A Preppy Collaboration

Happy Monday, it was a hectic weekend here at the Prepatorium, the days ahead are destined to be even busier, eek!

We begin with a look at another design partnership, this one between a longtime favorite, Pendleton, and retailer Eddie Bauer. The two companies from the Pacific northwest have collaborated since the 1920s, below we see a page from the 1948 Eddie Bauer catalog, the first year Pendleton products were shown in that catalog.

Pendleton/Eddie Bauer

The new collection is geared for the holidays, Bedding & Home items include classic Pendleton motifs.

The Christmas stockings are $59.95, crafted of pure wool. The jacquard wool tote is $199.95, the wool shirt comes in two colorways and runs $129.95.

There are also items for your MOTH (Man Of The House), including these.

The collection is available now.

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Our other item today involves an update on the much ballyhooed Versace for H&M collection, launching this Thursday in London, on Saturday in the States. We wanted to follow up not because we believe our treasured readers are enormous Versace fans (although there is a plethora of Pretty in Pink), but because of the analogy made in our post between this launch and the Missoni for Target problems.  First, a backgrounder on the “issues” (there’s a euphemism) faced by Le Boutique Targét with the Missoni launch:

“We all know what happened recently with Missoni for Target–that collection disappeared instantly, online shoppers got $25 consolation gift cards instead of cute zigzagged coffee cups, and items showed up on eBay for exorbitant prices.”

That comes via Fashionista. Not mentioned, the issue of Target’s website going down. For hours.

At any rate, it turns out H&M has rules in place to prevent just the kinds of issue outlined above, especially the re-selling of products at online auction sites like ebay.  From The Telegraph here are rules for those shopping in London.

Shoppers will be allowed in stores in groups of 20, with a shopping allowance of just 10 minutes. Customers can only buy one of each item and only in one size to stop customers buying for their friends or bulk-buying popular styles to sell on eBay.

Fashionista also has been been told the guidleines will be similar for US shoppers. Of course, the biggest distinction between this launch and Missoni for Target is the lack of online sales, the giant retailer isn’t expected to offer that until next year.

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We have two quick Sales & Savings Opportunities to pass on, the first comes via the folks at Vineyard Vines, a reminder its Friends & Family promotion offering 25% off everything ends at midnight. Use promo code FAMILY to receive the discount.

Also, J. Crew is offering an additional 30% off sale merchandise, both online and in store.

The promotion is good through Sunday night (the 20th), the promo code is MUSTHAVE, it is *not* applicable at factory stores.

Popped or Not, Nantucket or the Vineyard?

Hello-Hello and happy Monday.

For those who don’t summer an entire season at the shore it is once again that time of year, friends and families are packing up and heading off for for a few days at the beach. That makes a story in today’s Boston Globe perfect reading, it looks at two of our favorite places.

Via Weather-Forecast

“Islands Apart” considers the age-old debate about which is the preferred island: Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard…? The story suggests that perhaps sentiments on the topic have intensified.

“But what has changed, natives say, is how rabid the rivalry has become off the field, especially among the summer people… who care very much about what their island choice says about them.”

Now, we don’t come from the school of “let’s pick where we summer based on how it will impact the way people think of us”.  IOHO basics like proximity, history, ease of access, and weather make more sense when determining one’s vacation spot, no? Nor are we sharing our personal preference between the two islands (full disclosure: yours truly grew up summering on the shores of Lake Michigan, these two lovely spots are merely places we have been fortunate enough to visit), but we can say many of the observations made by residents and visitors in Billy Baker’s article ring true:

“Both islands, of course, are summer paradises of great natural beauty. They are also very expensive, very exclusive, and very preppy. Nantucket, the broad-brush argument goes, is just more extreme in all categories. In other words, many Vineyarders say, “snobby.’’

One point made in the article involves simple geographic distinctions:

“Martha’s Vineyard is much larger and more populated, with six towns that have distinct personalities; while Nantucket is just one town. The Vineyard is also considerably closer to the mainland. The traditional ferry takes just 45 minutes to arrive, and well over two hours to get to Nantucket.”

The story hones in on an aspect of the rivalry that may be easiest to envision, fashion differences between ACK and the Vineyard, more specifically, brands.

“In Vineyard Vines, a self-described “preppy’’ clothing store that began on Martha’s Vineyard and has now spread to other Sperry meccas, including Nantucket, pastels, braided belts, and shorts with whales on them rule the day.”

And it’s here where we get to a hot-button issue for many Princess readers, the article quotes a VV assistant store manager, Julia Graham:

“It’s basically the same style,’’ said Graham, who is from Greenwich, Conn. and has been summering on the Vineyard her whole life. “But in Nantucket, they pop the collars up.’’

The popped collar, even for a girl from Greenwich, is a thing, a symbol, the epitome of the preppy snob. Except that on Nantucket, many wear that exact stereotype as a badge of honor.”

Full disclosure #2: your trusty correspondent does not ascribe to the popped collar practice.  With no disrespect to those who do, we never have, it is more-than-unlikely we ever will.

Murray's Toggery

When presented with Graham’s assessment, John Murray, the latest generation of his family to own Murray’s Toggery Shop in Nantucket, the birthplace of Nantucket Reds – perhaps the quintessential preppy trouser – did not dispute the pop-collared joke.

“I’m OK with that,’’ he said. “We like to think of ourselves as more sophisticated.’’

Via Damee NYC

Your thoughts? Is one or the other considered a favorite?

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Also today, a quick update on this weekend’s Red Cross Ball in Monaco. Below we see newlyweds Prince Albert and Charlene, behind them you can just about see the Prince’s sisters, Princesses Caroline (L) and Stephanie.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Princess Charlene wore a deep fuchsia gown by Akris, as well as a custom-made necklace by Van Cleef and Arpels.

Reuters via The Daily Mail

As an update to our post that shared some of the rumors about the couple’s relationship and marriage, the Palace says those reports are untrue; the couple is suing L’Express, a French magazine that printed allegations about the Princess trying to flee the country just days before her wedding. Hmmmm.

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Finally today, an early look at one of the soon-to-be-released ads promoting the upcoming Missoni for Target collection.

Courtesy Image

The enormous collection launches September 13, and will be a major component of Targét’s Fashion’s Night Out event.

We’ll be back on Wednesday, until then may the sun be shining on your island, wherever it may be.

Target’s Next Designer Collaboration, & It Was Bobbi Brown for Kate Middleton

Hello-Hello, happy middle-of-the-week to everyone.

We begin with what could be wonderful news, word that Le Boutique Targét’s next collaborative partnership will be with Missoni.

Stefano Rellandini/Reuters; Luca Bruno/AP via The NY Times

The styles above are from 2007, but you get the idea. For those unfamiliar with the brand, Missoni is known for their strong designs, saturated in lush, vibrant colors.  Below, Alessia Piovan in Missoni, surrounded by pieces from the home collection during Milan Design Week last month.

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty

Below we see Margherita Missoni at Monday’s Met Ball with Joy Bryant.

Mike Segar/Reuters

Vogue broke the news:

“…the 400-plus fruits of their collaboration (the biggest to date, apparently) will hit Target stores nationwide, the latest in a long line of couplings for the retailer (Proenza Schouler and Rodarte among them). Everything from clothes (women’s, men’s, kids’), to bed sheets, to enough dinnerware to set the table for colazione, pranzo, and cena—all in plenty of Missoni’s swirls, zigzags, and near-hallucinogenic florals.”

Although concerned by sentiment that the Target/Calypso collaboration is sub-par, we are optimistic this will be a strong collection. Our favorite part of the group is likely to be things made for the home.  Below, Missoni dinnerware shown at Milan.

Getty Images

Missoni Rugs via Verde Design Studio .

Verde Design Studio

A look at the results of this spring’s collaboration between Missoni and Converse,

Via High Snobiety

The spring 2011 Chuck Taylor All-Stars by Missoni come in a number of color palettes.

Via High Snobiety

More formal shoes.

Via Shoeblog

The company has been busy, a collaboration with Bugaboo was just announced as well.

Via Missoni

The line is slated to launch September 13.

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Next, we look at a line being shown at Australian Fashion Week, now underway in Sydney. The designer is Lisa Ho, we may have a new obsession.

All Photos by Getty Images

The clean lines, structured cut and strong colors make the designs more-than-appealing.

All Photos by Getty Images

This is something your intrepid scribe feels the need to investigate.

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Another follow-up to our royal wedding coverage, word on who helped Kate Middleton with her makeup. From the Bobbi Brown FB page:

“We are proud to confirm that Bobbi Brown Cosmetics makeup artist Hannah Martin provided makeup artistry assistance to members of the bridal party for the Royal Wedding. We wish to respect the privacy of all those involved, and therefore will not be releasing further details.”

The company has a step-by-step primer for those interested in learning more about the look, or trying it themselves.

Via Bobbi Brown FB page

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We have news about still more ‘copy-Kate’ gowns, dresses imitating the Sarah Burton/Alexander McQueen dress created for the newly titled Duchess of Cambridge.

Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty

Here is the version made for House of Fraser, a UK retailer. The Belfast Telegraph has more:

“Local dressmaker Mary Rose McGrath was among the hundreds of designers who got to work making cut-price copies of the regal look.

Her take on the gown, made of French lace and delicate ivory fabric, was put together in less than 24 hours.

It is said to be a perfect replica of Kate’s dress.”

Below, the McGrath dress.

Via Mary Rose McGrath

Ms. McGrath displays her Royal Replica gown.

Via Mary Rose McGrath

We’ll have more on this knockoff and others at our sister site, What Kate Wore, later today. (We already have a lengthy piece looking at other dresses copying both Kate and Pippa Middleton’s gowns, including one Nordstrom is offering.)

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We leave you with today’s Pretty in Pink, personalized hard candy.

Yum Baked Goods

How darling would that be as a wedding favor? The candies are from etsy seller Yum Baked Goods, and they come in a variety of colors.We also like the company’s Tie the Knot rings.

Yum Baked Goods

Until next time, g’bye!