‘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!

SAY HELLO: Juicy Couture, Tory Burch, Nordstrom SAY GOODBYE: Harold’s, ‘O at Home,’ Club Libby Lu, Men’s Vogue

Well if it isn’t the economy, then it’s the economy!

Yawn. (Please have the houseman send two Excedrin. STAT.)

Before we do all the dreary-dreary, let’s start with some fun news, like Tory Burch opening her Palm Beach store today!

Conveniently located right on Worth Avenue, this is the designer’s 16th store; next month her 17th opens in New York’s meatpacking district.  This reminds us, has everyone seen the new Reva in suede?

Another designer landing nearby on Worth? Michael Kors, with a new boutique he has planned for a long time, according to a story in the Palm Beach Daily News:

“In America, the warm-weather place to be is Palm Beach,” he said. “Palm Beach has always been on my radar.”

Also, Nordstrom *finally* opened their new store in Naples last Friday. At last!  And the Juicy Couture flagship on Fifth is now open, following Thursday night’s big do. Below, co-founders Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor.

Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Juicy Couture

From the halls of popular prep school drama Gossip Girl star Blake Lively was on hand for the Juicy festivities.

Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Juicy Couture

Co-star and real life significant other(?) Penn Badgley was on hand along with Jessica Szohr…

Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Juicy Couture

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Many readers are probably familiar with most of these dreary headlines, but just in case anyone missed them along the way…we start with Saks announcing last week that it is closing the Club Libby Lu stores; that is almost 100 shops in total.

The company expects to have all closed by the end of their first-quarter in 2009.

Then we had surprising news today about perennial Wall Street favorite J. Crew, according to an AP story via CNBC:

“Shares of J. Crew Group Inc. fell to an all-time low Monday after an analyst said she expects weaker results from the apparel and accessories retailer…”

And now we are ever-so-glad the Queen Mother wasn’t planning to purchase the new flat-screen at Circuit City, with their bankruptcy announcement today.

But here is the loss that really hurts, hitting too close to home for our sensitivities. Harold’s.

Courtesy Harold's

During our years doing tv in Oklahoma City we frequently found ourselves at the Harold’s at Penn Place if shopping in town. Our favorite out-of-town Harold’s haunts were at River Oaks, The Galleria in Dallas and on Lover’s Lane; we would also pop into the store at Tyson’s when visiting that part of the galaxy.  Even TSU (The Spousal Unit) went nuclear upon hearing the news.

The liquidation sales started last Friday; the company expects it will take approximately four months to finish selling the merchandise.  Sniff.  Tissue please.

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The word came last week that “O at Home,” the quarterly spun off from “O: The Oprah Magazine,‘ will cease publishing with the Winter issue.  Any future issues will be part of O.

The Princess Consort was concerned when he learned that Men’s Vogue will essentially cease publishing, although technically it is being ‘absorbed’ by Vogue, and hopes to publish twice a year.  (Okay… truth be told, the Consort won’t miss this one iota, it is I who enjoyed flipping through the pages.)

And here is one that rapidly became one of our more enjoyable business reads, Conde Nast’s Portfolio. It is dropping from twelve to ten issues a year.

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We are in peril of becoming completely distraught, so rather than going off the deep end we shall mention the Great Preppy Giveaway here at  Preppy Princess Intergalactic Headquarters, where it is *always* pink and green.

You can win an outstanding Bungalow Scout Tote, simply by leaving a comment mentioning something about America you are thankful for… that’s it!  Just fill in the blank: “I am thankful __________” and leave a comment and you are entered!  Plus, if you mention the Giveaway on your blog and you win, you receive a fabulous set of oh-so-preppy Madras Photocards as a second gift that we’ll send to anyone of your choosing! And we pay the postage on all of this!

It is our way of saying ‘Thank You’ to all of our faithful customers and blogging friends! This contest closes at midnight Wednesday night, and the next one begins early Thursday, so have some fun…you just might be the lucky winner! For more information, click here to read detailed specifics and background!

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For today’s Pretty in Pink item we honor Club Libby Lu (not that TP has ever set foot in one, but we have heard about them…does that almost count?!) with the Pop Sugar Polka Dot Cupcake PJ Set in pink.

Club Libby Lu

Until later… grins and giggles.

Finally: Sasha and Malia Obama Election Night Dress Info

Hello-Hello!

Before we say anything, let us publicly thank Miss Fabulous herself, Kate at the Nautical by Nature blog for tipping us on where to get the scooop about those darling dresses worn by Malia and Sasha Obama on election night.  Below, a photo of the future First Family on Tuesday night.

Joe Raedle/Getty

As we reported on Thursday, (although at that time we were not entirely convinced it was actually the same dress), the bright red dress worn by Malia Obama is by Biscotti, Inc. The full name of the item is the Biscotti Girls Precious Jewels Christmas Party Dress with Bubble Hem.

PHOTO

According to this report on the Journal’s Fashion Blog, Biscotti has been inundated with requests from buyers:

“Buyers really, really wanted it. We found out we had more of the fabric so we’re quickly producing more,” said Bernadette Reiss, Biscotti’s co-owner. The label says it has enough fabric to make 150 to 200 more pieces.

Here is the Nordstrom photo, followed by a tight shot of the belt that comes with the dress, although Malia opted for a more understated belt.

The dress is made in Vietnam, and Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan’s story notes that this additional run now being manufactured should be available in stores in approximately three weeks.

The story reports that an Obama family spokesperson says the dress was purchased at Nordstrom, which is where we originally showed the item, available at $110.  Best Dressed Child also shows the dress, but at $104. While this style does appear to be sold out/selling out fast, there are a number of *very* similar styles by Biscotti, including this one; the primary difference is in the sleeves and the big bow in the back. We show the dress as available at ‘Shop Girl Super Chic Boutique‘.

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Here is one of the matching cardigans or shrugs in the Biscotti Girls Precious Jewels Christmas Party group.

We now move on to the incredibly sweet party frock with the giant bow on the front worn by Sasha Obama. We have deliberately kept the photo almost full-size to better show the dress.

PHOTO: Jim Bourg

It turns out the dress is made by Gerson & Gerson, Inc., according to another story on the Journal’s fashion blog.  The company’s headquarters and showroom are in New York; their apparel is made under the Iris & Ivy label as well as the Bonnie Jean name.

“… the company has nevertheless sold out of the $72 dress that it makes under the Iris & Ivy children’s label and sells at retailers like Nordstrom and Dillard’s.”

PHOTO: Jason Reed/Reuters

Here is a photo from the Gerson & Gerson website; the URL may also show up in your browser as “Bonnie Jean.”  Gerson is the parent company to that line.

Ms. Tan’s story includes company President Barbara Zein’s plans for exploiting the Sasha Obama connection to their dress:

“Ms. Zein already has plans to further capitalize on the Obama connection. “We’re bringing back the style immediately in a different fabrication,” says Ms. Zein, who adds that the pieces will probably be in stores by spring. To cement the link to the new First Family, she’s given the style a name: Sasha.”

TP believes there is a very fine line between smart, aggressive marketing and the boundaries of good taste. Ms. Zein’s toe just went over it.

PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty

Above all, the Obama children looked beautiful and were charming throughout the evening. Below, a behind the scenes photo shows Sasha giving big sister Malia a little kiss as Mom watches.

Obama Campaign

There is an entire album of behind-the-scenes photographs available for anyone to view at the Flckr website.

Another fun set of photos? The “Project Runway Ball Gown Challenge” over at the Daily Beast. Here is just one sketch, from Chris March, a Season 4 semifinalist.

TheDailyBeast.com

Another tidbit from Tuesday night we hadn’t shared (for space considerations) is the Vogue magazine chatter. Below, a fun shot of Vogue magazine’s editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley, via Fashion Week Daily’s story. TP loved reading this if only for the knowledge she was not hallucinogenic Tuesday evening when watching the events in Grant Park.

Fashion Week Daily

Mr. Talley and Vogue Editor Anna Wintour hosted numerous fund-raising parties on behalf of the Obama-Biden ticket.  As NY Magazine‘s wonderful blog The Cut reported in June :

“Rumor has it André Leon Talley is just dying to get his hands on Michelle Obama. The New York Post reports he wants to style her, like he did Venus Williams for the Costume Institute gala or Jennifer Hudson at the 2007 Oscars. Only ALT’s not always spot-on with his wardrobe choices; many critics flat-out hated the gold python bolero jacket Hudson wore at said Oscars. And some Democrats are a wee bit nervous that Talley might lead Obama to fashion faux pas–dom as well. (Since when did these politicos become so fashion-conscious?)”

But the real chatter involves Ms. Obama appearing on Vogue’s cover, a tradition for First Ladies, although not always immediately following the elction. Another celebrity in the VIP area of Chicago’s Grant Park Tuesday was super-celebrity Oprah Winfrey.

PHOTO: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty

We have to post this photo collage because we just didn’t realize all the magazine covers featuring the President-elect prior to the election.

Courtesy Gawker.com

We have yet to obtain positive confirmation that Cassandra Bromfield has been selected to create Michelle Obama’s gown for the Inaugural Balls, or that she is designing daywear for the other events on January 20th. Below, another image

Courtesy Cassandra Bromfield

A Manly Take on Fashion Week & Another Gossip Girl Preppy Look

Hello-Hello and Happy Friday! The Princess is ever-so-pleased to welcome a weekend after playing catch-up most of the week from our mini-vacation.

We are most assuredly ready for some Friday Fun. With that pleasant prospect in mind we start with a quick hit we would almost consider “must reading” for its entertainment value: Time magazine’s column on Fashion Week. A sample:

[F]ashion shows are the most serious events in the entire world. Nobody in the audience smiles or talks; the models look like they’re on the Bataan death march; and people slowly, lifelessly clap at the end. I’ve been to political panels, criminal trials, locker rooms of playoff losers, graduate English classes and the Ron Paul convention, and I’ve never seen people take themselves quite this seriously.”

Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for IMG

The writer is the talented Joel Stein who may need his own bodyguard after writing this:

“Vogue editor Anna Wintour, whom I vaguely knew as the lady who wears Prada and is remarkably similar to the Devil, has two bodyguards–that’s how serious fashion is. I’ve interviewed a lot of celebrities, and you know who had bodyguards? Nobody.”

If already planning to visit the Time site, one might want to read their review of the new Candace Bushnell novel “One Fifth Avenue,” a title we have mentioned in previous posts.

Already talking about fashion does allow us to segue right into our next topic, an interesting quote from this week’s Gossip Girl as uttered by the character Blair:

“Are those Tory Burch’s last-season flats?”

We presume it was spoken in horror (oh the shame of wearing last season’s styles) but were also pondering the fact that prior to this primetime hit it is difficult to conceive of dialogue written that specifically about a designer, or playing a role of this importance in a plotline. (Full disclosure: TP did not watch the show but simply saw the quote so many places we felt compelled to share it with those who are fans.)

So, in our apparently never-ending “How to Dress Like Gossip Girl” category we have four quick pieces from a wonderful column by The Chic Spy. The primary style statement is the Sonia Rykiel blazer. Cropped shorter than what one is likely to find at Brooks Brothers, and with oversized (the Queen Mother’s translation: loud) buttons, the double-breasted blazer is available at Net-a-Porter.

The other important piece is one that would send TP into a Logophobic coma were it not for the smelling salts, the the Burberry wraparound check kilt, complete with fringe, brass pin and double side buckles. The kilt, made in Scotland, has a velcro closure inside the waist. Velcro. Indeed.

Should the look be one that you find appealing, the skirt is available in an almost identical style in Girl’s Sizes 2-14 on the Burberry website.

The Spy also showcases Nanette Lepore pumps and the Be & D “Kan Kan Tote” available for pre-order on the website. If that brand sounds familiar, it may be you are remembering Be and Steve’s insanely popular Garbo handbag from last year. And if not a G2 fan, stop by and visit The Spy for some simply delightful reading.

On the topic of reading, here is one addition to the Fall reading list you may enjoy, definitely a ‘must’ for us: Valentino: Themes and Variations by Pamela Golbin.

The book was released earlier this month and it looks just stunning and with Rizzoli as the publisher you know the quality will be top-notch.

Do enjoy!

J Crew & Polo Ralph Lauren Sales, Preppy vs. Pirate

Before we get to the ‘Preppy vs. Pirate’ debate, a couple of ‘breaking sale updates’ for everyone. J. Crew is doing the oh-so-wonderful “take an additional 25” off both online and at the brick and mortar stores as well.

Not far behind are the bright minds at Polo Ralph Lauren with a little invite to stop by their Sale with “Savings up to 60%” now. How can you resist when it’s something like these Polo Ralph Lauren Madras Shorts for Boys 2-7?

Or this Tory Burch Chain Print Sleeveless dress at Neiman Marcus where amazingly, it is also ‘Take an additional 25% off’ most sale merchandise.

Or the goodies at the twice a year Hanna Andersson sale!

Moving on now, as many are no doubt aware, one of the biggest tennis tourneys of the year kicked off yesterday. If you’re not sure which one, think about about the most storied stop on the Grand Slam tour. Here’s a visual aid…

Still pondering…? It’s time for tennis at Wimbledon across the pond in the UK! You know, the one with all the Ralph Lauren uniforms?

And today’s little post involves the contrast in styles between über Swiss star Roger Federer and superstar Spaniard Rafael Nadal. We must confess that in all our travels, there is nothing quite so fun as being in the UK and loading up on the British tabs (tabloid newspapers), then settling in to read up on current events. And other things. You absolutely have to love their creativity in covering the same story year in and year out; some of this year’s recent headlines include: “Style Wars on Centre Court” and “Preppy vs Pirate” to name a few. Just to give you an idea:

Now that’s what we like to see! Let’s make that news interesting! (The journalist in us forces us to say we use the word ‘news’ in the broadest of ways here.) Many of you may be familiar with the verbiage oft used in coverage of these two talented players; Mr. Nadal is frequently referred to as the “swashbuckling Spaniard” while the descriptor ‘preppy’ is mentioned in association with Mr. Federer. And it would seem the two live up to those appellations. The single most popular photo as of this writing on the official Wimbledon website is Roger Federer in the cashmere cardigan seen below as he walked onto the court yesterday for his first round match.

Below, Mr. Nadal’s style as he entered the venue for his first round match today:

Both men won their opening matches, moving on to the second round. If you are wondering about the so-called pirate shorts, the Nike marketing minds deserve credit for creating them, a brilliant step in forming Mr. Nadal’s image. As far as Mr. Federer’s image and style goes, they are now as carefully cultivated as a hybrid Hydrangea. And you might be surprised at the fashionable mind who was instrumental in drastically changing forming them: Vogue Editrix Anna Wintour! And (this is the real shocker in our most humble opinion), as part of the makeover, Ms. Wintour not only took the time to watch Mr. Federer’s matches at the US Open in the middle of Fashion Week, she actually looked… happy.

Le Dour Wintour looking huh-huh-happy? Happy? We need to locate one of the fainting couches here at the Prepatorium and attempt to wrap our minds around that concept whilst gazing at the photographic evidence. Above, a photo of the Vogue Editor at last year’s US Open. Smiling. Keep in mind, this is the woman who actually wore Prada to The Devil Wears Prada premiere. As always, we show photos, you decide.

Now The Princess has also learned that Anna Wintour’s time and dedication to Mr. Federer have been quite the hot topic in certain circles – oh my! Not only is she suspected of nudging Men’s Vogue to throw a dinner in his honor last year, but she also procured an additional ticket when none (n-o-n-e) were available and escorted him to the Oscar de la Renta show.

Below, a few photos from a spread featuring Mr. Federer in Men’s Vogue, including a few with longtime girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec.

Now both the Roger Federer line and the Rafael Nadal items at Nike’s online store should you be interested in having some for your very own tennis matches. As if this conversation were not enough, a London paper has dubbed the BBC’s Wimbledon Commentator ‘preppy.’ The Telegraph has a delightful profile of Tim Henman, a former tennis player turned television presenter.

His shoulders, neck, face – everything – make him look more like a rangy adolescent than a 34-year-old man. With a fine, beige V-neck sweater over a white shirt and with that thick mop of dark hair, he has a very preppy look.

We’ll have the Serena Williams trenchcoat and Maria Sharapova’s tuxedo separates in our next post. Promise.

Toodles.