Party Frocks, Mad Men, & the Perils of 8 Inch Heels

Hello-Hello and Happy Monday!

Some may be starting the week with less rest than normal, we know loads of friends stayed up last evening to watch the goings-on at the Kodak Theatre.  As always, hits and misses littered the scene once all was said and done.

We loved the Marchesa gown Best Actress Sandra Bullock wore.

The fabric was exquisite, and Ms. Bullock wore the gown, it did not wear her.  We adored her comments on choosing The Dress:

“There are so many gorgeous dresses out there I couldn’t possibly predict the trends,” she said. “My stepdaughter picked out my dress yesterday.”

Cameron Diaz was stunning in Oscar de la Renta, we called it the Fairy Tale Princess dress.

Gabourey Sidibe was radiant in blue Marchesa.

We laughed (and agreed) with the Twitter comment asking how many Muppets had to die to create Zoe Saldana’s Givenchy Couture gown.

The top portion of the dress was simply breathtaking. If only the lower half carried out through the theme.

WWD’s post-mortem had an insightful thought on the styles seen last night:

“Some, though, seemed a bit overwhelmed by their looks. Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham looked less sexy than Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka.”

Of course, comportment always has a significant influence on any appearance. Below we see the darling bow on the Jenny Packham dress and Ms. Mirren’s oft-discussed tattoo.

We struggled with Sarah Jessica Parker’s look, it seemed to channel the sixties but appeared a beat off, whether it was the hair or eye makeup, we’re not sure.  More from Women’s Wear Daily on her gown:

“…donned a Chanel Haute Couture gown “that Mr. Lagerfeld so nicely made for me when I asked him,” was so in love with her dress “that I don’t want to give it back. I also don’t want to sit down, because the back is so beautiful.”

Fitting in one’s seat must have been challenging for some:

Donato Sardella/WWD

Tighter shots better show the diaphanous fabric used for Amanda Seyfried’s Armani Privé creation, as well as the Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

While some awarded Mariah Carey points for ‘most improved,’ the Valentino didn’t work for us. The diamonds were provided by Chopard.

One report speculated the entertainer may be “in a delicate condition” (our term) and also commented on the struggles this particular ensemble presented:

“Wearing extremely high eight inch heels… and a dress that prevented her from actually walking on her own, Carey was held up by her security guards.”

“I don’t think I can do this,” she whispered.”

Most were not fond of Charlize Theron’s Dior Couture dress,and one report referred to Virginia Madsen’s gown from Kevan Hall as being “Frumpytown”.

Some celebrities took advantage of an opportunity to wear more than one party frock; below we see Faith Hill with husband Tim McGraw at the Oscars in one dress and in another gown at the Vanity Fair party.

Not everyone received the “less is more” memo this year; Hilary Swank’s dress for the after parties was by Valentino.

Also seen at the Vanity Fair party, Mad Men’s Jon Hamm and girlfriend Jennifer Westveldt.

Craig Barritt/Getty

Co-star Christina Hendricks attended along with Jennifer Hudson.

Others at the annual fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation included the Jonas Brothers….

Gus Ruelas/Reuters

Heidi Klum and Rachel Zoe…

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Olympians Apolo Anton Ohno and Johnny Weir….

Refinery 29 has compiled some wonderful montages, including their “Most Divisive” list:

Refinery 29

There are scads of places to look at more fashion coverage, including the Refinery 29 post mentioned above, InStyle, FabSugar and WaPo’s story.

We were puzzled by an unusually cranky-looking George Clooney.

Perhaps he forgot the reminder posted for celebrities as they face the cameras.

Until next time!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• John Shearer/Getty
• Jason Merritt/Getty
• Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
• Frederick M. Brown/Getty
• Amy Sancetta/AP

‘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!

Steve & Barry’s Bankruptcy, Gucci Olympic Collection, 40 Pages of Barneys Shoes on Sale!

As everyone has been speculating, the Steve and Barry’s bankruptcy is official; the paperwork was filed today in Manhattan. As we first chatted about it back on May 5th, and then again just last week, the company’s ability to make a profit with clothing priced at $8.98 became questionable. As gas prices went north and the economy went south, so did Steve and Barrry’s business.

The company is known for its lines associated with celebrities like actress Sarah Jessica Parker, basketball stars Stephon Marbury and Ben Wallace, surfer Laird Hamilton, tennis star Venus Williams, a golf collection named after Bubba Watson and several others. As of this writing discussions continue as to what will happen to the stores; gift cards are being honored, returns are being accepted, etc. There is the very real possibility, if not the likelihood, the company will have to close the stores. We will keep you posted if anything substantive transpires.

Now we know that when you think Summer Olympics you think Gucci. It’s like macaroni and cheese… Gucci and Olympics. Olympics and Gucci. Totally. In fact, The Princess is anticipating several comments will come in that you don’t just think ‘Gucci,’ you think ‘Gucci Olympic Bicycle‘ don’t you? We thought so. To that end we give you the Gucci 2-2-2008 Bicycle.

We shall now remove the tongue firmly planted in our cheek. In case you somehow missed the announcement several months back, Gucci has created the “8-8-2008 Limited Edition” collection. Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini describes the bright red used for the special collection:

“Not only does red evoke happiness and celebration, two emotions that couldn’t be more appropriate to describe the excitement brought by the international sport games, but it also happens to be a very fashionable color for 2008…”

There is also the I-Gucci watch, seen to your left. It is the only item from the collection available to all; we point that out because the other items in the are only being sold in Hong Kong and mainland China.

The watch is offered in a number of variations, and is notable because it is the first digital watch Gucci has ever offered for sale. It is also available in a version with hands for those who prefer an analog world. (Is it our goofy brain or is the name sounding like an Apple product?) Click on the I-Gucci Watch link above if you are interested in more images and/or information about the piece.

There is also an amazing pair of sneakers in a vibrant array of colors, luggage, and a few other goodies.

Yesterday the Gucci Resort 2009 collection was shown and since we shared this Olympic group we thought we would do a little sneak peek at a few pieces from next years’ line. (A reminder these are not yet available for purchase.) Creative Director Frida Giannini is seen in the final photo, lower right.

Now we wouldn’t sleep tonight if we didn’t update you on a few opportunities to save a little $$$, even though we truly don’t believe in open discussions of the “M” topic. In addition to the additional price reductions, Needless Markup Neiman’s is also providing free shipping at any price. (Will wonders never cease?) The code for this amazing event is SHIPJUL.

If you have the time, the amount of shoes Barneys still has on sale is simply remarkable; there are 40 pages of shoes and boots marked down at Barneys! The Princess strongly urges you to check at least a few of these pages out if you are so inclined.

Banana Republic also has some fairly good markdowns and Ralph Lauren has an additional 25% off selected sale merchandise.

Terry de Havilland
Python platform wedge

Second Oops on SATC Sarah Jessica Parker Premiere Gown…and you *Won’t* Believe Who Actually Wore it First (Photographic evidence included!)

The Princess recognizes the following content has nothing whatsoever to do with the posts readers generally associate with this site. And we offer a sincere apology in advance for straying this far from our usual tone and tenor. However, after consuming your time with previous posts on this topic, we feel it only fair to provide what we fervently pray is the final update on this topic.

We speak of course about the Nina Ricci gown Sarah Jessica Parker wore to Thursday’s premiere of Sex and the City.. That it turned out was actually worn previously by socialite Lauren Santo Domingo, several weeks in fact before SJP donned it for her big day. Amazingly, it now turns out someone wore it before either Ms. Parker or Ms. Santo Domingo. Presumably the photograph below gives you some idea about whom we speak.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING INCLUDES CONTENT ABOUT LINDSAY LOHAN

Yes, it is LiLo, Lindsay Lohan, in the same gown, this time it was worn as part of a cover story that ran in the March Harper’s Bazaar.

This one leaves the editorial staff here at The Princess speechless. Completely.

An Actual Preppy Link to Sex and the City! OMG!

Let’s face it, there really hasn’t been significant preppy linkage to Sex and the City, other than the logo featuring a most luscious shade of pink. We have experienced important diplomatic overtures from high level community leaders like McMommy & MommyPie, but in terms of definitive linkage, it just wasn’t happening. Until now.

Ladies and gentleman, please turn your attention to Exhibit A, just below, and meet Megan. Megan Thompson to be more precise, of the Pretty in Pink blog, who describes herself as being “…into all things pink, preppy, and southern!” Megan is featured in a story in today’s Memphis paper about the Sex and the City movie opening at theaters Friday.

The photo on the left is from the Commercial Appeal and the one on the right is from Megan’s blog. Now, the paper wanted to shoot Megan ‘blogging about fashion’ since that’s what Megan loves doing. Look carefully at those clothes behind Megan in her closet; we’re guessing at least 40% are pink or green or a blend of both!

Stop by Megan’s blog if you have a minute – it’s fun reading and she has loads of great photos! Miss Megan, congrats on the newspaper article! You’re a star! (Actually, you already were.) So there you have it: at least one actual bond tying the online preppy community to the SATC movie! (Whew, here at the Preppy Planetorium we were so worried the movie opening would come… and go… and we would be failures at pinning down that missing link. What a relief.)

The Princess fervently hopes Miss Megan and everyone else has a blast at the movie this weekend! Enjoy!

Updating our story in April about Cosabella’s Sex and the City lingerie line, as you might guess, the merchandise is actually available now. Both Bare Necessities and Chic Mystique seem to be well-stocked with the light and lacy goodies.

Updating the big whineathon post we did on Sex and the City fashions, you may remember the following photograph from the film’s London premiere and our ensuing consternation regarding The Hat. (Yes, it was that bad, it merited its own title.)

We openly acknowledged our ineptitude at comprehending and/or appreciating many of the ‘fashion looks’ shown in the television series and those ‘leaked’ from the film. We were relieved to hear from readers that we were not alone in our confusion, to say the least. Tonight we feel even better to learn that the movie’s Costume Designer, Patricia Field, was also confused by Sarah Jessica Parker’s selection of The Hat, created by Philip Treacy, a master of the genre. In an interview with New York magazine, here’s how things went:

NYMAG: Would you have done that?
“I didn’t understand it. I didn’t get the combination. Okay, it matched — so what else? I’m not going to lie, I didn’t get it at all.I didn’t understand it. I didn’t get the combination. Okay, it matched — so what else? I’m not going to lie, I didn’t get it at all.”

BTW, just a little aside here: did you know Patricia Field has a line for Payless Shoes? The Princess was completely unaware of this… we had no idea! But then, TP has been, and shall remain we fear, pretty much unaware of most that is considered hip and cool in contemporary culture. Sigh.

We leave you with a peek at some of the Patricia Field Payless line. The shoes and bags do have the most interesting names, like Socialite, and Heiress. Imagine that! And they are all very bright and shiny, definitely statement makers! Hubba-Hubba!