Gwyneth Gets Her Prep On & Is Coach Going To Lose The Logo?

Hello-Hello and Happy Monday!

We begin with something that is generating quite a bit of buzz, Gwyneth Paltrow’s deal with Swedish retailer Lindex.

Lindex

The actress is the new face for the brand’s upcoming collection, “Modern Preppy”. Three looks from the line.

Lindex

This one makes perfect sense, the celebrity is frequently described in these pages as an über-prep. More on that topic from Ms. Paltrow via The Daily Mail:

‘My style is modern preppy because I grew up wearing a uniform, always starting from a preppy aesthetic and making my own twist on it.

‘I love stripes, I wear them almost every day in my life.’

As far as Lindex is concerned, here is how they describe the choice of spokeswoman:

The campaign was inspired by the sporty, relaxed lifestyle that is characteristic of USA’s East Coast gems, such as Long Island and the Hamptons, yet with a certain Scandinavian touch.

Several more styles from the upcoming collection.

Lindex

Unfortunately for US shoppers Lindex delivers only to Sweden, Norway and the EU countries, the company describes itself as “Northern Europe’s leading fashion chains with about 430 stores,” they also have stores in Dubai, Russia and other areas. That’s a shame, several pieces in the line look appealing.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Our other tidbit involves Coach, a brand we have frequently lambasted occasionally chided for its abundance of logos and ubiquity. Today, Women’s Wear Daily shared news that the company is re-shaping its business.

“The accessories maker will unveil a new dual-gender collection inspired by its heritage that will become the cornerstone of its business as well as impact every other aspect of the brand, from increased price points to marketing…”

A few of the pieces in the new collection, the new Legacy Duffles.

Coach Courtesy Photos via Refinery 29

I’m betting a few friends (Miss Pretty might be at the top of the list!) will rejoice in the following story about the line new direction, via Refinery 29.

Coach’s new aesthetic direction — where the focus is more on the classic, heritage look, and less on those cheesy canvas monograms.

Cue the Hallelujah Chorus.

I think this is the cheesy canvas monogram being referenced above, we show the ‘Embellished Signature C Domed Satchel’.

Via Coach Facebook Page

Back to the Refinery 29 story:

“The new leather bags, accessories, shoes, jewelry, eyewear, and outerwear mark a forward motion (and backward step) for the brand, which is going after a more fashion-conscious audience while looking to bring back what made Coach so successful in the first place…”

Shoes from the Legacy collection.

Coach Courtesy Photos via Refinery 29

Additional details from WWD‘s story:

“…these lighter, brighter bags not only come lined with interior pockets, but also carry a heftier price tag. Small women’s purses retail for $178, with larger tassel totes retailing for $798. The iconic new duffle will start at $348 and go up to over $1,000, depending on size and materials used

Below, two additional new styles.

Coach Courtesy Photos via Refinery 29

It seems to be a classic case of less is more. As far as this shopper is concerned, anything that prompts minimization of the logos is a step in the right direction.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Finally, a quick reminder that if you want to win the world’s cutest key fob from LL Bean, be sure to enter our little contest before Wednesday!

LL Bean

Click here to be transported to the post where you can enter, all you need to do is leave a comment to win the Key Fob and LL Bean’s fabulous 100th Anniversary book.

G’bye until next time!

A New Line We Love & Gwyneth Paltrow “Tries to Join the 21st Century”

Hello-Hello, welcome to a bright and lovely Thursday, we hope your day is also filled with sunshine.

Today we look at a talented new designer, Katie Ermilio.

Katie Ermilio

We learned about the young lady and her creations via a post over at T Magazine (the NY Times‘ style magazine).

Courtesy Photos via The Moment

Below we see the designer in some of her own creations.

Courtesy Photo via Young Sophisticates

The piece is titled “The Vogue Intern/Katie Ermilio,” and Ms. Ermilio did in fact intern at Vogue, but her design pedigree reaches back generations. She grew up on the Main Line in Philadelphia, her grandfather Arthur was Grace Kelly’s personal clothier, and her father runs Ermilio Clothier & Specialty Shop, considered the preeminent equestrian tailoring shop in the country. Below we see Robert Ermilio, who is probably a bit busy this week, we are in the middle of the Devon Horse Show.

Via Main Line Today

At any rate, many of the styles are lovely, in rich hues and clean, unfussy lines. Of course we selected designs to show that are Pretty in Pink, but the group offers pieces in a broad palette.

Courtesy Kate Ermilio

This marks Ms. Ermilio’s first foray into a full-scale collection, the line will be available nationally at Shopbop. More on the designer from the T post:

““To make extra money, I would put my dresses in my dad’s storefront and they started to sell,” she says. Ermilio designs with a classically tailored Gossip Girl in mind. Her fall 2011 debut, featured double-breasted velvet blazers, wide wool-satin trousers and flirty chiffon tees paired with big swing skirts.”

For those interested in learning more, click here for Chelsea Zalopany’s full post. To see the entire fall preview, click here to visit the Katie Ermilio site.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Next, happy news for those social networkers fond of über-prep Gwyneth Paltrow: the actress is now Tweeting.

Via Twitter

And she has also launched a Facebook page:

Facebook

In her first Tweet and first FB post Ms. Paltrow shares a link that takes you to a brief video in which she explains she is “trying to join the 21st Century…,” joining Facebook and Twitter. In today’s posts (shared on both sites, it seems she will be replicating the content) she shows the kids (from the back) at a ‘super-secret Cold Play’ rehearsal.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Two tidbits:

1) Look for a new line from Tommy Hilfiger, “Tommy Girl” is slated to debut in the Juniors departments at 150 Macy’s stores this July. WWD reports the new collection is aimed at 12- to 18-year-olds, and prices will run “from $32 for t-shirts to $129 for outerwear”.  We’re thinking we should really refer to the designer as “omni-Tommy,” media coverage of his various enterprises and the ‘rebirth’ of his core lines are everywhere, look for a post  on the topic in the not-too-distant-future.

2) Tiffany has launched another website, What Makes Love True.

Tiffany

The micro-site opens with a short film, Will You Marry Me?, showcasing different stories about marriage proposals. There are four segments on the site, “Love Stories,” “Tiffany’s New York,”something of a cultural guide to the city, “Love Is Everywhere,” an interactive map, and our favorite portion, “The Art of Romance,” with playlists of romantic songs and movies.

On that romantic image we say goodbye until next time!

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

+++++++++++++++++++++++

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.

…

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!

A Shocker: The Face “Too Famous” for Burberry & Who is Hiring Gwyneth Now?

This seems very odd: it was only last evening I was mentioning to TSU (The Spousal Unit) that I could not imagine Burberry continuing indefinitely with uber-face Agyness Deyn, she was simply everywhere. You just can’t have that without accompanying dilution of the brand. You may recognize the suddenly-supermodel, not only pushing Burberry’s Beat perfume (above on left), but also prominently showcased in the majority of their campaigns (also seen above, big group shot) both print and video. Scads of articles both on and offline quote sources within the company as saying that photographer Mario Testino was most displeased with Ms. Deyn’s high profile. The UK’s Metro reported Aggy’s sudden drop from Mr. Testino’s most-favored-model list on Sunday; US publications were quick to pick up on the news.

Not only was she Burberry’s primary face, she was also Armani’s, as seen in the black and white ads above, including the campaign for the Armani phone. I beg your pardon? You missed the news that there was an Armani phone? Oh dear. Because TP is really all about you – and because we realize how *very* important the right telephone can be, here is a link to said phone. (How sick am I?) In addition to Burberry, Ms. Deyn was or is the ‘It’ girl for Reebok, Hugo Boss, and for Dior’s New Look collection by Giles Deacon. In all fairness to Ms. Deyn it must be noted that Mr. Testino is a brilliant photographer, he is also well-known within the industry for his ego. Very well-known.

Lest anyone think we were unfairly picking on Gwyneth Paltrow in the post about her hideous shoes, here’s a tidbit about the born-and-bred prep: she is the new face for Tod’s, the upscale ltalian leather goods company. The announcement was made in Cannes; Ms. Paltrow is there for the Annual Film Fest where she has a film making its debut. (Actually, who isn’t in Cannes this week, except perhaps yours truly?) The film is four minutes in length and it premiered yesterday. The movie is about Tod’s. The entire film. All. 4. minutes. On its home page the Festival de Cannes describes itself as “the most important film event in the world.” You won’t get any argument from The Princess on that. Not a word.

Now getting back to the print campaign featuring Ms. Paltrow, who do you think shot that? Mario Testino.

(The Princess is unsure who shoots the Estee Lauder Pleasures ads, seen below.)

Help Me Understand…. even Uber-Prep Gwyneth Paltrow is Doing This!

Because we have rarely (if ever) been accused of displaying what many call ‘Fashion Forward’ tendencies, we feel the need to debut a new Princess feature, asking for your help. “Help Me Understand” is just as it sounds: yes, TP is requesting assistance in comprehending things like the following:

This question stems from an issue The Princess has been pondering for some time now: what is up with the heels? No pun intended. Honestly. The photo above is from a great article in Thursday’s Daily News by the delightful Meghan Cleary (whose blog is equally divine and well worth a peek!) entitled “Fashion-victim alert as women fall for 6-inch heels.” The story points out the obvious using Meghan’s prose accompanied by an outstanding photo gallery: The odds of toppling over increase exponentially with the height of your heels. Our only question regarding the heels is why? Please, please help us understand here at the P2 Intergalactic Headquarters. We are oh-so-baffled by this continuing trend.

BTW, London’s Daily Mail ran a piece on the same topic, only it has a singular focus: uber-prep Gwyneth Paltrow and the dizzying heels she has worn for her European PR blitz promoting her new film, Iron Man. They have fabulous photos including the one below in what the Mail says are 7-inch high platform boots. Here’s just one shot:

Our parting shot involves both the New York and London tabs – we love them. Just love them.