Preppy: The Next Big Thing For Spring. (Cough-Cough.)

Hello-Hello, and Happy Friday. (I don’t know about you, but we’re ready for a touch of weekend here in the Corner Condo at Princess InterPlanetary HQ.)

If it’s almost spring, then it follows that retailers are breaking out the preppy style references in their advertising and marketing campaigns, we thought it would be fun to share a few of them with you. The first comes via Nordstorm, with thanks to our friend Cindy for alerting us to the communiqué, showcasing “Prep Cool“.

Nordstrom

“Prep Club Accessories, Swimwear & Resortwear” showcases a variety of merchandise one might expect to see, from Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs and Milly….

Nordstrom

To Dooney & Bourke, Kate Spade,and Longchamp.

Nordstrom

There were a few brands included in the “Prep Club” group (for some reason the promotional groupings were referred to as both Prep Cool and Prep Club, we’ve nary a clue why) I don’t always/usually associate with a prep aesthetic: from left to right, McQ Alexander McQueen, Cara Accessories and AK Anne Klein.

Nordstrom

We move on to a Macy’s campaign, “Preppy Handbook” (ahem), with “The Four Fundamentals You Need Now”.

Today’s prep-wear is feminine, expertly tailored and effortlessly chic (think: 1960s socialites vacationing in Palm Beach). And, it’s the next big thing for Spring. Want to incorporate this work to play look into your wardrobe? We’ll show you four essentials you need to look pretty in prep – and exactly how to wear them.

Macy's

Among those four fundamentals, “Kaleidoscope Florals and Bold Stripes” shown below, there are some darling shirts.

Macy's

Macy’s reports that another essential is “Femme Madras,” one is admonished to “Rework this classic preppy plaid with a shrunken schoolboy blazer or tailored shorts.”

Another “Preppy Academy Must Have” is the colored trench.

Macy's

There’s one more “Fundmental,” we’ll let you discover it in your own time, click here to see the rest of the Macy’s post.

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One item not mentioned in either of the marketing campaigns that we do consider a basic: seersucker.

American Digs

While that might look like something perfect for this weekend, it’s not, at least not for you. It’s for these fine friends.

American Digs

These are the work of American Digs, proudly Made in the USA, and $34.

When Tilly heard I was putting them in as today’s Friday Fun she reminded me of something that is a bit of a sore point, we promised her a replacement for this.

Silly Tilly

Her Yale sweatshirt has seen better days. (Heh, heh, heh.) Somehow I’m not seeing the seersucker on her, are you? Sadly, the words “seersucker” and “Tilly” in the same sentence bring visions of material stretched tautly, beyond its original design, buttons straining and popping off randomly, and sounds of seams ripping as fabric shreds.

With that we say goodbye until next time, may your weekend be warm and wonderful!

Ralph Lauren’s New Wimbledon Uniforms & Tory’s New Digs

Welcome to a Monday, what a busy weekend it turned out to be!

In a sure sign that summer is here, Wimbledon officially got underway today, prompting our look at the new uniforms from Polo Ralph Lauren.

Courtesy Photos

The retailer continues its alliance with the All England Club, the new styles celebrate the event’s 125th Anniversary.  This is the first time the uniforms have been redesigned since Polo Ralph Lauren first made a deal with the Club in 2006, the firm has been doing uniforms for linesmen, umpires and ball boys/girls since that time.

Below, a Line Judge in uniform this morning.

Ben Stansall/AFP

Of course the pieces are available for sale at PRL stores and online, although we do not see that always-popular blazer available anywhere.

Via Ralph Lauren

The polo shirt showcases the special anniversary patch and overall the look is crisp and clean, nicely done.  Notwithstanding Ralph Lauren logos the size of canned hams (and larger).

Via Polo Ralph Lauren

There are also items like the men’s Classic-Fit Poplin shirt at PRL online.

The Ralph Lauren site has an interesting piece on the history of Wimbledon, with nifty background on the ball boys/girls, the average age is 15. Here is more:

Service is paid—a princely sum of €130-€160 (about $209-$258) for the thirteen-day period—and rigorous tests (fitness and written) and training must be completed before selection.

Some items offered for sale only appear to be available at the Wimbledon Shop, like the Logo Tee-shirt at $62.67.

This is where we have to ask for your kind assistance, as the shirt above has us simply baffled. Why on earth would the Ralph Lauren initials be larger than the word Wimbledon?? This clearly belongs in the “Help Me Understand” category, your faithful scribe is more-than-confused about that imagery, do weigh in with your wisdom and insight.

The rain did make an appearance.

Oli Scarff/Getty Images

One last Wimbledon item created just for the 125th Anniversary: special bottles of Lanson champagne. We’ll make them today’s Pretty in Pink.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

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Next, an update for those fond of Tory Burch, her new store under construction on Madison is getting some special decor… on the outside.

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

Women’s Wear Daily has more from Ms. Burch on the importance of the new store:

“It’s a big deal for the company, and for me personally,” Burch said of the Madison Avenue location. “Having a presence uptown was very important for us

The shop is slated to open in September, that vibrant artwork on the store’s exterior was done in collaboration with street artist James De La Vega.

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We leave you with images of fairy tales re-created in another medium: balloons.

Larry Moss/Newsteam via The Daily Mail

Above we see Jack in the Beanstalk as crafted by a gentleman named Larry Moss.  Below, Rapunzel as envisioned by the artist.

Larry Moss/Newsteam via The Daily Mail

Amazing.

With that we say g’bye until next time!

Oh, Those Party Frocks! And Prep World New York

Hello-Hello, it seems we might be back to “normal,” although ascertaining just what ‘normal’ is continues to evolve.

At the very least we return to more normal blather and bloviations topics, beginning with last night’s Met Ball. Considered by many as the fashion world’s Oscars, the night brings out the A-list.  As Hilary Alexander wrote in The Telegraph:

“In terms of style, effort, money and glamour, this red carpet mother of all fashion-fests, orchestrated by Anna Wintour for the last 13 years, outshines them all.

It was an occasion for the well dressed and the merely wealthy.”

Below we see Ms Wintour (yes, that is The André in all his regal splendor to her right) in a stunning Chanel couture gown. On the right she is with her daughter, Bee Shaffer, who wore Balenciaga.

Getty Images

The formal name for the event is the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala.  This year’s event coincides with tomorrow’s opening of the highly anticipated Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty show.

Met Photos via WWD

As one might imagine, coming on the heels of the royal wedding and the two Sarah Burton McQueen wedding gowns, the atmosphere was electric. Below, the woman of the hour, Ms. Burton.

AP/Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker was in vintage McQueen.

AP Photos

Hamish Bowles was in McQueen.

Via

For those not familiar with the Costume Institute, it is part of the Met, housing more than 75,000 costumes and accessories.  Below, part of the Lauren clan, left to right we see Dylan Lauren, David Lauren and Lauren Bush.

Getty Images

Jessica Alba also wore Ralph Lauren, she was radiant.

Getty Images

There were some figure-hugging creations; below left, Fergie in a Marchesa gown more reminiscent of a wedding dress, on the right we see Beyonce in Emilio Pucci with her husband, Jay-Z.

Getty Images

How snug was Beyonce’s dress? She was unable to climb the stairs in it,

Getty Images

The lights are blinding, Renée Zellweger is silhouetted below.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty

Some of our favorite faux-prepsters from Gossip Girl were on hand, Leighton Meester was in Louis Vuitton, Blake Lively in Grecian-inspired Chanel and Jessica Szohr in… in.. umm, we have lost our notes, eek!

AP/Getty/WWD

The level of detailing on these gowns is extraordinary.

AP/Getty/WWD

Below, Dakota and Elle Fanning, both wore Valentino.

Getty Images

Perhaps our favorite gown of the evening was Ashley Greene’s, custom Donna Karan.

Getty Images

It was exquisite.

Last night the first menswear from Tory Burch debuted, seen on Kanye West; the designer was in vintage Jean Patou that was gorgeous.

Mike Segar/Reuters

Tommy Hilfiger his wife, Dee,and Jessica Stam wore Hilfiger.

Reuters

It is a busy week for Mr. Hilfiger, the designer’s collaborative line with Lisa Birnbach, Prep World, launches its first pop-up store in the US.

Prep World/Tommy Hilfiger

As covered in this post, the first pop-up store was in Paris. The temporary stores are designed to look like a beachside cottage in the Hamptons, below we show the model store.

Courtesy Image

And here is the real deal under construction in the Meatpacking district, originally scheduled to open the 28th of April, now looking like it will be ready for a Thursday opening.

The capsule collection features an array of products, many of them appealing.

 

Some of the merchandise is available online.

http://usa.tommy.com/tommy/index.jsp?ctcampaign=871&ctkwd=tommyhilfiger&ctmatch=Exact&ctcreative=10700438385&gclid=CMGv_q2izKgCFUOo4AodOWuZpQ

For more background on the line, click here. If interested in seeing the Paris Prep World, click here.

Apologies for the brevity today, but we must race out the door!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Kristin Somody Whalen/WWD
• Steve Eichner/WWD

Dressing for Dinner with Tory, Vuitton’s Creatures, Has Kate Designed her own Dress?!?

Hello-Hello, welcome to a new week.

We begin with a little party-hopping, Tory Burch was honored at last week’s “Dinner with a Designer” gala, put on by the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America).

John Shearer/Getty Images via WWD.com

We were intrigued by what the folks at The Fashion Lovers said about how guests were dressed:

“In a night where everyone dressed a little too casual for my taste, it was nice to see some stars dressed up a bit.”

Below, Haillee Steinfeld (l) and Eva Amurri (r), both wearing Tory Burch.

John Shearer/Getty Images via WWD

Other stars on hand, Teresa Palmer, Michelle Monaghan and Kristin Davis, all three ladies are also dressed in pieces by the designer.

PHOTOS: John Shearer/Getty Images via WWD.com

We’re guessing singer Eliza Doolittle may be one of those underdressed individuals being referenced in the quote above.

John Shearer/Getty Images via WWD

It is difficult to grasp why anyone would arrive at a party attired this way.

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A few very brief updates on the Kate Middleton wedding dress front, the rumors and speculation are now flying at a fast and furious clip.

• Over the weekend Yvonne Yorke wrote “exclusively!” in a HuffPo post that the designer is Sophie Cranston of Libélula, some readers may recognize the Dulwich coat from that label as worn earlier this year by Miss Middleton.
  

  FAME via The Huffington Post

• One peril of suddenly achieving notoriety on a global scale, the traffic can crash your website.

Via Libélula

• The Daily Mail then breathlessly reported another version of the story:

“Kate designs her own dress: It’s ivory satin and lace with pearl buttons a 10ft train and a ‘nod’ to Lady Diana”

We’re guessing that before we hit publish on this post there will be many more headlines on the topic, it is all becoming very entertaining to watch from afar. (For our two cents on the designer’s wedding gowns, click here to visit sister site What Kate Wore.)

One other note, this one on a footwear line favored by Kate Middleton that we also happen to like, Women’s Wear Daily reports that LK Bennett is entering the US market.

PHOTO: Robert Mitra/WWD

The line will be available this fall at Bloomingdale’s and other upscale shops, as well as two LK Bennett boutiques.

Again, not everyone is interested in the event and all of the hoopla surrounding it. In fact, Page Six reports that NBC is scaling back some of its coverage of the event:

“NBC Universal has cut a number of pretaped segments from its “aggressive and comprehensive coverage” of the royal wedding because insiders fear Prince William and Kate Middleton are “too boring,” according to sources.

“But sources told us worries over viewer fatigue resulted in a decision to cut up to half of the pretaped footage. “They’re allotting fewer resources to it because they’re afraid it’s not going to rate well,” said one.”

According to the paper NBC denies they are cutting back on coverage.

Last week we mentioned a gift popular among those not-quite-so-interested in the goings-on:

Via Sorry But...

We have good news for stateside readers interested in the mugs, they are now available internationally.

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We also have quick word about what is being called a “True Prep” sale at online “members only” site Gilt Groupe. The sale is described this way:

“A preppy look is always spot-on for spring—think elegant lawn parties and trips around the Cape—and in this sale you’ll find pieces that go way beyond basic polo. Stock up on buttoned-up basics like cute cardigans and madras dresses, plus an array of pants, skirts, and trenches.”

Below, some of the images accompanying the promotional information (we don’t recognize *any* of the three styles shown).

Via Gilt.com

Frequent readers know we are more-than-underwhelmed by promotion touting the “members-only” aspect of the flash-sale sites, as anyone can join. (If in need of an invitation just click here.)

However, Gilt has previously offered decent discounts, so it is likely we’ll take a peek at what is offered; the sale opens (in a virtual sense) online at midnight tonight (12:01am Tuesday to be more precise).  Gilt is also offering $5.95 shipping on all orders through the 21st, nothing to scoff at IOHO. (They are currently running a Shoshanna sale, another line we are rather fond of here at The Prepatorium.)

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We leave you with a few amazing creations from Louis Vuitton.

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

The ‘creatures’ are all made of small Vuitton leather goods, created at the company’s request by UK artist Billie Achilleos.  Above and below, the “Grasshopper.”

Via "If Its Hip Its Here"

The Chameleon.

Via If Its Hip Its Here

The armadillo.

Via If Its Hip Its Here

A very different use for the usual offerings from the luxury leather goods company.

Goodbye until next time!

“Parisian Prep” & Brooks Brothers… on Twitter?

Hello-Hello, happy Monday!

We begin with an interpretation of the prep aesthetic we hadn’t previously encountered, one dubbed “Parisian Prep” by a writer at the Daily Gamecock, USC’s student newspaper.

“Parisian prep is the preppy style to be influenced by, and is not to be confused with the Ivy League prep of Oxford shirts and plaid skirts.”

The writer is Amber Rose, here is more from her column:

“As flawlessly showcased at Louis Vuitton, it includes the classic black-and-white-striped tee paired with bright pastels such as pink, green and muted browns.”

We’re not sure if this is what Ms. Rose had in mind or not, but below we show looks from the upcoming Louis Vuitton Resort collection.

(A personal aside: the logo/LV monogram dress on the right is utterly hideous.) Back to the story:

“Bold tweed suits or accessories are always classically French, beginning years ago with the classic Chanel suit. To make it more “of the now,” pick a graphic pattern in black and white, throw on a solid V-neck or graphic tee underneath and again add some cute flats and a scarf.”

The piece is illustrated with this photo, rather odd as the story’s focus is on feminine styles. But knowing the tight budgets at newspapers these days, let alone student newspapers, we understand the paucity of images, and applaud Ms. Rose for seizing the topic and running with it.

MCT via The Daily Gamecock

It is always fun seeing other interpretations of the style, and hope you enjoy reading about the topic as well.

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A few quick techno-updates of note, both involving prep retailers.  In the “Will wonders never cease?” category, Brooks Brothers has joined Twitter. Upon ‘following’ Brooks on Twitter, one receives a message from the retailer:

“Thx for following America’s Original Clothier. Please view our style legend to see how we’ll be fashioning our Tweets.”

The message links to this image, a brief explainer of acronyms the venerable retailer plans to use when Tweeting. (For the uninitiated, “Tweets” must be 140 characters or less, so abbreviations like these help keep the word count down.)

Courtesy Brooks Brothers

How exactly does the company use the micro-blogging/messaging service? Here is one of today’s Tweets:

While we don’t have any snappy acronyms, we do Tweet; pop over and say ‘hello’ if so inclined. (If interested, Brooks has also established a Facebook page, done in a very Brooks manner.)

Our other update involves Lilly Pulitzer, the company has overhauled its blog, A Colorful Blog.

"A Colorful Life"

The new design is light, bright, and very easy on the eyes, while also maintaining the whimsical style one associates with Lilly.

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We also have a few Sales & Savings to pass on, we’re guessing these will be plentiful between now and the end of the week.

• Fans of Tory Burch may have an interest in tomorrow’s sale at RueLaLa, one of those online ‘members only’ shopping sites; the merchandise will be offered starting at 11am. If in need of an invite, just click here. (Those with a sweet tooth may be intrigued by the Mrs. Prindable’s sale as well, beginning at the same place and time.)
• Neiman’s Last Call is touting 40% off one’s entire purchase, both online and in-store, through Tuesday night at midnight. And call us crazy, but somehow we expect Needless Markup Neimans to offer more discounts this holiday week and weekend.

Speaking of Last Call, the two new Last Call Studio stores are now open in Paramus (NJ) and Rockville (MD).  Leilah at Madison Avenue Spy actually visited one, and posted about the shopping experience, saying the store “…closely resembles a Nordstrom Rack or a Saks Off Fifth.”  Here is a photo at the Studio store Leilah shot.

Via Madison Avenue Spy

We posted about the new ‘Studio’ stores back in October when the company announced their addition to the Neiman’s family and must say, we did not expect the new outlets to look this… well, spartan.  Our sense of how the new chain will do?  On the surface of things it seems likely to further dilute the brand, shoppers won’t know the difference between the three shops: Neiman Marcus, “regular” Last Call stores and Last Call Studio stores.

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For today’s Pretty in Pink feature we leave you with two items, both from museum shops, wonderful places to while away the time as you whittle down your shopping list.  One such place that we love is the MOMA store; below left we show the Fuchsia Lollipop Snowman, $20 ($18 for members); on the right we see the Pink Heart Vase from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, $22.

With that, g’bye until next time!