Hello-Hello and Happy Wednesday!

How is everyone doing? Here at the Prepatorium we are clawing our way back to health (a tad overly dramatic, don’t you think?!) but the absentee rate at several local school districts is at 30 – 32%. Ouch.

We start with a look at a new collection from one of our faves, LL Bean.

Courtesy LL Bean via WWD

The company’s new Signature line was revealed to fashion writers last week.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

We have more details from this story in WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription req’d.):

“…200-piece collection, split evenly between men’s and women’s, is clearly indebted to Bean’s past but the line marches into new territory with items like relaxed cotton suits and washed oxford dress shirts for him, and wrap dresses and sandal cork wedges for her.”

The company is engaged in a number of initiatives to broaden their appeal; some readers may recall this August post chatting about the return of Bean’s classic Norwegian sweater.  Here are more looks from the new collection:

More from the WWD story:

“Carleton pulled in diverse bits of Americana, from the Forties, via Hepburn-style denim pants and jacket, to the early Eighties, by way of bleached plaid shirts and ringer polos. The influence of WASP casual also abounds in the oxford cloth dress shirt, madras blazer, sun-bleached knits, and leather moccasins.”

We have previously talked up award-winning designer Alex Carleton, occasionally featuring pieces from his Rogues Gallery line; Mr. Carleton was hired by Bean to oversee this collection. Below, styles from Rogues Gallery demonstrates why he was the perfect choice for the Signature line.

He also designed for LL Bean before moving on to create the Rogues Gallery line.  Simply put, Mr. Carleton gets it – the lifestyle, the look, the legitimacy we all demand.  Below we see Mr. Carleton and a model at the press debut of the collection.

Courtesy GQ

A number of looks for women:

Photo via Style List

The reaction from Style.com:

“Fittingly, the look ran from rugged (plaid button-downs, khakis) to more feminine (ditsy floral shirts, preppy striped knits, a little madras dress). There were also great accessories in leather carryalls, oversize totes, and cute macramé belts with tortoise buckles.”

Glam’s take on the new line:

“…a line of easy breezy separates that college prepsters and beach bound fashionistas will be coveting…”

This one has the potential for the Official Seal of Prepaliciousness.  The collection officially launches in March, you may want to bookmark this site for future reference.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reclining while recovering has allowed us to spend more time than usual browsing that unholy pile our carefully curated collection of magazines. While doing so yesterday we fell upon this photo in Elle.  Recognizing every single reader may have long ago seen (or perhaps posted) this image, we still felt compelled to share the pink and green fun.

Photo: Thomas Whiteside/Elle

We have word a few Sales & Savings opportunities, beginning with the J. Crew Fall Sale.

Lord and Taylor is offering their version of Friends and Family.

Use promo code FRIENDS at checkout to receive 25% off most merchandise.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Recently we mentioned the newest version of the Armani phone; in the interest of equal time here is the new Dior phone.  If planning on one of these for a stocking stuffer you will need to make choices: color, plating and the recipient’s preference for sapphires or diamonds.

Don’t dawdle, they become available in December and it is possible they will go quickly.  Indeed.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We close with these images accompanying Refinery 29’s story on four-legged beasts taking jobs away from human models – oh no!

Courtesy Opening Ceremony via Refinery 29

Opening Ceremony is using these furry style stars to market the outstanding bow ties created by Alexander Olchs. Below, a few more looks at the dogs…. ummm, we mean the ties.

It’s all about the ties. Absolutely it is.

Courtesy Opening Ceremony via Refinery 29

Silly Tilly was feeling somewhat left out. We explained we knew there would be scads of opportunities in her future once she is out of her collar.

That made her feel much better and she returned to her normal state.

She does love her sleep. (She loves her blue binky and burrows into it before sleeping. It is like watching a big blue mushroom move about the floor. She  is truly an amazing creature.)

Until next time dollfaces, may you and those you love stay healthy!

Hello-Hello, and Happy Day to all, especially those enjoying a day off, a little respite from their normal schedule!

We must begin by sending great good wishes, big smiles, hugs, prayers and lots of love to two of our favorite bloggers who started on a new path this weekend….

Courtesy Classic Confection Cakes

Congratulations to the one and only Muffy Martini and Daisy JD (Just Daisy), they married the loves of their lives Saturday.

Courtesy BlissTree.com

And now they are off honeymooning, whoo-hoo! (Note: photos are not from either wedding.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Moving on, big news for anyone who enjoys Liz Claiborne:

The line is being moved exclusively to Penney’s. Both the men’s and women’s labels are making the move; if things are going well after five years, Penney’s can even buy the name.

John Aquino/WWD

Liz Claiborne New York, moves to QVC and the company’s outlet stores.  The WWD story on this notes something TP has wondered about for some time: the perils of watering down a designer’s caché by creating multiple labels sold in similar stores.  As the firm’s CEO, William L. McComb, put it:

“It was time to break the conflict inherent in the strategy that had a lower-priced offering of the Liz Claiborne brand at one department store in the mall [Penney’s] and a higher-priced version of it in a department store across the mall [Macy’s],”

This brings comparisons to American Living, the Polo Ralph Lauren brand sold at Penney’s. Below, a fashion look and a table lamp, both from that collection.

It’s unlikely there is much brand dilution with this line; most retailing insiders believe the line really bears little resemblance to standard PLR merchandise.

Other retailers have done well with designer collections specifically for their customers, such as the Simply Vera by Vera Wang and Dana Buchman lines  at Kohl’s, and Tommy Hilfiger is now sold only at Macy’s or Hilfiger stores.

From a big picture perspective this also allows the Claiborne company to focus more attention on several brands many readers are familiar with: Kate Spade, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Juicy Couture.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We have a few more Pretty in Pink things to share, starting with an extra cute pair of Keds.

The Keds Champion Pink Ribbon sneaker benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation – the company is donating 100% of proceeds to the BCRF.

Speaking of shoes, how about these Ragg Kids Puppy for infants and toddlers?

Or these Bibi Kids Laceups, also for infants and toddlers?

If TP and the Consort had been blessed with human children we would be bankrupt; every single cent would be spent on shoes for the little ones, they are simply too cute!

Another delightful find, Kate Spade’s Bon Vivant Lilia, actually something of a bargain right now.

Because of the chilly temps outside, we have to share the Pink Funnelneck coat from Old Navy.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We leave with a look at the next generation Armani phone.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

It does look sleek and elegant – dare we say understated?

Courtesy Photo via WWD

However, we’re more than content with our iPhone tucked into its shocking pink case and we also have a greater understanding of just how easily one might become addicted to dependent upon the technology.

Until tomorrow,  we send smiles to each and every cherished readers!

Who called it?

I called it.

Microsoft, Armani, and Samsung revealed the brand new and seriously overpriced Armani Phone (it hasn’t been given a price tag yet, but I’m sure it will cost far more than it should).

I can say with absolute certainty that I will not be purchasing this device, but you’re more than welcome to… help spend our way out of a recession.

Cellulare-Magazine ha effettuato un video del nuovo Samsung Armani Phone…

Fonte: Cellulare-Magazine