Friday Fun of The Footwear Kind

Hello-Hello, happy almost-weekend to all of our treasured readers. We are ready for a spot of Friday fun and hope you are too.

We begin with what sounds like a fabulous show at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, “Shoe Obsession”.  Look at this Ferragamo stunner.

Via ArtInfo.com

The exhibition opened on the 8th of this month, with more than 150 pairs of amazing shoes.  We’ll look at some of the more wearable styles first, this is a 2008 Manolo Blahnik.

Via ArtInfo.com

The studded ‘Pigalle’ by Christian Louboutin.

Via ArtInfo.com

It’s unclear how wearable these would have been, they are from Tom Ford’s spring 2012 collection.

Via ArtInfo.com

This is like a work of art, the “Poisonneuse” sandal by Gianluca Tamburini.

Via ArtInfo.com

According to the FIT show notes the number of shoes women own has doubled since the late 1990s, we now average twenty pairs. Gosh….really? (Cough-cough.)

More about the interest in footwear from the FIT:

Shoe departments everywhere have expanded, as the “great designer shoe wars” have escalated.  New high-end brands—like Nicholas Kirkwood and Charlotte Olympia—are moving onto designer shoe floors to share space with perennial bestsellers, such as Blahnik and Louboutin. Established designer shoes brands, including Salvatore Ferragamo and Roger Vivier, are also thriving under new creative direction.

Now for some that don’t look like they were really meant to be worn, below we see Masaya Kushino’s “Lung-ta,” that translates to “horse of wind”.

Sak’s POV Blog

It turns out someone did wear them, as seen in a post at Seek Shoes Online.

Via Seek Shoes Online

Here is another pair that was worn, the “Lady Pointe Shoes” made for Lady Gaga by NoritakaTatehana.

Via Design Boom

They were actually worn in the singer’s “Marry the night” music video.

‘Marry the Night’ music video via Design Boom

A Prada style from spring of last year, the brand did an entire collection inspired by classic American automobiles.

Via ArtInfo.com

And once again, the shoes were worn.

Via Style Forum

Wow.

The show runs through April 18, it looks like it would be great fun to see. Read more about it at the FIT site, or visit the Saks blog, POV, they did a post on the exhibit here.

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Today’s other fun topic involves Sunday’s Big Event. (The Academy Awards.) Our pals across the pond at The Telegraph have put together a slide show of the 25 Best Oscar Dresses of All Time, and I wasted an extraordinary amount of time looking at each and every one made a quick flip through the photos.  Remember Julia Roberts in her vintage Valentino? (1999, Erin Brockovich.)

Via The Telegraph

Or that petal pink Ralph Lauren worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in 1999? (The year she won for Shakespeare in Love.)

Via The Telegraph

Elizabeth Taylor wore Christian Dior in 1960.

Via The Telegraph

It’s a fun compilation, although an awful lot of the frocks are quite recent, we’re not entirely in sync with many of the choices.  Here’s a link to the entire piece.

We’ll see you next week, may your weekends be fun and fabulous!

“Preppy Like No Other Magazine”

Hello-Hello, happy Wednesday!

Today we are more-than-a-little crazed and dazed from our day job at the Princess, all of the goings-on are lovely, but also time consuming!

So we jump in with a few things from around the globe, beginning with a look at J. Crew in the Times (of London).

“It is a label selling well-designed, fashionable — although never slavishly so — clothes for men and women. “

We always enjoy seeing other perspectives on American brands, and the Times story doesn’t disappoint; the piece was prompted by news that Crew is going to be available internationally beginning in May, via Net-a-Porter. More from the story:

“Even though it shares an unfortunate belief with a number of Americans that adopting initials adds a lustrous patina of heritage to a name, J.Crew is not in the same room as KFC…”

To read the story in its entirety just click here.

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Next, an item from the fabulous Australian-based Girl with a Satchel blog, a look at the April fashion magazines. We thought readers might enjoy this portion referencing Tatler:

“Tatler does traditional preppy like no other magazine, as demonstrated by “Sports Day”. Shot by Ruven Afanador at a male boarding school, the styling is all straw boaters by Lock & Co, white tennis dresses tennis dresses by Bottega Venetta and Jil Sander and wool cardigans from the Polo Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Collection.”

Tatler via Girl with a Satchel

We are going to look for the issue next time we’re visiting our local newsstand.

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In today’s Collaboration Update (yes, we gave up and added a category for this sort of thing) we share news that Liberty and Manolo Blahnik are pairing up for a collection.

Courtesy Image via WWD

Women’s Wear Daily reports the collection is slated for September:

“So Blahnik will design a range of items — such as scarves, candles, shoehorns, Wellington boots and notebooks — using Liberty prints.”

The designer has also created a Liberty print of his own.

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We have an addition to our inexplicable and sporadic coverage of those Gossip Girls kids landing magazine covers.

Cream Magazine

Above we see Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Taylor Momsen and Ed Westwick featured on the April cover of Australian pop-culture magazine Cream.  Penn Badgley, Jessica Szohr and Chace Crawford are included in the photo spread.

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For one of today’s Pretty in Pink (and Green) we offer this fun find, the Dinosaur and Heart Crust Cutters. to take the crust off bread, creating something really appetizing for your little ones.

via Pink and Green Scene

These were pointed out to us by the bright minds over at one of our faves, the Pink & Green Scene.

We also offer a little something that looks simply cute as can be, the Spring Romance Mini Potted Fabric Plants.

etsy seller Jane Joss

We found these on etsy from seller Jane Joss, aka the “Fabric Florist.”

Until next time, we hope there is pink and green goodness in your life!

Team USA’s “uber-preppy” Uniforms & Spring Fever

Hello-Hello and welcome to a sunny, shiny new week!

AP Photo/Robert Bukaty

Did everyone watch last night’s Closing Ceremony in Vancouver?  We have received a number of inquiries about Team USA’s Polo Ralph Lauren uniforms for the event.

Jasper Juinen/Getty

The photo of our Bronze-Medal team from short track skating helps show the look. Below (L) Apolo Ohno and Lindsey Vonn wait backstage before entering the stadium, on the right, Shani Davis.

This image from a previous post on the uniforms better shows the Shawl Collar Cardigan.

Polo Ralph Lauren

That item is now sold out in adult sizes, but if looking to put Muffy or Porter in one of the Closing Ceremony Cardigans, they are still available in Children’s sizes, as are the Opening Ceremony Puffer jackets. .

But if seeking most of the popular styles, including the hats for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, prepare for disappointment. Still available? Items like the Men’s Tie and Opening Ceremony Knit Sweater.

The Team USA Shop has just four women’s items remaining and the same in the Men’s department.

The uniforms from PRL and Nike have mostly been met with praise by the athletes.  Gold Medalist Hannah Kearney wrote about her Olympic experience for MTV:

“The 104 pieces of Team USA clothing and swag that we received from Nike and Ralph Lauren upon our arrival in Vancouver, along with an Olympic ring (which I paid good money to upgrade to white gold and diamonds), make excellent mementos.”

Not everyone is happy about the uniforms. According to this story in the Post, the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) is upset with Ralph Lauren:

“… is being criticized for putting his oversize Polo logo on the chests of the US Olympic athletes instead of the stars and stripes.

Some of the 165,000 members of the patriotic Daughters of the American Revolution — who control some of the most exclusive country clubs in the nation — have even talked about organizing a ban on Polo merchandise in the pro shops in those clubs.”

This turns out to have been (essentially) a tempest in a teapot; a DAR spokesperson says there is no such boycott.  In this story Team USA receives high marks for the uniforms:

“The iconic American designer succeeded in creating an uber-preppy look during the opening ceremony…He went more “casual” than those of the Beijing games, if one’s definition of casual is the East-coast old money look.”

An interesting side note: many of the Polo Ralph Lauren uniform pieces were made in Vancouver. This Seattle Times story has more on that angle.

We thought Team Canada looked outstanding.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

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All weekend we have been readings friends’ Tweets and blogs and Facebook mentions about spring fever; we appreciate knowing we are not alone in our strong desire for warmer climes. (TPP is here on FB and here on Twitter.)

Nor do we harbor any intention of calming the fever, rather we hope to inflame it via some springy styles.

Tory Burch

Above, looks by Tory Burch from her new Garden Prints collection. The Camille Dress and Megane Cropped Pant are now available for pre-ordering.

While the dress wouldn’t do a thing for us, the pants are darling.  Below left, the Roscoe Jacket and on the right, the new Slip On Sneaker, with a touch of nautical style.

The Kids’ Simone Cardigan at Tory Burch looks great but we’re not sure if we like the Tunic quite as much.

We are waffling on it for reasons we can’t quite figure out…hhhm.

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Next, a look at some spring styles from Manolo Blahnik; on the left is the Gloton in polkadot (the designer’s favorite shoe for spring, according to Vogue.com) and on the right is the Pulque.

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We close with this Pretty in Pink & Green shower curtain, discovered over at the Pink & Green Scene.

With that sunny image we say goodbye until next time!

PHOTO CREDITS:

Shani Davis: REUTERS/Jerry Lampen

Apolo Anton Ohno & Lindsey Vonn: AP Photo/David J. Phillip

“The Preppiest Brand”? “Sly Twist on Preppy Style”? Do Tell.

Hello-Hello and welcome to a soggy Tuesday; one that we hope brings some flooding relief to our friends in the Southeast.

We start by sharing the delightful  a “Thank You” to the ever-so-generous Miss a. from the Coterie Blog. We were lucky enough to win her fabulous giveaway of this stunning scarf from the folks at Chick Downtown.

ChickDowntown.com

This is most definitely today’s Pretty in Pink, we just love the name of this particular color, ‘ confetti’. This treasure is a wonderful linen blend, fun and floaty. Thank you Miss Coterie, for doing such a fun giveaway!

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Next, a look at Fashion Week topic yet to be covered, a company referred to as the ‘preppiest brand’ going by the Times, although that is not a title we would confer upon Band Of Outsiders. Below, a photo from their presentation at Fashion Week.

Courtesy

We adore the little boat floating in the water. The women’s line is named “Boy”.

Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

We have mentioned the company’s work before, including their ongoing collaboration with Sperry Top-Siders. Below, this fall’s acclaimed Grey Flannel Boat Shoe:

All of their Sperry shoes may be seen here.

Back to their Spring 2010 collection: In their story, the WSJ’s On the Runway wrote:

“… its aesthetic seem inspired by how the cool kids in prep school wore their clothes, preppy attired a little more affected than the straight arrows.”

The Village Voice review talked about the company’s founder, former talent agent Scott Sternberg:

“..is beloved by a young, stylish set not just for his sly twist on preppy style, but also for his smart, elaborate movie-set presentations.”

The LA Times review also references prep fashion:

“The women’s collection had touches of nautical/outdoorsy whimsy too, with a drawstring tank dress in a Liberty sailboat print, skirts in a ropes and knots print.”

Some may be surprised to learn TP is a fan of the line; while we do not own any pieces, we like the clean, tailored lines and lack of fussiness. But the preppiest brand going? We think not.

However, we don’t see the need to bestow that kind of superlative on any one designer or company, it simply isn’t necessary. We merely enjoy reading the different takes on the ‘preppy aesthetic’, they are always entertaining, if inaccurate. Nor should this be perceived as a negative for the brand, as everyone’s take on the style is unique, influenced by many factors. It is a line we most assuredly would recommend to a younger friend or family member looking to move beyond the offerings from Brooks Brothers, Talbots and the like.

Before leaving this topic, we must share from another collaborative effort Band of Outsiders participates in, with none other than Manolo Blahnik.

These are available by special order through Manolo Blahnik.

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One more quick note, The Luxury Institute released a survey recently about luxury brands; there are some intriguing factoids included in the results, although none are surprising. Here are a few details from a WWD story:

“… 48 percent said luxury products are too accessible and are no longer exclusive; 40 percent believed luxury brands are becoming a commodity, and 52 percent said luxury brands that also sell products for mass consumers are no longer luxury brands.”

Hhhhmmm, thoughts to ponder.  How do you feel ladies, do you care one way or another if others are carrying your handbag? Or perhaps you bump into an acquaintance at the club wearing your shoes? As always, we’re simply *dying* to know.

NOTE: Band of Outsiders apparel photos by Thomas Iannaccone/WWD

‘Pernicious Prep’ and Gossip Girls & Guys Hit the Shows

Happy Day everyone! The sun is bright & beautiful here at Intergalactic HQ for the Princess, it is just delightful!

First off, our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway (featuring this Mix ‘n Match set) winner is Preppy Mama! We used Random.org to select the winner, congratulations to Preppy Mama!

We continue our Fashion Week coverage with the focus on those lines showing a preppy aesthetic. But before we even get to looks for fall, how about this look for right now from Boy by Band of Outsiders?! If the brand is not familiar and the name perhaps off-putting, be assured this is the women’s collection by Band of Outsiders, marked by tailored lines, flawless fabrics and attention to detail.

The Cropped Blazer with Grosgrain Binding is available online at Opening Ceremony, an outstanding retailer that did not have online shopping until this week. We are ever-so-pleased we can now graze and perhaps purchase at the website, although the majority of their wares are far too hip for TP.  They also do loads of collaborations, especially on footwear.

Last year the company collaborated with Sperry for distinctive Topsiders (Top-siders) and they are doing so again this year. In this post we talked about the line being named as “The Brand” for preppy attire by Complex.

Below, we shift to a Fall 2009 look.

In their review yesterday of the Band of Outsiders fall presentation at Fashion Week, Racked refer to it as “Pernicious Prep,” adding:

“…attendees found models posed in various tableaux vivants, all channeling naughty prep schoolboy/girl.”

Another style from the fall collection:

PHOTO: George Chinsee

BTW (by the way), the shoes in the presentation were all Manolo Blahnik.  One more style below:

PHOTO: George Chinsee

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It was only a matter of time before we heard about Gossip Girl cast members in attendance at the shows. Chace Crawford was spotted at the Calvin Klein show; below, a look from the Men’s RTW Fall 2009 line.

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone

WWD caught up with the actor before things got underway:

“Crawford…had the day off from taping “Gossip Girl,” pleaded ignorance about fashion even though the show is so stylish. “The fashion on the show is really for women,” he said.”

The star sat next to Jared Leto.

PHOTO: Getty Images

And the folks at The Cut also queried Mr. Crawford about his reaction to the show:

“”Favorite pieces? Uh, I like the solids, the grays,” he said. “I’m not that savvy with fashion.” He added that he feels “very weird” going to fashion shows. So why was he there? “They give me great clothes.” Touché.”

The show is now such a part of fashion culture that in their Band of Outsiders review, the writer at Racked refers to a model in the presentation as sporting “…what we like to call the “Chuck Bass lewd leer”.

Some in the fashion media are speculating about the ‘dueling Gossip Girls’ at Thursday’s Proenza Schouler show. The word is that Vogue‘s guest for the show is another G2 star, actress Blake Lively while Elle magazine is hosting Leighton Meester. We aren’t exactly anticipating any spat. Honestly.

Speaking of Vogue, editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and actress/designer Sarah Jessica Parker chatted up a storm at the Alexander Wang show.

PHOTO: Louis Lanzano/AP

In attendance at Herve Leger, actresses Lucy Liu and Mad Men star January Jones.

PHOTO: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Here is another shot of Ms. Jones at the Leger show, and we think she almost looks like an entirely different person:

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

It matters not what angle the star is shot, for she is always lovely.

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Time for us to toddle off to other duties, we shall close with a look at the new Samsonite Black Label group by Viktor and Rolf.

PHOTO: Courtesy Samsonite via Hypebeast

We can’t remember the last time we saw a bow on luggage! We also find the retro airplane print rather fetching.

Photos Courtesy Samsonite via Hypebeast

Our thanks to Hypebeast for the story tip as well as the images.

Until next time dolls, may it be splendid and sunny wherever you are today!