More Election Fashions Including Michelle Obama’s $10,000 Earrings, Sneak Peek at Thakoon for Target, Preppy Updates

It is Friday, and what a magnificent thing that is… sigh. “And visions of bubble-baths danced in her head…”

We start with more photos from Election Night in response to the ongoing inquiries we are receiving related to Cindy McCain’s dress (a suit), as well as Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin’s apparel.

PHOTO: Jim Bourg/Reuters

There isn’t really loads more to report.  However, we can share new information regarding the future First Lady’s earrings on Tuesday night, hopefully seen in the photographs that follow.  (We do apologize in advance for their large size; clearly we are trying to show those beautiful earrings!)

PHOTO: Morry Gash/AP

They are by Loree Rodkin, crafted of white gold and diamonds. UPI spoke with Ms. Rodkin about Ms. Obama wearing her design election night:

“Loree Rodkin, a Los Angeles-based designer of expensive jewelry, said she was surprised and pleased to see Obama wearing her earrings. Rodkin said the design retails for $10,275 a pair — and were not a loan.”

PHOTO: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty

The earrings look light and lacy, and very feminine, stunning on Ms. Obama.  In the online bio at her website the designer is described:

“…known for her noncomformist visionary approach to jewelry making…. has designed jewelry for most of Hollywood’s brightest stars including Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Aerosmith…”

According to the Browns Fashion website, the earrings are available for ordering now, if one is so inclined:

Courtesy Browns Fashion

If interested in purchasing the earrings, one must email Browns, they are not currently available on the site.

Here is a photo someone named Diablo Cody (?) in what is a similar style if the skull and crossbones are removed:

 

A Loree Rodkin ad from May, 2008:

 

TheEssentialist.com

For a good look at the designer’s work, try these items at Glimpse, or the selection at Blue Bee.  It would seem from surveying a variety of retailers and other sites that a fair amount of Ms. Rodkin’s work is done using images of skulls, daggers, and other “goth” (?) motifs. (Is that the term…?) Here is the designer in a press photo:

 

Courtesy Loree Rodkin

Our journalism background requires us to point out that Cindy McCain received substantial criticism for wearing diamond earrings at the Republican Convention valued at $280,000. A popular magazine estimated them to be 3 carats in size; the report was not confirmed or denied.

Today the Obamas attended a parent-teacher conference in Chicago:

PHOTO: John Gress/Reuters

Otherwise, the onslaught of newsprint and airwaves devoted to the Narciso Rodriguez dress worn by Ms. Obama election night continues to grow.

Back to the continuing questions here at the Prepatorium regarding Cindy McCain and Sarah Palin and their election night dresses.  Actually, neither wore a dress; they both were attired in what TP would call a “cocktail suit.” (Oh dear, that may reveal a bit too much information regarding our age, shall we say. There you have it.) And here we have the photo:

PHOTO: Brian Snyder/Reuters

Ms. Palin’s dark navy suit is by Tahari, and we have lots more information on it as well as several more photos, here at Wednesday’s “extended election night fashions” post.  That post reveals the only store where the navy color is available.

A reminder on the Michelle Obama book, the biography by WaPo reporter Lisa Mundy; reports indicate it is selling fast; why this would surprise anyone is beyond us.

LizaMundy.com

Readers may remember hearing about Target’s upcoming collection by Thakoon Panichgul, a designer Michelle Obama has worn several times. We have early photos showing some of the designs thanks to the always on top of things people at Nylon magazine.

 

As detailed in a previous post, this is one of a handful of designers favored by Michelle Obama. The collection is due to debut at the retailer on Christmas Day.

 

The pieces look very beachy, ideal for one’s resort wardrobe over the winter holidays. And that is perfect as the collection debuts in the middle of winter, on Christmas Day. That seems rather odd, doesn’t it?

The coat won’t work on an elderly prep like TP (sniff), but it will look darling on most anyone else.

 

Prices for the pieces will range from $20 to $70.  Also to debut On Christmas Day, the Erickson-Beamon for Target Collection, another line Ms. Obama is seen wearing. Here is a preview picture of what to expect, courtesy of the oh-so-hip Nitrolicious.

 

Courtesy Nitrolicious.com

Erickson-Beamon has already collaborated with a retailer, Urban Outfitters.  That line is available in the UK at the Kensington High Street and Oxford Street stores, as well as at the UK online site. Below, their Crystal Cube Necklace from that line:

 

Erickson-Beamon for Urban Outfitters UK

If the subject of designer collaborations with Target sounds slightly familiar, perhaps it is because just this Tuesday we talked about the surprise announcement of Target’s upcoming line with edgy designer Alexander McQueen.  We now have a date for that collection to be available: March 1st, 2009. If seeking more information and photos showing multiple pieces from each designer, this post is fairly comprehensive, albeit in a bloggage sort of way.

We close with few quick hits on preppy goings-on …

• Talbots has confirmed they are selling J. Jill
• the oh-so-stylish Third Coast Preppy found this fun article about the Lilly Pulitzer exhibit that opened at the New School for Design at Parsons
• Online shopping is now available at Lilly Pulitzer! FULL DISCLOSURE: An awesome preppy blogger discovered this outstanding information, and we cannot remember who it was, but they deserve the credit, not us. (If you know, please let us know so they might be properly thanked
  • NOTE: We owe our thanks to the incredibly gifted Teddi, as we read about this in her superb blog, Jewish Girl in WASP’s Clothing.  🙂
• The über-preppy television show known as Gossip Girl has another star landing a big endorsement opportunity: Ed Westwick (who plays Chuck Bass) is the new face for K-Swiss. Below, the actor shooting in New York Thursday:
  

And a reminder to enter our Great Preppy Giveaway Contest by leaving a comment telling us one thing you are thankful for related to America …one thing about the United States for which you are thankful. Remember, if you mention this contest on your blog, you are then eligible to send the snappy Madras photocards to a friend! And the best part of this?  It is all free! Here is a quick glance at the Primary Prize, the Scout Tote:

Bungalow Scout Tote

And here are the Holly House Madras photocards, also from the Preppy Princess store.

Holly House Photocards at PreppyPrincess.com

For all of the details and information, just click here.

Have a splendid weekend!

The Olympic It Bag, Shoshanna, Ralph Lauren Rugby Update, Sale Updates: J. Crew, Saks, Barneys, Boden

Hello-hello and happy Wednesday!

Because we have dabbled in the Olympic Fashion world for a few days, we thought it best to step away from the Olympic uniforms and look at some of the additional items being marketed as tie-ins to the Beijing Summer Games. We finally came across some photographs of a bag we’ve been reading about for some time; the PUMA Olympic “It bag.”

Might we also add that hunting up the PUMA bags for this column was an eye-opening experience, albeit a tad mind-warping. As we don’t generally spend time blazing new fashion trails, we had *no* idea that the selection of bags PUMA offers is so broad! Heavens to Betsy! Below, the PUMA Olympic Ring Bag.

Below are bags that also won recognition in this year’s CSM (Central St. Martin) Design competition sponsored by PUMA, including the Medallion Bag designed by George Omerod in either Gold or Silver, as well as the CSM Elastic Ring Bag. The Princess applauds PUMA for supporting young, independent designers, but is somehow not in sync with the medallion bags. At all.

If you would like to read and see more on Olympic fashions and design, Forbes Life has an interesting story and along with one of their wonderful slide shows.

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Many readers are familiar with The Princess’s disdain for inappropriate emotional displays, yet they have been witness to her inability to contain herself upon seeing the madras plaid swim separates by Shoshanna. It was dreadful, we were absolutely gaga and completely out of control, incapable of containing ourselves. (Below, the ever-so-preppy madras swim top at Nordstrom.)

In reality, there is little from this designer that we don’t like, as her lines are simple, the cut is classic and the end result is always one that is sure to flatter every figure. In many ways it is a ‘preppy’ design aesthetic.

To the right of the swimsuit above, the Mosaic Belted Dress at Saks in a bright and brilliant shade of blue. (A quick FYI if you are still looking for swimwear, all of the Shoshanna swimwear separates are on sale at ShopBop, and there is an additional 20% off the sale prices.)

If you like Shoshanna’s designs you’ll want to pop over to Ronda Carman’s fabulous blog, “All the Best” for her profile of designer Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss (below).

Learn which handbag she carries the most, her favorite luxury in life and who her style icons are, plus you can become acquainted with the blog, a daily read for us here at the Prepatorium.

We also adore the Shoshanna Tuxedo Halter Dress at Nordstrom, with its cutaway top and pleated waist, and simply love the Stretch Jersey Cap Sleeve dress at Bluefly, despite the fuzzy-wuzzy photo.

Scoot over to Ronda’s when you have a minute to get a peek at the person behind the Shoshanna designs and meet Ronda, well worth the trip itself!

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Natick Rugby Store

An update on last week’s post mentioning the upgrades being done to the Ralph Lauren Rugby website, including the added enhancement of being able to shop online at the site. The site is now open for business and you can actually shop the Rugby styles online!

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Once again TP feels compelled to tiptoe around the issue of m****, a topic you know that we never discuss, certainly not in a public forum such as this. However, there are times when economics mandate that one does what they can to pinch a penny or two along the way to livin’ the Prepalicious! lifel And TP is here to help, forever seeking measures and means to keep your pocketbook healthy and happy. (You know what a horrid chore it can be when you are forced to call up one of the Trustees and detail your plight.)

It is in this vein we always suggest the ‘Buy Ahead’ method for supplementing one’s wardrobe, acquiring pieces now that will be simply divine in the future. You know the basic boys button-down at Hickey-Freeman that is on sale now is ideal for this fall and winter, and no one knows what season it is because it’s a classic item made with superb materials and craftsmanship. Or the vibrant (that is an understatement) plaid sportcoat Thurston will wear to this fall’s holiday ‘do,’ similar to this Holiday Plaid Style on sale at Hickey Freeman.

Hickey Freeman Men's Holiday Plaid Sportcoat

And don’t forget the edgier Hickey store, with goods aimed toward a younger and hipper clientele than those at parent store Hickey Freeman. They too have some fabulous men’s merchandise at outstanding price points, especially since they added ‘Take an Additional 20% off” to the deal. We are particularly fond of this Linen/Cotton Blend Chambray Shirt, a basic that will last forever. We are, of course, completely and totally ignoring those shameful buttons (gasp!) and the little leaf logo.

Hickey Linen/Cotton Blend Chambray Shirt

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Naturally there are loads of treasures at the J. Crew Final Sale that are simply perfect for everyone, but do be sure to check the markdowns on everything.

For example, the Cambridge cable crewneck sweater, a ‘must have’ basic available in loads of colors normally runs $74. It is now $69.50, not much of a markdown.

We are pretty excited about the Men’s Broken-in Madras Sneakers, now only $19.99, still available in a good range of sizes in both the Tidal Blue or the Montauk Patchwork.

Even getting the little ones properly clad for school can be accomplished in some cases at this sale! Probably not in the school days category, but still fabulous: these Callie Flats for the little princess in the family.

There is always the GIrls’ Polished Cotton Polo at $6.99, with lots of colors to choose from, or maybe the Girls’ Cashmere Argyle Cardigan, doesn’t that look elegant, yet über-snuggly for the Little Miss?

For the young master, how can you go wrong with a silk Lighthouse Tie that was $29.50, now $7.99, or the East Hampton polo shirt?

BTW, we’re just tickled that *finally* the New J. Crew store opened at the Galleria in Dallas. Only one store in a town that size was just silly.

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One wouldn’t want to pass up the Summer Sale at their local Saks, or the online store with all manner of things marked down, including this Stephen Dweck Bronze Ring. There are other treasures like the classic St. John Sport Boatneck Stripe Sweater in a timeless wool and rayon knit you will wear for years (not shown). The Princess is also partial to the Ann Demeulemeester Suede Sneakers in black.

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At Boden things are not discounted anywhere near the amounts shown above, but the there are savings to be had just the same, if you enjoy the company’s casual classics.

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Now don’t forget to stop by Barney’s Sale online, unless you’re in the city in which case it would be criminal to not get yourself to the physical warehouse sale. Already underway in LA, the online sale features deep markdowns and runs through the 26th, while the warehouse sale has even better markdowns, and you get the experience of someone ripping that top you were just looking at right out of your hands! The physical warehouse sale goes through the 1st of September.

And on that crazy note, the Princess will toddle off for a nightcap and some Olympics viewing!