Joyeux Anniversaire Le Crocodile

Hello-Hello, happy new week to everyone, hopefully those with an extended weekend are enjoying every minute of it.

Today we look at a storied brand, one more than a few preps grew up wearing. This image offers a clue.

Photo by Henri Manuel via WWD.com

Many will recognize René Lacoste, inventor of the modern tennis wear now known as a ‘polo shirt’ and eponymous company.  It was 1927 when the tennis great created his first shirt for wear on the court, 1933 when the company was formed, called La Société Chemise Lacoste.  As Women’s Wear Daily notes, that was the year seeing “Industrial production of the first Lacoste shirts, in particular the white “petit piqué” cotton polo shirt, code-named the “L.12.12.” Below we see the tennis great in 1927.

Lacoste

One of the first things many think of when hearing the name “Lacoste” is that critter on the shirt’s upper left chest; Mr. Lacoste’s nickname was “Le Crocodile”. More from this WWD story:

The crocodile logo on his shirts is regarded in branding history as the first instance of a visible logo, although, ironically, it was criticized as vulgar at the time. And while the concept of product placement had not yet been invented, René Lacoste gave his crocodile shirts to friends to wear on the courts, building brand awareness.

Below, a 1993 print ad.

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

One of the more fascinating aspects of the logo story: check out the size of the animal on Mr. Lacoste’s jacket.

Biography.com

As the company celebrates its 80th anniversary it is doing very well. Its expansion has continued throughout the decades. Below, the brand’s Paris flagship store on the Champs-Elysées.

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

The company continued to innovate, Mr. Lacoste designed many inventions, including a steel racket, ball launcher and other items. Below, one of my favorite photos of the tennis champion and businessman.

Lacoste also pursued philanthropic efforts as well, for the company’s 60th anniversary they donated more than $1 million to a campaign trying to eradicate multiple sclerosis, more recently they have supported the BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Foundation) and efforts to save endangered alligators, crocodiles.

Over the years the brand has not lost its sense of whimsy, below we see its Valentine’s Day greeting appropriately rendered in red polo shirts.

Lacoste Facebook page

Last week Lacoste showed it’s fall ready to wear collection. There is little that held appeal for your faithful scribe.

Giovanni Giannoni WWD.com

In honor of the 80th anniversary Lacoste is offering limited edition polo shirts, like this one with the number 8.

Lacoste.com

Lacoste still offers tennis togs, as well as swim, golf and other sporting apparel.

Lacoste

Although much of the marketing is aimed at a younger customer.

Lacoste

There are other initiatives in addition to apparel and accessories, like the Lacoste Lab.

Lacoste Lab

The brand continues its tennis roots as well.

Lacoste Tennis

Its Lacoste Live collection is edgier, hipper.

Lacoste

Online the company even has a section on envisioning the polo of the future.

Lacoste

But there are still plenty of basics for those of us fond of the pieces that are the brand’s heritage.

Lacoste

Many of the polo More from the spring assortment.

Lacoste

It’s great to see the brand in a healthy position. I remain a fan, despite being a touch (cough-cough) beyond the demo Lacoste is pursuing. As long as they continue to offer quality merchandise at an acceptable price I’ll be happy to be a customer.

And to think I was worried it would be hard to find an image of a birthday cake appropriate for the post.

Lacoste Twitter Feed

Silly Princess.

Until next time,

Hamptons Shopping Update & YSL’s Nautical Look

Happy Friday everyone, it is delightful to be contemplating a weekend after only four ‘office days,’ no?

We share more Friday Fun today, beginning with some updates for anyone planning a little playtime in the Hamptons this summer.  There are many additions to the retail landscape, with several stores recently opening or about to open, including Crewcuts by J. Crew (inside the existing Crew store), Restoration Hardware and Steven Alan, all in East Hampton.

There are also many seasonal shops, including pop-ups from both Sam Edelman and Stuart Weitzman, as well as Trina Turk and Lacoste. It’s TBD whether Lacoste’s new home will become a permanent fixture or just a summer shop, obviously we’re hoping for the former.

Via Guest of a Guest

Lacoste actually has a line of Hamptons Bags, below we show the Tote.

MacKenzie-Childs has opened its new Southampton store, not far from Vineyard Vines.  Also adding an East End outpost, The Black Dog, long a Princess favorite.

Via The Black Dog Facebook

In addition to all of the standard Black Dog fabulosity, the Southampton store will carry several lines specific to its locale, including Ella Vickers recycled sailcloth totes.

The Black Dog via the NY Times

This weekend and next week bring more openings, including a new Bond No. 9 store in Sag Harbor.

Courtesy Photo

It makes sense, considering the firm does market a ‘Hamptons’ fragrance, as well as a ‘Montauk’ scent.

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Regular readers know we have been loathe to spend much time looking at the fall fashion collections, let alone the resort/cruise lines that have been showing in New York the last two weeks.  Spring has just been too slow in coming this year, and in many cases when it did arrive it came with deadly, destructive force, leaving us eager to simply revel in a few days of warm, sunny skies and gentle breezes. Contemplating a future need for heavier, warmer garments just hasn’t been on the radar. Until now.

Mimi Ritzen Crawford/Vogue

Today we make an exception, sharing a few pieces from the Yves Saint Laurent 2012 Resort collection.

Mimi Ritzen Crawford/Vogue.com

The entire line carried a strong nautical vibe (sometimes overly so) in seagoing colors and details, as well as bright florals reminiscent of island tides.

Mimi Ritzen Crawford for Vogue.com

Very bright, very fun, perfect for a beachy escape.

Today’s final note consists of exciting news here at the Prepatorium, in the form of an announcement from our friends at Clairebella, they are officially Greek licensed!

That means very shortly we’ll be offering Clairebella’s wonderful accessories personalized with your favorite Greek organization.

Clairebella

May you enjoy a delicious weekend, marked by relaxation and good times.

Brooks Brothers & Kate Spade Fall 2011 & “Swaddler of the Preppy Classes”

Hello-Hello!

We wrap up the majority of our Fall Fashion Week coverage with a look at two lines we love. We begin with the Brooks Brothers presentation for next fall.

PHOTO: John Aquino/WWD

There are some wonderful looks.  From the Women’s Wear Daily review (subscription required):

“Brooks Brothers wants to embrace another generation of shoppers and it’s quite evident in the fall collection…. refining the classics across men’s, women’s and children’s wear to broaden the audience without taking a 180-degree fashion turn.”

Part of the presentation was set against the backdrop of an autumn tailgate party.

(Love that argyle sweater.) Other pieces were styled in a clubby library atmosphere.

Our friend Christian at Ivy Style was on hand for the showing and has a outstanding look at the line.

Courtesy Ivy Style

A women’s shirt and sweater from the group.

Courtesy Ivy Style

From the retailer’s still-new Fleece line for children.

More styles for the Young Miss or Master of your palace.

Many of the accessories exude the timeless elegance Brooks is known for.

Black Fleece also continues its far “hipper” and trendier styles.

Via Black Fleece Facebook Page

The palette is primarily gray, brown and black.

Although there are a few spots of color.

Overall it looks like a splendid collection, there is a great deal we like. However… (cue the tedious whining) regular readers won’t be surprised to know that we will always take issue with this sort of thing:

Courtesy Ivy Style

It is just so unnecessary, particularly for a company with Brooks’ heritage and pedigree, and especially so when considering the quality of this collection. (Insert sad shake of the head here.)

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Next on our Fashion Week update agenda, Kate Spade for Fall.

Via ShopStyle

The bright colors that are such a signature for this line were evident from the start.  We are presuming the hemlines on both suits will be dropped by several inches once the skirts go into production.

PHOTOS: Kevin Tachman/WWD

Shoes sure to evoke cries of “Those are daaaaaarling!” could be seen in abundance.

Via ShopStyle.com

As always, the accessories looked superb.

Via ShopStyle.com

There were pieces in more muted tones.

PHOTOS: Kevin Tachman/WWD

And there are party styles, something this retailer does so well.

PHOTOS: Kevin Tachman/WWD

No one will be surprised that today’s Pretty in Pink comes via the company’s fall presentation.

PHOTOS: Kevin Tachman/WWD

More angles.

Some fabulous photos come via the Audrey Hepburn Complex blog.

Via Audrey Hepburn Complex

Audrey Hepburn Complex is also where we found some great detail shots.

We aren’t the only ones who love this retailer, here is a snippet from today’s WWD story about the woes that Liz Claiborne continues to face and Kate Spade’s role in the company’s future:

“…often painful effort to reinvent Liz Claiborne Inc. has produced a series of businesses that are bleeding money and struggling through turnarounds, and one breakout star that just might be the company’s saving grace: Kate Spade.”

And one more tidbit from Evan Hughes’ story about the company, with a quote from the CEO:

““Kate Spade can no longer be viewed as too small to matter for our company,” McComb told WWD. “The business is very profitable and strong across all channels, all product categories and in all geographies.”

He described it as a “very Web-savvy” brand striving to connect retail and e-commerce.”

We concur wholeheartedly with the assessment of Spade’s web prowess.

BTW, Kate Spade and Tretorn are on sale next week at discounting site RueLaLa, both sales begin on Monday.  (If anyone is in need of an invitation, just click here.)

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A few quick hits from lines we simply don’t have the time to review, beginning with the Marc by Marc Jacobs show.

Kathy Willens/AP via The Guardian

Mr. Jacobs created so many divine styles, we highly recommend looking at them over at Fashionologie or Style.com

Carolina Herrera staged a beautiful show.

Via The NY Times.com

Again, so much to see, so little time, visit Vogue or StyleList to see much more from the show.

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We leave you with a headline from The Observer that made us both chuckle:

Swaddler of the Preppy Classes Picks Flagship

Of course the ensuing conversation went something like this:

TC: Ummm, are you swaddled?

TPP: Evidently not, and from all appearances, neither are you.  Oh, the horror.

The story is about the new Lacoste flagship store, here is a teeny bit from the story just so you don’t think we made this up:

“Popped colors and lavender pants are already the uniform of choice on upper Fifth Avenue. It seems only fitting that preppy designer Lacoste has chosen 608 Fifth Avenue for its national flagship.”

(Do you think they meant “popped” collars?)

Because we are chatting about Lacoste & because we need to revel in spring fashions as opposed to fall (desperately so), here are a few images of the spring Lacoste children’s collection.

Lacoste

The entire group is shown on the company’s Facebook page.

Lacoste

One more scenic shot.

Lacoste

We hope we haven’t disappointed anyone by not having the Ralph Lauren fall collection in today’s post, we will carry that in Monday’s column. Tomorrow we have a special treat, an update from our Royal Correspondent, Queen Bee Swain.

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

A Gossip Girl’s Fashion Faux Pas, Neiman’s True Prep Effort

Hello-Hello, and happy Thursday.

We have all manner of Bits and Bytes to share, the majority of today’s tidbits are fun and frivolous, with little or no redeeming social value whatsoever. We begin with an item we mentioned yesterday on Facebook, with apologies to our friends from that venue, we simply must show it again.  For only the fifth time in its history, the Hope Diamond was moved from its place at the Smithsonian.

Ann Heisenfelt/AP

The legendary piece was moved to the Harry Winston 5th Avenue flagship for a gala Tuesday night. It was also the first time the stone was seen in its new temporary setting, some readers may recall that the design was selected by the public through an online voting process.

From WWD’s story about the event:

“The security surrounding the Hope diamond’s appearance at the Harry Winston store last night rivaled that of a sitting President. There was to be no mention that the stone would be at the party, everyone was advised to bring photo ID and doors were locked at 7:30—no exceptions for latecomers.”

This photo gives a better sense of how truly immense the stone is.

Ann Heisenfelt/AP

Celebrities on hand for the big party included Halle Berry and designer Rachel Roy.

Perhaps the only thing discussed as much as the famous stone was the clothing selection made by actress Leighton Meester.

Image via Styleite

The Gossip Girl star’s lacy jumpsuit from Marchesa was sheer, there is nothing earth shattering about that; unfortunately we are all seeing far more of the “too little fabric, too much flesh” syndrome.

The problem with the piece was how much of the back of the jumpsuit was sheer.  As in all of it. (We’re not showing that image, to see how sadly the outfit missed the mark, click here, or here.)  From Refinery29:

“Don’t get us wrong—we love pants-off Tuesday as much as the next guy—but only in the privacy of our own homes. It seems someone forgot to give Leighton Meester the memo.”

It was a surprising miss from the young actress, for if she is criticized at all by the fashion media, it is generally for playing things too safely, too conservatively.

One of Ms. Meester’s costars is known for frequently wearing more daring looks; that may or may not be a factor in Blake Lively landing yet another Vogue cover, this time for a special edition.

Vogue Magazine

The actress is featured on the cover of Vogue Best Dressed. To see the Top 10 on the magazine’s list, click here.

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Next, a few new books, both appropriate for gifting. The first showcases creations by Louis Vuitton.

Courtesy Image

Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks will be released December 1, the title aptly describes the book; below we share a portion of the publisher’s description:

“…100 of the finest trunks the Louis Vuitton company has produced on commission, including boxes made for movie stars from Douglas Fairbanks to Sharon Stone and couturiers from Jeanne Lanvin to Karl Lagerfeld, as well as cases designed for Ernest Hemingway, Leopold Stokowski, and Damien Hirst.”

Here is a look at the ‘Deluxe Edition’.

Via High Snobiety

This version will only be available at Vuitton stores and through the company’s website.

The other volume we want to mention looks at interior design, the content all comes from T&C, one of TP’s favorite magazines.

At Home with Town and Country is the first home book from the magazine, the book offers a look at some of the magnificent homes and living spaces seen in the magazine.  This one was released in September, so it is available for purchasing now.

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Also today, it seems Neiman Marcus is embracing the prep style aesthetic, the NM Guide to Prep claims to offer “everything you need to achieve true prep status”.

Neiman Marcus

The guide is merely a collection of merchandise, with an an array of ideas for your MOTH (Man of the House). There are some obvious choices on the list, like the Hunter Boots and Neiman’s own brand of Pocket Squares.

The Lacoste Long Sleeve Polo and perhaps even the Armani Ties would make the cut.

But the Gucci Embroidered Crest Cardigan or the Burberry Wallet?

To quote Nancy Reagan, just say no.

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Our final item is dedicated to Muffy Martini, properly so when seeing the Question of the Day on auto-enthusiast site Jalopnik, where the question was asked, “What Would Muffy Drive?”

“As long as there are private boarding schools, Brooks Brothers button downs… and girls lacrosse there will be preppy kids with stupid names and nice cars. What would “Muffy” drive?

Here is the photo shown in the post:

Via Jalopnik.com

On that topic, g’bye until next time!

Lisa Birnbach Wishes She Was Betty Draper Sometimes

Hello-Hello, what a delightful Tuesday it has turned out to be, we hope yours is the same, filled with sunshine and lots of laughter.

It seems like a good time for an update on True Prep, there have been oodles of articles on the book, as well as loads of parties and book signing events, like this one at the Sperry Top-sider store in Kansas City.

Tim Umphrey/Getty Images

And this one at the Lilly Mother Ship store in King of Prussia.

Michael S. Wirtz/Philadelphia Inquirer

There has also been a significant amount of news coverage for many of the goings-on as well. We adore the way this Palm Beach Daily News story begins:

“In the beginning, there was pink and there was green. They mixed, quietly, beyond the fray of fashion magazines and designer mandates.”

Fortunately, the always-gracious Lisa Birnbach us fit into her more-than-busy schedule, we were able to catch up for a chat about the book’s progress and reader reactions.  We started out discussing the book’s popularity, something the author calls “humbling,” sharing that she has been “… surprised at how many people show up at things!”

She has also been taken aback by the intense affection people still have for The Official Preppy Handbook, saying she didn’t realize how much it meant to people, let alone the impact some readers say it had on their lives.

“The number of ‘you’ve changed my life’ stories people are telling me is amazing, I never expected that.”

Reading about the antics of preps getting together in other parts of the country is always fun, below we see two of our faves, Hopsy (aka Monograms & Manicures/Kappa Prep) as well as Miss Tickled Pink & Green at the Dallas event in October.

Photo via Kappa Prep

Discussion about the “commercialization of prep” as it relates to the book prompted us to ask Ms. Birnbach about products and brands heavily showcased in the new book and/or at events on the book tour.

“Is there some sort of quid pro quo with Brooks Brothers? Absolutely not. Not at all, there’s no cash exchanged for events being held at their stores, no. It’s very simple how this all happened, we were very late calling merchants to provide things to photograph for the book, and when I called Brooks brothers they decided they really wanted to get involved.”

The conversation digressed (at length) with chatter about some of the natty Brooks apparel Ms. Birnbach has been sporting at B2 book functions.  Your trusty correspondent has been a little gaga about several dresses worn by the author, especially the one seen below left in Adam Tschorn’s photo.  We think it is the Black Fleece Silk Button Back Dress shown below right. (For more on the Brooks Brothers launch party, click here.)

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Back to that nasty and oh-so-not-done conversation about True Prep and merchandising, there are products being marketed for which Ms. Birnbach does receive some compensation. The licensing agreement with Vineyard Vines is a good example of such an arrangement.

Vineyard Vines

The collection includes a True Prep Polo, a tie and Beach Bag.

We then moved on to the next topic, asking Ms. Birnbach about reader reactions to the book.

“Some people want more rules, there are people who are really not happy about the inclusiveness, this is the area that seems to provide the most controversy.  I don’t think it’s nice, it’s not appropriate.”

As an FYI, the harshest criticism the author can level at someone or something is that it “isn’t nice.”  And when discussing the “too inclusive” crowd, she is understandably emphatic.

“They are old school and they don’t like the way the world is shaping up, and the worst thing is, they spew and use new media and its anonymity to post their rage online, where they can say anything and be safe from other points of view. We have to draw a line in the sand.”

It is at this point where both Ms. Birnbach and TP commiserate about “how things used to be”.

“Life was much more pleasant, I did have to dress up to fly, I miss the soft-spoken courtesy in the world I grew up in. Now my kids know more about plastic surgery and violence and other things that I never knew about at that age.”

“But then, we didn’t have access to so many things that we do now as far as careers and other things go… am I grateful for the opportunities I have had because of the way the world has changed? Of course I am, there is a part of me that is very pro First Amendment, and very independent as a woman, but there is a part of me that wishes for that world where we were polite, and people were admired for actually accomplishing something… sometimes it all makes me wish I was Betty Draper.”

Makeover by The Consort

Amen to that sentiment.

One nice thing about the book parties has to be the food, where else would one see Sperry cupcakes? (Thank you for the photo Miss Wendy!)

Wendy's Picture

And since we are talking about cupcakes we simply had to share these darling pink whales from the big party celebrating Vineyard Vines’ grand opening of its new store in Palm Beach Gardens.

Vineyard Vines Blog

We’ll have a look at some of the reviews for True Prep later this week.

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A quick note geared more toward the MOTH (Man of the House) in your life, the first involving a Princess fave, Bill’s Khakis.  In honor of its twentieth year in business, Bill’s is launching a special pair of khakis, the Camerton Twills.

Bill’s Khakis

A portion of proceeds will benefit the USO, another reason we adore Bill’s.  Our thanks to The Trad for the tip.

On that note we say g’bye until next time!