Tommy Hilfiger hosts a star-studded housewarming for his Prep World pop-up
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Designer Tommy Hilfiger and author Lisa Birnbach hosted a star-studded housewarming party for the Prep World pop-up store at the Grove shopping center Thursday night that drew the likes of Hailee Steinfeld, Malin Ackerman, Bijou Phillips, Danny Masterson, Melissa George and Cobie Smulders.
With the exception of a few Goths inexplicably lurking in the corner, the crowd lounging on the lawn surrounding the temporary beach cottage (plopped smack in the middle of the Grove’s open space, just east of the fountain, through Sunday) was dressed in appropriately preppy summer attire -- a sea of seersucker, madras and khaki in a palette of navy blue and white punctuated with pops of bright red and green, and a naval flotilla’s worth of anchors (one of the major motifs in the Prep World capsule collection, anchors appear on men’s chinos and shorts, dresses, scarves, tank tops and pillows).
PHOTOS: More photos from the event
Steinfeld, accompanied by her parents Peter and Cheri, turned out in head-to-toe Tommy, including a navy windowpane plaid jacket, white-and-yellow striped blouse, white leather pleated skirt and white canvas high-heel loafers. She told me she’s getting ready to start production on her next film -- playing Juliet in a Carlo Carlei-directed version of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’
The evening’s soundtrack came courtesy of Danny Masterson, who was barely recognizable in the DJ booth due to his full Hilfiger regalia -- a light blue linen pinstripe blazer, white linen button-down, white chinos, black-and-white check pocket square and navy-and-tan saddle shoes.
The New York-based Birnbach, who served as a prep expert (‘prepspert’?) and consultant for the Prep World capsule collection, and has been jetting around the globe researching how the prep aesthetic is interpreted in far-flung places like Tokyo, Stockholm and Milan, Italy, was in the (beach) house as well, wearing one of the navy, red and white anchor-print silk halter dresses from the Prep World collection, and accompanied by daughters Maisie and Boco.
When I had a chance to chat with Birnbach earlier in the day, she told me that her research had yielded some interesting insights. ‘I think if there’s another iteration of the Prep World collection, I might have some more input.’ One of the more suprising things she discovered, she said, was how many of the folks she saw on the streets of Tokyo who had dogs dressed to the (ca)nines in all manner of clothes and costumes.
For his part, Hilfiger says another season of the limited-edition Prep World wares seems likely given that the 60-piece capsule collection has been the best-selling merchandise since it hit Tommy Hilfiger flagship boutiques around the world last month. ‘The collection’s sense of humor seems to really resonate internationally,’ he said.
Asked what the next Prep World collection might include, Hilfiger referenced Birnbach’s Tokyo trip. ‘So w’re thinking about doing a few pieces of dog clothing next time.’
Tommy Hilfiger polos for the Pekingese and madras for the mastiff? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Tommy Hilfiger Prep World Pop-Up at the Grove, open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-- Adam Tschorn
Top photos, from left, Tommy Hilfiger with Arielle Kebbel; author Lisa Birnbach with daughters Boco, left, and Maisie; actress Hailee Steinfeld. Middle photo: actresses Melissa George, left, and Cobie Smulders. Bottom photo: Danny Masterson in the DJ booth. Credit: Donato Sardella and John Sciulli / Getty Images.
PHOTOS: Prep World pop-up photo gallery
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