Peace In Our Time (Slight Exaggeration) & Another Lilly Sale

Happy New Year! Hopefully everyone enjoyed a bit of a break, perhaps even finding time for a little rest and rejuvenation….maybe?

We begin with news that there is peace in our time. Kinda’ sorta’. (Nope, we’re not referring to those yahoos in Washington.) We’re talking about that nasty little fight spat between Tory Burch and her ex-husband, Christopher Burch. An agreement was reached in the escalating argument and lawsuits between the two.

As some may recall, there were allegations Mr. Burch was pilfering ideas and designs from Tory Burch for use in his growing C. Wonder stores.   More from a November On The Runway post:

At the heart of the dispute is whether Mr. Burch, in creating his own store concept, called C. Wonder, veered too far into the retail territory of the wildly successful Tory Burch business, which the Burches founded in 2003, by copying some of her signature preppy looks and the interior designs of her stores. (They divorced in 2007.)

There were some similarities. Below we show C. Wonder’s Saffiano Wallet and a Tory Burch Coin Purse.

But as Vanity Fair noted, it isn’t like some of the Tory Burch ideas weren’t also derivative of other products and brands.

Vanity Fair

More on the issue of originality from Mr. Burch’s lawyer, via Women’s Wear Daily:

Chris Burch’s lawyer, Andrew Rossman, said both brands’ products reflected “timeless styles that other people invented.”

“I don’t think Tory Burch invented the cardigan, the gold button or the ballet flat,” he offered.

Things really took on a bizarre tone when Delaware Judge Leo Strine to let loose with his own opinions about all manner of things quasi-related to the case.

““Are the Burches WASPs? Do we know?.…I think you’re going to have to have interrogatories about who’s a WASP….

Real WASPs actually don’t go and pay full Polo price. They don’t pay full Polo price at Macy’s. No way. They actually will find a bargain. That’s how they got to be, you know, WASPs.’

As WWD noted, the settlement “….enables both sides to avoid a nasty courtroom battle.”  Legal beagles might get a kick out of reading the actual counterclaim Tory Burch filed against Christopher Burch, it includes things likes comparison photos allegedly showing how C. Wonder copied the Tory Burch brand.

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One other note about the Tory Burch, this one involving the designer’s merchandise at a deep discounter Tuesday Morning.

TuesdayMorning.com

On the left we show the Tory Burch Logo Tote in cream and blue selling for $199.99 (“compare to $295”), on the right, the Multicolored Handle Logo Tote, it is $269.99 (“compare to $365”).  There are other bags shown, like these Bird Logo Totes.

TuesdayMorning.com

The Tuesday Morning price is $249.99, “compared to $335”. Oddly, when doing a search for these, almost all of those I found were eBay listings… color me confused.

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Finally today, one more retail-related tidbit. Lilly Pulitzer is gearing up for another significant sale. (Disregard the time shown on the digital clock in the graphic.)

Lilly Pulitzer

The online-only event begins “8amish” tomorrow morning. If like similar online events the discounts will be worth one’s while, with ground shipping free for all orders, regardless of amount. Those who experienced the site meltdown during the last sale are praying for smooth sailing this go-round, I’m sure Lilly will have everything under control, more than anyone they don’t want a repeat of the system collapse.

Happy hunting to those shopping!

Finally, An Answer to the ‘Lauren Lauren’ Issue

Hello-Hello, welcome to an absolutely gorgeous day here at the Prepatorium.

We have loads of little bits and bytes to share, beginning with one of our very favorite summer events, Oscar de la Renta’s annual Ladies of the Lake party. Women’s Wear Daily has the story.

Drew Altizer/WWD

Guests are ferried to the party by boat, the function is a fundraiser for the League to Save Lake Tahoe.  A fashion show accompanies the luncheon, Mr. de la Renta’s 2012 resort collection was shown, it is the designer’s 11th year of involvement with the event.

Can you envision a lovelier spot for such a delightful celebration?

Drew Altizer/WWD

Guests looked bright and summery in myriad of styles, including designs from the host (L) and Kate Spade (R).

Drew Altizer/WWD

Because your faithful correspondent remains partial to the classic wooden boats of her youth, stunning Chris-Craft and Century vessels, we share a look at this Thunderbird creation ferrying guests to the party in 2008.

Women's Wear Daily

Bliss.

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Next, an item that qualifies in a couple of categories, certainly it is an Anti-Prep update as it involves the individual known as ‘Snooki.’

Michele Cross/MTV

But it is also a “Help Me Understand,” perhaps even a sign the end is nigh, look at this headline from MediaPost: “Ratings Extraordinary For “Jersey Shore’s” Worry-Free TV”. Here is more from the MediaPost article.

There is a remarkable Situation brewing with MTV’s “Jersey Shore.” Forget about cable, the addictive series is now posting ratings that place it among the highest-rated series in all of TV. It’s beating the likes of “Survivor” and “Modern Family” in the ratings networks generally care most about.

Clearly there is something we are not comprehending about the show. Do you watch? What is it we’re missing?

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Our next tidbit proves we aren’t afraid to tackle the tough topics. Nay-nay, not us, we’ll take any risk and dig deep to get you the facts, gathering information that makes it easier for you to sleep at night.  Here is the proof of those unceasing efforts, an answer to the question hotly debated for many months in this very space:

Lauren Bush & David Lauren To Marry In September, Bride Will Become Lauren Bush Lauren

That headline comes via the Huffington Post in a story about the couple’s upcoming wedding.  That story cites a Page Six piece yesterday on this weekend’s party for the couple.

Lauren Bush and David Lauren celebrated their engagement in style at the Water Mill estate of Anne Hearst and Jay McInerney. FEED Projects founder Bush and Lauren, son of Ralph Lauren, were toasted by party guests — beautifully decked out according to the white dress code — including Ralph, Ricky, Dylan and Andrew Lauren, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Amanda Hearst, Lauren’s siblings Ashley and Pierce Bush, Nacho Figueras and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan. Lauren’s proud mom, Sharon Bush, wished the couple “many grandchildren.” The September wedding will be at the Lauren ranch in Telluride

Below we show Miss Bush in June with some of her FEED Project bags, her company works in partnership with the UN’s World Food Programme.

Jemal Countess/Getty Images

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Finally today, a ‘heads-up’ about an approaching Sales and Savings opportunity.  This Friday flash sale site Rue La La will feature discounts on Lilly Pulitzer clothing.

Via Rue Lala

For those unfamiliar with Rue La La, it is one of those ubiquitous ‘members only’ sites (ahem) offering discounted merchandise for limited periods of time.  In this case the sale begins Friday at 11am EDT, 8am PDT.  (If in need of an invitation, just click here.) As always with these, it is good to be prepared to shop *the moment* the sale starts, things do sell out very quickly.

Goodby until next time!

What the Lilly Pulitzer Sale Means

Hello-Hello, what a delightful Wednesday it is here at The Prepatorium, albeit it a little harried.

We shift directions today in light of yesterday’s big announcement that Lilly Pulitzer has been sold to Oxford Industries.

Via Fibre2Fashion.com

We have had a few queries on the topic, and thought it best to look at this development rather than engaging in our usual blather and drivel our planned post more relative to seasonal goings-on.

Back to the deal: Oxford was prepared, posting a link on its home page to “a retrospective look at the Lilly Pulitzer brand” via a You Tube video.

The clip offers a nice look back at Lilly history, including images of patterns and prints, iconic designs and celebrities in Lilly.

Oxford also co-hosted a conference call with Lilly’s management team to share details about the sale and what it portends for the future.

First a bit of background on Oxford. The company owns Tommy Bahama…

And Ben Sherman.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

Here is how the Times’ Dealbook described the purchase:

“In the world of deal-making, prep is still in, and pink is looking awfully pretty.

“One month after J. Crew agreed to sell itself to two buyout firms, the parent company of Lilly Pulitzer — the maker of eye-catching dresses for the horsey set — sold itself on Tuesday to Oxford Industries for $60 million in cash.

And this from Michael de la Merced’s Dealbook story about on Lilly’s place on Planet Prep:

“No less an authority than “The Official Preppy Handbook” declared that the company’s golf skirt and beach dress were must-haves for Muffie and her friends.”

What does it all mean to us, the consumers? Here is what Lilly noted on its Facebook page:

“Good news travels fast! Here’s the juice…Sugartown Worldwide (the parent company of Lilly Pulitzer) was acquired by Oxford Industries. We are smiling ear to ear because everything will stay the same, only better. The company will be under the same leadership – aka Brad and Scott and everyone else here you adore. We are… in love with Oxford because they LOVE Lilly and want us to be JUST AS WE ARE, only more more more.”

From a WWD story on the acquisition:

“…the plan is to add to the Lilly Pulitzer stable of company-owned retail stores and enhance its e-commerce site, which launched two years ago and accounts for more than 10 percent of sales. E-commerce is viewed as “the biggest opportunity,”…”

Jean Palmieri’s story in WWD notes Oxford plans to add 4 to 7 new stores a year to the existing 16 corporate stores.  This may be good news in many respects, but there is significant anxiety from non-corporate stores, as all Tommy Bahama stores are owned by Oxford.

A few thoughts:

• When a company is publicly traded there are different goals. Shareholders have profit expectations, and those expectations must be met. Having worked for both privately held and publicly traded media companies over the years, there *is* a difference. By the same token, Lilly Pulitzer is already engaged in making money, it hasn’t ever been a not-for-profit endeavor.  However, an additional $20 million dollars is on the table if Lilly meets certain earnings targets. It doesn’t take an MBA to recognize that amount of money can be a strong motivator in finding ways to meet such goals.
• The current management team will remain at the Pink Palace.  Scott Beaumont and Jim Bradbeer, (CEO & President, respectively) brought the brand back from the grave and have demonstrated they know their stuff, we admire their business acumen. Those two gentlemen are very savvy marketers.
• The Lilly Warehouse sales will remain in KOP (King of Prussia, home to the Lilly Mothership).

How will Oxford/Lilly react to customer concerns about quality, direction, and brand dilution? That is an unknown. Lilly Pulitzer has an extraordinarily passionate customer base, not quite on par with Apple (but close), with a devoted, almost-cult-like following.  Consumers know prints by name, specific garments by cut and style: the Bowen dress, Paley Cardigan, McKims sandals, and recently, the wildly popular Murfee scarf, to name just a few of the items buyers covet.  (Yes, we have a few favorites as well!) The Re-Lilly Facebook group has grown to more than 2700 fans in just one year, followers who buy, sell, swap and share Lilly merchandise, tips and tidbits.

Some believe Lilly is no longer as “special” as it once was. Messrs. Bradbeer and Beaumont have done a stellar job bringing the brand back from the grave, to be sure.  But recent collaborations have troubled some customers, the LeSportSac partnership seemed especially irksome to many, although it didn’t bother us.

The company has licensed or partnered with firms making everything from electric cars to cosmetics to stationery. (Full disclosure: we are sellers of the Lilly Pulitzer Stationery & Gifts line.)  The enormous Lilly Pulitzer Furniture Collection due out in the spring has sparked conversation as well. (More info and photos here.)  One area greeting the news favorably: the stock market, Oxford shares were up 22% as of this writing.

As Lilly’s executives noted on the conference call, they were not actively shopping the company, having declined previous approaches over the years. In this case conversations continued past the initial stage, and the offer transcended others in providing a solid “strategic and cultural fit,” according to Thomas Caldecot Chubb, III, Oxford’s president.

As with any transaction of this magnitude many factors are unknown. From a selfish perspective, we do love our Lilly, although we don’t live in it, in part because of the climate – The Great Midwest doesn’t encourage summer fashions year round. Sigh.  And we want to see the small, independent shops we love (hello Village Palm and many others!) continue to grow and thrive.  So we’ll cross our fingers and our toes, hoping that good things happen going forward.

More importantly, what do *you* think?

Royal Engagement Photos, Sales & Savings

Hello-Hello, it is wonderful to be back blogging again, this week has been simply insane with work at the Princess and volunteer commitments. We couldn’t be more grateful for the Consort’s ease in stepping up to share his wit and wisdom with all of you. 🙂

We begin with a look at the official engagement photos of Kate Middleton and Prince William, something most readers may well have seen already. There are two pictures, here is the more relaxed setting.

Mario Testino

The Prince is wearing a Turnbull & Asser shirt, and it turns out he actually borrowed the sweater he is wearing from photographer Mario Testino, as the pictures were being shot.  Nor is Miss Middleton’s blouse fresh off the rack, more about that in a moment.  But first, here is the more formal photograph.

Mario Testino/Courtesy Photo by Reiss via NYMag

On the right you see the dress worn by Miss Middleton, it is the “Nannette” style by Reiss, a company we hadn’t previously heard of until this week.  Here is more from the company’s blog:

“The Nannette dress that Kate is wearing comes as part of our core dress offering that we are renowned for. While this particular style is not currently available, there will be a version coming out mid January as part of our SS11 collection.”

Miss Middleton is wearing white topaz earrings by Links of London. If we’re not mistaken, it looks like she chose the Hope Egg Earrings.

Links of London

They make a lovely symbol, representing “hope and new life”.

Perhaps the most charming part of the engagement photo story comes via The Telegraph:

“Middleton insisted on dressing herself for the shoot – despite several assistants being on hand with a selection of designer clothes to style her – and chose a cream, silk blouse from high street chain Whistles for one of the portraits. The £95 blouse is over two years old, having featured in the retailer’s autumn/winter 2008 collection.”

The bride to be also did her own makeup.

When the big day comes next April most discussion will be about The Dress.  As they have done previously when it comes to high profile gowns, Women’s Wear Daily asked designers to come up with sketches showing what they might create if asked by the bride to design her gown.

First, a Gucci design that we found attractive.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

J. Crew’s design offers a scooped back.

Courtesy J. Crew via WWD

Next, a sketch from Elizabeth Emanuel, best known for designing Princess Diana’s frothy wedding gown.

Courtesy Elizabeth Emanuel via WWD

Below left we see a Badgley Mischka gown, and on the right, a Jason Wu design.

The Tommy Hilfiger design is seen below left, and the sketch, below right, Lela Rose.

There are loads more sketches to look at, click here to see them all.  We’re guessing our Royal Correspondent, the Queen Bee herself will have some insight on the dress at some point down the road.

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Another noteworthy engagement we learned about courtesy of Miss Coterie Books, that of Lauren Bush and David Lauren.

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for UNICEF

Above the couple is seen at the UNICEF Snowflake Ball last month.  Apparently Mr. Lauren proposed to Miss Bush last Friday at the Met, which happens to be where they went on their first date. Of course, Mr. Lauren is designer Ralph Lauren’s son, while Miss Bush is the niece of former President George Walker Bush, granddaughter of President George Bush.

Miss Bush is also known for her philanthropic work via the Project FEED bags, although now there are things other than bags sold to raise funds for those in need. Below left, Plumpy the FEED 5 Bear, and on the right, the FEED USA Lunch Tote.

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We leave you with several Sales & Savings opportunities, this isn’t intended to be a comprehensive look, merely markdowns at a few shops we are aware of; we start with J. Crew.  Generally the retailer’s online factory outlet is open only Friday-Sunday, but it will be open (in a virtual sense) through the 20th.

Additionally Crew is taking 30% off all Factory prices and off ‘regular’ sale merchandise, use promo code MUSTHAVE at checkout to receive the discount.

Tory Burch has started its winter sale, promising savings “up to 50%’.

Neiman Marcus is taking an additional 30% off all regular and sale-priced cashmere through the 18th.

Talbots has taken markdowns on a sizable amount of fall/winter merchandise, and is also doing 40% off all full-priced accessories through midnight tonight.  Use promo code PRESENT to receive the discount.

A number of Lilly stores are offering excellent deals right now, check with your local shop to see what kind of fiscally friendly price points are available.

A final item of note today, the always delightful Preppy Southern Princess is doing a fun little contest; one lucky winner will receive one of our Lilly Pulitzer photo albums.

With that, we say g’bye until next time, we are off to supervise The Consort the elves here at The Prepatorium as they get all of those orders out the door.

 

The Princess Figures Out That Bieber Hair & A Preppy Cookie

Hello-Hello, happy Wednesday!

We begin with something that seemed to hit a nerve:

Charles Dharapak/AP

Last week we briefly chatted about teen idol Justin Bieber and his hair in this post, and were surprised by the number of comments and email volume related to the topic.  Not wanting to shirk our journalistic responsibilities (ahem), we investigated. It seems others are also looking into this. Like the Old Gray Lady:

“Just as every girl wants hair like Blake Lively of “Gossip Girl,” her brother wants to look like the artist who helped bring “Eenie Meenie” to the world.”

This is from a Times story that assists us in comprehending the appeal:

“Most fans seem to agree that Mr. Bieber’s skillful hair-flipping is part of his appeal. A video of him blow-drying his locks is all over YouTube, meant as a teaser for his new show on MTV, “The Diary of Justin Bieber.” In it, he towel-dries his medium-brown hair then proceeds to have at it with a hair dryer, tossing his head with pubescent insouciance.”

Courtesy Island Def Jam via NYTimes.com

We do love our insouciance. But let’s get back to the important part of this compelling story, explaining what we didn’t fully grasp about the style:

“Call it the Flip and Switch, the Flow, or the Twitch: the Bieber hairstyle — with sideswept bangs that end about an inch past where the Beatles snipped theirs off — is everywhere. Tim Urban wore it on “American Idol” before he was voted off in late April, and Miles Heizer wears it on the NBC show “Parenthood” to play a brooding teenager. The idea is that the front-combed bangs are so long that they must be flicked aside constantly with a whole lot of attitude.”

Finally. It’s the flippage. Now we at least comprehend the point of the do, if you will.  Not to be left out, The Moment blog (part of the Times fashion apparatus) has a post on the topic, aptly titled “Pop’s Hair Apparent“.

“Since you’re in the mood for fun: inquiring minds what to know about your hair. Let’s talk man-bangs — how do you get hair like that?
[Laughs] I’d love to be able to say it was complicated, but I’m just chilling. My hair takes five minutes to do in the morning. I shower and as soon as I get out I just shake it and it just does that. For real.”

And just in case the Times isn’t a solid enough source, Coco Perez says that 6 of 10 teen boys ask for the haircut.

Fame via Coco Perez

There you have it.

Don’t let it be said TP doesn’t go to every length to dig up the dirt facts on ridiculously inane and insipid important issues of the day.  Indeed.

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In addition to yesterday’s news about our exclusive new Madras Headband from Kiel James Patrick, we have another exciting addition to the store:

We are thrilled to be offering this terrific line from The Preppy Ladybug.  All of our new Stickers and Labels from the Ladybug are personalized with your return address and adorned with a standard monogram, single initial, or classic preppy icon.

These little gems are $4.50 per sheet; we think they make an ideal gift.

The Preppy Ladybug also does a delightful line of stationery, we are fortunate to be offering these personalized Flat Cards.

The Cards come in sets of twelve for just $22.

There are even pieces geared to the young Master and Miss to use whilst away at summer camp.

We are just tickled to be carrying this wonderful collection!

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Next, how cute are these?

Eleni's Cookies

A friend emailed us about Eleni’s Cookies and we were off to learn more about such yummy-looking goodies.  The Handbags caught our eye.

Eleni's Cookies

As did the Polo Shirt cookies, looking ever-so-preppy.

Eleni's Cookies

What a fun and delicious spot!

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We leave with a quick reminder to our friends fond of their Lilly:

RuueLaLa.com

Beginning at 11am EDT tomorrow (Thursday, 5/13/10) there is another Lilly Pulitzer Sale on the Rue LaLa members-only shopping site.  The sale only runs through the 15th, so shopping earlier is better than later if so inclined. (Anyone needing a pre-approved invitation to the site can click here.)