J. Crew to Open Online Outlet Store, US Open Styles Revealed

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a Friday!

Today’s first bit of news probably qualifies as Friday Fun, albeit not in the wacky genre, more of the “Oooh, this could be fun” kind of news: J. Crew announced yesterday they are going to open an online outlet store in September. Elizabeth Holmes at the Journal broke the story:

“”The New York-based clothing retailer is gambling that it can expand sales without cannibalizing demand for more expensive merchandise at its mainline stores. Apparel companies typically locate outlet stores in out-of-the-way malls, forcing customers to drive long distances to get access to the discounted goods. J. Crew is among the first to risk selling outlet gear over the Internet.”

J. Crew

The company is having an exceptional year, reporting an 87% increase in profits yesterday, even as most apparel and accessory firms continue to struggle in These Difficult Times.  But with the economy entering a challenging phase, Mickey Drexler, J. Crew’s CEO, noted that customers are remaining price and value conscious:

“There’s a big world out there that’s playing the low-price game or lower-price game,”

Mr. Drexler’s comments came during a conference call with stock analysts; not everything he shared was considered good news by Wall Street.  From MarketWatch:

“… analysts said some of J. Crew’s fall merchandise also has been too edgy and not resonated as well with its customers. The company also may have been hurt by increased competition from rivals from Ann Taylor Stores… to Talbots that have also offered embellished tops and other looks that are similar to J. Crew’s offerings, analysts said.”

The “too edgy” comment in the MarketWatch story is interesting, as we have chatted for some time in this space about the company’s change in direction and Crew’s vocal disdain for the word ‘preppy’.  Another analyst quoted in the story referenced “…some fashion missteps”.  For more on the retailer’s dislike of the preppy appellation, click here.

IOHO an online outlet is a wise move in many respects. Bargain hunters will be pleased to know the company plans to include those items currently made only for factory outlets, things not available at regular J. Crew stores. Here is more from yesterday’s WSJ story.

“J. Crew, like most specialty retailers, manufactures merchandise specifically for its factory channel. It’s a different model than that of many apparel manufacturers and department stores, which use their off-price channel to liquidate excess merchandise.”

But operating an online outlet can also have negative fallout, cheapening the brand; it’s no secret some shoppers prefer a little exclusivity, something that makes them feel special, not items that “just anyone can get.”

For those interested in the new site, WWD reports the address will be Factory.com; it is expected to go live in September.

Does this mean shoppers at ‘regular’ J. Crew stores will see less aggressive markdowns of the kind now underway, the “Extra 20% off” Final Sale? (The sale ends this Sunday, use promo code OURTREAT to receive the additional markdown.)

J. Crew Final Sale ends 8/29/10

Crew’s identity challenges seem evident in two pieces shared in “Cooper’s Picks,” the pint-sized version of the popular Jenna’s Picks.  First, we show a $395 Girls’ Shearling Vest, very much like the women’s version.

J. Crew

Call us crazy, but the vest seems a bit over the top for the Young Miss at your Palace. We contrast that with the $138 Grey Flannel Blazer, its lines and details more akin with what we used to think of when hearing the name J. Crew.

J. Crew

One can make a strong case there is plenty of room for both items at the store and that old fuddy-duddies like yours truly are trapped in the past while the fashion world moves forward, we respect that stance, and remain intrigued by seeing how things fare in future months.

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Also on today’s hit parade, the US Open parties are underway all over the city, Nike’s was Wednesday night, with a solid cast of tennis celebrities: Maria Sharapova, Bar Rafaeli, Rafa Nadal, and Roger Federer, to name only a few attending.  With Nike hosting, everyone was able to preview the looks featured on players sponsored by the sportswear giant.

Below left we see Ms. Sharapova in her US Open togs, a deep blue or purple dress with tuxedo styling, especially the lapel; on the right, Nike’s image of the dress via Rich at Down the Line Tennis.

Rafael Nadal was in black with neon green accents, while Mr. Federer’s style remain constant, below he is in deep navy blue.

Below, the competitors at a news conference after the event.

Al Bello/Getty Images for Nike

The Open launches on Monday.

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Our final two tidbits are definitely Friday Fun:

• Cynthia Rowley is now offering designer Band-Aids. They come in chi-chi boxes and also actually help a good cause, one dollar from each box sold (at $10) goes to a fund to help high school and college students interested in design.
• The other item is definitely in our You Can’t Make This Stuff Up, featuring members of the Anti-Prep Wall of Shame. Behold the Jersey Shore Halloween Costumes.

What do you think? Is a Jersey Shore costume something we need to consider here at the Prepatorium? Should the Consort consider an evening as the Pauly D Situation? Do weigh in, your opinions matter a great deal. (Note we didn’t say they counted, heh-heh-heh, insert evil Princess cackle here.) These are available for pre-ordering at Costume Craze.

With that, we send wishes that everyone enjoys a weekend full sunshine and smiles.

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Wimbledon 2010: Polo Ralph Lauren & Tiffany Diamonds by the Yard

Hello-Hello, and Happy Tuesday!

We missed you yesterday, but the volume of inquiries about the wedding of Sweden’s Princess Victoria made us think it would be wise to leave up our Saturday post detailing the party frocks, heads of state in attendance, etc. But we are back today, and a good thing, as it is high party and sporting season.

Everyone knows Wimbledon is under way, and that means lots of activities on and off the court. We begin with some images from the official Pre-Party this past Saturday, on the left we see Venus Williams; sister Serena Williams may be seen on the right.

Celebrities (we use that word loosely) were also on hand, including the Sugababes singing group. (Do help TP out here, are we hopelessly out of touch to be unfamiliar with this group?)

Claire Greenway/Getty

Two more athletes in attendance, Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic.

As many readers know, there is always another party this time of year, the Polo Ralph Lauren annual Wimbledon celebration.

Dave M. Benett/Getty

This year’s event was at the firm’s Bond Street store. Party-goers included Gwyneth Paltrow  and actor Matt LeBlanc, the latter wearing Ralph Lauren.

More atmosphere at the party venue, the PRL store in London.

Below, Jules Knight, Stephen Bowman, Oliver Baines and Humphrey Berney of Blake (we confess to looking this one up on Google, they all are in what is referred to as a ‘boy band’) on the blue carpet.

Dave M. Benett/Getty

Also attending the festivities, former Champion Boris Becker and his wife, Lily, seen below.

Getty

We thought Venus Williams looked elegant, and adore the pink/green necktie the gentleman on the right is sporting.

The event was a fundraiser for a British breast cancer organization, Too Many Women.

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Mr. Becker’s connection with Polo Ralph Lauren can be seen in this ad showcasing the Wimbledon Ball Boys and Girls, all clad in Ralph Lauren designs.

Courtesy Image via AP

This is the fourth year Mr. Lauren has designed the uniforms, although they are basically unchanged from last year. More on this topic tomorrow.

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This year’s Wimbledon on-court fashion updates are many and varied, below we see Serena Williams in her new Nike look.

Toby Melville/Reuters

Maria Sharapova also wears a new style, also with a jacket over the dress, and also from Nike.

Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

For more updates and information about the on-court fashions, pop over and visit Rich at Down The Line Tennis, as always, he is a much better source on the topic than we.  The most we can add is evidence that it is hot over at Centre Court.

Reuters

Yes, it looks very warm indeed.

Getty Images

Of course the uppermost image is a shirtless Roger Federer, the second is Rafael Nadal.

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And our final fashion note comes via a Tiffany new release regarding the earrings Maria Sharapova will be wearing during Wimbledon. Some may recall the tennis star and Tiffany have a marketing agreement; she wears and publicizes a specific pair of Tiffany earrings during each Grand Slam event.

Courtesy Tiffany

Ms. Sharapova is wearing Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard®, here is a better look

Courtesy Tiffany

The Tiffany website’s product description:

“Maria Sharapova, one of the world’s top tennis players, is wearing Elsa Peretti® Diamonds by the Yard® earrings at Wimbledon. Sterling silver drop earrings with round brilliant diamonds, for pierced ears. Carat total weight .30. Original designs copyrighted by Elsa Peretti.”

Until next time!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Claire Greenway/Getty
• Tim Jenkins/WWD

Lhuillier Bliss, FNO Plans of a Preppy Sort

Hello-Hello, and welcome to a wacky Wednesday that feels like a Tuesday. We cannot tell you how many times TSU has been required to answer the question “Okay, quick, is Tuesday or Wednesday?” But there shan’t be any complaining about the shortened week here at the Prepatorium, nay-nay, it is a lovely concept, simply bliss in our little brain!

Speaking of such, has everyone heard about the more affordable line coming from gown designer extraordinaire Monique Lhuillier? That is the name of her new line, “Bliss“.  The eagle eyes over at StyleList mentioned it in a post last week, including these sketches:

Courtesy Photo via StyleList

As the article details:

“The line will offer dresses in the best lace, organza and silk, featuring both ML’s signature embellishments and flair for fashion, but priced for the masses.”

Pricepoints for the gowns are expected to range from $2,300 to $3,500; the line will include fifteen styles available this fall.

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Is everyone familiar with FNO, Fashion’s Night Out? The brainchild of Anna Wintour, it is officially described as a “global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion…”. We like Christina Binkley’s description better, as seen in this Journal story:

“… a global pep rally sponsored by two fashion icons, Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg.”

“The goal is to revive the now-comatose basic human urge to snap up lipstick, socks, neckties, designer gowns, jewelry, handbags and all the other goodies that people cut—with a certain pride—from their household budgets…”

All over the country tomorrow night hundreds of stores will be staying open until at least 11pm, offering special promotions, gifts with purchase, and more. Events range from free chocolates at Maison du Chocolat (the Rockefeller Center store) to the Olsen twins serving drinks at Bergdorf Goodman.

If not out watching the Open, shoppers at Cole-Haan (on Madison) can meet Maria Sharapova, showing her new Collection again (previewed in this post), while also sampling goodies from Dylan’s Candy Bar.

Fashion's Night Out

As is the case with almost any event held these days, one may acquire a tee-shirt commemorating the occasion. For those not attending in person, the shirt is available online at Needless Markup Neiman Marcus.  The nice thing about the tee? 40% of the proceeds are being donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center.

A number of Preptastic retailers are participating, including Lilly Pulitzer.

Lilly plans include giving shoppers a chance to see some of the amazing designers in action at the Mother Ship on Madison Avenue, and it seems there will be liquid refreshments as well, the invitation does say “Cocktails and creativity will flow.” For more on all of the Lilly events, click here.

Tory Burch has even designed a special tote for the occasion.

Purchase *anything* at either the Nolita or Meatpacking stores and one of the limited edition totes is yours. Kate Spade shoppers have an opportunity to party, as the retailer is offering cha-cha lessons and Havana highballs will be served!

Brooks Brothers is unveiling a yet-to-be-announced product, Polo Ralph Lauren is hosting an art event, and J. Crew is promoting their Jewelry/Accessories store by offering refreshments and a chance to meet a jewelry designer.

We have read of several bloggers planning to partake of the festivities, including the fabulous Magnolias, Marriage & Manhattan. There are also events scheduled all over the country, including Los Angeles and Orange County, San Francisco and Chicago.  If interested, check online, in the local newpaper or at the official FNO site. For a list of events in London, click here.

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One other quick note: the Anna Sui Gossip Girl-inspired line for Target launches tomorrow. Below, a look at the ‘Blair dress‘ as seen in a print ad for the retailer.

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We close with a few more lines from Ms. Binkley’s excellent story about tomorrow’s big events:

“But can fashionable entertainment persuade people to pay full price when they are still feeling queasy and bloated from over-spending?

Discounting is a matter of supply and demand. During the boom, luxury goods and fashion brands became so plentiful that they turned into commodities. Stores, carrying the same items around the world, were left to compete on little more than price when the recession set in.”

We are curious about your thoughts on shopping…? Do you spend less time engaged in that activity than you did a year or two ago? Did you always look for bargains regardless of the economy, or are you more cognizant of that now?  Do you have any concerns about being perceived as someone who is a conspicuous consumer, or are things essentially the same? Is your perception of luxury different in any way?

You know TP has an inquiring mind, and she is simply dying to hear your reactions to this idea of an evening spent celebrating shopping.

Tennis Togs Part Two & “When Logos Run Amok” Example 46

Hello-Hello!

Last week we ran a little preview of some of the tennis apparel being unveiled at this year’s US Open, including the new looks from Nike for Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams.  We also looked at some of the pieces coming from Polo Ralph Lauren, the Open’s official sponsor.

Today we turn our attention to Lacoste’s new looks for Andy Roddick. Mr. Roddick can be seen below, as well as Mr. Federer, Ms. Williams and Maria Sharapova.

PHOTO: Ray Stubblebine/Reuters

He is wearing the Printed Check Super Dry Polo, we offer a better view:

Courtesy Lacoste

The Diamante Drawstring Short is on sale in select colors.Here is a look at the ensemble in navy as worn by Mr. Roddick yesterday.

PHOTO: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty

The Women’s Short Sleeve Super Dry Polo comes in both white and a rich raspberry pink.

Many readers probably saw Mr. Roddick visiting the David Letterman show last week. Unfortunately he was sporting the new polo from Lacoste, with the “Big Croc”.

We clearly have a new addition to the “When Logos Run Amok” category.

Lacoste.com

An interesting note, the Oversized Croc Pique Polos for men run $92, while the Short Sleeve Classic Pique Polos are only $54.99 – $79.50.  A similar theme is evident on the Ladies side of the shop, with the Women’s Oversize Croc Polo at $85 and other versions running $54.99 – $79.50.

One more comment about Mr. Roddick, he is not happy with the Open’s new rules regarding Twitter. The Straight Sets blog from the Times carried a post about the issue:

““I think its lame the U.S. Open is trying to regulate our tweeting,” he wrote Friday night. “I understand the on-court issue but not sure they can tell us if we can’t do it on our own time … we’ll see.”

The rules state that tweeting is not allowed on the court during matches. They also warn players about using Twitter away from the court, saying that sending “certain sensitive information” could be considered passing along inside information to gamblers.”

We are grateful there are no such rules governing TP’s Tweets!

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When covering the Nike togs last week we neglected to show the looks for Ms. Sharapova, always a fashionista on and off the court. First, her day dress:

The Night Dress is a very dark midnight blue with silver piping; there appears to be some sort of unfortunate glittery lamé fabric insert.

It is superior to the dress worn by Ms. Sharapova last week for the Rogers Cup in Toronto. We like the minty-green color, but the full skirt is reminiscent of a prom frock gone bad.

Chris Young/Canadian Press/AP

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A look we liked even less? The not-quite-Ed-Hardyish drawing on the back of the dress worn yesterday by Venus Williams for her first-round win.

PHOTO: Emmanuel Dunand/Getty

The dress isn’t quite as bad from the front.

PHOTO: Emmanuel Dunand

And we do like pink.

But… the color for tennis apparel is white. Granted, we are old. We are boring. Fuddy-duddy is a kind and gentle way to describe our ‘tennis style’ as there is no style whatsoever.

We are quite comfortable in this kind of look:

This comes as no surprise to readers.

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One of the more intriguing debuts this week comes courtesy of US star James Blake, who has moved from Nike to Fila.

Chris Trotman/Getty Images for DirecTV

Fila and Mr. Blake have partnered on an apparel and accessories line, launched at the Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue last week.  In honor of the player’s late father the collection is named Thomas Reynolds.  Below, Mr. Blake can be seen with actor Will Ferrell, who was dressed as Blake for the annual Arthur Ashe Kids Day event.

Ray Stubblebine/Reuters

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For those curious about the outcome of Roger Federer’s first match against Devin Britton of the US, Mr. Federer won.

PHOTO: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

However, we may need to pursue a future chat about ‘Monogram Man,’ and the overall issue surrounding Mr. Federer’s logo/crest/monogram.

Below we see Rafa Nadal practicing this morning, his first match is set for Wednesday.

PHOTO: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

On this smiling face, we say G’bye until next time!

It’s That Time… Tennis, Tiffany and Fashion

Hello-Hello, we are ever-so-far-behind, having just walked in the door from being on the other side of the state most of the day, goodness, what a frenzy today has become! (But a good frenzy.) So we shall effort brevity, as difficult as that may be to comprehend coming from these quarters.

Today the talk is of tennis, US Open Tennis to be precise, accented with a little Tiffany and Cole-Haan thrown in for good measure.

As any fan knows, it is Tennis Week. This afternoon was the draw, and play begins on Monday.  Festivities kicked off earlier in the week however, at a party hosted by Tiffany and In Style magazine.  On hand, Maria Sharapova, wearing a new pair of Tiffany earrings per the athlete’s arrangement with the jeweler.

PHOTO: Jemal Countess/Getty

Also on hand for the party? Gossip Girl star Blake Lively, celebrating her 22nd birthday.

PHOTO: Jemal Countess/Getty

But back to Ms. Sharapova’s earrings, the Stria in sterling from Tiffany’s Frank Gehry Collection,

Courtesy Tiffany & Co.

The earrings have a sweet little diamond at the top, and offer an elegant touch sure to be ideal for many occasions.  For those curious about the background of Ms. Sharapova’s partnership with the famed jewelry house, there is a post here (also covering Ms. Williams tennis ‘Trench Coat’) and here (‘the Pirate over the Preppy’).

EDITOR’S NOTE: Obviously this is the point in our post where we would normally have a small mention about the absolute horror of Tiffany partnering with a common celebrity magazine to promote their products.  You know, the “…GAM (Great Aunt Molly) rolling over in her grave if she knew…” part of things. We’ll simply say that the exigent circumstances surrounding today’s schedule are sparing everyone this dreaded tirade.

Speaking of Gossip Girl, we simply must include this next photo of actor Ed Westwick on his way to a shoot with co-star Jessica Szohr today, in honor of the one and only Nautical by Nature, she who occasionally enjoys a look at ‘Chuck Bass‘.

PHOTO: Jose Perez/Splash News

Back to Ms. Sharapova, tonight she will also be busy on behalf of a sponsor, footwear and accessories firm Cole-Haan, still a Princess favorite. (As opposed to Tiffany, now occupying space as ‘the jeweler once known as TP’s number one until they made the Princess pout‘ episode.)

Courtesy Cole-Haan

The statuesque beauty and tennis ace will be celebrating the launch of her eponymous collection of shoes and handbags. Below, a sampling, starting with the Air Milano Short Boot…

Cole-Haan Air Milano

And the Maria Frame Convertible Clutch…

Cole-Haan Maria Clutch

For more on the tennis star’s partnership with Cole-Haan, StyleList has an excellent Q&A with Ms. Sharapova.

That wraps up our entirely frivolous post on the topic, tomorrow we hope to share some photos and insight about the tennis togs themselves, something near and dear to to TP’s heart. And by all means, scoot over and say hello to Rich at Down the Line Tennis where you will find information and perspective vastly superior to ours.

Thank you for your kind tolerance of our frenetic schedule, and may Friday be fabulous!