Tag Archives: preppy stores

‘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:

George Chinsee

PHOTO: George Chinsee

BTW (by the way), the shoes in the presentation were all Manolo Blahnik.  One more style below:

George Chinsee

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.

Thomas Iannaccone

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.

Getty Images

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.

Louis Lanzano/AP

PHOTO: Louis Lanzano/AP

In attendance at Herve Leger, actresses Lucy Liu and Mad Men star January Jones.

Carlo Allegri/Reuters

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:

Steve Eichner

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.

Courtesy Samsonite via Hypebeast

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

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!

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Filed under Gossip Girl, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion

Barbie’s Fabulous 50th & Lilly Pulitzer Contest Reminder!

Hello-Hello and Happy Start of the New Week!

Timothy Clary/Getty

PHOTO: Timothy Clary/AFP

In yesterday’s post we promised more on the special Barbie Show at Fashion Week; we begin with more on those in attendance, including, a number of the social set. Below, Muffie Potter Aston and daughters, Bracie and Ashleigh Tatiana.

Getty

PHOTO: Getty

Also in attendance? The one-and-only Fashion Herald; we almost emitted a most-unbecoming shriek when we read her Tweets about it!

Next, the little ones gather backstage.

Patrick McMullan

PHOTO: Patrick McMullan

For those unfamiliar with all the hoopla, in honor of Barbie’s 50th Anniversary this year, fifty designers created actual looks for the show. Below, Rachel Roy’s sketch…

Courtesy Rachel Roy

Courtesy Rachel Roy

And the real deal, designed to honor the very first Barbie outfit.

Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Yesterday’s post really had a better shot of the special Christian Louboutins worn by every model walking the show; here is another look. (Not a terribly flattering shot, is it?!)

Stephen Chernin/AP

PHOTO: Stephen Chernin/AP

We retract a portion of the previous: not every model was wearing the Louboutin heels:

Stephen Chernin/AP

PHOTO: Stephen Chernin/AP

Those look like your basic Chuck Taylors to us, too cute! Now, we are guessing this next dress is the Diane von Furstenberg creation:

Imaxtree

PHOTO: Imaxtree

It looks like the basic wrap dress… yes? And below, we are also guessing on the designer. The style seems very Tory Burch to us.

Imaxtree

PHOTO: Imaxtree

Here is the Tommy Hilfiger sketch for his beaded white mini-dress, very “groovy,” don’t you think?!

And the real deal:

Imaxtree

PHOTO: Imaxtree

Here is TP’s favorite unidentified look:

Imaxtree

PHOTO: Imaxtree

Another unknown design:

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG

PHOTO: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG

Other designers we are fond of who participated in the show were Calvin Klein, Trina Turk and Bob Mackie.  Here is a closing shot of the models and their young escorts…

Thomas Iannaccone

PHOTO: Thomas Iannaccone

A few notes on things related to all of the above:

Courtesy Photo via the Telegraph (UK)

Courtesy Photo via the Telegraph (UK)

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We will share more from Fashion Week as appropriate and when time permits. Tomorrow’s dance card includes the Brooks Brothers Collection Preview (not a runway show, but at the Madison Avenue store), Carolina Herrera, and one of First Lady Michelle Obama’s favorites, Thakoon.

Before we dash, a quick reminder on entering our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway:

Lilly Pulitzer Mix & Match Stationery

Lilly Pulitzer Mix & Match Stationery

To win the Mix ‘n Match stationery set, just leave a comment on this post, or any other. To learn how to be entered more than once, click here. We will use Random.org to pick the winner tomorrow (Monday, 2.16), before noon!

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Filed under Lilly Pulitzer Paper & Gifts, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, preppy stationery, Pretty in Pink

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

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!

John Aquino

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

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.

Stephen Chernin/AP

PHOTO: Stephen Chernin/AP

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

Stephen Chernin/AP

PHOTO: Stephen Chernin/AP

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

Scott Gries/Getty

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.

Robert Mitra/WWD

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

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

Robert Mitra/WWD

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?
Michael Loccisano/Getty

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

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…
Diane Bondareff, Courtesy Barbie/AP

PHOTO: Diane Bondareff, Courtesy Barbie/AP

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

Next, the shoes by Christian Louboutin:
Lucas Jackson/Reuters

PHOTO: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

In the audience today at the show, Heidi Klum….
Carlo Allegri/Reuters

PHOTO: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

As well as singer Kellie Pickler and Miss Africa USA, Nyasha Zimucha.
Bryan Bedder/Getty

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.
Lucas Jackson/Reuters

PHOTO: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

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

Diane Bondareff/Mattel Handout

PHOTO: Diane Bondareff/Mattel Handout

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

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Filed under Logos, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, Pretty in Pink, When Preppy Goes Wrong

Ralph Lauren…at the White House? Gossip Girl Reality Show in the Works

Hello and Happy Friday!  It seems the week has either flown by at a furious pace or been painfuly slow, no in-betweens for our friends and business associates. What about you? Frenzied crazy-fast? Or painfully slow-as-molasses?

Speaking of a frenzy, Fashion Week is officially underway. We will do our best to share relevant updates, photos and info as we can.  In fact, we’ll start with a little gossip via the always-on-top-of-things staff at NY Mag.  The GQ fashion week party was Wednesday night, and apparently the conversation turned to the Obama family and their sartorial selections.  Several attendees considered ‘preppy purveyors’ talked about the President’s selection of neckties.

“… designer Tommy Hilfiger said that while his company had not formally approached the Obamas about wearing his designs, “I know Barack wears some of my ties, I’ve seen them.” David Lauren, clad in Rugby and wearing a foot cast after a run-in with a cracked Soho sidewalk, added that the Obamas “have great style … and if they choose to wear us, we’d love it.”

The “He likes me better!” “No he doesn’t, he likes me best!” one-upsmanship apparently continued:

“But even if Sasha and Malia Obama eschew outsized Polo ponies this season, rest assured that the Ralph Lauren brand has already made its mark on the White House. “I believe that [the Obama girls’] rooms have been painted with Ralph Lauren paints,” said Lauren.”

We expect everyone shall enjoy much more restful sleep this evening being in possession of this information.

BTW, the online Tommy store does have *all* kids merchandise 30% off, according to the website:

Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger

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On a quasi-related note, one of our original Anti-Preps, Kim Kardashian, is evidently attending some shows at Fashion Week.  Seriously.  Ms.Kardashian claims the idea to attend some of the shows was actually the brainchild (?) of “Reggie.” (Apologies, but we do not know Reggie, although we presume he is a romantic interest for Ms. Kardashian.)

At any rate, apparently the two are planning on being at the Adidas Y-3 show. Below we show a Y-3 look:

Courtesy Ruby Hornet

Courtesy Ruby Hornet

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Big news for Gossip Girl fans: Bravo is launching a reality show based on Gossip Girl! Broadcasting & Cable reports a new show is planned by the producer who does Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.

The story on the magazine’s website says:

“The docudrama is being described by insiders as the real-life Gossip Girl, although the show will not feature any of Manhattan’s exclusive schools specifically.

This is not the first time a reality show based on the G2 theme has been attempted:

‘CBS also looked into a reality series about students at the Manhattan private school York Prep, but the school was said to be skittish about the attention such a project would bring.”

The story says the show will air later this year.

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We share a few SOTTs (Signs of the Times) our readers may deem to be of note:

  • Both the The Inter-Con Montelucita & W resort hotels in Scottsdale are facing foreclosure. (Both remain 0pen.)
  • The Knickerbocker Yacht Club is closing, according to this Newsday story.  Not a club we have ever visited, the article’s online photos show the charm of the Port Washington Club.  Apparently members even looked at merging with Manhasset Bay Yacht Club YC, but that is not an option. The Club has been in operation for 135 years.
  • Ana P. Gutierrez/Newsday

    PHOTO: Ana P. Gutierrez/Newsday

Our thanks to Luxist for both of these tips.

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Hello Kitty now has some hip apparel designs to accompany her MAC Cosmetics collection. MAC asked multiple designers to create looks for the doll; below we show two sketches, starting with Emanuel Ungaro:

Courtesy Vogue UK

Courtesy Vogue UK/Ungaro

If that isn’t the cutest pink bow, we don’t know what is. Of course, here at the Prepatorium we believe “Life is Better with a Bow,” so we are favorably predisposed to bows. Especially if they are pink.  This creation by Elie Saab also features a pink bow, although not quite as prominently.

Courtesy Vogue UK/Elie Saab

Courtesy Vogue UK/Elie Saab

Other designers include Herve Leger by Max Azria, Zac Posen and Charlotte Ronson.  Each of the eight designs was then made into an actual garment; they are now being auctioned on eBay as a fundraiser for the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York. It is worth a nanosecond or two to see how the sketches translated into reality, very fun!

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Okay, it is time for some Pretty in Pink to perk up the gray day outside.  How about these darlings for your little darling? The Kenneth Cole Bow Glitz ‘n Bow Flats are sized for Infants & Toddlers; they are on sale for about $19 at 6pm.

A reminder that 6pm is actually Zappo’s site for sale and clearance merchandise – bargains abound! And speaking of fiscally friendly shopping, Target has the entire Thakoon Collection marked down, with discounts that look substantial.

On that happy note, don’t forget to enter our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway, and Happy-Happy weekend!

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Filed under Gossip Girl, Lilly Pulitzer Paper & Gifts, nautical, Obama Fashion & Politics, preppy, preppy stationery, Pretty in Pink, Sign of the Times

How the French do Preppy & New Preppy Pet Collars, Leashes, Harnesses

Hello-hello! We are ever-so-excited here at the Prepatorium, we have hit tropical temperatures! The tv Weatherologist just said it is 55 degrees!

We start with a quick update on the Lilly Stationery Giveaway triggered by this comment from the always-wonderful McMommy, who asks:

“Lilly stationery?? Squeeeee!!! My best friend would LOVE THIS!!! If I tweet this and post to facebook, can I enter those as entries too?

The answer? A resounding “Yes!” and “Yes!”

Become a Preppy Princess fan on our Facebook page, or tweet about it on Twitter and you will be entered again! That is one additional entry for Twitter & one more for Facebook. There is one caveat: do let us know by posting another comment or via email.  (If anyone wants to follow us on Twitter our name is PreppyPrincess, all one word.)

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Frequent readers know we love showcasing the different ways “preppy” is perceived, not just in the U.S., but around the world.  Today we share a French perspective via the CfraisRudy Blog, and a post titled “Le Look Preppy.”  The author shows this image from the French edition of Elle.

Courtesy Elle France

Courtesy Elle France

The post starts by explaining (this is an extremely rough translation) that “…the preppy look is very popular right now, and will be for some time to come.”  Le Look Preppy is described as “…the University look…more specifically, pre-university….”.

Both Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are cited as primary examples of the style; most readers will recognize this classic Polo ad, used in the blog as an example of the look.

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

Courtesy Polo Ralph Lauren

The post closes with the author sharing their take on the style.

Courtesy CFraisRudy Blog

Courtesy CFraisRudy Blog

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Last night we took a few hours for some recreational fun, watching Westminster, an annual event here at the Palace.  Frequent readers know that TP & the Consort love their four-legged family members, Tilly, our rescue bulldog, and Scooter-the-Wonder-Cat. Below, the animals at work:

Not to be confused with Silly Tilly (above), we have Champion Bulldog Silly Lilly, being judged yesterday (below).

Monika Graff/UPI/Landov

PHOTO: Monika Graff/UPI/Landov

Next, Dylan the Afghan, in an image not seen on television!

Courtesy AP

Courtesy AP

At the risk of being inappropriate, have you ever wondered how the dogs are… ah…., the way that the dogs take care of….umm…well, how they take care of personal issues?! Now we have the answer:

Julie Jacobson/AP

PHOTO: Julie Jacobson/AP

That would be Micah up above in the photo, a 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel visiting a plastic fire hydrant. This is a temporary dog park set up across the street from the Hotel Pennsylvania, temporary home to 1000+ prized pooches. (We are speculating that Micah is probably not too happy to be memorialized forever in this fashion…just guessing.)

Tonight we have the Sporting, Working and Toy Groups, along with the naming of Best In Show. We both love the Working group, home to our favorite breed, the Giant Schnauzer.  As we are already going to the share a few items from our new line of Preppy Pet Collars, Leashes & Harnesses!

PreppyPrincess.com

PreppyPrincess.com

Your kitty and your pooch will be oh-so-fashionable in these, all of them customizable per your wishes,  in ribbon and webbing choices we think you will like.

Princess Ribbon Preston Leather Products

Princess Ribbon

We are pleased to carry two styles of dog harnesses in addition to the collars, with the harness rapidly becoming a favorite among dog fanciers.

We close with the Billykirk bag at Gargyle, now in for spring, and very cool!

Billykirk at Gargyle.com

Billykirk at Gargyle.com

We are now racing out the door to loll about in the sunshine!

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Filed under Argyle, Lilly Pulitzer Paper & Gifts, preppy, Preppy clothing & brands, Preppy Fashion, preppy lifestyle, preppy stationery, Pretty in Pink