A Touch of Tiffany Blue & That Brooks Brothers Blazer Dustup

Hello and happy Friday.

We begin today with a look at the new Tiffany store that opened in Soho, it’s a fun way to start the weekend. The topic isn’t so much how the store looks now that it’s opened, but the fun way Tiffany dressed the construction site. First, how the space looked back in June, via the good folks at Racked.

Racked.com

Here is a mural Tiffany commissioned for the site, it took fashion artist Danny Roberts more than 130 hours to create the artwork.

Photo Courtesy Danny Roberts via Fashionista

The company’s creative minds made a delightful graphic in advance of the opening.

Tiffany & Co. Instagram

The grand opening featured the company’s robin’s egg blue, Matchbook Magazine shared this picture.

Via Matchbook Magazine Instagram

At its Fashion’s Night Out events the jeweler even offered treats in the trademarked color.

Jasmine Snow Instagram (@Jassnow)

It’s always a delight to see companies take a distinctive element of the brand and have fun with it, a touch of whimsy can be a good thing.

Which brings us to a little kerfluffle about this.

Brooks Brothers

That would be the now famous Brooks Brothers Quilted Blazer.  A more detailed look.

Brooks Brothers

The dust-up about garment evidently started on the the Brooks Brothers Facebook page, but reached a much bigger audience following this blog post in the Journal:

WSJ Speakeasy Blog

From the piece by Ray Smith:

Critics said that that kind of blazer (and the scruffy model) belongs in some fashion designer’s collection, not at classic Brooks Brothers.

If coveting the abomination the “reengineered blazer,” there are additional colors, one needn’t be limited to classic blue.

Brooks Brothers

I can’t help it, the gentleman in the catalog photos shrieks hipster. Yes, this statement comes from one reveling in her hard-earned status as a not-entirely-youthful consumer. (Cough-cough.)

Here is how the ghastly item is described by Brooks.

Certain to become your “go-to” piece this season, our quilted blazer takes the casual comfort of a down-filled jacket and blends it with the familiar structure of your favorite blazer. Cut in a trimmer fit that tapers to the waist and provides more room in the chest and shoulders, this blazer has modern appeal.

The debate raged on for several weeks, ultimately things hit a point where Brooks responded via its blog, “Of Rogues and Gentlemen“:

We just figured it was time to put our two cents in.

We know, we know. It’s not a traditional blazer by any means.

Well, it is navy. And it does have lapels.

That said if fashion pushes the boundaries of what we wear, style is the careful collection – and adoption – of the best of fashion.

True style has to be flexible.

Oh and for the record, we decided to file this under the outerwear section.

There. Now we’re done.

Frankly, yours truly doesn’t think the words quilted and blazer belong next to each other.  If The Consort or a sibling showed up in the garment they would be asked to surrender their place at the Prepatorium.

However. It’s a piece of clothing, and lord knows Brooks has to pursue a younger demo to stay in business. That way when this old crankenstein goes in to shop the store will still be there. We’ll just need to take our HDS (Hipster Deflecting Shield).

Until next time, may everyone’s weekend be filled with sunshine!

Of Polo and Parties on a Royal Weekend

Hello-Hello and welcome to a Monday.

We are brief today, trying to catch up a zillion business-related projects, so we are going to do a ‘One Topic Tuesday’ on a Monday. (Gasp.)

As some readers are no doubt aware, a certain royal couple was in California this weekend.

Hans Gutknecht - Pool/Reuters

Saturday there was a little polo match, with a luncheon beforehand. As you might imagine, a number of celebrities were at the event. Below we see chef Giada de Laurentiis, who did the lunch, and actress Nicolette Sheridan (?).

Reuters/AP Photo

Actor Rob Lowe brought his son along, John Owen.

Ian Vogler-Pool/Getty Images

Actresses Rosario Dawson and Jennifer Love-Hewitt also attended the function.

AP Photo

The event was at the Santa Barbara Racquet and Polo Club, a fundraiser for the Prince William and Prince Harry’s charitable foundation.

Gus Ruelas/Reuters

Prince William’s team won quite handily.

Ian Vogler-Pool/Getty Images

Sharp-eyed readers may have noticed the players holding rather recognizable boxes in a certain color. They are precisely what you thought, Tiffany was a sponsor of the event, creating the trophy you see being hoisted in the picture above.  That robin’s egg blue could also be seen atop tables set up for lunch.

Via Kate Snow Twitter Feed

Then it was on to the big Hollywood bash, the gala BAFTA dinner (British Academy of Film and Television Arts). Prince William is the president of the organization.

Kate wore a lilac Alexander McQueen gown, accessorized with Jimmy Choo platform sandals and clutch.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images via Just Jared

Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively and Ed Westwick attended the big party.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

As well as Jennifer Lopez and wacky Jack Black.

AP Photo

Several people savvier than I have noted that Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner and Blake Lively were all in attendance at the dinner, Ben Affleck was not. If anyone wants to help me grasp the deeper meaning of this, any and all comments explaining things would be more-than-appreciated. 🙂

Also taking part in the festivities, Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson.

Bret Hartman/AP Photo

Here we see Prince William joking with Nicole Kidman.

Mark Large via The Daily Mail

Sunday morning brought more functions and fundraisers, below we see Reese Witherspoon greeting Kate at a private breakfast for Tusk Trust, a group working to conserve wildlife in Africa.

Chris Jackson-Pool/Reuters

Then it was on to Inner City Arts, the newlyweds painted with children in this program. (It seems William may be looking to Kate for inspiration.)

John Stillwell - Pool/Getty Images

The real stars at this event were the children who are part of the Inner City Arts program.

Kevork Djansezian - Pool/Getty Images

Throughout Kate and William’s nine day tour Kate has seemed particularly drawn to the children she meets.

Chris Jackson-Pool/Reuters

The couple wrapped up Sunday’s activities with an appearance at a Mission Serve job fair. “Hiring our Heroes” was the theme of the fair, with 1,500 veterans and military spouses meeting potential employees. William also spoke at the event.

“The idea behind Service Nation Mission Serve, an initiative strongly supported by The First Lady and Dr. Biden, is simple, but truly inspirational. To help those returning from active service to open a new chapter in their lives and find employment when they retire from the military.”

Francine Orr - Pool/Getty Images

Prince William noted this was the most important speech of the tour:

“This is because it is about men and women who—of their own freewill—choose to put their life on the line for their Country. They are the front line of a remarkable relationship between the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, which has safe-guarded our freedoms for a century. But Mission Serve is about something more than just men and women in uniform. It is about our other halves. The half that makes the loved one’s duty and sacrifices possible and worthwhile. It is about you: families, partners and friends.”

The couple also helped pack boxes for children of military personnel, ‘care packages’ of a sort.

Mario Anzuoni-Pool/Reuters

With that the nine-day visit was over and the royal couple headed to LAX for a flight home. (They actually flew commercial.) Below we see them boarding their plane.

EPA via The Daily Mail

(For anyone interested in the fashions worn by Kate during the trip, our sister site, What Kate Wore has many posts on the topic.)

For now, goodbye until next time, may the rest of your Monday be simply splendid.

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.

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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.

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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!

Lilly Pulitzer Fall 2011 Agendas, Talbots, Kate Spade & Prep World Updates

Hello-Hello, welcome to The Prepatorium, we are happy to see a bright new week!

Today we bring you dribs, drabs and tidbits of info, the post may read more like a headline service than anything else.

We begin with a look at Talbots styles for fall, loath as we are to even contemplate that season.  WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.) has an early peek at some of the styles.

Kyle Ericksen/WWD

The deep teal seen above is pretty, but our favorite part of the WWD story may be this quote:

““The silhouette is definitely more important. Everything is more refined and dressed up,” said Michael Smaldone, chief creative officer…”

Amen and hallelujah to that sentiment, may it only prove true.  The pinstripes are also attractive.

Kyle Ericksen/WWD

As always, we aren’t crazy about every single piece, those shown below generate absolutely no sense of anticipatory excitement. The drape on the pants shown on the right is hideous.

Kyel Ericksen/WWD

However, it is likely that come August yours truly will be coveting this coat.

Kyle Ericksen/WWD

As we are on the topic of next season’s clothing, Kate Spade fans might enjoy Fashionista’s sneak peek at the fall ad campaign being shot in Soho last week.

Via Fashionista.com

Once again Bryce Dallas Howard is featured, we are more-than-intrigued by that polka dot suit.

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One might think this next item would go in our “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” files, but sadly it isn’t shocking, merely a sad commentary.

Manhattan mom sues $19K/yr. preschool for damaging 4-year-old daughter’s Ivy League chances

The headline is from a story in The Daily News, here is more:

“She’s demanding a refund of the $19,000 tuition and class-action status for other toddlers who weren’t properly prepped for the standardized test that can mean the difference between Dalton and – gasp! – public school.”

Oh, the horror.

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Several other items of note that may hold interest for some:

• Our friend over at The Preppycrat is back to posting again and has a nice look at the Painted Pink Pony shop in a recent post
• Prep World, the Lisa Birnbach/Tommy Hilfiger collaboration (detailed in this post) has announced the opening date for its New York pop-up shop: May 19. If not in the city, shoppers will find most of the collection available in Hilfiger stores and online starting then. We like seeing our friend Kiel’s bracelets showcased in the collection.

• There is a new blog up and running, Real Preppy, below we show a delightful style montage from Friday’s post

RealPreppy.com

• One item you may have missed. (That is liberal use of the word “missed”.) Behold, the Royal Wedding Donut.

Dunkin' Donuts via Eater.com

Eater puts it well:

“Because nothing says royal matrimony like a heart-shaped donut filled with jelly and topped with vanilla icing and a chocolate drizzle.”

Perzactly.

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We leave you with two quick items, both slightly more upscale than the donut.

Tiffany Blue® Bow Mug

Tiffany is now offering “Blue Bow” items, and while not a fan of the company’s logo-ridden pieces, the Mug somehow seems cute and whimsical, sure to brighten one’s morning.

The other item is a sneak peek at this August’s Agendas from our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery line.

Fall 2011 Agendas

This year there will be four Agenda patterns, making it even more difficult to choose just one.

Lilly Pulitzer

Until next time, thank you so very much for coming to visit!

Brooks Brothers Spring Preview

Hello, happy Wednesday!

Just when we needed a little bright and sunny pick-me-up, we fell upon this at Brooks Brothers (in a cyber manner of speaking):

Brooks Brothers

The company’s Spring Preview is now online.

Brooks Brothers

Men’s designs are also shown.

Brooks Brothers

Many looks were shown in our ‘sneak peek’ at the line back in September, for that post, click here.  A few more men’s styles.

Brooks Brothers

Here are more photos from that September post.

PHOTOS: Robert Mitra/WWD

We were particularly intrigued by the heavy nautical influence seen throughout the collection.

PHOTOS: Robert Mitra/WWD

The seafaring motif is also evident in the children’s styles.

Brooks Brothers

We like many pieces already shown in this year’s Resort Collection, including the Girl’s Striped Sailor Dress and the Boy’s Embroidered Swim Trunks, both items available now.

One quick aside, like so many other shops, Brooks is doing its semi-annual clearance (including goods for the Young Man & Miss at your palace) and there are some amazing savings, especially on Black Fleece.

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In other news (ahem, there’s a loose interpretation of that word), yet another update on one of our original Anti-Preps. It seems that the Kardashians have a rather large clothing line launching at Sears.  More from Women’s Wear Daily:

“The seemingly ubiquitous reality television sisters, Kim, Kourtney and Khloe, are set to unveil merchandise on a bigger retail stage when the Kardashian Kollection launches exclusively at 400 Sears doors in August…”

“The Kardashian Kollection is the latest in a Kardashian fashion and beauty empire that started with the Kardashians by Bebe line, which finishes with resort 2011. Among other things, Kim and mother Kris Jenner are spokeswomen for Skechers’ Shape-ups; the sisters front an apparel line sold on QVC called K-Dash; Kim Kardashian has a namesake perfume and is the face of FusionBeauty’s lip plumpers…”

We giggled when reading a friend’s comment on the upcoming launch: “They are Paris Hilton with boobs.”  Ms. Hilton is yet another of our original Anti-Preps.

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We have a couple of quick links for Lilly lovers to enjoy, the first is a story in Lonny magazine’s latest issue, “Pulitzer Prize“.

Lonny Magazine

The story focuses on just how the design team comes up with all of the different patterns and pieces for the multiple collections and pieces. Fashion Director Janie Schoenborn is featured, as are many others, and it is a delightful read.

Lonny Magazine

The second link is to a piece in The Daily Basics on the Lilly spring line of home goods at Garnet Hill, with loads of fodder for our Pretty in Pink and Green list!

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Our final photo symbolizes our sympathy for all of our friends coping with the insane amounts of snow, some of it in the strangest of places.

Tiffany

The Mittens Charm may be found at Tiffany.