.

One of the more intriguing questions, “What did Harry say to William?” was answered by The Telegraph, they used a lipreader, evidently he whispered “Wait ’til you see her”.

And William’s words to Kate?

““You look beautiful…Yes, it looks fantastic, it’s beautiful…”

Via The News (Portsmouth, UK)

(Please give us a moment to gather ourselves and find another hankie.)

Pippa Middleton was also busy with the other wedding attendants.

Associated Press

The bridesmaids included Grace van Cutsem, Eliza Lopes, Lady Louise Windsor, and Margarita Armstrong-Jones.

Paul Rogers/WPA Pool/Getty

The young page boys and bridesmaids were darling. Young Master Pettifer seemed to be enjoying himself enormously.

PHOTO:Getty Images

Below, Lady Louise Windsor and Margarita Armstrong-Jones.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Their dresses were made from the same fabric as the wedding gown, and embroidered with their names and the date. We liked their satin flats.

Some have said the Maid of Honour stole the show. She was also in McQueen.

Reuters (L) / Getty Images (R)

The chic and elegant gown was surprisingly close in color to her sister’s white and ivory dress. While absolutely beautiful, we think the focus remained where it was supposed to be, on the bride. Below, Pippa beams with two of her young charges as they head to the Palace following the ceremony.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The couple are not only well-suited temperamentally, but also physically.

Press Association

The service itself was lovely, with the British pomp and pageantry that has been perfected over the centuries.

Press Association

The crowds waiting for the traditional balcony appearance were enormous.

Oli Scarff/Getty Images

They were not disappointed.

The Daily Mail

All in all, it was an extraordinary event, to some degree because getting from here…

PHOTO: Reuters

To here….

PA via The Daily Mail

…is an amazing accomplishment. Doing so as the whole world watches is remarkable.

John Stillwell/Pool/AP

The gown was precisely what it needed to be: breathtaking and understated, with an elegance that will stand the test of time. Classic and contemporary at the same time, it was ‘very Kate’.

After the balcony appearance and the early reception, the couple made a surprise appearance.

Matt Dunham/AP

Who do you think decorated the car?

Christoper Furlong/Getty Images

In opening his homily, the Bishop of London quoted St. Catherine of Siena: ““Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

We can only hope that is true for the couple as they move forward. It seems they have made a significant step on that path. Echoing what we said earlier this morning on Twitter, I think we all needed a fairy tale. We got that this morning. 

We’ll have more later on what other people wore to the wedding, the hits and misses (oh my, there were some fashion faux pas!), and there will also be more later on WhatKateWore.

Until then, may the sun be shining on your corner of the globe!

A Tale of Two Stories, Bridal Party Designer Revealed, Tonight’s Royal Gala

Today’s post is a challenge.

We can’t simply revel in fun and frivolity while ignoring the other news of the day.

Dusty Compton/The Tuscaloosa News/AP

Having personal experience with tornadoes when covering news, we can only say that written descriptions are inadequate.

International Business Times/AP Photo

Above, images from Tuscaloosa last night.

The atmosphere after a tornadic event is beyond explanation, well beyond weird or eerie or any other term I can think of.  The best I can say is it is quiet.  There is an odd silence and the air itself feels funny. Below, north of Centreville, Alabama last night.

Tony Laubach/TornadoesKick.com

People come slowly out of whatever shelter remains, asking “Is it gone? Is it over?”

Gary Cosby, Jr./The Decatur Daily/AP

A few will come out running, racing to find those they love.

Bernard Troncale/Birmingham News/AP

Or those they don’t know at all.

Jeff Roberts/AP Photo/Birmingham News

When the event comes at night one is even more unsteady, there is no sound, no light, no nothing. Only the sound of generators, once they kick in, for those that have them.

Jeff Roberts/Birmingham News/AP

Daylight brings painful realities.

Jeff Roberts/Birmingham News/AP

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this disaster.

Dave Martin/AP Photo

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We move on to events across the pond, where it is has been a day filled with last-minute rehearsals, comings and goings, smiles and glad-handing, and this evening’s gala for the out-of-town royals.

The day started with one more walk-through at Westminster Abbey; Prince Harry and Kate Middleton were on hand but Prince William did not participate.

Enigma via The Daily Mail

Young attendants took part in the rehearsal as well, below we see 8-year-old Tom Pettifer, one of the page boys, and Lady Louise Windsor, aged 7, she is the daughter of The Earl and Countess of Wessex (aka Prince Edward and his wife Sophie).

Roland Hoskins/The Daily Mail

We do know the young ladies will be wearing dresses by Nicki Macfarlane, below we see designs from the designer’s 2010/2011 collections.  (Be advised if thinking about checking this site, it seems to be melting down from the increased traffic.)

Nicki MacFarlane Courtesy Image

Ms. Macfarlane has done bespoke dresses for some time, only recently did she start offering RTW (ready to wear) designs. Below, another look at Young Master Pettifer and Miss Windsor.

Eddie Mulholland/The Telegraph

We see Pippa Middleton below, holding the hand of Grace van Cutsem, on the right William (Billy) Lowther-Pinkerton heads into the rehearsal.

Roland Hoskins

We don’t know if the third young bridesmaid, Eliza Lopes, was at this morning’s run-through or not. We show her below in images from an earlier post on the wedding party.

Via The Daily Mail

In addition to hearing about the wedding party’s attire, we are learning what some of the more notable guests will be wearing.  Prince Harry’s guest, Chelsy Davy, will be in two dresses by Alberta Ferretti, for the wedding she will wear aqua with a matching jacket, and for tomorrow night’s party at the palace, a midnight blue one-shouldered design.

Courtesy Alberta Ferretti

The Duchess of Cornwall will wear a creation by Anna Valentine, the designer of the dress for her marriage to Prince Charles.

Getty Images

The Duchess was out and about this afternoon, greeting those camped out on the mall.

Getty Images

Throughout the day the bride, her family and others involved in tomorrow’s events have been smiling, looking quite relaxed.

WENN.com

John Nguyen

This evening the family is safely ensconced at their hotel, below the Middleton ladies arrive at the Goring, left to right, Pippa, Carole, and Kate.

Chris Eads/Reuters

Perhaps one of the most important items brought into the hotel today:

Rex Features via The Telegraph

A sewing machine. Brilliant.

Oh, the groom? He did a walkabout this evening, greeting those gathered on the processional route.

AP Television News

While the Middletons are settled in at The Goring, others are at the Mandarin Oriental for tonight’s big dinner.  The Queen was in periwinkle blue, on the right we see Prince Charles and Camilla.

Prince Edward and Sophie, she looked lovely in red.

Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty

We have a slight concern about the frock Princess Beatrice selected, parts of it look awfully… shiny. Perhaps this is merely an unfortunate camera angle.

Luke MacGregor/Reuters

Others at the gala, Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie Chantal of Greece, on the right we see Prince Daniel and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

Getty Images

A favorite with the fashion crowd, Princess Letizia is seen in an elegant grey sleeveless gown, husband Prince Felipe is seen on the left, Queen Sofia is on the right.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Another look at Princess Letizia’s gown, simply stunning.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

We leave you with two things today, the first, another photo from the couple’s shoot with Mario Testino.

Mario Testino

That is the image on the official program.(You can look at the program here.)

The other is the music you will when all is said and done, and the couple turns, and heads up the aisle and out of the abbey.  

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ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty