Tory Burch & Marc Jacobs Coming to Your Targét…?

Hello-Hello, we thought it might be a good week for some Friday Fun.

We begin with news about an upcoming collaborative effort announced this week: Target and Neiman Marcus are teaming up for a joint collection. Women’s Wear Daily has more:

The Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection will be sold beginning Dec. 1 at all 1,763 Target stores and the 42 Neiman Marcus stores, as well as online at target.com and neimanmarcus.com.

Among the designers included in the line: Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch, Carolina Herrera, Diane von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs.  Merchandise will be priced from 7.99 to $499.99, WWD says that most items will cost less than $60.  Below, the logo that you will be seeing when it comes time for promotion of the limited edition goods.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

Each of the 24 designers has created 1 to 3 items for the collection, back to the WWD story for what is in the line:

“…gifts in men’s, women’s, children’s apparel and accessories, as well as other categories that some of the designers are getting into for the first time, such as sporting goods, home decor, pet accessories and accessories for electronics.”

Here is the other designers participating:  Alice + Olivia, Altuzarra, Band of Outsiders, Brian Atwood, Eddie Borgo, Derek Lam, Judith Leiber, Lela Rose, Marchesa, Philip Crangi, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, Robert Rodriguez, Rodarte, Skaist-Taylor, Thom Browne, Tracy Reese, and Jason Wu.

As with so many of these partnerships, executives believe things will sell out quickly. (At the risk of sounding cynical, can you say ‘eBay’?)

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That is not the only news about a high-end retailer teaming up with a lower-priced chain: Nordstrom and Topshop have announced a partnership as well. This September the upscale company will start offering Topshop merchandise in 14 of its stores, some of the pieces will be exclusive to Nordstrom.

Business Week offers this:

To get women excited about shaking up their wardrobes again, Peter E. “Pete” Nordstrom, 50, the president of merchandising, has cut a deal to sell clothes from Topshop, a London-based retailer known for mid-priced trendy styles — punk-inspired pinafores and ladylike tweed — that defy easy characterization. It’s the sort of fashion people don’t expect to find at Nordstrom. And it could draw in new customers — or turn off existing ones.

And why we are seeing so much of this now? Back to Business Week:

At a time when wary U.S. consumers obsessively comparison-shop online and open their wallets only for must-have products, retailers are falling over themselves to lock up merchandise shoppers can’t find anyplace else.

Hmmm. Thoughts on either or both of these? Will it cheapen the brand for either Neimans or Nordstrom, or is it a savvy move for the discounters?  Too soon to tell?

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Two final tidbits today, the first one of those “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” kind of items. Behold, the Sock Sandals.

Via Geek Alert

Thank heaven Geek Alert was all over this:

Meet the Silly Sock Sandals. No need to rub your eyes, seeing is believing. Now for the first time socks and sandals have joined forces and have melded into one. Imagine the smiles you’ll receive as you sport the silliest socks known to mankind. Furthermore, you’ll save valuable time getting ready for the day.

The time-saving benefits are something we somehow overlooked. Heh-heh-heh.

Our final morsel comes via the Times, it was too cute to overlook, a story about posh dog houses.

Drew Kelly for the New York Times

The article looks at a number of different styles, including this one that model Rachel Hunter commissioned.

La Petite Maison via The New York Times

Evidently it was intended to look like a miniature version of her Mediterranean-style home.

Then there is this one, intended to look like the Grant Humphreys Mansion in Denver.

La Petite Maison via The New York Times

Having lived a block from the house for years and years, I was surprised the replica didn’t resemble the real deal a little more.

Via About.com

Regardless, they are all fun to look at, there are even abodes for other pets. Oh my.

Stacy Sodolak for The New York Times

To enjoy the slide show in its entirety, click here.  Jennifer Kingson’s story is not only a great read, it offers some great resources for those interested in upgrading quarters for the four-legged family members.

We want to thank everyone for the lovely comments and email the past few days. They mean more than you might realize, we can’t tell how much we both appreciate them.

May everyone enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Ultimate Fashion Gala, & A Sneak Peek at the Preppy Laptop

Hello-Hello, we hope the sun is shining as brightly in your corner of the globe as it is here!

We begin with an apology to those not fond of fashion-laden posts, we must beg your indulgence one more day, as we have yet to share the images from another big do. The Met Ball was Monday night, arguably the season’s most important event for seeing, and being seen, in serious formalwear. (The official name for the event: the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala.) The evening also officially kicked off the Museum’s special exhibit, American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.

For decades the Gala has been overseen by Anna Wintour.

Via The Cut

The Vogue magazine editor was in an ensemble by Chanel Couture; some found it less than attractive, but we actually liked the look, and thought it was flattering on Ms. Wintour.

Two of the evening’s most elegant looks: Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad.

Kristin Somody Whalen/WWD

And Marion Cotillard in glittering Christian Dior.

Kristin Somody Whalen/WWD

They are both wearing what we refer to as “SPFs,” Serious Party Frock.  The editors at Refinery 29 came up with this group of “Best Dressed” ladies at the Gala.

Via Refinery 29

From the left, Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein, Kate Bosworth wears Valentino, Rosie Huntington (apparently a popular model) in Burberry and Emma Watson, also in Burberry.

The event is A List only; below we see Lauren Bush and David Lauren, on the right, Ricky and Ralph Lauren.

In an unusual twist, we thought the younger generation’s styles were superior to those seen on their elders; the blue jeans looked horribly inappropriate.  Below left we show Dylan Lauren, and on the right, Tommy Hilfiger and his wife, Dee Ocleppo.

Taylor Swift was in Ralph Lauren Collection, and Tory Burch in Tory Burch.

From the Gossip Girl contingent, Blake Lively wears Marchesa and Jessica Szohr in Versace.

Leighton Meester and Penn Badgley were also on hand.

The Cut had an intriguing tidbit in their post about the G2 stars and the event:

“… all the relationship drama has made the cast of Gossip Girl skittish around reporters, because Penn Badgley, Jessica Szohr, and Blake Lively each didn’t so much as turn their heads as they hustled up the stairs, surrounded by flacks, and went inside.

And how did Ms. Lively look for the after-party? Below left we see the more casual look she sported, and on the right, co-stars Penn Badgley and Chace Crawford at that function.

We were not crazy about Ivanka Trump’s Atelier Versace dress, nor did we think highly of the Chanel look seen on Kristen Stewart.

We also struggled with someone we generally adore seeing in a fab frock, Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks; this blue gown simply didn’t work.

The black and white gown on Malin Akerman was another miss IOHO.

One dress creating quite a stir (and also making it onto almost every ‘worst dressed’ list), Katy Perry’s LED light-up dress.

We absolutely adored WWD’s commentary on the gown:

“It was enough to provoke a seizure (or at least a headache), but Perry behaved as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Guess no one told her there’s a difference between dressing to stop traffic and dressing like a traffic stop.”

Note who leads off Refinery 29’s review of the “The Bad” styles:

Photo Collage via Refinery29.com

Also seen with Ms. Perry in the dubious distinction category above, Chloë Sevigny in Proenza Schouler, Tina Fey in a jumpsuit of unknown origin, and another Mad Men fave, January Jones.  Ms. Fey and Ms. Jones surprised, they usually appear far better put together. In a new category we are calling “Worst Gown by Volume,” model Coco Rocha and her Zac Posen.

WWD.com

As the Fug Girls wrote:

“…that reminds me of every Bed In A Bag on sale around the time I was going off to college.”

We don’t consider our reading on any fashion topic complete until we have seen what Cathy Horyn writes, we especially like this comment from her story:

“I thought Lauren Santo Domingo looked terrific in a sparkly, long-sleeved beige dress by Proenza Schouler. It suited her height and coloring and it’s nice to see long sleeves.”

Just in case anyone missed the most important part of the comment:

“… it’s nice to see long sleeves.”

Not that we’re obsessed proponents of bringing back sleeves for some styles. Not at all. (Heh-heh-heh.)

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We share good news and not-so-good news in today’s SOTT (Signs of the Times):

• Saks is closing their San Diego Fashion Valley store in July and the NorthPark (Dallas) Armani store is being closed the 16th of this month. (Muffy and Hopsy – oh no!)
• Saks is expanding their Off Fifth stores, adding outlets in Pittsburgh, Portland, Houston and the Raleigh/Greensboro area
• On an up note, Nordstrom opened their new store at Fashion Island (Orange County) a few weeks back

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And with apologies to our Facebook pals who may have seen this on one of our Fan pages, we close with a stellar Pretty in Pink that also qualifies as an Adventure in Argyle:

HP Courtesy Image

That is the soon-to-be-released Preppy Pink Mini from HP, a thing of beauty.  The Mini 210 is technically a netbook, not a laptop, and while we aren’t crazy about the pink keyboard, we are gaga for the overall design.

HP Courtesy Image

The HP Mini 210 in Preppy Pink (it will also come in “white crystal”) launches June 15 in the USA with a $355 price point.  Click here to register for availability notification from HP.

With that, g’bye until next time!

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ADD’L PHOTO CREDITS:

• Katy Perry Dress: Steve Eichner/WWD
• Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

Tory Burch & The Snuggie at Fashion Week, 2 Designer eBay Collections

Hello-Hello everyone, hopefully the sun is shining as brightly at your palace as it is here, there is nary a cloud in the sky, it is simply gorgeous.

Because we feel required to bring readers as much fashion news as humanly possible (ahem), and because we do take this responsibility ever-so-seriously (double ahem), we begin today’s post with something you are unlikely to find elsewhere:

PHOTO: JasonDeCrow/AP

Oh yes indeedy, TP is sharing these not-quite-exclusive photos from the Snuggie show at Fashion Week.  We ask, where else will you see shots of not only an adult Snuggie, but a pink one for your pooch?

PHOTO: Jason DeCrow/AP

Look at this amazing photo from backstage – the anticipatory excitement is palpable. Can you feel it?

PHOTO: Jason DeCrow/AP

The show was held at the Park Avenue Hotel (oh my!), and forced fashion mavens to make an exceptionally difficult decision: how does one choose between this amazing event and the Mulberry or Brian Reyes shows?

PHOTO: Jason DeCrow/AP Photo

For those seeking more on the collection this review from WNBC offers some insight:

“As for the styles, the runway looks ranged from simple-and-classic — basic blue and even bone-colored pieces — to animal-print sexy.”

PHOTO: Jason DeCrow/AP

Don’t let it be said we don’t share the joy here at the Prepatorium, nay-nay, meeting your every fashion and style need is our goal. Indeed.

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Readers know we also try and meet those goals by sharing photos of the fashionistas from that faux-prep school show Gossip Girl. Below, Blake Lively was on hand for the Marchesa show.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

As always, the gowns at Marchesa were exquisite:

PHOTO: Kyle Ericksen/WWD

Party frocks extraordinaire from a firm that knows design, draping and drama, and executes all of them perfectly.

How about this for a stroll down the aisle?

PHOTO: Kyle Ericksen

And while much too chic for us, we’ll say this is a Pretty in Pink for today, it is one stunning gown.

PHOTO: Kyle Ericksen/WWD

Also yesterday, Leighton Meester heads into the 3.1 Phillip Lim show.

PHOTO: Eric Thayer/Reuters

Ms. Meester also attended the Proenza Schouler show; we share a group of looks from that collection as put together at Time.

PHOTOS: Slaven Vlasic/Getty via Time.com

Next, Time’s collage of Narciso Rodriguez pieces for next spring.

PHOTOS: Frazer Harrison/Garrison via Time

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Perhaps of more interest to our readers – the Tory Burch presentation yesterday.

As described by the Times:

“Tory Burch received a lot of retail love on Wednesday as the chiefs of Saks, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, along with their buying teams, gathered…”

We found some styles appealing, and others just so-so.

The Journal also had rave reviews for the collection:

“The jammed tent was further proof of Ms. Burch’s buzz as well as her business savvy. She worked the crowd from her spot at the end of the runway, warmly greeting those in attendance. She did leave her station, however, to take Anna Wintour on a tour of her collection.”

PHOTO: George Chinsee/WWD

More from the Journal review:

“The outfits were her usual mix of infinitely wearable pieces, with her penchant for preppy and love of tribal both well represented. A floral jumpsuit, with bright tulips set against a navy background, as well as a coral suit, set the tone for spring.”

This blouse reminded us of a paper lantern:

PHOTO: George Chinsee/WWD

We are clearly not in the know, as we thought some styles were neither ‘preppy’ or ‘tribal’:

PHOTO: George Chinsee

But then, we only managed one year of fashion study in college before moving on and our knowledge of the topic is scant compared to that of those writing for the trades and the major newspapers covering the industry. (Pssst, we actually have an interest in trying on the leather skinny pants, however non-preppish they may be!)

We thought some looks oozed comfy, snuggly, casual fun.

PHOTO: George Chinsee/WWD

The neutral palette seemed subdued for spring and summer, but it also affords many pieces a longer and more versatile life.  Here is our favorite part of the Journal’s review:

“The only glimpse of her signature ‘T’ logo—the one that she plastered on her ballet flats and that made her a designer for the masses—was on a select number of purses.”

That is news of a logotastic sort.

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There is more big news out of Fashion Week: a second designer will launch a collection on eBay.  First we had news that Narciso Rodriguez plans an 8-piece capsule collection to be sold next spring.

And today news broke via Women’s Wear Daily that Norma Kamali will also sell a line on eBay, with pieces priced under $250.  This is in addition to the collection she already does for Walmart, NK for Walmart.

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Very quickly before we fly, two shameless pieces of self-promotion, beginning with news that our Whitney English notesheets made the October O List!

And the second item is merely a reminder to enter our Giveaway for a free personalized Preppy Platter or Plate!

PreppyPrincess.com

Ideal as a gift, for the holidays, or anytime, these are fun, durable, and dishwasher-safe.

PreppyPrincess.com

Click here to join the fun and enter before midnight tonight (9.17.09), we announce the winner tomorrow!

PreppyPrincess.com

Also tomorrow, the Polo Ralph Lauren show and more prepalicious fun from Fashion Week.

The Great Preppy Personalized Plate Giveaway!

Hello-Hello and Happy Thursday!

The crush of business prevents us nattering on as we usually do, so we share just a few items today, starting with our great Preppy Personalized Plate Giveaway here at the Princess!

We have added loads of new designs to our selection of Preppy Platters & Plates.  To celebrate the new styles we are doing a Giveaway: the winner receives a Preppy Plate or Platter of their choice, personalized however they choose!

Here is how to enter:

• For one entry, leave a comment telling us your favorite design on any of our preppy dishes
• For a second entry, post the Giveaway on your blog & leave a comment telling us you did
• For a third entry, Tweet about it on Twitter & let us know you did
• For a fourth entry, become a Preppy Princess fan on Facebook & ley us know you did. (Go to Facebook and do a search for Preppy Princess.com)

Some of the fabulous new designs we have in are from the good folks at Boatman Geller, including the Ashley Plaid in Pink:

PreppyPrincess.com

If seeking something more masculine, the Ashley Plaid is available in a sophisticated blue palette. Perhaps you would prefer the Espadrille Nautical stripe brightening your table?

PreppyPrincess.com

This jaunty pattern also comes in the Espadrille Preppy Stripe (below), or the Espadrille Bright Stripe.

PreppyPrincess.com

Our favorite new styles just might be the updated initial plates, like the Repp Tie in Cherry/Navy:

PreppyPrincess.com

At a baby shower the whimsical Confetti Pink is fun for a little girl, but it is also offered in blues for a baby boy. (And ideal for grown-up boys and girls in your circle of friends and family!)

PreppyPrincess.com

Frankly, there isn’t a one of these we don’t just adore as a hostess gift, or a delightful personalized present on any occasion.

Because we want you to enjoy our growing preppy dish collection and enjoy a bargain at the same time, we are offering our treasured readers a 10% discount on the Plates and Platters Collection!  Simply enter DISHDEAL at checkout to receive the more favorable pricing.  We will keep this special discount in place until midnight on the 18th.

And don’t forget to enter the Giveaway before midnight Thursday (the 17th), we will draw a name and announce a winner on September 18!

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Next, last night’s big party at Saks, a gala thrown by Anna Wintour/Vogue, and Charlize Theron. The occasion was a public celebration of the retailer’s newly renovated third floor.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

We love the easy elegance seen in the photo of Oscar de la Renta & Ms. Theron. Also attending the party, Dylan Lauren in a vibrant frock we shall categorize as today’s Pretty in Pink.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

Gossip Girl star Blake Lively looked lovely in a sleek blue dress.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

Also on hand and woefully underdressed, Ms. Lively’s costar and IRL (In Real Life, yes? We feel très cool using this acronym.) romantic interest, Penn Badgley.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner/WWD

It was a very busy night for the Gossip Girls and Guys, as there was another function to attend, this one in honor of the Gossip Girl-inspired collection at Target from designer Anna Sui.

PHOTO: PaperMag.com

And if that wasn’t enough partying for the G2 set, co-star Leighton Meester enjoyed a screening of the Sundance Channel’s fashion series “The Day Before“. The four-part special focuses on Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler as their upscale label preps for Fashion Week. Joining in, socialite and fashionista Lauren Santo Domingo.

PHOTO: Getty Images

Enjoy!

Gossip Girls & Guys at Fashion Week, Preppy Nail Polish?

It is a grand and glorious day, despite the wild wind outside and prospect of more s-n-o-w. Bleh. But it is warm and bright here in the corner condo at Princess Intergalactic HQ, we are doing all we can to create our own sunshine!

While it is always fun to look at the styles being shown at New York Fashion Week, it is even more fun to share a philanthropic story about the goings-on in the city.  In conjunction with the opening of his new flagship store on Fifth Avenue, Giorgio Armani donated $1 million to the Fund for Public Schools in New York.

PHOTO: Diane Bondareff/AP

That is news that brings a smile to this camper’s face, it is wonderful to see anyone sharing like this.

One could almost term the celebrities ubiquitous at the gala celebrating the store’s opening, including one of our favorites, January Jones of Mad Men.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

Gossip Girl actor Chace Crawford makes another Fashion Week appearance:

PHOTO: Evan Agostini/AP

Also at the festivities, designer Thom Browne, he of Brooks Brothers Black Fleece fame.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

Mr. Browne is also known for the length (or lack thereof) of the pants in his men’s suit designs.  Mayor Bloomberg and Caroline Kennedy joined Mr. Armani as part of the ceremony marking the designer’s donation to the City’s schools.

PHOTO: Evan Agostini/AP

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We mentioned Thom Browne above; it reminds us of the sneakers he designed along with Converse for the fabulous French store, Colette.

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Other Gossip Girls stars were spotted at varying shows. First, Taylor Momsen at Anna Sui.

PHOTO: Stephen Lovekin/Getty

Also seen, Leighton Meester in attendance at Proenza Schouler.

PHOTO: Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Ms. Meester appears to be sporting a new do, with bangs!

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The Tommy Hilfiger show was this morning; we will effort more photos later today, in tomorrow’s post at the latest. This grouping is from a just-published story in the Telegraph.

PHOTO COLLAGE: Getty Images via The Telegraph

You know that TP is simply ga-ga over the pink coat. Below, four more looks from this morning’s show.

PHOTO COLLAGE: Getty Images via The Telegraph

We shall have additional photos as promised. We intend to do the same with another prep-style designer, Tory Burch, who showed her Fall 2009 collection yesterday.

PHOTO: Imaxtree

According to this story from the WWD staff, the designer has shifted her approach:

“Tory Burch is trading in her sandals and ballet flats for a pair of ready-to-rumble combat boots. This season, she’s gone streetwise and edgy.”

Here is one more style:

PHOTO: Giovanni Giannoni

The WWD story cautions those fond of a little more tailored or conservative look not to be alarmed by the edgier pieces. Apparently the collection also includes designs more familiar to the Tory Burch customer.

Actually, Ms. Burch was in the front row at a show herself, viewing Narciso Rodriguez yesterday.

PHOTO: Steve Eichner

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Because we attempt to keep an eye on all things prepatitious (?), we thought we’d share the following with you from this post at the Fashion Matters blog:

“Anyway, Orly has introduced new spring colors for its Prepster Collection.  Prepster. Preppie. Get it?”

We are loving the names for the different colors, they are fun and witty:

• Prim & Proper – lavender shimmer
• Tennis Anyone? – nude crème
• OMG – fuchsia pink crème
• Polo Princess – pastel pink crème
• Country Club Khaki – taupe crème
• Cashmere Cardigan – iris blue crème

Below, a closer look at Polo Princess, courtesy of the always-ahead-of-the-trend Katee at the E-Polish blog.

Courtesy E-Polish Blog

We simply have to ask: what name do you fancy the most?

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We share a little piece of heaven we just got in, part of our Lilly Pulitzer stationery and gift line here at the Princess. Below, the Take Note Mousepad:

Lilly Pulitzer at PreppyPrincess.com

This is too fun in the pink and green Cabanarama pattern, a standard size mousepad topped with a pad of paper! (And all for only $15, who can beat that?!)

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The always-wonderful Ronda at All the Best shared some insight today about this poster, long a favorite of ours.

The message just says it all, don’t you think?  We’ll close on that thought dolls, we hope your day is splendid!