Kentucky Derby Barbie, Michelle O. Does Talbots, J. Crew Sale

Oh dolls, what a beautiful day it has been, outside as well as in, warm and sunny is the mood for the day!

We must share a number of things we can only refer to as Preptastic! First we thank the more-than-generous Kristin Pearce, for offering this gorgeous necklace in her blog giveaway last month!

Kristin Pearce Jewelry

We were fortunate enough to win, and the necklace arrived in our mailbox and to say it is stunning would be an understatement.  Kristin is one talented lady who has fantastic treasures in her etsy store; she also creates custom jewelry pieces. This beauty makes its debut Easter Sunday; thank you Kristin!

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For today’s Pretty in Pink we share our love for this amazing artwork from the one and only Fifi Flowers, an excellent print we bought last week.

Pink Luggage by Fifi Flowers

Fifi is insanely talented and you will adore her artwork, as well as her boxed note cards, equally bright and beautiful!  They are available in Fifi’s etsy shop, all of them Preptastic IOHO.  And Miss Fifi has a wonderful blog we love to read on a daily basis.

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Also making the Preptastic List this holiday weekend, the Kentucky Derby Barbie.

Appropriately attired in a floral dress with coordinating chapeau, Barbie wears a strand of pearls.

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As one might anticipate, bargains abound with Spring/Easter/After Easter/etc. sales and clearance events. J. Crew launched theirs several days ago:

J. Crew

There is a good assortment of merchandise across a spectrum of sizes, like the Avignon Peep-toes, originally $328, now $149.

J. Crew Avignon Pump

Or the Cotton interlock promenade dress:

The casual knit is sized Small-XL in black and bright pacific, now $49.99, marked down from $75. TP is happy to vouch for the versatility of Crew’s lightweight knits, they are outstanding.

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In what may be a boost for Talbots, First Lady Michelle Obama wears a Talbots dress on the cover of May’s Essence magazine.

PHOTO: Timothy White/Stockland Martel

The First Lady’s mother, Marian Robinson, is seen in the cover shot as well.

It appears Mrs. Obama is wearing Talbots Rose Print Silk Dress.

The dress is shown in the ‘Lagoon Blue’ colorway. 

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On a related note, there is word the Obama family will spend their summer vacation on the Vineyard according to this story at the Cape Cod Today website.

Courtesy CapeCodToday.com

The article says the First Family plans a two-week stay in the East Chop part of Oak Bluffs. We have always been fond of the East Chop Lighthouse.

And on that pretty picture, we’ll say ‘night!

Kate Spade Shoes, Fashion Week: Lacoste, Jason Wu, Barbie!

Hello-Hello!

We start with a very quick hit on WWD‘s (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription required for most material) story about the Kate Spade shoe line expansion.

Courtesy Kate Spade via WWD

“Though Kate Spade found success with its collection of preppy flats and party shoes, the New York-based accessories brand has been positioning itself for a bigger presence in the footwear world.”

Courtesy Kate Spade via WWD

The line’s new Design Director has a history with two other prep-relevant lines, Burberry and Banana Republic. What to look for moving forward? An added emphasis on boots, including some with bows.

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The insanity that is Fashion Week has descended upon New York with the 2009 Fall/Winter lines being shown, although fewer design houses are participating. Just to set the scene, a bit from James Covert’s column in yesterday’s Post:

“THE perks at Fashion Week are taking a weird turn downmarket. High-powered fashion editors and retail merchants – who in seasons past have hauled off gift bags of Victoria’s Secret lingerie, Calvin Klein perfume and Estée Lauder cosmetics – will be treated this year to McDonald’s, Budweiser and Jell-O.”

Indeed.

Things kicked off Thursday with Monique Lhuillier showing 12 styles from her Fall RTW (Ready to Wear) Collection, including one with a darling bow we simply had to share!

PHOTO: John Aquino

We’ll chalk up the ripped hose (shown with almost every piece) to artistic license.

This morning the first show was Lacoste.

Stephen Chernin/AP

Of course, each season we attempt to predict the severity of Logophobia to expect in the coming season, in efforts to gauge how strong the innoculations should be, what strain of the disease to look for, etc. The Telegraph (UK), addresses the issue in their story on Lacoste’s F/W ’09 styles:

“The classic crocodile logo, originally introduced by the legendary French tennis star, René Lacoste, in 1927, was revamped as a larger, tone-on-tone motif, rather than the well-known, little green ‘crocodylidae’.”

Designer Christophe Lemaire’s color palette is intriguing, more subtle than previous seasons.

PHOTO: Stephen Chernin/AP

We did not sense any ‘wow!’ moments this go-round.

PHOTO: Stephen Chernin/AP

It could be that this year it is more about subtlety than big and bright splashes of exuberance.

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

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First Lady fave Jason Wu had his show yesterday, and there are a number of pieces we adore, two in particular.

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

We dubbed the dress above the Fairy Tale Princess dress. And then we saw this one:

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

It is also a Fairy Tale Princess gown… lush, lovely, luxurious…sigh. A girl can dream, can’t she?

The designer dubbed as preppy by TPC (the Princess Consort) early on in the Michelle Obama dress frenzy had several other looks we are fond of, including this:

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

While not for us, the next frock is one we can see Mrs. Obama wearing.

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

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BTW, for those interested in the very latest on Fashion Week, Project Runway winner and designer Christian Soriano is live-blogging for Time magazine; click here to take a look at Mr. Soriano’s bon mots.

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Here at the Prepatorium we try to maintain a positive perspective, preferring to look at the upbeat more than the negative, but sometimes we simply must stop and ask: why?

PHOTO: Michael Loccisano/Getty

High-waisted leather shorts, Gwyneth? What were we thinking?

And then there is the J. Crew spinoff label, Madewell 1937, and its collaboration with Shopbop on an upscale denim line.  Generally we adore Shopbop. But this?

Courtesy Photo via WWD

The line debuts online next Friday (2.20.09) with pricepoints one would expect from a premium line as explained in the WWD story:

“There’s a vintage feel to the Madewell for Shopbop collection, which consists of ex-boyfriend and vintage flare jeans, both priced $200; a station skirt, $130; switchyard shorts, $130; a dispatch vest, $125; a workwear jacket, $138, and a boiler suit, $125.”

It can only be old age and decrepit thinking keeping us from falling for the Boiler suit. (?)

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We shall close with more Pretty in Pink, a few in fact, from today’s Barbie Runway show at Fashion Week. We start with Barbie & Ken…

PHOTO: Diane Bondareff, Courtesy Barbie/AP

(Psst – did you notice the pink and green backdrops onstage?!)

Next, the shoes by Christian Louboutin:

PHOTO: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

In the audience today at the show, Heidi Klum….

PHOTO: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

As well as singer Kellie Pickler and Miss Africa USA, Nyasha Zimucha.

PHOTO: Bryan Bedder/Getty

Others on hand for the 50th Anniversary show included Diane von Furstenberg, Annie Leibovitz and Julia Allison.  We cannot wait to read Suzy Menkes’ column on the show! The next photo shows a design from Juicy Couture, probably not our favorite look.

PHOTO: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

The next shot is during Friday’s rehearsal for the show; the dress is by Koi Suwannagate.

PHOTO: Diane Bondareff/Mattel Handout

We will share more of these delightful looks in our next post!

Thakoon & Hayden-Harnett Target Updates, Another Gossip Girl Cover

Hello-Hello and Happy Tuesday Happy New Year’s Eve!

Today we are Yesterday we were pondering the fabulousness of electricity in all its many applications… it truly is a beautiful invention. And we don’t just say that because the GGPs (great-grandparents) wintered next door to Mr. Edison in Ft. Myers.  Nor because we have just returned arrived home Tuesday night from the Queen Mother’s estate, following a  few detours along the way.  At retail establishments.  Actually, this was the first time we remember taking refuge (ahem) in a store to avoid becoming the next snowman on the block.

Which brings us to this afternoon as we make every effort to keep our head from exploding.  You see, while still favorably inclined toward the benefits of functioning electricity, we must inform you that shortly after the power was restored we lost another vital service: the telephone.  Which translates into no internet access.  Rather essential here in the corner condo at Preppy Princess HQ, what with our little online boutique being… well, online.

No. Phone. And. No. Internet. Access. For almost twenty-four hours. A situation not rectified by even a Jumbo Prozac Latte. And we assure you that retail therapy would have been a total waste of hairspray.  The online site was fine, we just couldn’t get online ourselves. When the AT&T imbecile finally floated by for a visit this morning we were inclined to accost him, but The Consort said if we did that he would be unable to repair things.  We do love the T-1 line we have, it delivers the oh-so-fast-web-access as promised, but being without landbased phone service as well as the internet is really most unpleasant. Harrumph.

Rather than get our whiskers in a wad, we’ll just cease the whine-athon and get down to business.  In Sunday’s post we promised to file an update on the Thakoon for Target collection as soon as we were able to visit the Boutique in person.

Yesterday’s Monday’s agenda included a family outing to the spanking new Target near the Queen Mother’s home base, in part to allow TP & TQM to better inspect the Thakoon. (We also looked at the scant Hayden-Harnett offerings available, an entirely separate topic of conversation.) HRH, the Princely Sibling also joined us, although he did not share the same level of enthusiasm for the excusion as we.

Thakoon for Target

Overall the line is very well merchandised. The pieces look vastly superior to the photographs we have previously shared, all of them true to Thakoon’s design aesthetic. Many of the sweaters and tees have a soft, supple feel to the touch.

Unfortunately not all of the pieces share this characteristic; many are polyester.  These do not feel at all soft or silky, but slightly slimy, forcing TQM to recoil in horror. (A little dramatic, yes, but to be fair we don’t know if she has ever worn any synthetic textiles, certainly not next to the skin.)  The Camo Print Cami shown above in Navy & Yellow is all poly, as is the Colorblock Cami seen below.

Thakoon for Target

Reactions to the Collection that we have seen and/or heard:

• Pieces do not run true to size, with fit is all over the map
• The quality is very good to excellent
• The quality is poor to shoddy
• Quantities are running low with some stores completely out of stock on multiple items
• Your best bet for purchasing anything is online

Well dolls, it is now your obligation opportunity to share any insight you may have on the topic.  Our best suggestion for anyone contemplating a purchase would be to read all of the reviews each customer is leaving on the Target site; they are enlightening.

BTW, Thakoon is looking smarter every day with his decision to offer ‘Thakoon Addition,’ a capsule collection with lower opening price points.  The good folks at the  Style File blog have a wonderful interview with the designer.  Our favorite quote comes when he is talking about Michelle Obama wearing one of his designs the final night of the Democratic Convention in Denver; the dress was one of his signature print:

“A print dress? On TV? There’s change you can believe in.”

We also seek your input on our next topic, the Hayden-Harnett for Target accessory line due at your local store Monday.  Below, the Canvas Hobo:

Hayden-Harnett for Target

The new line for Target from the popular handbag designers was a tad slow in arriving at some stores; we saw only 4 different bag designs on display during Monday’s visit to the retailer.

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As we mentioned in Sunday’s post about the Penn Badgley spread in January’s GQ, magazine covers continue to be peopled by Gossip Girl stars.  Now we learn of CosmoGirl Prom’s next cover, featuring….

CosmoGirl Prom

Taylor Momsen.

PHOTO: Ezra Patchett

Our thanks to Just Jared Jr., for the photos of Ms. Momsen showcased in a number of… um… well, extraordinary prom dresses, how’s that sound? In all candor, one really looked very sweet.

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Regular readers know TP is a fan of Vivre, not only for their fashion sense and good taste, but also for their delightful presentation and superb online publications.  The upscale site is also having an outstanding Clearance Sale, nothing to sneeze at given the current economic climate. (A reminder: it is five o’clock: do you know where your trust fund is?)

Markdowns have been taken on a plethora of merchandise at Vivre, including some much-too-fun napkin rings from Kim Seybert:

Vivre.com

They would make the perfect gift for someone near and dear to us, and at 40% off their original price of $115 they look like a solid buy.  However, at $69 for a set of four they are not for everyone, and the recipient we have in mind might throttle us if we allocated that amount to their Birthday gift budget.

Fortunately this same person is simply gaga for the Shoreline napkin rings at the Princess, a mere $5.50 each, or just $20 for a set of four.

Shoreline Napkin Rings at PreppyPrincess.com

That’s it for this post. Until next time, we shall be awaiting your insider knowledge on the topics detailed above!

We close with a TDF classic car for our Pretty in Pink, a 1958 Continental Coupe.

We send everyone a massive “Thank You” for the wit, wisdom, and strength you shared this year as we became part of the Blogosphere.  You are all Prepalicious in our mind! Happy, Happy New Year!

Another Prep Fashion Faux Pas, Inaugural Updates, AntiPreps

First off, before you read one more word, scoot over here and leave a comment so you are entered in this week’s Great Giveaway, with preppy goodness anyone can win! Leaving a comment about anything you are thankful for = giveaway entry.

Quick headlines of the day, many of which may well be moldy oldies to many of you, but here we go anyway.

The Presidential daughters will be attending Sidwell Friends school; Malia at the Middle School in Northwest DC (the Upper School Building is also here), and Sasha at the Lower School campus that is actually located in Bethesda. Malia is in fifth grade and Sasha in second grade.

PHOTO: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

The Obamas selected the Quaker school where Chelsea Clinton and Al Gore III received their educations, deciding it was a better fit than Georgetown Day and Maret. For more background, our post here may be helpful.

Newsweek features the future First Lady in their Dec.1 issue, on newsstands today.

PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK

And we hear an entire book dedicated to the Michelle Obama style is quickly being put together; former Mademoiselle editor Mandi Norwood is writing the book. It is scheduled for publication sometime next spring by Avon Books.  Coming out even earlier, “Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady“ is due December 9.

Harper Collins

Written by David Bergen Brophy, the publisher is Harper Collins.

Speculation continues on who will design Michelle Obama’s gown for the Inaugural Balls in January, but we have seen little devoted to basic inauguration day apparel for Michelle Obama and the girls….? Seeing some designs in that genre would be most enjoyable.

That now-famous Thakoon dress worn by Michelle Obama is now officially out of production, at least for the time being.

PHOTO: Mark Wilson/Getty

More sketches for Inaugural gowns are floating about from other designers, including this from Isabel Toledo, done at People magazine’s suggestion, for a story.

Isabel Toledo via People.com

Below, Mrs. Obama in the Isabel Toledo gown worn to a June fundraiser hosted by Anna Wintour (Vogue) and Calvin Klein. Many readers may be familiar with the divine illustrations Ms. Toledo’s husband, Ruben, has done for the Nordstrom catalogues.

PHOTO: AP

And Reem Acra also shared her creativity, again, per People magazine’s request.

Reem Acra via People.com

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We have another entry in the Gwyneth Paltrow Fashion Faux Pas category. While we do not want to appear as though we are unfairly focusing on Ms. Paltrow, her style statements of late are surprising in light of her über-preppy upbringing.

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Above, the actress at the grand re-opening of the remodeled Fontainebleau this weekend. The famed hotel was also home to the Victoria’s Secret fashion show taping.

The always-interesting Styleist blog takes Ms.Paltrow to task for the Antonio Berardi dress she wore (below) to the Two Lovers film premiere in London.

PHOTO: Getty Images

The comments include these:

“We see London, we see France, we see Gwyneth Paltrow in Paris at the premiere of ‘Two Lovers’ wearing another weird dress. Plus we see underpants! And her bra!

Gwyneth frequently comes thisclose to fashion greatness. But then she takes a giant leap off the Cliff of “Odd and Awkward” into the ocean of “Looking at Her Makes Us Wince”. Doesn’t she have any friends? Or a mirror?”

The Victoria’s Secret goings-on alerted us to very frightening news: two Antipreps were in the same place.  At the same time.  Clearly someone neglected to put up the deflector shield.  Mon Dieu.

Exhibit A:

PHOTO: Hans Deryk/Reuters

In case anyone is fortunate enough to *not* recognize this individual, it is TV personality Kim Kardashian; here is our initial post affirming Ms. Kardashian attaining official AntiPrep status.

Next we have Paris Hilton, our very first Anti-prep, as explained here. It could almost be said Ms. Hilton prompted the necessity of an Anti-prep category.  BTW, for those keeping score at home, this is the second such occurrence of dual (dueling?) anti-preps appearing at the same location.

PHOTO: Hans Deryk/Reuters

We apologize for the multiple spellings on antiprep; we just can’t locate the word in our Webster’s and don’t know how to spell it so we can find it when we look things up in the blog.

Until next time!

Obama Inaugural Gown Update, Preps Party at CFDA

Well, here we are again!

The volume of inquiries surrounding plans for the Michelle Obama inauguration gown is increasing; thus today’s additional post.  At last night’s CFDA gala Diane von Furstenberg shared an interesting tidbit, according to a story in today’s online New York magazine: she has submitted sketches for an inugural gown.  And why did she send sketches?

“Well, they asked me to. Of course, everybody has,” she said. “I’m so proud to be an American.”

In the story by Alisa Gould-Simon, the question of a dress for all those Inaugural Balls was put to one of Mrs. Obama’s favorite designers:

Thakoon Panichgul, one of Michelle’s favorite designers, tried to remain elusive when we asked if he’d submitted sketches. “Um … we’ll see what happens,” he said with a devilish smirk.

And the Observer has a headline that will grab the attention of most fashionistas: “Narciso Rodriguez Hoping for a Second Chance to Dress Michelle Obama,”with insight from designer Narciso Rodriguez on one of his designs being worn by Ms. Obama election night:

“She saw that dress and she liked it,” said Narciso Rodriguez, who designed Michelle Obama‘s Election Night dress. “She saw it on the runway, she chose it, I guess from the runway…” He nodded slowly and mouthed “yes” when asked if he’d known in advance that she would wear it.”

Should one be interested in more information about some of the Thakoon designs worn by Ms. Obama, here is a post as well as here. The Observer story includes speculation from those in attendance at the dinner about an inaugural gown:

The young designers of Proenza Schouler approached Mr. Rodriguez. “Did you see Michelle Obama in his dress?” cried Lazaro Hernandez. “Really major!”

“They have a fabulous new bag line,” deflected Mr. Rodriguez. Mr. Hernandez asked if Mr. Rodriguez was designing the inaugural gown. “It would be nice to think so,” he said modestly.

Also in attendance at the CFDA/Vogue gala were Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively (in a dress that didn’t really wow us) …

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

…and Penn Badgley….

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

…along with Tory Burch…

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

and über-preppy couple David Lauren and Lauren Bush…

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

We apologize for being tedious, but we may need to be back one more time again today with our update on Black Friday sales for Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew and more.  We’re typing as fast as we can!