It’s Pendleton, but is it Preppy? Also, the Latest Gossip Girl Item

Hello-Hello, and happy Monday/Tuesday!

We hope everyone is still savoring just a smidgen of Christmas and/or Hanukkah afterglow. Here at the Prepatorium we are grateful for time spent with family and friends, reminded again why we left the insanity of television for our own little corner of the world.

We begin with a look at the upcoming collection Pendleton has done with Opening Ceremony.

Courtesy Photo via High Snobiety

Perhaps not the style one automatically envisions when thinking Pendleton. Mention this brand and we generally have images of something like this:

Pendleton

Or perhaps something like the item on the left, one of the company’s classic woolen blankets inspired by the Zapotec Indians.  On the right, Opening Ceremony reinterprets and updates the look.

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Pendleton’s plaids are also legendary. (We should have used these in last week’s post on preppy plaids.)

This heritage can be seen throughout the Opening Ceremony group.

More pieces in this classic pattern….

Plaid is equally evident in the men’s designs for the collection.

The collaborative line is slated to be in stores for spring/summer 2010.

Despite being far too old and decrepit (heh-heh-heh) to wear these styles, we do like this group, and can envision many of our younger friends sporting these pieces.

Courtesy Photo

Some items from the winter collaboration between Opening Ceremony and Pendleton are still available online; better yet, many have had markdowns taken from their original prices.

Speaking of Pendleton (you had to know this was coming), we glanced at a few items whilst pondering their site.  (Honestly, it has become an occupational hazard, there’s really nothing to be done for it save computer abstinence.) We learned a lot. Like the fact they have done a line with Jill Rappaport, and it includes items for the four-legged family members.

But then, we didn’t know who Ms. Rappaport was and had to look that up; we are woefully unhip. Tragically uninformed.  Below, an item we look at every time we are on the site.  Every. single. time.

Pendleton

The Hand-crocheted Lamb Hat has the Cute-o-meter peaking in the red zone, it is simply adorable.

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We have news of another collaboration: contemporary designer Jodi Arnold is doing a collection for The Limited.  Below, two pieces from Ms. Arnold’s own line.

Jodi Arnold

Here are two styles from the upcoming Limited line, the photos by John Aquino accompany this story in WWD.

Style List has also posted about the upcoming collection.

Courtesy Photos via Style List

Dubbed “Craft,” the collection launches at The Limited in Mid-March.

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And because too much is never enough, we have yet another installment on that incredible cultural phenomenon known as the Snuggie; behold the Nike version of this item.

Trendhunter

Called the Nike 6.0 Snuggie, here is a better look at the logo, downright discreet as these things go. There may be a reason for such understatement.

Trendhunter

We could not locate the orange marvel on the Nike 6.0 site, nor could we find one of these to purchase anywhere, raising the question: is it a counterfeit, yet another photoshopped creation? We do not know, but would certainly welcome input or guidance from someone in the know.  After all, we pride ourselves on keeping pace with all things Snuggie. (IOHO this is not an authorized product, but a creation of the internet and active minds.)

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And because we are nothing if not practical (despite occasional forays into the land of that which is anything but!), a note about fiscally-friendly opportunities at one of our favorites, Garnet Hill.  Like the company’s Cashmere Cardigans, now offered at $74.99; they were originally $188.

Garnet Hill

The quality of GH cashmere is outstanding; trust TP on this one.  We also liked the Dot Baby Coat (rivaling the Lamb Hat shown above for cute overload), and the Baby Gripper Slippers (originally $24, now $14).

Also fun, the Multi-stripe Tights for Girls, and the Pattern Tights, both available in sizes 12 months to 14.

Back to Mom, the Cashmere Split-Neck Sweater has potential, especially now that it is $49. The Acorn Slippers look super-snuggly they are now $49, the orginal price was $88.

The bargains abound, and everything seemed to be available in a broad range of sizes as well. Happy hunting. 🙂

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Because we don’t want to let the week pass without yet one more moronic morsel of inanity a little Gossip Girl update, we bring you news of this:

Courtesy Photo via MTV

Yes, it is a Gossip Girl comic book, done in the manga style so popular today.  MTV has an exclusive preview of the comic books.

Gossip Girl/Alloy Entertainment/Hachette Book Gr

From what we can glean these will run a bit more than the Archie and Veronica comics we read growing up; it looks like the price is going to be $8.99.  They also look a little racy, but that is probably more a reflection of our conservative outlook (TP’s motto? ‘Prudish and Proud” hee-hee!) than contemporary standards.

Called “Gossip Girl: For Your Eyes Only,” the comics will be based on the same series of books as the television series. But according to this MTV story, the comics will also provide:

“an original re-imagination of the girls’ senior year focusing on the lives of Blair and Vanessa.”

And on that comforting note, we say g’bye until next time! May everyone enjoy a little bit of holiday sunshine, be it in the skies overhead or in one’s heart.

Harvard’s New Clothing Line. Seriously.

Hello-Hello and Happy Friday!

Today we have a rather bizarre tale to share, one that, to borrow a phrase, left us absolutely gobsmacked.  But first we must ask a question: when asked to ponder the notion of apparel sold under the auspices of Harvard (as in The University), what comes to mind?

The classic sweatshirt, right?

Courtesy Harvard Bookstore

Or perhaps a standard-issue long-sleeved tee, like this?

Courtesy Harvard Book Store

Of course.

Well, there’s a little update; we hope you are sitting down.

Look at the latest apparel authorized by Harvard. The University. (Really. Most readers have a passing acquaintanceship with at least one individual who refers to it this way. Come now, you know precisely what we mean, the pronunciation and emphasis suggesting there really is no. other. school. in. the. western. hemisphere. Indeed.)

At any rate, back to the topic at hand, the new Harvard Yard clothing line.

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

Would it ever have crossed your mind that The University would get into the business of fashion?  It has.  Here is another look from the Harvard Yard label debuting next spring:

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

Actually many of you may have already read about this; WWD broke the story yesterday.  From their article:

“So it was perhaps just a matter of time (and business acumen) before somebody tapped the source of that look — Ivy League universities — for a brand.”

Brenner Thomas makes a good point in his story about the launch, it really was only a matter of time.  As he stresses, it isn’t the first time style has been associated with the school:

“It also served as the font of Ivy League style in the late Fifties when its undergraduates flocked to stores such as Brooks Brothers and J. Press to snap up what would become prepster staples: button-down shirts, flat-front khakis and penny loafers.

Below, a classic look from J. Press:

Courtesy J. Press

The new line will feature:

“… short-sleeve plaid shirts, Liberty print wovens, seersucker shorts, regimental stripes, sporty knits, patterned jackets and fancy pants — all in a contemporary, tapered fit.”

Another look from the upcoming collection:

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

A few points about the Harvard Yard line we need to make:

• the only time one will see the name “Harvard” is on the inside of the pieces in the label
• there will ultimately be a collection for women and for children if all goes according to plan
• prices for the menswear are expected to run between $195-$495
• there will be a lot of the color crimson used in the line

The collection is aimed at “… alums and fans of the (Ivy League) universities…” according to the WWD story; somehow we don’t see too many alumni purchasing the line, but we have been wrong before.

What do you think?

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Speaking of a long and storied history, another article in WWD reminded us it is Pendleton’s 100th Anniversary.

Courtesy Pendleton via WWD

Pendleton is doing all manner of exciting things for its big birthday, including collaborations with ever-so-hip companies like Opening Ceremony, Vans and Nike.

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And speaking of collaborative efforts, there was word this week Target’s next designer collection will be done by Rodarte, the edgy line created and designed by sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy. Below, a montage from their Fall 2009 collection:

Courtesy Lola 29

This edition of Target’s Go International line will hit stores December 20, with prices ranging from $9.99 to $79.99

For today’s Pretty in Pink we stick with the Boutique, showcasing the discounter’s Kid’s Modern Polka Dot Chair in Candy Pink.

Target

We must toddle along, we’re off to the Large Lake for a wedding. We hope everyone has an absolutelty splendiferous weekend!

‘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!