Lilly Pulitzer shows us the preppy way to close out the Summer season with a great line.

“Ah, the family clambakes on the beach, sunset sails on the lake, a mean game of horseshoes in the afternoon…the days maybe getting shorter, but we choose to believe summer CAN last forever! Hold onto it as long as you can in these new sun-washed colors and preppy prints.”

That’s the teaser posted on the Lilly Pulitzer website showcasing their Endless Summer Collection. The Collection is a transition line from Summer to Fall featuring light sweaters and jean jackets but there are still warm weather items available. I must say the clothes look smashing especially the Sienna Picnic Dress. Altogether classic Lilly styling and a great way to end the season.

The essence of preppy Nantucket style from a true blue Preppy.

I don't know about you, but I wish Spring was here already. How's the weather in your area? From where I'm at, it has been miserably cold. Nevertheless, we can all take comfort in the fact that this will be another great Spring season as far as Preppy clothes are concerned!

The first collection we will look at is Nantucket Brand.

The brand was founded by Andrew Maury, a true blue Preppy born and raised on Nantucket. He also attended Nantucket High School as well as Boston College. The Maury family has been in Nantucket since 1946. He founded the company during his first year out of college and describes the brand as "a casual, preppy clothing line". The brand features clothing and accessories for men and women with a children's line to be added this year. You can find Nantucket Brand at Main Street in Nantucket, online, and at select retail locations. Nantucket Brand was launched in 2005 and their clothes are essentially Spring/Summer gear at this time.

As for the women's line, it has pretty much every Preppy basics you can imagine. These include cute polos, print and plain beach skirts, shorts, cable, as well as plain knit sweaters. They also sell accessories such as belts, hats, and a very preppy tote bag with their whale logo.

You have got to visit their website. They have a slideshow of their customers wearing their gear which is very preppy. They also had a cute mini fashion show from last year (as featured by Plum TV) at one point but it looks like it's no longer available.

I'm definitely looking forward to featuring more of Nantucket Brand in the future. I love the name by the way along with their tagline "The essence of Nantucket". For more, please visit nantucketbrand.com.

Summer never looked so preppy with beautiful patchwork dresses and shorts.

I always enjoy visiting the Vineyard Vines website. It’s always interesting to see all those activities they're promoting or sponsoring every year. You can find everything from sailboat races to college tours. Their collection also keeps growing. The women's line is no exception and there are lots of great items to shop for this summer. Most notable are their patchwork skirts, halters and Bermuda shorts. They are really nice and the patchwork patterns are just lovely. I also hope they have those navy shep shirts with the lacrosse logo (featured below) available. They are very preppy!

On a different note, Ian Murray's (one of the founders) band is having a concert today. You can check them out the Filmore New York at Irving Plaza. Vineyard Vines is also promoting a lineup of new and upcoming artists with a CD titled "Fresh Produce". You can download the tracks here.

Great sporty (and preppy) styles from Jack Wills plus a cool photo shoot for Spring 07.

They keep getting preppier and preppier over there at Jack Wills. Seems like every collection just keeps getting better and better. It's that irresistible laidback preppy style that really works for them. The latest photo shoot makes you feel like you're in New England. There's one photo (couple in a car) that reminds me of the cover of an old J.Crew fall catalog. There's also a great shot with a Land Rover Defender!

The women's collection is of course very sporty. They have polos, cable knits, rugbies and etc. Don't think they're a fan of dresses over at Jack Wills. The collection for guys rocks too.

Nice.Simple.Preppy.

Spring Preview: Ralph Lauren Women's Collection 2007

Classic, cinema style glamour with lots of elegance and mystery. Ralph Lauren debuts a winning collection for next spring.

With still so much bohemian influence in womenswear these days, it's refreshing to see something like this. Here 's the press release from the Ralph Lauren website introducing the collection:

For spring 2007, Ralph Lauren embraces a youthful, sophisticated elegance that mixes refined luxury with cinematic glamour and an air of mystery.

Bold new proportions highlight the contrast between strict, tailored men's suiting and feminine, flirty tea dresses. The sharpness of a Panama hat adds a jaunty Casablanca feel. The clean lines of crisp shirting and ultra lean pants set a new standard for understated sexiness. Wide-leg trousers lend ease to structured silhouettes. The spit and polish of patent bags and open-toe pumps adds a final touch of glamour.

The exotic individual spirit of the collection comes through in a graphic native North African serape and hand-embroidered evening skirt. The eclectic mix of soft desert tones in rich fabrics accented with opulent metallic beadwork recalls the mysterious allure of an Indian raja.

Daytime details echo into the night as the unexpected contrast of lean linen shirting is juxtaposed with extravagant metallic brocades. Opulent silver chemise dresses make striking statements in the most streamline of silhouettes. Antique platinum lame gowns embroidered with architectural deco motifs are the epitome of pure glamour.

Here are some of our favorite looks:

Preppy Capri

J.Crew's beautiful photo shoot from the island of Capri.

Wow! That's what I said to myself when I visited the J.Crew website today. They're featuring a slideshow of their photo shoot from Capri. Capri is an Italian island off the Sorentine Peninsula. It's a beautiful resort that dates back to the Roman times.

I really have to it hand it to the folks at J.Crew. If there's one thing I can say about their photo shoots, they're classy. There’s something discreet about them and they also project an air of exclusivity. It’s almost like they prefer to shoot at locations where they know the crowds are least likely to be, if you know what I mean. They’re also beautiful. They posses a timeless and romantic quality worthy of a glossy journal or magazine. You can look at these images 10 years from now and they'll still be an inspiration. The creative direction is perfect all around.

As far as the clothes are concerned, I wonder sometimes if J.Crew’s designers are in love with the 50’s and 60’s. Besides capri pants, ballet flats and shirt dresses are favorites with them this year. The yellow striped shirt, driving cap and scarf combination on the second image has a vintage Italian flair to it. The scenes remind me of the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley.

J.Crew’s favorite moments from the shoot...

scenic cliffs sorround the bagni nettuno...discovering the local herb perfumes at the carthusia profumi di capri...sipping prossecco at picolo bar after a long day of shooting..and of course, la grotta azurra where we fell in love with capri every day, all over again...

J.Crew Women's Fall Collection 2006

The latest collection is all about hunt country style that is both sporty and elegant.

Back in early August, we were thinking of posting the J.Crew Fall Preview Collection but decided to wait. Those of you who are fans of the brand know they tend to have a series of campaigns within a given season. These are usually marked by a new catalogue or website redesign.

I think the wait was well worth it because the latest collection features beautiful and classic "hunt country" styles.

Classic items include check patterned pants and vintage style cord blazers. High riding style boots are a favorite this season. J.Crew also has their beautiful coats including the double-cloth Grace coat and their "editor's pick" Highland wool coat. For sweaters, we recommend taking a look at the Alpaca shawl-collar cardigan and the Wellesley cable turtleneck.

Don't you just love the photography?

J.Crew really knows how to capture preppy lifestyle moments. This latest shoot has the makings of a city girl who is now at home in the country estate she grew up in. A girl who has modern sensibilities, yet is mindful of enduring old traditions and the country style that makes her preppy.

Lilly Pulitzer Fall Collection 2006

Didn't we just feature a Lilly collection recently? Well, the Fall catalogue just came out and boy is it retro!

Some of the dresses look very fifties retro. I actually think these look better than the some of the vintage stuff they tried last summer. The green dress is the Portia and looks really sexy on the model. The model by the way is Amanda Hearst, Lilly Pulitzer Lover and publishing heiress. Gorgeus isn't she? She's also the great-granddaughter of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst.

If you're ever in California, visit the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. If you want to talk about old money, the Hearst family would be one glittering example of it. Hearst built this castle with a huge indoor pool built on a Roman bath design. The room is decorated from the bottom of the pool to the ceiling with one-inch square, glass mosaic tiles in cobalt blue and real gold. Besides newspapers, The Hearst Corporation owns magazines including Town & Country, Country Living and Cosmopolitan as well as other types of media.

I dag lanserer Scandinavian International Management institute (SIMI) et stipend p&>29; rundt 250.000 kroner for &>29; gi norske n&>30;ringslivstalenter en mulighet til &>29; videreutdanne seg i et internasjonalt prestisjetungt fagmilj&>48;.

Fr&>48;shaug-stipendet p&>29; 30.000 euro, om lag 250.000 norske kroner, deles ut til 1-2 kvalifiserte s&>48;kere. Stipendet har f&>29;tt navnet etter nordmannen Jan O. Fr&>48;shaug, som er en nestor innenfor nordisk og europeisk n&>30;ringsliv. Fr&>48;shaug er tidligere styreformann i SIMI, og har en stor del av &>30;ren for at SIMI trekker etablerte n&>30;ringslivsstjerner fra hele verden til videreutdanning i K&>48;benhavn.

- Fr&>48;shaug har hatt enorm betydning gjennom &>29; hjelpe SIMI med &>29; bygge et faglig forelesernettverk kun en eller to andre n&>30;ringslivsutdanninger i Europa kan m&>29;le seg mot. Dessuten har han v&>30;rt enest&>29;ende til &>29; knytte SIMI tettere p&>29; det skandinaviske n&>30;ringslivet. Derfor syntes SIMIs styre det var naturlig &>29; knytte stipendet til Fr&>48;shaugs navn, sier Niels Arnfred, rektor ved SIMI.

SIMI er et internasjonalt orientert eliteutdanningsinstitutt, og er det eneste av sitt slag i Norden. Fremfor &>29; knytte til seg professorer med gjennomsnittlig ferdighetsniv&>29;, &>29;pner SIMI lommeboken for &>29; hente internasjonale forskerstjerner fra toppuniversitetene i Europa og USA, blant dem Harvard, L BUS og INSEAD.

Fr&>48;shaug har selv en MBA fra INSEAD, og har rundt 40 &>29;rs ledererfaring fra internasjonale milj&>48;er. Fr&>48;shaug mener at norske ledere g&>29;r glipp av mange internasjonale fagimpulser ved &>29; ta hele lederutdanningen sin i Norge, samtidig som de ikke f&>29;r brynet seg mot de ypperste professorene.

- Tar nordmenn hele sin forretningsmessige utdanning i Norge, kommer de aldri i kontakt med de viktigste akademiske milj&>48;ene, som alle bruker de mest veldrevne internasjonale bedrifter som verksted for deres forskning og undervisning. Norske universitets- og h&>48;yskolel&>30;rere er sikkert som enkeltpersoner dyktige n&>30;ringslivsforskere og formidlere - men de har kun norske virksomheter &>29; forske p&>29;, og vi vil nesten aldri finne en akademisk stjerne ved en norsk institusjon. De befinner seg utenlands ved de mest anerkjente l&>30;resteder, hvor de har adgang til &>29; studere de beste virksomhetene, og hvor l&>48;nningene og prestisjen er h&>48;yere, sier Fr&>48;shaug. Han viser som eksempel til nordmannen Peter Lorange, som er rektor og leder av det sterke fagmilj&>48;et p&>29; IMD i Schweiz.

Very Exclusive Le Rosey

Today’s featured prep school takes us to Switzerland. Le Rosey has been the boarding school of choice for the children of many royals, rock stars, fashion moguls and billionaires.

Institut Le Rosey is a prestigious international boarding school founded in 1880. It is considered the oldest private boarding school in Switzerland and one of the most exclusive private education institutions in the world.

Le Rosey maintains two campuses.

During the spring and autumn, classes are held at the Ch&>26;teau du Rosey facilities in the village of Rolle in the Vaud Canton, located between Geneva and Lausanne. For the winter term, the entire student body moves to a group of chalets in Gstaad in the Bern Canton, home to a world class ski resort.

In terms of academics, Le Rosey offers two programs: the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the French Baccalaureate.

The school's student body has an international flavor with 60% coming from Europe, 20% from the Americas and 20% from Asia and Africa. Le Rosey maintains that no single country accounts for more than 10%. As of late, the school has also been admitting Swiss nationals to its program. Student ages range from 9 to 18 years and majority come from a Christian background.

Le Rosey keeps to a strict limit of 350 places.

If the school is full, certain students are placed on a waiting list and later offered a place if one becomes available.

What does it take to get in to Le Rosey? You have to be smart for one.

The school takes pride in its reputation for having a rigorous academic program. Linguistic ability to learn English or French is also important and more so as the student gains seniority. The school is also keen on screening personality going as far as to make the following statement on their website:

Our firm disciplinary codes and campus life make it difficult to accept children with a history of behavioral problems. Similarly, the over-indulged child will find it difficult to adapt to the demands of Le Rosey.

Translation: No spoiled brats, boarding school rejects or delinquents allowed at Le Rosey.

Another criteria for acceptance is of course, their admission fee.

As of 2006, the annual boarding and academic fees are CHF 77,400 (around USD 61,920 at a 0.8 exchange rate) and other services charged separately add up to around CHF 20,000.

Exactly what kind of amenities does one get for all of that money? Here's a few:

• A teacher-pupil ratio of 1: 6 and an average of one staff-member for every three students.
• The Le Rosey campus covers an extensive area of about thirty hectares, with ancient trees surrounding the school buildings and sports fields. This exceptional environment ensures top quality living accommodation, teaching areas and sports and arts facilities.
• The brand new Rosey Stables which has everything an equestrian could wish for. Situated a mere 20 minutes from Rolle, it offers first class facilities: 26 boxes for students and Le Rosey's own horses and ponies. It has a large indoor paddock, an outdoor riding track, a vast woodland area in the immediate vicinity, and a private club with catering facilities.
• The Le Rosey water sports centre situated on the banks of Lake Geneva a few minutes away from the Rolle campus. Sailing boats (lasers, catamarans and windsurf boards) are moored along the beach beside the equipment cabins. Completing the Rolle fleet are six “yoles” (rowboats), ski boats and the school yacht.

What is perhaps the school's most priced asset is its worldwide network of 4000 alumni which Le Rosey calls “A School for Life”. It's also an alumni that reaches the highest levels of some governments.

Bringing them all together is Le Rosey's alumni network - Association Internationale des Anciens Roséens (AIAR). The network maintains a website where alums can stay in touch and communicate with old friends. The website also features a job listings section which might make one wonder if there’s an openning in there for "Minister of Finance". Access to the website is strictly for alums only(no exceptions) and registration is done by contacting the school.

Here are some of Le Rosey's famous alumni:

• Aga Khan IV
• Princess Zahra Aga Khan
• King Albert II of Belgium
• Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia
• Tae Ashida, designer
• King Baudouin of Belgium
• Delphine Bo&>35;l, artist, illegitimate daughter of King Albert II of the Belgians
• Garech Browne The Hon., member of Guinness brewing dynasty & patron of Irish Arts
• Ian Campbell, Duke of Argyll
• John Casablancas, founder of Elite Model Management
• Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
• Dodi Al-Fayed, late movie producer, friend of Diana, Princess of Wales
• Andrea Ferragamo, of the Salvatore Ferragamo fashion house
• Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Italy
• Fuad II of Egypt, Fouad Farouk, last King of Egypt
• Pia Miller Getty, spokeswoman for Sephora cosmetics
• Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg
• Juliet Hartford, A&P Supermarket heiress
• Richard Helms, former director of the CIA and US Ambassador to Iran
• Ryan Johnston, son of The Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston
• Michael Kadoorie, Hong Kong billionaire hotelier
• Michael Korda, publisher
• A. Laurance Kaiser IV, venture capitalist
• Sean Taro Ono Lennon, musician; son of The Beatles', John Lennon
• Marie-Chantal Miller, Crown Princess of Greece
• Alexandra von Fürstenberg, creative designer for Diane von Furstenberg
• Nicholas Negroponte, Chairman MIT Media Lab, noted digital futurist
• Mwani Charles Ndizeye Ntare V former exiled King of Burundi
• Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, former Shah of Iran
• Jaime Ortíz-Pati&>41;o, global business magnate
• Pozzo di Borgo family, French aristocrats
• Prince Rainier III of Monaco
• Fisseha Yimer, Ethiopian aristocrats
• Winthrop Rockefeller Jr., former Governor of Arkansas
• Rothschild family members, of the banking dynastic family
• Princess Alexandra de Scheel
• Schiff family members, of the banking dynasty
• Taittinger family members, famous champagne producers
• Mayuko Takata, actress
• Irving Thalberg Jr., educator, part of motion picture family
• Harold H. Tittman III, American diplomat; author

For more on Le Rosey, please visit http://www.rosey.ch