A Preppy Mickey Mouse? Also, An Anti-Prep Lives Up To Wall of Shame Status

Happy Halloween, this is one of those goofy two-day posts, we’re so busy it’s unlikely we’ll be able to pop back in for a visit until Wednesday. We begin today with news of yet another collaboration, this one between two powerhouses, Disney and Tommy Hilfiger.

Women’s Wear Daily had the story today:

The “Meet the Family” capsule collection features a raft of Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto dressed in the Tommy Hilfiger spring children’s collection.

The collection is not going to be sold in the US, it will be available primarily in Europe and South America.  The WWD story quotes Mr. Hilfiger:

“Disney…has a lifestyle and core values that are aligned with our brand,” said Hilfiger. “It was a true honor and joy to be the first designer to give a preppy spin to the looks of our favorite Disney characters.”

The designs do look cute. (How about that hair on the young man in the green tee below right, it’s positively Bieberesque.)

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Speaking of collaborative efforts, there are two very large such partnerships about to hit stores. Because of all the pink we couldn’t help but write about Versace for H&M lands in stores in a few weeks, how lovely is this piece?

Versace for H&M

As one would expect with Versace, there is no shortage of bright colors.

Versace for H&M via Racked.com

This collection is not for the faint of heart.

Versace for H&M via Racked.com

(I don’t know about you, but I have a serious crush on that pink shirt.) There are 87 pieces in the group, it launches November 17 at H&M.

Versace for H&M via Racked.com

Click here to see the entire lookbook at Racked.com or here for H&M’s Facebook album. This one strikes me as a line that could go the way of Missoni at Le Boutique Targét, it seems to have very high sellout potential.

The other sizable collaboration we mention is Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku for Target line, we’ll have more on that later this week. In the meantime, a quick update on two other design partnerships the ‘cheap chic’ retailer is doing:

Albertus Swanepoel for Target is now in stores and online, below we show three different hat styles.

Albertus Swanepoel for Target

Also available now in stores and online, the Josie Natori for Target collection.

Josie Natori for Target

Josie Natori for Target is in stores now through Dec. 22, with a second group of merchandise being offered Jan. 1 through February 23.

Josie Natori for Target

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A quick note from the good folks at Jack Rogers.

Jack Rogers

The company has debuted its new Highlands Rain Boot, it looks cute as can be, and very practical as well. Fans of the brand may be interested to learn Jacks are on sale through 11am Wednesday at flash sale site Rue La La. Obviously the brand new Highlands is not included (there are no boots), there isn’t an enormous selection, but still worth a peek if you are in the market. (If in need of an ‘invite’ to Rue La La, just click here.)

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With apologies to our Facebook friends who may have already seen this, we had to share a comment seen on Twitter multiple times this afternoon:

Kim Kardashian sold the rights to her wedding for $17.9 million. Her marriage lasted 72 days. That comes to a nifty $10,358.80 per hour.

I feel less-than-prep for even writing about the topic, but the woman is one of our original members of the Anti-Prep Wall of Shame. A meritorious member we might add, for she never fails to disappoint.

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We leave you with much cheerier sights, more seasonal in nature. First, our friend Leslie (aka Southern Social) is stunning in a Princess manner of speaking, she looked lovely for this weekend’s Halloween parties.

Southern Social

That wasn’t the only Kate Middleton costume seen this year, not by a long shot. Below, Al Roker and Matt Lauer were part of the fun in the Today Show’s royal wedding reenactment.

The Today Show/NBC Universal

It actually was pretty funny, click here to see the whole thing. To look at a plethora of royally-themed costumes, click here to visit our sister site, What Kate Wore.

We love the Tipsy Skipper’s pumpkins.

The Tipsy Skipper

And we love an argyle pumpkin: we haven’t been able to identify those on the left, the group on the right is from Horchow.

This beautiful group is from the folks at Lilly Pulitzer Palm Beach Gardens.

Lilly Pulitzer Palm Beach Gardens

Here are two more beauties, these are by the talented ladies at The Pink Palm in Richmond.

The Pink Palm

This classic duo by Susan Trader is always fun to see.

Susan Trader

With that we say Happy Halloween, may all of your candy be fresh!

Another Prep Fashion Faux Pas, Inaugural Updates, AntiPreps

First off, before you read one more word, scoot over here and leave a comment so you are entered in this week’s Great Giveaway, with preppy goodness anyone can win! Leaving a comment about anything you are thankful for = giveaway entry.

Quick headlines of the day, many of which may well be moldy oldies to many of you, but here we go anyway.

The Presidential daughters will be attending Sidwell Friends school; Malia at the Middle School in Northwest DC (the Upper School Building is also here), and Sasha at the Lower School campus that is actually located in Bethesda. Malia is in fifth grade and Sasha in second grade.

PHOTO: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

The Obamas selected the Quaker school where Chelsea Clinton and Al Gore III received their educations, deciding it was a better fit than Georgetown Day and Maret. For more background, our post here may be helpful.

Newsweek features the future First Lady in their Dec.1 issue, on newsstands today.

PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK

And we hear an entire book dedicated to the Michelle Obama style is quickly being put together; former Mademoiselle editor Mandi Norwood is writing the book. It is scheduled for publication sometime next spring by Avon Books.  Coming out even earlier, “Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady“ is due December 9.

Harper Collins

Written by David Bergen Brophy, the publisher is Harper Collins.

Speculation continues on who will design Michelle Obama’s gown for the Inaugural Balls in January, but we have seen little devoted to basic inauguration day apparel for Michelle Obama and the girls….? Seeing some designs in that genre would be most enjoyable.

That now-famous Thakoon dress worn by Michelle Obama is now officially out of production, at least for the time being.

PHOTO: Mark Wilson/Getty

More sketches for Inaugural gowns are floating about from other designers, including this from Isabel Toledo, done at People magazine’s suggestion, for a story.

Isabel Toledo via People.com

Below, Mrs. Obama in the Isabel Toledo gown worn to a June fundraiser hosted by Anna Wintour (Vogue) and Calvin Klein. Many readers may be familiar with the divine illustrations Ms. Toledo’s husband, Ruben, has done for the Nordstrom catalogues.

PHOTO: AP

And Reem Acra also shared her creativity, again, per People magazine’s request.

Reem Acra via People.com

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We have another entry in the Gwyneth Paltrow Fashion Faux Pas category. While we do not want to appear as though we are unfairly focusing on Ms. Paltrow, her style statements of late are surprising in light of her über-preppy upbringing.

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Above, the actress at the grand re-opening of the remodeled Fontainebleau this weekend. The famed hotel was also home to the Victoria’s Secret fashion show taping.

The always-interesting Styleist blog takes Ms.Paltrow to task for the Antonio Berardi dress she wore (below) to the Two Lovers film premiere in London.

PHOTO: Getty Images

The comments include these:

“We see London, we see France, we see Gwyneth Paltrow in Paris at the premiere of ‘Two Lovers’ wearing another weird dress. Plus we see underpants! And her bra!

Gwyneth frequently comes thisclose to fashion greatness. But then she takes a giant leap off the Cliff of “Odd and Awkward” into the ocean of “Looking at Her Makes Us Wince”. Doesn’t she have any friends? Or a mirror?”

The Victoria’s Secret goings-on alerted us to very frightening news: two Antipreps were in the same place.  At the same time.  Clearly someone neglected to put up the deflector shield.  Mon Dieu.

Exhibit A:

PHOTO: Hans Deryk/Reuters

In case anyone is fortunate enough to *not* recognize this individual, it is TV personality Kim Kardashian; here is our initial post affirming Ms. Kardashian attaining official AntiPrep status.

Next we have Paris Hilton, our very first Anti-prep, as explained here. It could almost be said Ms. Hilton prompted the necessity of an Anti-prep category.  BTW, for those keeping score at home, this is the second such occurrence of dual (dueling?) anti-preps appearing at the same location.

PHOTO: Hans Deryk/Reuters

We apologize for the multiple spellings on antiprep; we just can’t locate the word in our Webster’s and don’t know how to spell it so we can find it when we look things up in the blog.

Until next time!

Obama Inaugural Gown Update, Preps Party at CFDA

Well, here we are again!

The volume of inquiries surrounding plans for the Michelle Obama inauguration gown is increasing; thus today’s additional post.  At last night’s CFDA gala Diane von Furstenberg shared an interesting tidbit, according to a story in today’s online New York magazine: she has submitted sketches for an inugural gown.  And why did she send sketches?

“Well, they asked me to. Of course, everybody has,” she said. “I’m so proud to be an American.”

In the story by Alisa Gould-Simon, the question of a dress for all those Inaugural Balls was put to one of Mrs. Obama’s favorite designers:

Thakoon Panichgul, one of Michelle’s favorite designers, tried to remain elusive when we asked if he’d submitted sketches. “Um … we’ll see what happens,” he said with a devilish smirk.

And the Observer has a headline that will grab the attention of most fashionistas: “Narciso Rodriguez Hoping for a Second Chance to Dress Michelle Obama,”with insight from designer Narciso Rodriguez on one of his designs being worn by Ms. Obama election night:

“She saw that dress and she liked it,” said Narciso Rodriguez, who designed Michelle Obama‘s Election Night dress. “She saw it on the runway, she chose it, I guess from the runway…” He nodded slowly and mouthed “yes” when asked if he’d known in advance that she would wear it.”

Should one be interested in more information about some of the Thakoon designs worn by Ms. Obama, here is a post as well as here. The Observer story includes speculation from those in attendance at the dinner about an inaugural gown:

The young designers of Proenza Schouler approached Mr. Rodriguez. “Did you see Michelle Obama in his dress?” cried Lazaro Hernandez. “Really major!”

“They have a fabulous new bag line,” deflected Mr. Rodriguez. Mr. Hernandez asked if Mr. Rodriguez was designing the inaugural gown. “It would be nice to think so,” he said modestly.

Also in attendance at the CFDA/Vogue gala were Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively (in a dress that didn’t really wow us) …

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

…and Penn Badgley….

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

…along with Tory Burch…

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

and über-preppy couple David Lauren and Lauren Bush…

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

We apologize for being tedious, but we may need to be back one more time again today with our update on Black Friday sales for Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew and more.  We’re typing as fast as we can!