A New Retailer to Love, Also, Ralph & Oprah Together Again

It’s another busy Tuesday, so we jump right in with word of a new emporium offering SSP (serious shopping potential).  Behold, the just-opened C. Wonder.

Kyle Ericksen/Women's Wear Daily

Located in Soho, the boutique is the brainchild of venture capitalist and retail whiz Christopher Burch. Sometimes known as the former husband of Tory Burch, he has been one of the primary contributors to that brand’s success.  Below we see Maria Menounos (large photo), Kelly Ripa and Chris Burch, and Kelly Rutherford, all at the store’s grand opening.

Via PopSugar NY

We have been reading about the new shop for some time, it looks simply delightful. One aspect we particularly appreciate? It seems to have a touch of whimsy, much like that found at Kate Spade, an appealing characteristic for a retailer.

Via Design Wire

The boutique carries all manner of merchandise, including apparel and accessories.

Courtesy Photos

C. Wonder also offers homegoods.

Via Racked NYC

A montage of the housewares from HGTV.

Via HGTV

Most prices are less than $100, making this a fiscally friendly place to shop, always a bonus. Mr. Burch has aggressive plans for expansion, more from the Journal:

Three additional C. Wonder stores will open this year at the Westchester, Garden State Plaza and Roosevelt Field. Approximately 20 more will open in 2012 across the country.

Ultimately Mr. Burch hopes to have as many as 300 stores. Nor is this the only store being launched by the financier, the recently opened Monika Chiang in Los Angeles is one of his endeavors, he has several other brands in the works as well. The always fabulous Saving the Best for Last blog was on hand this weekend for the grand openin and says we’ll love the place, below we share a few of her photos. (Click here to read her post on the shop.)

Via Saving the Best for Last

We like what we have seen and heard about the store and its merchandise, not to mention the cute pink and green shopping bags!

Via PopSugar NYC

The brand’s strongest online presence right now is its Facebook page, probably the best bet for those of us not within visiting distance at the moment, at least until a more robust website is up and running. You can also follow C. Wonder on Twitter if so inclined.

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Our other item today, last night’s big doings at Lincoln Center. The festivities offered something for everyone, with an oh-so-chic dinner, Oprah Winfrey’s live interview with Ralph Lauren and a showing of next spring’s Ralph Lauren line.

Steve Eichner/Women's Wear Daily

Above we see the designer and Ms. Winfrey, as well as Dylan Lauren, and newlyweds David Lauren and Lauren Bush Lauren. (yes, it is the first time I have written her full name since the wedding, how fun?!) Here is more from a Women’s Wear Daily story:

In a sequel of sorts to their televised tête-à-tête earlier this year, Lauren coaxed the former talk show host back into the interviewer’s chair for the evening, which dually benefited the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (to the tune of more than $7 million dollars).

Below, Jessica Alba and Cash Warren.

Steve Eichner/Women's Wear Daily

Also on hand, Barbara Walters, Camilla Belle and Martha Stewart. (Ummm…how are we feeling about Martha’s platforms?)

Steve Eichner/Kristen Somody Whalen

TV types in attendance included Al Roker, Deborah Roberts, Hilary and Bryant Gumbel, along with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lisa Oz.

Dimitrios Kambouris & Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Ralph Lauren Getty Images

Here is a better look at some of the party frocks, from left to right: Camilla Belle, Dylan Lauren, Jessica Alba and Lauren Bush Lauren.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Ralph Lauren

Clearly it was the place to be last night, to see and be seen.

With that, goodbye until next time!

Preppy Style In The Home, & Ralph Lauren Tears Up Over Dylan’s Wedding Dress

We hope you are enjoying a delightful Thursday, with any luck you are avoiding the Midwest monsoon that has now planted itself on the east coast. However, a glance at the television or a newspaper or one’s computer screen reminds us we really have nothing to complain about.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Not one thing.

On a brighter note, we look at a portion of yesterday’s Ralph Lauren interview on Oprah.

George Burns/Harpo Productions/AP

From The Show Tracker blog:

“The show was practically moving in its ode to striving, to these two exceedingly rare cases of American mobility: the Bronx-bred son of immigrant Ashkenazi Jews, whose artist father painted houses to support his family, and an African American woman born poor in Mississippi and raised poor in Milwaukee.”

Perhaps the most touching moment was hearing the designer talk about making his daughter’s wedding gown. Dylan Lauren is marrying financier Paul Arrouet in June; her father designed the dress, but it wasn’t easy.

Harpo Productions

Mr. Lauren said…

“I had to do something that was better than ever before. I mean I have to—it’s the only daughter I have, beautiful girl—I want to just give her something that she’ll really treasure, give her something that would be really amazing. I want her to feel fantastic.”

After seeing initial sketches, mother of the bride Ricky Lauren told him the dress wasn’t right: “Ralph, that’s not Dylan”.  Below we see Ms. Lauren with her fiancée, Paul Arrouet.

Via The Examiner

But it seems everyone is thrilled with the finished product. Dylan Lauren says the dress is stunning.

‘I told my fianceé, “I may sleep in it. I might wear it the next day,”‘ she added. ‘It’s really beautiful. I know that every bit of his energy and heart went into making sure that I liked it.’

As soon as there are photos of the gown available we’ll have them right here. If you would like to see the clip about the gown, click here.

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Speaking about preppish styling and weddings brings us to our next tidbit, Preppy Wedding products at Bridefinds. From the story:

If “The Preppy Handbook” is the only book you can’t live without, it’s time to take it to the next, next level.

The piece suggests all manner of things that will hypothetically help one achieve a prep aesthetic for the big day. Below left, a 4-Piece Set for your young MOTH (Man of the House) from Dillard’s, and on the right, Kate Spade’s Seersucker Jenny Ann Clutch.

Bride Finds bills the post as the “Preppy Wedding Handbook,” and while there are a few interesting items shown, that title far oversells the story.

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There is another online photo series about “preppy style” and interior design.

Designers Guild for Benz via HGTV

The post by Cassandra LaVelle (of Coco + Kelley) is on the HGTV site.

“No longer just for the country club set, preppy style enters the home with classic patterns, bright colors and the essential navy and white stripes. Discover how to add a little prep to your favorite room.

Patrick Cline for Lonny Magazine

Below left we see another room via Lonny magazine, and on the right, decor by Tobi Fairley Interior Design.

Patrick Cline for Lonny / Tobi Fairley Interiors

As described in the story:

The fastest way to add a little “prep” to your style is definitely with a bit of trim. Designer Tobi Fairley adds white piping to the dining chairs and black trim to the lattice-print drapes for some classic preppy details.

Click here for the entire post, it is a good read.

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While looking for an item on the Dior site today we stumbled upon some simply darling Dior looks for young ladies.

Baby Dior

Saks has many of the styles in stock, as does Neimans.

Baby Dior

Regular readers know we cannot resist most designer duds for the little ones, despite our frequent outbursts and tirades occasional mention of the frivolous nature of such things.

Baby Dior

Here on the Preppy Planet we see merit in both upscale pieces and the more practical offerings from your local Targét.

We leave you with another reason to smile.

Jacques de Marthon/AFP/Getty

The French Open is underway.