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November 20, 2008

Massive One-Stop Gift Shop (LA)

More than 165 independent, local designers and artists will sell their wares at UNIQUE, a giant design and gift sale taking place in Downtown Los Angeles.
The event, being dubbed an “alternative to the mall”, will offer holiday shoppers great deals from popular designers that they know and love, as well as gems by emerging talent. The majority of vendors are from California, though a handful are joining the event all the way from Brooklyn, Portland and Seattle.
Vendors include ROJAS, Unhee, Black Hearts Brigade, Johnny Cupcakes, Rock Scissors Paper stationery goods, Illume Candles, jewelry by Steven Shein, and sweet treats by Cake Monkey.
 designed the event to foster and support the creative community while stimulating the local economy, and to offer shoppers a diverse selection of great gifts created and produced by local talent.
"Why would anyone buy something factory-made at the mall, when they can find great deals and one of a kind gifts from emerging talent and top designers?" says UNIQUE founder Sonja Rasula. "UNIQUE LOS ANGELES is a one-stop shop for shoppers who will be able to find something for everyone on their lists, all while saving time and gas!” 
The event takes place Saturday, December 13th & Sunday, December 14th, from 11 AM – 7 PM.at the California Market Center, Penthouse, 110 East 9th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90079. $5 per ticket (children 10 and under are free). 50% of ticket sales benefit CREATE NOW, a local charity that brings art and creativity to high-risk youth. Www.uniquelosangeles.com.

November 20, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Devon Leigh Sample Sale (LA)

Jewelry designer Devon Leigh's ability to transform natural semi-precious stones in to striking, one-of-a-kind statement pieces has earned her some high-level private clients—from Kate Bosworth to Liz Taylor.
You can buy from her Fall and Holiday collection at Devon Leigh's sample sale, which runs December 8-14, with 40-50% off on some of her sparkly hammered gold and rhodium creations. Shoppers who throw down more than $500 will receive a gift bag.
The sale takes place December 8-14, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, 8026 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA, 90048. (between Fairfax and Crescent Heights) View the collection here.

November 20, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 8, 2008

Three Dots' Sample Sale

If you're a fan of California label Three Dots' range of stylish basics, then get yourself in the car to Garden Grove, CA where they will be holding a "huge" sample sale, Nov. 14-15.

We're told there will be great pieces in all sizes for women, men, kids and maternity, all of them "deeply discounted".

Three Dots sample sale takes place November 14-15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 7340 Lampson Ave., Garden Grove, 714-799-6333. Three Dots.com

 

November 8, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 2, 2008

Paper magazine's "24 Hour Cultural Department Store"

As part of Paper's annual L.A. invasion, the magazine is opening a "24 Hour Department Store" on Sunset Strip, featuring 24 performances by artists including The Lady Tigra, The Chapin Sisters and Entrance.
As well as great music, expect an "extreme shopping experience", with items by Opening Ceremony, Supreme, Jeremy Scott, Mr. Cartoon, Rodarte and more, available at the pop-up.
The store will be one of the only ways the public can jump aboard the Paper train—most other events (including an exclusive dinner hosted by Danny "Ubiquitous" Masterson and Bijou Phillips, and an awards ceremony celebrating Paper mag's favorite reality TV stars) will be invite only.
Paper magazine's "24 Hour Department Store" opens for business Friday November 7 at 6 p.m.until 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 8. 8873 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046.
 

November 2, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 30, 2008

Tinc, trunk, Sunday

Forgive me for not being able to stop talking about San Francisco-based line Tinc—I can't help but admire its minimalist oddness.
Go experience the line for yourself this Sunday in Culver City, where the designer Savannah Knoop (nepotistic disclaimer: we're friends) will be on hand to explain her wearably-avant garde vision.
You'll be able to pick up previous seasons' items at a fraction of retail, and take a look at Tinc's new offerings.
The event takes place at the studio of photographer Linda Shaffer in Culver City and you must RSVP to attend. RSVP to savannah@tincwear.com.
Nov 2nd from 3 to 7 p.m. 1706 S. Genesee Avenue,  Los Angeles,  CA.  90019,  between Pico and Venice Boulevard. East of Fairfax,  between Fairfax and Hauser.  On the corner of Airdrome and Genesee.
www.tincwear.com

October 30, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Director Wears Prada

How does a filmmaker visually portray a citrus scent on the big screen? Specifically, Prada’s new men's fragrance Infusion D’Homme? 
Last week at the Hammer Museum’s Billy Wilder Theater, Prada unveiled its “Short Movie Project for Infusion D’Homme,” a collection of experimental shorts the fashion house commissioned from nine global filmmakers, each given the mandate to produce their cinematic interpretation of the fresh cologne.
For some of the auteurs, the smell of Infusion brought to mind such trippy images as cavemen skulking behind a man in a lobby (“Evolution” from Brazilian director Guga), two lovers playing ping-pong amidst rose petals (“Ping Pong, Paul & Mary” from Korean director Hyuk-Jae Kwon) or a scientific montage of the cosmos’ connection to the brain (“Work in Progress” from Argentina’s Juan Ignazio Aluz).
To top off the screening, Oscar-winning editor Pietra Scalia (“Black Hawk Down,” “JFK”, seen here at the event with "Boys Don't Cry" director Kimberly Peirce) was on hand to present his own short, “Alchemy,” a synthesis of the nine works.
“If you could distill the theme of a film in one single image, what would it be?” asked Scalia whose natural editing instinct was to find a common thread throughout the shorts, “most of the emotional connections were about memory and youth.”
Beng, the director of the Spanish short “Spring Rain” about two lovers’ awakening broke his vision down, “There were four different scents in the perfume and I tried to represent that through four emotions.”
None of the films will be shown in their respective countries as part of a marketing campaign; rather the entire project was part of Prada’s m.o. to be creative without a commercial confine.  Even though Prada financed each short, the filmmakers own their shorts out right.
Both Infusion D’Homme and its female counterpart Infusion D’Iris are available at Nordstrom 1.7 oz ($54), 3.4 oz ($74), 6.7 oz ($100). Buy here. You can watch the nine short films along with Scalia’s synthesis “Alchemy” here.

October 30, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden will turn on Beverly Hills holiday lights

Oh how quickly they grow up—Nicole Richie, a Hollywood hellraiser not so long ago, is now a demure lady-who-lunches, a model mom who has been invited by the city of Beverly Hills to switch on their Holiday Lights.
Richie and her beau Joel Madden will pull the lever on November 22,  illuminating a giant UNICEF crystal snowflake and 20 one-of-a-kind Baccarat chandeliers along Rodeo Drive. 
All are welcome to attend the festivities, which are scheduled to start at 3:00 pm, with Santa and Mrs. Claus making an appearance at 5:00 pm, and musical entertainment from 6 p.m.
Richie and Madden will flip the switch shortly thereafter, and the evening will end with a fireworks finale atop the Beverly Wilshire hotel.
Don't forget to swing by the afterparty at Two Rodeo.
For more information, visit www.lovebeverlyhills.org or call 310 248 1015.

October 30, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 23, 2008

Teenage riot: Taryn Manning's Born Uniqorn sale

Your teenage neice/daughter/neighborhood Lolita will think you're the coolest aunt/parent/Humbert Humbert on the planet if you take her to the Born Uniqorn sale in Hollywood next week.
Launched in 2005 by actress Taryn Manning and her friend Tara Jane, Born Uniqorn features cute 'n flirty basics that exude youthful joie de vivre. While the line is geared toward 13 to 18 year olds, there's nothing stopping young-at-heart girls of all ages working these looks.
The one-day sale, which will also feature discounted pieces by concept jeweler Han Cholo, takes place Tuesday, October 28, from 7:30pm – 11pm at NATIVE Boutique, 5915 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, 90028. Complimentary EFFEN Vodka cocktails will be served, and the designers will be in the house.

October 23, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 14, 2008

Meet Boo Boo Stewart at grand opening of Kitson Kids On The Plaza

Expect massive sugar highs and shrill tantrums at the grand opening of 4000 sq. ft. tween fashion emporium  Kitson Kids On The Plaza this weekend. Organizers promise a rocking pre-pubescent party at the store on Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood, a bigger, better incarnation of the original Kitson Kids boutique. On the racks will be kids' denim by Seven for All Mankind, jumpsuits by Little Marc Jacobs (pictured, $92) and dresses by C & C California.
Disney T-Squad star, actor/martial artist Boo Boo Stewart, is hosting the event and will perform for the diminutive crowd. (Boo Boo, 14, is the son of Nils Allen Stewart, who has built a successful career playing thugs, doormen and beefy mercenaries in films like "Chupacabra Terror" and "The Scorpion King".)
Also expected to attend are Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Jeannette McCurdy and the cast of "I Carly"—names that mean nothing to me, because I'm not nine.
Kidswear brand Graffeeti will launch its "Anthem" line of write-on sneakers and backpacks at the event. Proceeds from sales will be donated to the Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts, a program for lower income youth started by Britney Spears.
Kitson Kids on The Plaza's grand opening party takes place Saturday, October 18, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 116 N. Robertson Blvd. (Just south of Beverly and across the courtyard from the Newsroom Cafe). Shop the store online here.

October 14, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Heidi Klum in-person makeovers next week

"Project Runway's" Heidi Klum hasn't let the Bravo/Lifetime debacle get her down—right now, she's all about her new chocolate flavored lipgloss.
“This creamy gloss is infused with chocolate flavor, my personal touch,”says Klum of the product, part of her Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Makeup collection. Klum will be demonstrating new fall colors and giving out personalized makeovers at the VS store at The Grove in Los Angeles next week, showing Plain Janes like ourselves how to achieve her camera-ready face.
If you can't make it, the new colors will be available to purchase next week. As well as the Lip Gloss in Cupcake ($14), the new collection features a green and gold Glitter Eye Liner in Licorice ($10) and a nude lip color, Perfect Lipstick in Malibu ($14). “I balance a dark eye with neutral lips, like this warm nude," says Klum. "I love the creamy feel.”
If you can make it, I suggest you book an appointment today to receive your makeover along with your purchase of the new collection.
Thursday, October 23rd from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call 323 634 9177 to book your makeover appointment. 
Victoria’s Secret Store at The Grove at Farmers Market, 6301 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles (cross street Fairfax Avenue). www.victoriassecret.com

October 14, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 9, 2008

Poetic genius: Tord Boontje

With his "The Little Wild Garden of Love", "Fig Leaf Wardrobe", "Witches' Kitchen", and "Rain Collection", Dutch design star Tord Boontje creates divinely decorative accents for home and garden that sound like they could be poems.
The designer himself is making a very special U.S. appearance this Friday October 10 at lifestyle store Artecnica's new L.A. showroom from 6-9 p.m.
Former WWD West Coast bureau chief Rose Apodaca alerted me to this event, noting in her email blast that Boontje "is widely hailed as returning a decorative, even maximalist aesthetic to modernism, with his whimsical range of lighting, tableware, home accessories and small furnishings."
A 6 p.m., Tord and Artecnica co-founder Enrico Bressan will share their methodology and manufacturing processes with an intimate look at their many best-selling collaborations  and many never-seen prototypes. And at 7 p.m., the party begins. Besides an auction featuring products made under Artecnica's guidance by the kids from the L.A.'s Best After School Program, Apodaca's A+R design store will have a pop-up in Bressan's studio.
The night is free, rsvp at events@artecnicainc.com
www.tordboontje.com

October 9, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 7, 2008

Mandy Moore hosting Gen Art in L.A...tickets available

Mandy Moore will launch Los Angeles Fashion Week when she hosts Gen Art's 11th Annual "Fresh Faces in Fashion" show, featuring twelve of the city's most promising designers.
I'm a fan of hipster Wayne Joffe's Wayne Hadley line, a irreverently forward, tailored men's collection featuring double-breasted outerwear and tux jackets that debuted at LA store Scout (Joffe is pictured below with his pal Lindsay Lohan). I'm also addicted to Michelle Nguyen Williams' French beatnik-inspired  Quail line (I wore nothing but her cute collared racerback jersey dresses this summer). And keep an eye out for Posso's presentation—they make the sexiest spats (pictured) you'll ever see—and Jerome C. Rousseau's collection (he's one of the very few young shoe designers based in L.A.)
Gen Art always presents a delicious clusterf*ck of new design, and while the scene can get a little crowded at times, I urge those Angelenos with an interest in emerging fashion to purchase tickets for the event. You can bet your bottom dollar that the designers you'll see there will go on to big things (remember a little guy called Zac Posen? He's a Gen Art alum. As were Rodarte's Mulleavy sisters and Phillip Lim.)
Other designers showing include: Joel K (KZO), Maxine Dillon, Sandra Sandor (Nanushka), Meredith Fisher (Wayf), Maira Caren (Peonie), Mallyce Miller (LAEKEN), Azature, Laura Kranitz, and Vanessa Giovacchini and Marylouise Pels (Posso)


The show takes place this Friday, October 10, at the Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Buy tickets here.

October 7, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Option this: the real JT Leroy

The guy underneath literary hoaxer JT Leroy's preposterous wig and glasses turned out to be a girl—fashion designer Savannah Knoop—and she's reading from her mind-bending autobiography "Girl Boy Girl" tonight at Book Soup, at 7:00 p.m..
If you can't make it to the reading, you can purchase the book online here, and learn how Savannah, a soft-spoken twenty-something artist from San Francisco, found herself hob-nobbing (and occasionally sleeping with) Hollywood's friendly gullibles (Winona Ryder, Carrie Fisher and Asia Argento were all intrigued with JT for a time), all while pretending to be a male former truckstop prostitute named JT Leroy who had penned two best-selling novels ("Sarah", "The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things").
Knoop's wide-eyed "did I really just do that?" take lends a poetic, fairy tale spin to the story, as she leads the reader through various landmark JT moments, most of which that trembled on the edge of farce (a surreal dinner date with Gus Van Sant) and fantasy (making love to Asia Argento). She poetically demonstrates how the fantasy of JT became so much a part of the Savannah reality, it became impossible to distinguish the two.
After New York magazine unveiled the hoax, the woman who actually wrote the books, Laura Albert (the ex of Savannah's half-brother), was sued by the film company that had bought the rights to "Sarah". (Albert has written for the show "Deadwood".)
Savannah, whose avant garde clothing line Tinc reflects her continuing fascination with gender boundaries, will be putting on a fashion show at the Linc gallery in San Francisco October 25, where she will showcase a padded underwear collection called Tranc.
Savannah Knoop reads from her book "Girl Boy Girl" at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood CA 90069, tonight (Tuesday October 7) at 7:00 p.m.

October 7, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 30, 2008

Recession-proof shopping at Regent's Secret

If you too are sick of the undignified elbowing and long lines that often take place at sample sales, then you'll enjoy  Regent’s Secret. They organize online sample sales for those who treasure their personal space, with up to 70% off retail prices.
Currently on sale is Evisu (ends October 1 at 11:59pm). Their YAYA AFLALO sales kicked off today and ends October 2 at 11:59pm. Adn we're really excited for their Salvatore Ferragamo sale that starts October 2 at 12:00am and ends October 5 at 11:59pm.
The concept behind Regent's Secret is based on a successful e-commerce business model which originated in France, whereby private sales of designer overstock is taken online by a middleman before heading to outlets.
"For consumers, it’s a smart way to dress like a celebrity without breaking the bank," said a rep for Regent's Secret. "It’s also great for those living in areas not considered the so-called Fashion Capitals of the world, where shoppers may not have access to a wide variety of sample sales."
Past sales have included Dolce & Gabanna, Tom Ford, Hudson Jeans, Joe’s Jeans, 2B Free and Roberto Cavalli.
If you invite friends, you can get 5% of their purchases in cash for life.
Register to become a shopper at www.regentssecret.com.

September 30, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hourglass Cosmetics makeovers

Makeup junkies take note—Hourglass Cosmetics, a brand known for its stunning packaging and cutting-edge ingredients, will be offering free makeovers in California in the coming weeks.
The Hourglass Artistry Team will demonstrate new fall colors at Barneys in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and will invite participants to check out their new "Solar Tan", a patent-pending self-tanning primer formula created to hydrate the skin while helping you achieve a year-round bronze glow.
Hourglass Cosmetics was launched in 2003 by beauty biz whizkid Carisa Janes. Janes, who started out at Urban Decay and went on to launch a multitide of cosmetic brands (Body & Soul, Animalia), will be at the event in Beverly Hills.
Schedule an appointment for a one-on-one consultation with a member of the Hourglass team, or visit www.hourglasscosmetics.com to learn more about the line. (Their Color Link eyeshadow palette has always been a favorite.)
The San Francisco event takes place Saturday, October 4 from 10am-6pm at Barneys New York, 77 O’Farrell St., San Francisco, CA 94108. For details or to schedule an appointment, call 415 268 3540.
The Beverly Hills event takes place Saturday, October 11 from 10am-6pm at Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212. For details or to schedule an appointment, call 310.276.4400, x 5598.

September 30, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 23, 2008

Oscar-winning hair and makeup secrets revealed

Do you see yourself standing on the Oscars podium one day, clutching your Best Makeup award and thanking your mother, God and Max Factor?
If so, then you might want to attend a three-evening seminar series called “Makeup Artists and Hairstylists: A Forum on Contemporary Technique” being held by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Sessions will be held on Thursdays, October 16, 23 and 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.
"Beauty Makeup" is the topic of October 16's seminar, and will be moderated by Oscar winner Bill Corso (“Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events”), with Academy Award nominee Ronnie Specter (“Batman Returns”), Academy governor Leonard Engelman ("Moonstruck"), Morag Ross ("The Aviator") and Bob Mills ("Pretty Woman").
October 23 focuses on "Character and Special Makeup Effects", moderated by Engelman, with six-time Oscar winner Rick Baker ("Men In Black"), two-time Academy Award nominee Kazuhiro Tsuji ("Norbit"), two-time Oscar winner Greg Cannom ("A Beautiful Mind") and three-time Oscar winner Ve Neill ("Ed Wood").
October 30 is all about Hairstyling, and features Oscar winner Gail Ryan ("Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas"), two-time Oscar winner Yolanda Toussieng ("Ed Wood"), Roy Helland ("The Devil Wears Prada") and Kathy Blondell ("Cast Away"). 
Tickets for the entire “Makeup Artists and Hairstylists:  A Forum on Contemporary Technique” series will be available beginning September 25 at a cost of $30 for the general public and $20 for Academy members and students with valid ID.  Tickets may be purchased by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours or online at www.oscars.org/events.  Tickets for individual evenings, if available, will be $10 at the door.
The Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood.  For more information, call (310) 247-3600.

September 23, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 22, 2008

Emmys 2008: Red Rug Redux

Wall Street collapse, a security alert, and possibly the lowest ratings in Emmy history—such things were of minor import on the Nokia Theatre's red carpet Sunday, where the sartorial mood was decidedly bright and cheery.
That's not to say that there weren't any depressing hues at the 60th Annual Primetime Emmys—there were plenty (Glenn Close, Debra Messing, Nicolette Sheridan, Hayden Panettiere, America Ferrera and Kate Walsh all opted for drab-fab noir)—but the Black Widows lost out to the Ladies in Red, Emerald, Amethyst, Marigold and Plum, whose Technicolor gowns dazzled and shimmered in the afternoon sun.
(Click here and here to see Variety's photo coverage of the Emmys.)

The Stylephile's Emmy 2008 Style Awards:

Best Green Goddess: Christina Hendricks

"Mad Men's" Joan Holloway, aka 30-year-old actress Christina Hendricks, looked like the Wizard of Oz's concubine queen in this emerald Tadashi Shoji goddess gown, which the designer had created in green, just for her. "It's my perfect dream dress," gushed Hendricks, whose Rubenesque figure and heaving porcelain bosom pick up exactly where Ava Gardners' left off.






Best Princess Bride: Olivia Wilde

"House" star Olivia Wilde, 24, looks like a fairy tale princess bride in her pearly Reem Acra satin and chiffon cap-sleeve gown and Jimmy Choo heels—although she's more alterna than her sparkly red carpet attire would suggest. Wilde is married to boho L.A. filmmaker Tao Ruspoli, who is a member of LAFCO, a film and art collective that travels the country in a converted school bus. On the red carpet, Wilde was more interested in talking about her admiration for Hugh Laurie than her hubby's beatnik lifestyle. Working with Laurie "is a dream come true," she said. Winning the coveted Stylephile Princess Bride Award, Wilde beat off stiff competition from fellow fairy princesses Sandra Oh (named "most improved" by carpet commentator Lisa Rinna, thanks to her ruffled Oscar de la Renta gown), and Marcia Cross  (in nude Elie Saab Haute Couture gown, Rene Caovilla heels and Hearts on Fire diamonds).

Best Red Carpet Clash: Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields' fuchsia organza dress by Badgley Mischka was a showstopper when she was on stage presenting, but the dress' impact was muted on the carpet, where the red competed with Shields' pink. Shields, 43, who stars in "Lipstick Jungle" with Mary Tyler Moore playing her mom, said it was the first time she had been to the Emmys.







Best Yellow Fever: Teri Hatcher

Teri Hatcher, 43, and Mariska Hargitay, 44, both went for in-yer-face marigold yellow, a shade which is bound to catch the eye of the paparazzi, but is too loud to be truly stylish. Hatcher's dress was by Monique Lhullier, whom the actress described as "the nicest person, so sweet."








Best in Black: Kate Walsh

"Private Practice" actress Kate Walsh, 40, was East Coast sassy in black Zuhair Murad. "Dont mess with the Zuhair," deadpanned Walsh, who was bedecked with Neil Lane diamond-and platinum jewelry worth $1million. "Private Practice" premieres October 1.









Best Flowerchild-Meets-Xena-in-a-Texan-Whorehouse: Phoebe Price

Professional nobody Phoebe Price, age unclear, understands the value of worst-dressed lists—they're better than no list at all. With that in mind, Price went totally bananas in a lacy red see-through gown (designer unknown—and it's probably better that way), red floral headband and red panties, creating a look better suited to the AVN Porn Awards than the Emmys rug. With this colossal mistake of an ensemble, Pee-Pee—described as a "trainwreck-famewhore" by TMZ—is headed straight for the 2008 Fug pile.

September 22, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 18, 2008

Anya Sarre's Emmy beauty: What all starlets should know

Red carpet stylist and "Entertainment Tonight" fashionista Anya Sarre has been dressing and beautifying stars for the Emmys for six years. "During the Emmys I'd estimate there are around 20 crises per day," says Sarre, explaining how red carpet styling, despite the common perception that it's a lesser art than costume design or magazine fashion styling, is an intricate and demanding science unto itself. In fact to her, and to the stars that hire her, red carpet beauty is an issue of serious gravity, one that can make and break careers in a town where image=everything.
Sarre, who is styling Mary Hart, Pat O'Brien and many others for Sunday's Emmys, knows all the tricks, from strategic spray tanning (to create the illusion of sculpted muscles), to portable teeth whitening pens (which brighten smiles after a glass of post-Emmy Pinot).
Are you taking notes, starlets?

Suddenly Slimmer Body Wraps
Talk about instant gratification—you'll lose anything from 6 to 12 inches per hour-long session, as the all-natural mineral wraps draw toxins from your body
Colonics at the Beverly Hills Wellness Center
The secret to glowing skin.
Water Pills
Water pills are diuretics that will eliminate bloating, fast. You can get them through a friendly doctor. Or you can try over the counter brands like Aqua Ban.
Shape Wear by Dr Rey, aka Dr 90210.
Bye bye bulges. "It's like armor," says Sarre.
Portofino Spray Tanning at your home
"For $300, they will come to you house and spray you there," says Sarre. And they even know how to draw in definition, giving the illusion of toned muscles. And they'll customize the color so you won't ever look Valentino orange.
Endermologie anti-cellulite massage
"They literally massage the fat out," says Sarre. "It's amazing."
Glycolic peels
Ask your favorite facialist for one, ahead of time of course. Raw red skin is never a good look on the red carpet.
RevitaLash conditioning eyelash treatment
Created by a doctor whose wife lost her hair following chemotherapy, this product "literally makes your eyelashes grow," says Sarre, fluttering her own, insanely long, natural eyelashes at me. She has her clients start using it a month before they step foot on the red carpet.
Botox
Go figure.
BriteSmile To Go
These handy teeth-whitening pens have a time-release formula that helps keep starlets' smile pearly, even after gallons of red wine. 
Sassynips by Sassybax 
These gel nipple covers ensure your boobies will remain PG even if your dress demands no bra.
Scott Barnes' Platinum Body bling
Shimmering body lotion.

And let's not forget:

Shoes
"Never wear a closed toe on the red carpet," says Sarre. "Ankle straps are a no too, as they will make your legs look stubby." She recommends a nude peep-toe.
Faux diamonds
"Why not. I love 'em."
Nails
For red carpet, they should be neutral: light pink or buff. "Otherwise viewers' eyes will go straight to the nails."
Fragrance
Sarre advises her stars to keep a fragrance in their purse for those chance red carpet encounters with George Clooney. "I always have 'Child by Ron Robinson'," says Sarre.

The 60th Primetime Emmys take place this Sunday.

September 18, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 16, 2008

Sexy beast: Strange Invisible Perfumes' "Musc Botanique"

Feral and somewhat pungent on the initial spray, Strange Invisible Perfume's new unisex Musc Botanique fragrance does mellow out, evolving over time from libidinous alley cat to distinguished Siamese.
Launched in 2000 by Alexandra Balahoutis (stepdaughter of producer Jerry Bruckheimer), Strange Invisible Perfumes is known for its refined yet unusual scents—and this latest launch is no exception.
Created entirely from flower and plant essences (no synthetic deer aroma here), Musc Botanique (7.5 ml Parfum is $185 and 50 ml Eau de Parfum is $135) features notes of geranium, white amber, angelica and frankincense. Wearers are encouraged to layer it with other perfumes.
I found the frankincense a little overwhelming—but then I like my scents powdery and boudoirish. My friends who are a little less girly than me were impressed with Musc Botanique's subtly animalistic effect, however.
Growl.
Strange Invisible Perfumes is celebrating the launch of Musc Botanique at Turpan, in Brentwood, CA on Thursday, September 18th from 5-8pm. You're invited. Turpan, Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th Street, at San Vicente Boulevard, Santa Monica (310-451-9500)

 
 

 

September 16, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 9, 2008

MTV VMAs: The awards cermony that style forgot

The MTV VMAs descended deep in to Machiavellian farce with Britney sweeping the boards as part of a clearly manufactured "come-back"...and don't even get me started on the hair.
While last year's VMAs saw Britney ridiculed for her lackluster performance and poor parenting skills, this year, the VMA Gods decided it was time for the underdog to win. Pfff.
"If there was a female Christ, it's Britney," prattled Russell Brand, the British comedian host. Um, no.
Spears, a 16 times VMA nominee before winning three awards Sunday night, predictably thanked "God, first and foremost, for just blessing me like this". We think she should thank her agent and the puppet masters at MTV.
Most of the artists who were lauded at last night's VMA specialize in terrible M.O.R. pop music, but still--the whole tasteless affair could have been rescued from the depths of pointlessness had there at least been some good style in the house.
Denied!
While there were some decent looking gowns on the red carpet, the majority were teamed with embarrassingly bad "Extreme Mermaid" hair dos.
Britney herself, wearing Versace, looked like a mentally-deficient Rapunzel. Christina Aguilera aged herself 20 years with harsh peroxide bangs. Lindsay Lohan pulled off a convincing Carmen Electra impression, with long Playboy Mansion honey blond extensions (her House of Holland dress was passable). And what was up with Ashley Tisdale's "Knott's Landing" soccer mom 'do? Way too much volume at the crown, girl!
What's most troubling is that these images are beamed to impressionable young teenagers around the world. Hollywood, is this really the best you can do?

September 9, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 4, 2008

Red Carpet: Bowled over by Rinko Kikuchi

We're still loving Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi's striking bowl haircut, as seen yesterday at the 65th Venice Film Festival.

Here she is at a photo call for the movie Sky Crawlers, an animated adventure featuring Kikuchi as the lead character's voice.

Kikuchi's chic mod bowl cut, said to have been inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's Fall 2008 fashion show, is a refreshing departure from the sea of long wavy tresses usually seen on the red carpet. She teamed the look with a gray strapless mini dress, YSL shoes and a Chanel clutch.

Kikuchi was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as a deaf-mute in "Babel".

September 4, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Diane Pernet's Fashion Film festival

Launching September 26 in Paris, Diane Pernet's inaugural A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival is poised to become the Sundance of the emerging 'fashion film' artform.

Diane Pernet, a former fashion designer, is known for her distinctive look (a giant beehive, mantilla veil, cat eye sunglasses and crimson lips). She also has one of the most influential blogs in fashion, A Shaded View on Fashion, in which she reports from the outer extremes of the cutting edge, giving face time to events, designers and nations that are often overlooked by the mainstream fashion media.

A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival, or ASVOFF, launches at the Jeu de Paume contemporary art musuem and features entries by Colombian director Jessica Mitrani (her film is about one Mary Jane shoe), Italian director Francesco Carrozzini, and British director Malcolm Pate, among others.

ASVOFF will debut at the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris on 26 September. Click here for more information, or to submit for ASVOFF 2009.

September 4, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 24, 2008

Totally OTT designer dining experience

Interior designer David Rockwell, fashion designer Vivienne Tam and Preston Lee of "Top Design" are among the luminaries creating "totally over the top" dining environments as part of Dining By Design Los Angeles, a glittering AIDS fundraiser that is moving from New York to L.A. next month.
Tickets are still available for the event, which is organized by DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation) and takes place at the L.A. Mart Design Center Saturday, September 13 through Monday, September 15.
The event will be chaired by Barclay Butera, who will also be designing a table.
Each designer will receive a dining space measuring 11’ x 11’ within which the creative possibilities are endless; the only requirement is that each table accommodate at least ten dinner guests. The tables will be open for the public to view on Sunday afternoon during the Table Hop & Taste ($45 contribution per person to benefit DIFFA) where guests will sample selections from Los Angeles restaurants including Comme Ca, Paperfish, Homegirl Café & Catering and Wilshire.
Guests at the gala dinner on Monday, September 15 will dine within the design installations (tickets are $500 per person to benefit DIFFA).
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.diffa.org or call 310-860-1300.

August 24, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 13, 2008

Sam Ronson at Whiskey Blue

Samantha Ronson, one half of the most high-profile gay couple since Ellen and Portia, will be spinning vinyl next Thursday August 21 at the W hotel in Westwood, Los Angeles. The night, called Vinyl Vixens, takes place at the hotel's Whiskey Blue bar.

Complimentary LUCID Absinthe Cocktails will be served from 9pm–10pm, ensuring a high probability of drunken bi-curious BFF make-outs on the dance floor.

We're almost certain DJ Ronson won't be playing Katy Perry's barf-inducing number 1 hit, "I Kissed A Girl".

The event is open to the public, RSVP to ghwang@thinkpublicrelations.com.

August 13, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 5, 2008

Meet your shampoo soulmate, at Kiehl's

Are you still searching for your perfect shampoo soulmate? Is your conditioner keeping you (and your locks) down?
If these woes are yours, then a trip to one of Kiehl’s “Natural Recipes for Healthy Hair” days may be in order.
Each Thursday, from August 14 through September 25, you will be able to book one-on-one appointments with Kiehl’s experts, who can help determine exactly which type of shampoo, conditioner or treatment is best suited to your hair needs.
Each consultation will include a recipe for the perfect hair style, featuring the styling aids in Kiehl’s Stylist Series, as well as the opportunity to experience the Stylist Series formulas in store. 
Participants will also be introduced to Kiehl’s latest products, Ultimate Thickening Shampoo and Strong-Hold Styling Gel.
At the end of the consultation, each participant will walk away with a recipe card with a description of their look, as well as product samples to test, and to help recreate the look at home.
“Natural Recipes For Healthy Hair” takes place every Thursday from Aug. 14 through Sept. 25 during store hours at Kiehl’s Since 1851 stores.  Please call the store to make your appointment. Click here for a store locator.

August 5, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 1, 2008

Review: Gen Art's Shop NYC

Gotham fashionistas medicated their recession blues during an evening of discount designer shopping organized by Gen Art, at New York's  Metropolitan Pavillion this week. 60 of the freshest designers were in the house for their Shop NYC event, many of which, like Gen Art alum Zac Posen, look set to become household names.
Womenswear designer Yumi Kim attracted the largest crowd of fashion addicts with her brightly-colored floral tanks and silk mini-dresses, while the trio behind menswear line Barking Irons kept their line long with the promise of a freshly silk-screened tote bag commemorating the evening.
The event was marketed as designer style at 'recession prices', but even so, shoppers seemed willing enough to swoop up items tagged at $700. With savings of 35% to 70% off, even hefty price tags seemed like a bargain.
VIP Tickets to the event were $40, including express check out and gift bag valued $250. General admission tickets were $15 but once inside the door drinks, hairstyling and extra goods were free.
Look out for the next Shop NYC event this Fall.

August 1, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 28, 2008

Opening Ceremony's Olympic all-nighter

Opening Ceremony will celebrate the 8.8.08 Olympic Summer Games by keeping its New York and L.A. boutiques open 24 hours a day for the entirety of the opening weekend, opening a shop-in-shop named Souvenir selling limited edition Opening Ceremony 2008 items and exclusive Nike Sportswear products.
The event lasts for 72 hours during which time customers are invited to watch the Olympic games on TV, shop at Souvenir, and participate in a “3am Scrabble Hour” or “7am Breakfast for Champions.”
The Air Max 1, Nike’s first sneaker to offer visible Nike Air technology in the sole and originally released in 1987, will be available in very limited quantities in two colors (gold and silver metallic), stocked solely at Opening Ceremony. 
Also on sale will be Opening Ceremony 2008-branded items such as key chains, coin holders, towels, hats, and umbrellas, plus very limited edition jewelry items from Philip Crangi, and charm bracelets by Fallon.
Opening Ceremony was founded in September of 2002 in New York by Carol Lim and Humberto Leon with the idea of bringing their love of travel and fashion to a single concept boutique. 
Opening Ceremony has stores at 35 Howard St., New York, NY 10013 (212-219-2688) and at 451 North La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90048 (310 652 1120). Visit openingceremony.us

July 28, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 23, 2008

Tarina Tarantino Barbie doll launch

It's every little girl's dream to have a Barbie doll that looks just like them. Jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino saw her dream come true last week, with the launch of Mattel's Tarina Tarantino Collector Series Barbie Doll, a princessy dolly in her very own, pink-haired likeness.
Fellow fuschia-haired diva Audrey Kitching (online scene queen with armies of teenage followers and former girlfriend of Panic! At the Disco's Brendon Urie) was at the launch party, held at Tarina's store in West Hollywood. Kitching is pictured above, with her Ken, fellow "scene king", author Clint Catalyst. WWE star Maryce was there, styled by fashion designer Jared Gold, and looking just like a chic blonde 1950s Barbie. (Maryce is pictured with Tarina Tarantino)
The Tarina Tarantino Collector Series Barbie Doll is $82, purchase here.

July 23, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Surf-bum film screening in Brooklyn

July 23, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 15, 2008

Brangie sees double

It's not every day that a lady drops a set of twins, you know. Well, it is actually—but not a set of twins like Brad and Angie's of course! Knox Leon (named for Brad's grandpa and Angelina's great-great grandpa) and Vivienne Marcheline (Marcheline is the name of Jolie's late mother) entered the world Sunday, with fully-fledged celebrity careers already in place. For what it's worth, the wee little humans share their birthday with Julius Caesar...and Italian DJ Benny Benassi. At 5.02lbs, Vivienne was slightly heavier than Knox (better keep an eye on that). 
Jolie gave birth at the exclusive Lenval Hospital in Nice, France, which has posted ecstatic news releases about Madame Angelina and her babies on its website. Click here if you too would like to give birth at Lenval.
Sadly, I was unable to find contact details for her OB/GY, Dr. Michael Sussman who is, we hope, taking an extended vacation after being hounded by baby-hungry media for the past few months.

July 15, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2008

Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen-Biggs' golf gatherings

"American Pie" actor Jason Biggs and his wife, actress and artist Jenny Mollen-Biggs are hosting Hollywood's least Hollywoodish gatherings each Wednesday night. Held at a mini-golf course in the hills above L.A., the parties celebrate the culture of all things golf-related, with golf attire encouraged and outdoor screenings of "Caddyshack" promised each and every week.
Organized with local art gallery ghettogloss, the soirees started two weeks ago and look set continue through the summer. "So far we have gotten a really unique crowd," said Mollen-Biggs speaking on the phone from Whole Foods, where she and Jason were shopping for bacon-flavored chocolate ahead of their wedding ceremony in Napa this weekend. "We get super artsy types, and actor-types, and Asian golfers and zookeepers. Seriously—we've taken over."
Twilight at the Club takes place each Wednesday from 7pm to 11pm. You must arrive no later than 10pm. Bring your clubs. Here for details.

July 10, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 3, 2008

You can learn a lot of things from the flowers

Flowers are pretty and all that, but aren't they so much cooler when they have thoughts and personalities and...teeth?
Los Angeles fine artist Tiffany Liu is totally on message with this, and has created a world of sentient and somewhat creepy floral beings, the likes of which we haven't seen since Disney's 1951 classic "Alice in Wonderland", "The Day of the Triffids" or even "The Little Shop of Horrors".
Step into Tiffany Liu's cartoon world in a double solo exhibition at the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, where she will be showing alongside New York’s M. Mararian. Opens July 19, click here for address.
www.tiffanyliu.com.

July 3, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 18, 2008

Eurotrash invades L.A.

Growing up in London, I learned all my values from a TV show called Eurotrash.
Hosted by Jean Paul Gaultier and the deadpan Antoine de Caunes, it dragged its viewers through the silliest, most bizarro European subcultures imagineable—against a high fashion backdrop, bien sur.
The first season, which aired in 1993, featured appearances by fashion industry icons Ellen Von Unwerth, Helena Christensen, Pierre et Gilles, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Giorgio Armani, punctuated by segments about pubic hairdressing, Alpine Hells Angels, S&M restaurants and nude golf.
I ran into Eurotrash's host, Antoine de Caunes (pictured), last week at a party at the Houdini Mansion in L.A., where around 200 guests were celebrating the birthday of flame-haired L.A. scenester and professional fag hag Lenora Claire. (pictured)
De Caunes was being followed around by a production crew from French network Canal Plus, which is filming a five-part series about American contemporary culture, scheduled to air around election time. The bodacious Lenora Claire and her friends were deemed just the right kind of sexy for the French, and she was selected to be L.A.'s representative for the night. The suited De Caunes was completely re-styled for the camera by Lenora's friend, fashionista and writer Clint Catalyst, so he could fit in with the exotic birds around him. De Caunes ended up looking like a cross between Boy George and a Thomspon Twin, with an assymetrical curly wig, airbrushed makeup and embroidered Jared Gold suit jacket.
"I miss Lolo," lamented de Caunes, when I ran in to him in the bathroom, getting his lipgloss touched up. He was referring to the late French porn star Lolo Ferrari, who had the largest breasts in the world (71 inches), and was a Eurotrash regular. "She was very, very sweet."
Also hanging around were James St. James (former Michael "Party Monster" Alig co-hort), Heatherette designer Richie Rich and impresario Kim Fowley (pictured, in yellow, who formed The Runaways with Joan Jett and Sandy West). Fowley, who looked like a cross between John Waters and Frankenstein's monster, wasted no time in getting to know me—upon being introduced to me, his first question was "tell me about the inside of your c**t. Do you f*** girls or boys? Are you a top or a bottom?" Goodness!
I told him all he neded to know, naturally...

June 18, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 10, 2008

Uberstars at the Warhol Museum

Online is where stars are born these days, as evidenced at the "Uberstars" exhibit at the Andy Warhol Museum.
The show, put togther by blog overlord Glenn Kaino (founder of artsy social networking site Uber.com) aligns present-day cyber stars with Andy Warhol's original Superstars.
Like the Superstars (and New York's Club Kids), the Uberstars came seemingly from out of nowhere, some building enormous followings not necessarily by "doing", but just by "being".
In the exhibit, a Polaroid of nightcrawler and scruffball model Cory Kennedy (pictured, left) sits next to Warhol's photo of Brigid Berlin (!). Author, blog queen and fashion commentator Clint Catalyst (pictured, right) finds his likeness neighboring Mick Jagger's, as shot by Warhol. (No-one was deemed worthy of Edie, yet.)
All the Uberstar Polaroid shots were taken by Kaino with his Big Shot Polaroid camera (designed for portrait use only, these were originally released in 1971 and produced until 1973). Other Uberstars include artist Aaron Sandnes, pink-haired model Audrey Kitching, journalist and former Women's Wear Daily West Coast Editor Rose Apodaca, and "Project Runway" alum Rami Kashou.
“It’s remarkable to see the many close parallels between Warhol’s Superstars of the 1960s and 1970s and these glam-fab ‘kids’ of today,” says Thomas Sokolowski, director of The Andy Warhol Museum. (Although we imagine there's slightly less drug use among the Uberstars.)
The show is part of the "Transformer: The Work of Glenn Kaino" exhibit, which features a number of Kaino's enormous, futuristic sculptures (pictured: "A Plank For Every Pirate", 16'x16'x14', wood, paint, plexiglas). A catalog with the same title as the exhibition will be published by German art publishing house Hatje Cantz later this year, featuring essays by David Levi Strauss, Larry List, Lauri Firstenberg, and Thomas Sokolowski.
The exhibit continues through the end of August at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburg. Visit www.warhol.org for more information.

June 10, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 5, 2008

Flat-iron secrets, this weekend

If you, like I, have yet to master the elusive art of flat-ironing, you could benefit from an interactive event at The Doves hair salon in Santa Monica this Sunday, June 8. The new-ish salon, founded by the heads of Wella USA Sonya and Christopher Dove, is hosting  "Style Secrets", an afternoon of beauty where I'm led to believe many hairstyling secrets will be spilled. Topics will include the latest techniques for flat ironing (including how to produce curls) and the art of wig-wearing. Plus you can ask for a hair consultation, and find out about the best styles for your face shape, hair texture, skin type and the season.
The event takes place Sunday June 8 from 4:00pm - 5.30pm at The Doves Studio 2000 Main St, Santa Monica CA 90405. Tickets cost $25, with proceeds benefiting the The Peacock Foundation. To attend, sign up through "HIVING:: Parties for a Purpose" at www.hiving.net.  Referral code: DOVES
www.thedovesstudio.com

June 5, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 27, 2008

Rachel Pally...making classy comfortable

Rachel Pally's "Jersey Girl" moniker does not have anything to do with her being from New Jersey (she's not—Pally is a card-carrying L.A. woman).
Rather, it stems from her ability to take jersey knit—that soft, most agreeable of fabrics—and transform it into gowns worthy of goddesses.
Indeeed, goddesses like Angelina, Oprah and Amy Smart are all fans of the line, as is singer Eve, who wore a deceptively light-weight royal blue Rachel Pally evening dress to Pally's Fall/Holiday 2008 show at the art-deco Oviatt Penthouse in downtown L.A.
Pally's life mission, it seems, is one after our own heart—making classy comfortable.
Buy Rachel Pally here.

May 27, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 15, 2008

Last chance to buy tickets for "Fashion For Life" this weekend!

It's your last chance to buy tickets for Fashion for Life, the annual fashion fundraiser for Friendly House, one of Los Angeles’ oldest and most respected addiction recovery organizations for women. The event takes place this Sunday, May 18 from 2pm – 5pm at Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills.
The event features a dynamic fashion show highlighting seven Los Angeles designers, including Kevan Hall, Robert Rodriguez, Marc Callo, and Elsie Katz Couture. The audience will also be treated to a first look at Paige Black Label, the new collection of skirts, trousers, dresses, vests and jackets in fine fabrications created by Paige Adams-Gellar. DJ AM will spin during the show. Honorary Co-Chairs Amber Valletta, Cameron Silver, and Paige Adams-Gellar, emcee Lisa Rinna and renowned retailer Lisa Kline will be joined by fashionistas from across LA.
At last year's event, Decades boutique owner Cameron Silver (pictured, with model Amber Valetta) exclaimed that Fashion for Life was his "fashion Bar Mitzvah" when he was presented with the Vision Award for his contributions to L.A. fashion. This year’s Vision Award honoree goes to Lisa Kline.
Tickets begin at $75 and can be purchased by calling 310-929-7826, or emailing friendlyhouse@sbcglobal.net. Click here for more info.
Fashion for Life is offering to gift a Stylephile reader one of their VIP Gift Bags, containing items by Paige Premium Denim, Kol Candle, Zooey T’s, Stacie Bass Flip Flops, ghd Hair Care, Voluspa Candles, Grant Chris Rohloff T-shirts, Balance Water and a notepad from the night's  Vision Award Honoree, Lisa Kline.
To win, tell us this: how would you define L.A. fashion? The most insightful comment wins! Leave your answers in the comments section of this post, and dont forget to include your email address. Deadline is Wednesday May 21 at 5PM.

May 15, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harmony Korine at Creativity Now conference, this weekend

Creativity is a nebulous concept, one which will be thoroughly disseected (in the hippest manner possible) at this weekend's Creativity Now conference. Organized by Tokion, the über-forward style and design mag, the conference features panels like "Fashion: Young Designers" (curated by Alex Hawgood of "T", The New York Times' Style Magazine); "Contemporary Comedy" (moderated by "Arrested Development's" David Cross) and cutting-edge director Harmony Korine in conversation with skater Mark Gonzales.
The conference takes place in New York on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18. Visit www.tokion.com/creativitynow to purchase tickets and to see the full schedule.

May 15, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 24, 2008

Miami Nice

It's not all clingy white hotpants, blue eyeshadow and stripper heels in Miami, as proven during this month's Miami Fashion Week. The five day event drew designers from all over Latin America, many of whom now live in Miami, including Chilean Jaime Troncoso who sent a series of adorably lacey, feathered, and vintage-inspired looks down the catwalk (pictured).
Bogosse, Julian Chang, Nicolas Felizola, Ana Maria Guiulfo and Hernan Zajar were among the other international  deisgners to show at Miami Fashion Week, which was attended by the one and only Emilio Estefan, as well as America’s Next Top Model participant Anchal.

 

April 24, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Agyness Deyn pops in to L.A.

Two worlds collided when super/über/add your own superlative model Agyness Deyn left the safe confines of London and New York to attend the launch of a t-shirt line in at Fred Segal Fun in Santa Monica.
So what was the tee shirt line that inspired the peroxide cropped style icon to grace our polluted Pacific shores?
E.VIL is the name of the eco-friendly line, a capsule collection created by Svedka vodka, with proceeds benefiting Heal the Bay, a nonprofit helping suck the nastiness out of the beaches of Southern California.
The party was hosted by TV actress Minka Kelly and New York's infamously sullen The Misshapes deejayed, causing toes to tap among the wide-eyed Hollywood crowd which included Jamie Lynn Sigler, Kim Kardashian, Rami Kashou (Project Runway), Nick Verreos (MSN Style Studio), Kelly Kruger and Perrey Reeves.
Then everyone went home, threw out their lip gloss, dyed their hair black and started cutting themselves.

(Top photo: Minka Kelly (R) shakes hands with Agyness Deyn.
Bottom photo: Agyness Deyn with The Misshapes.)

April 24, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 22, 2008

Blonde Venus: The essence of glamour

For many, Marlene Dietrich's iconic performance in 1932's "Blonde Venus" set the glamor standard forever more. Whether she was parading around in a shimmering white top hat and tails, bedecked in feathers and ruffles wih an enormous 'fro, or even swimming nude, she commanded the screen with her style, creating a visual blueprint that would inspire the world of fashion for decades. This coming Sunday, April 27 at 5.30PM you too can revel in the sheer decadence of Dietrich, when the Art Directors Guild presents a Screening of "Blonde Venus" at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
Directed by Josef Von Sternberg, the film sees Dietrich play Helen, a former nightclub entertainer who is forced to return to the Paris cabaret to support her family. The costumes were designed by Travis Banton, who helped mastermind Dietrich's famously androgynous look.
I recently visited the marvelous Berlin Film Museum where you can see the original costumes worn by Dietrich in "Blonde Venus" and many other movies, plus rare home video footage of Marlene and her many lovers. Worth checking out...if you happen to be in Germany, that is. 
Click here for full details on Sunday's screening.

April 22, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 21, 2008

Billion Dollar Babes in New York

You don't need a billion dollars to be a Billion Dollar Babe—quite the contrary. RSVP for the Billion Dollar Babe Spring Sale in NYC this coming weekend, and you'll be set to save up to 80% off on designer threads by the likes of Marcello Toshi, Kate and Kass, Dolce and Gabbana, Tibi, Oliver Peoples eyewear and many more. The sale officially opens Saturday April 26  at 9am, or there's a VIP preview sale the day before. Visit their website to find out how you can get in early!

The sale tales place at The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011.

April 21, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 9, 2008

Euro-phile: Wanna meet a Norwegian polar bear?

Do you have a penchant for furry, fluffy man-eaters? 
Then luxury travel firm Abercrombie and Kent is offering seriously intrepid travelers a unique opportunity.  
With their experieinced guide Mats Forsberg (who has guided BBC production teams into the region's polar bear habitat), you can venture into Norway's Arctic wilderness and follow the trail of the polar bear. The plan being to actually find one. 
This vacation is not for the faint of heart—weather conditions are hardly balmy (think 17 degrees and high winds on a clement day) and you'll camp for at least one night. But it's way more interesting than a week in Orlando. 
Here's how one adventurer described the experience: "We ski to a ridge with views of both the den and the ocean pack ice, and we wait, absorbed by the sparkling silence. Soon the mother polar bear emerges, nosing the air and scanning the surrounding empty pack ice. She then belly-slides headfirst down the snowy slope. Two cubs follow, tumbling and rolling into a furry heap at their mother's feet. She ushers them toward an iceberg, moving them gently along with her massive paws. It's time for a hunting lesson."
 You'll ski, snowmobile and camp your way through Spitsbergen, the last protected natural polar bear habitat. With a bear population of 4,500, chances of sighting one are supposedly excellent. (As are the chances of freezing your boobies off.) Once in bear country, you're entirely dependent on yourself, your equipment, and your guide's knowledge and experience. If you make it home alive and uneaten, you'll have enough dinner party stories to last a lifetime. 
The company is booking departures for March 2009, with prices at around $14,490 per person. Click here for more info.

April 9, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 1, 2008

Warhol-Hirst-Levi's-wearable-art-pop-up-shop

April 1, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 31, 2008

Diamonds are for puppies

March 31, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 27, 2008

Solar eclipse of the art

There's nothing quite as romantic as a candlelit dinner—but a candlelit art show? This weekend's forthcoming Dark Fair, a "subsersive and experimental miniature art fair" will take place in New York, without the use of any natural or electric light. How very Bram Stoker of them.
Eschewing the traditional head-ache inducing strip lighting, all artworks will be ulluminated through the use of candlelight, flashlights, oil lamps, glow in the dark, light sculpture, and batteries only. Dozens of American and international galleries will be represented, including Air de Paris from Paris, Galerie Guido W. Baudach from Berlin, Marianne Boesky Gallery from New York, and Karma International from Zurich. "In this cavernous underworld of exchange, visitors will experience art in completely new ways," say the organizers,  who are the folks behind the Milwaukee International Art Fair.
Even if you're scared of the dark, you should consider going—fashion designer Benjamin Cho, supermodel Erin Wasson and United Bamboo will also be presenting a fashion show at the event. Runway + models + pitch dark = comedy.
Oh, and don't forget to check out the gramophone DJ.
The event takes place at the Swiss Institute / Contemporary Art, 495 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10012. Tel: 212.925.2035. Dark Fair hours are Friday, March 28 from 6pm to 12am, and Saturday March 29 from 12pm to 9pm.

March 27, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 6, 2008

Gen Art kicks off L.A. Fashion week tomorrow...wanna go?

When it comes to giving fresh new talent a helping hand, the folks behind Gen Art are the masters, handpicking young designers and giving them exposure they deserve. Gen Art has been launching careers for more than ten years now, (Louis Verdad, Zac Posen and Michelle Mason are all Gen Art alumni), and tomorrow, they kick off L.A. Fashion Week with an installation show by three exciting new fashion designers as part of their “New Guarde” event, Friday March 7 at 7PM.
And here’s the best part—you can be there!
JMARY, Jesse Kamm, and Le Sang des Betes by Trang Chau are the talented threesome being showcased. They may be “emerging” but each has already built a following. JMary has been creating custom pieces for Maxfield for some time, and counts Winona Ryder, Dita Von Teese and Karl Lagerfeld among her fans.
Le Sang des Betes by Trang Chau (pictured) has a grisly name (“the blood of beasts”) but the designer uses only natural fabrics, mainly cotton and wool, in designs inspired by the vaulted ceilings of Gothic cathedrals. Jesse Kamm, whose signature hand-printed textiles have been showcased in Elle, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Paper magazines, is a favorite of Liz Goldwyn, Ellen Pompeo, and Kazu of New York art band Blonde Redhead.
Their designs will be shown on models in large-scale vignettes from 8-10pm, conceptualized by each designer and produced by set designer Keith Greco. Then, there’s an after-party celebrating all things fresh and new!
So if you're in L.A., go to this show, and meet the fashion faces of tomorrow.
The presentation is at the Park Plaza Hotel (607 S Park View St., between Rampart and Alvarado St). VIP Tickets are $90/ person and $75 for Gen Art Members and include early entry to the show pre-reception and access to all VIP areas. General Admission Tickets are $50 / person and $40 for Gen Art Members. Gen Art LA Associate Producer Members receive two free VIP tickets and Gen Art Platinum Members received two free General tickets.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (323)782-9389 or by visiting www.genart.org.

March 6, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 21, 2008

Robert Evans' sunglasses bring sexy back

Hollywood OG Robert Evans has been doing his PhD (pimping hos daily) for over a hundred years. So it was a delight to witness the man work his legendary mojo in person, at a luncheon celebrating his collaboration with eyewear firm Oliver Peoples.
The event was at his home in Beverly Hills, and in the flesh, Evans rocked my world, resembling a cross between Don Corleone and a 1970s porn director. He wore a pea-green polo neck sweater, neck pulled up high, with some heavy metal hanging low from his neck à la Mr. T. His luxurious gray velvet lounge pants languidly brushed the floor, as if to say "I'm Robert Evans, I'm chillin in my house". His tan was deep, thoroughly developed, and real. All that was missing was a cigar. And some hos.  Evans' high profile guests, including Russell Simmons, Tamara Mellon, Linda Evangelista, Perry Farrell and er, The Stylephile, milled around looking fabulous and sipping champagne.
The party was pure Hollywood glam—synchronized swimmers splish-splashed in his pool, Van Cleef and Arpels diamonds dripped from bonsai trees, and a screen looped the noirish, steamy film trailer Evans had filmed to promo his Oliver Peoples eyewear collection. His co-star was a hot young blonde, of course. (You can watch the promotional video here, which was shot in Evans' home.)
The sunglasses themselves are rather beautiful, the design simple yet powerful, with heavy dark frames that are imposing enough for any aspiring movie mogul. One pair is called, simply, The Robert Evans.
I've always been a fan—the man who produced "Rosemary's Baby", "The Godfather" and "Chinatown" boasts one of the best Hollywood success/excess stories of all time (rent the movie of his life story "The Kid Stays in the Picture" to realize that some of us really are born with a destiny). Plus, he used to make shoes (I own a blue pair of Robert Evans pumps). What's not to love?
Snoop, Dre, Tony Soprano—all y'all could learn a thing or two from this gangsta.
Find out more about the Oliver Peoples/Robert Evans sunglasses here.

February 21, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 20, 2008

Why don't we appreciate costume design?

Under-appreciated, unnoticed and oft unsung, costume designers suffer from a chronic (and inexplicable) lack of recognition in the popular media.
It makes no sense—their creations, especially in some period or fantasy productions (think "The Tudors", "Atonement", "Elizabeth", "Edward Scissorhands", "Sweeney Todd"), often convey more emotion, more story, than the most sumptuous of red carpet or catwalk gowns. And yet I can count on one hand the costume designers whose names are known outside film industry circles.
Why?
Is it because costume designers, unlike some red carpet stylists, actually avoid outshining their clients? Is it because costume designers themselves tend to dress (in Amish terms) somewhat plainly?  Or is it because their world—the world of early hours, long shoots and budget-juggling—is simply less glamorous than the worlds of fashion design or red carpet?
Who knows.
But last night, the costume makers had their moment. The 10th annual Costume Designers Guild Awards were attended by some of the biggest stars of today—Anjelica Huston (who was Mistress of Ceremonies), Kate Holmes (all grown up now, she's killed off Katie), Geena Davis, Christian Bale, Natasha Henstridge and many more.
Anjelica Huston was decked out in a spangly red creation that would have gone well with Dorothy's ruby slippers. It was made by Bob Mackie and Ray Aghayan, and is being sold to benefit the Clothes Off Our Back charity. Mackie presented the Career Achievement in TV award to the Yoda-like Ray Aghayan, whose life's work  is surely the envy of every gay man over 50—he dressed Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand and Diana Ross in many millions of sequins, in a career spanning more than 50 years. (Aghayan and Mackie won the first ever Emmy Award for costume design in 1963.)
Kate Holmes presented United Artists head Paula Wagner with the Swarovski Presidents award, the first time a studio head has won such an honor. "Her impeccable personal style defines how she works," said Kate, whose insufferable Stepford Wife delivery was offset after she mispronounced "epitome", reading it phonetically from the autocue. (It's OK Katie—I mean Kate—I remember saying "paradigm" in all its phonetic glory in front of my English lit class.) Wagner, Tom Cruise's longtime business partner, stepped up to the podium wearing a beautiful floor-length gown, with stiff architectural flourishes and regal in midnight blue. It was stunning, one of my favorite looks of the evening, alongside Lena Heady's (aka TV's new Sarah Connor) mink stole and nude vintage gown.
Brit costume designer Ruth Myers, who came to America upon the urging of Gene Wilder and went on to work on "The Woman in Red", "The Addams Family", "The Accidental Tourist", "Emma", "LA Confidential" and "The Golden Compass", was honored with a Career Achievement Award for film. She also picked up the statuette in the Best Fantasy category, presented by the ever-Amazonian Natasha Henstridge.
Marion Cotillard, looking stunning and about 12 years old, had filmed a touching message in memory of the late Marit Allen (pictured), who was inducted into the Costume Designers Guild Hall of Fame this year. A former UK Vogue staffer and David Bailey model, Allen had costume designed more than 40 productions, including "Eyes Wide Shut", "Little Shop of Horrors", "White Mischief", "Brokeback Mountain", "Love in the Time of Cholera", and "La Vie En Rose". She passed away late last year after suffering a brain aneurism.
Christian Bale refused to follow the autocue, paying tribute to director/producer team James Mangold and Cathy Konrad in his own charmingly ad-libbish way, with several shout-outs to costume designer Arianne Phillips, who has been nominated for an Oscar for her work on "3:10 to Yuma".
Christian Bale, Anjelica Huston, Geena Davis, Kate/Katie Holmes—how much more star power will it take before the masses finally take an interest in the art of costume design?

February 20, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 27, 2008

Red carpet reborn

Yay for the SAG Awards—not only did they rightly recognize Daniel Day Lewis' performance in "There Will Be Blood" as most awesome of the year, they also allowed the star-starved red carpets of Hollywood to savor the sweet spike of a Louboutin heel once again. Cate Blanchett, who is pregnant, glistened in a strapless Balenciaga gown the color of Fool's Gold. Angelina Jolie opted for a diaphanous, marbled brown strapless gown by red carpet newcomer Juliana Cairone, owner of Manhattan boutique Rare Vintage. We saw Marchesa on Nicolette Sheridan (in black) and Rebecca Gayheart (in red). Sandra Oh played prom queen  in a full skirted black and hot pink number, while Ryan Gosling wore a black ribbon on his lapel, in remembrance of fellow actor Heath Ledger.

January 27, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 23, 2008

Living jewels, ordinary world

Insects, creepy crawlies and anthills aren't annoyances, they're inspiration, at least according to jewelry designer Jennifer Herwitt, whose diamond-encrusted necklaces and rings emulate the delicate forms of spiders, scorpions, and even lowly ants.
Entomology-obsessed Herwitt isn't the only one who thinks there's beauty to be found in a hornet's nest—Jessica Alba, Dita Von Teese, Pink, Anne Heche and Marg Helgenbergeris are all fans of her art-meets-nature science designs.
Herwitt is one of several creatives taking part in "Ordinary World, Finely Wrought", an exhibit of "conscious design" being held at the Thatcher House in Venice, CA, this weekend to benefit UNICEF Water & Sanitation Programs.
Actress Lucy Liu together with Warner Bros exec Courtenay Valenti are co-hosting the opening night party tonight.
As well as progressive art, photography and furniture, the Thatcher House itself  is being sold off as part of the benefit. It features eco-touches like radiant floor heating, solar photovoltaic panels for electricity and solar water heating panels. The event opens up to the public on Saturday January 26, from 10a.m. to 5p.m. Call 213 784 2003 for more details.

January 23, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 14, 2008

Jimmy Zoo

I arrived at the Jimmy Choo store opening on Rodeo Drive on Friday night only to be greeted by the sight of hundreds of paparazzi and, even worse, a line to get in. The PR woman in charge calmly informed me that fire marshalls were about to close the party down, so they simply couldn't let anybody else in.
I pressed my nose up against the window of the store, and tried to soak up the atmosphere. I saw Tamara Mellon (pictured, right, with Rachel Zoe) the British socialite who founded the Jimmy Choo empire. I spotted Lisa Rinna, Debra Messing, Lisa Kudrow, and an assortment of Choo-heeled Beverly Hills ladies. There was my friend, style writer and consummate fashionista Linlee Allen, sipping from a glass of Veuve. Fashion editor Merle Ginsberg was interviewing the party goers. AndrewAndrew, the creative design duo were there, wearing identical outfits and looking Awesome in Argyle. And there was the beautiful actress Shiva Rose. Sigh.
And then Harvey Weinstein showed up.
The movie mogul is financial backer of the newly re-launched Halston label, with Jimmy Choo's Tamara Mellon helming, Versace's former head of couture Marco Zanini designing and stylist Rachel Zoe on board. Weinstein's new wife (they married last month), the very pretty Georgina Chapman, is herself a fashion designer (for Marchesa).
As Harvey Weinstein strolled forth, the seas parted and as you'd expect, he achieved a clean entrance into the party. He may be a large-ish fella (and therefore most definitely a fire hazard), but in Beverly Hills, there's always enough room for Harvey.
(PS: The Stylephile was allowed in a few minutes later. Grrr.)

January 14, 2008 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 18, 2007

Seen at the Matthew Barney opening

I met Alia Raza, pictured here with her friend Alex, at the Matthew Barney opening at Regen Projects in L.A. I complimented her on her dress which she informed me was made by her friend Magda Berliner, who just happens to be one of L.A.'s most talented fashion designers (find out where to buy her stuff here). Turns out Berliner is providing costumes for a short film  that Raza will start shooting in January. It is based on a short story of Miranda July's, and stars Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond, Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, fashionista Liz Goldwyn, and OK Go's Damian Kulash.
Fashion designer Jasmin Shokrian, Melissa Coker of Wren and Juan Carlos Obando are also donating and making clothes for the short. all are working under the direction of costume designer Lauren Tafuri. Meeting Raza was one of the highlights of the opening, which was attended by Barney's lady, Björk. A video of Barney's recent performance art piece—you know, the one where the girls pee and the bull tries to mate with a truck—was screened in a back room.
Read more about it here.

December 18, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 17, 2007

Grey Ant pop-up shop in Chinatown

On Saturday I swung by the first night party for avant-garde L.A. label Grey Ant's new collection at the New High (M)art, a pop-up shop in L.A.'s Chinatown. The New High (M)art originally opened up as a gallery space earlier this year, with my boyfriend Eric Layer and his ex-girlfriend, the very awesome Erica Garcia, in charge. The art world not being quite what they expected, they handed the space over to former magician and graphic designer T-Rik and his partner in fashion, style consultant Miho Ikeda, and thus the New High M(art) was born, providing designers with a temporary space in which to showcase their collections. The space launched a couple months ago with a collection by West Coast wünderkind Brian Lichtenberg, with Grey Ant's Grant Krajecki taking over on Saturday night. He had filled the store shelves with his signature high-waisted jeans, some one-of-a-kind Nike/high heel hybrids (inspired by the mass suicide of the infamous Heaven's Gate religious cult in 1997, who were all wearing Nike shoes at the time of their deaths) and t-shirts saying things like "I'm Not Fat". And in the corner was a mannequin with the biggest boobs I have ever seen.
T-Rik told me she was made by a company called Voluptuous that specializes in curvaceous clothes horses. I marveled at how with just a little weight gain, she had become instantly attractive. Added to that, she was wearing an Adidas bustier and, ahem, a large dildo. I cut it from the picture for modesty's sake, and am sure it will cause much wonderment among the elderly Chinese ladies who walk by the store during the day.

December 17, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Liz McGrath art opening

L.A. underground darling Liz McGrath's art opening at the Billy Shire gallery in Culver City was a dark fantasy playground straight off the pages of a Brothers Grimm nightmare, featuring elaborately "tattooed" snow deer mounted on walls with ship rigging among the antlers, large rodents with trailers in their bellies and a family of slow-nodding "death metal reindeer" in the center of the room, head-banging to a Metallica song that only they could hear.
The artist herself was a Gothic Victorian vision, in plaid toy top hat with crimson feathers and ruffles. "I'm exhausted," she admitted, adding that she has not touched a drop of alcohol in some months, as she had been so focused on finishing the pieces for the show. McGrath was once a set designer, working with heavy metal music video directors for some time before her first solo art exhibition, in 2000. She is currently working on a
collaboration with fashion designer Jared Gold, a limited edition
"Liz McGrath for Jared Gold" line. Stay tuned!
Her good friend Winter, a long-time staffer at LA's infamous Trashy Lingerie boutique, wore an eye-catching tartan corset dress with toy hat that she had made herself. There was even an evil Santa Claus, dressed all in black with heavy-lined eyes and lamb-chop sideburns, daring people to sit on his lap.

December 17, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 11, 2007

Wrapper's delight

December 11, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 9, 2007

Jared Gold's big love in Utah

Until Friday, I had never attended a fashion show where shivering attendees wore an inch of virgin snow on their heads, because they had been lining up outside for hours.
Where was this frozen fashion frenzy? New York? Moscow perhaps? Actually, Utah, known for its Big Love polygamists, stunning rock formations and utilitarian approach to style (think Tevas, mullets and snow boots).
The only time fashion becomes anything more than a minority pursuit in Utah is when Sundance hits Park City. Or, as I discovered, when Jared Gold puts on his winter fashion show.
Gold upped sticks and moved from Hollywood to Salt Lake City four years ago. Why on earth would a fashion designer leave L.A. for the style-barren plains of Utah?
Gold, a Mormon with investors based in SLC, had his reasons. He set up a factory and opened four of his Black Chandelier-brand boutiques in Salt Lake City, with plans to open dozens more around the country. "It is my belief that fashion should be democratic," said Gold when I chatted to him just before the show, held at the historic Union Pacific train station building in the heart of SLC.

 











I met Gold during LA Fashion Week last October through our mutual friend, the writer Clint Catalyst. When Gold invited me out to Salt Lake City to attend his show I was thrilled to step outside my bi-coastal box for once.

Democracy and accessibility were themes that permeated the show, inspired by Scandinavian Belle Epoque design. Belle Epoque icons from Rimbaud to Ibsen, from Cezanne to Oscar Wilde, were contemptuous of the bourgeois snobbery that plagued their times. It's a sentiment that Gold echoed, right down to his choice of models, 40 or so Amazonian locals with some colorful special guests flown in from LA and New York. They were stars of reality TV (Lisa D'Amato of "America’s Next Top Model" fame and Nyabel Lual from "Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency") and internet celebrities, like pink-haired alterna-babe Audrey Kitching, blue haired New York club diva Racquel Reed and the talented Stevie Ryan (pictured, in green cardigan), beloved of Crispin Glover and one of the biggest stars of YouTube. Gold told me he feels these women represent the democratization of entertainment, and for that reason, they fit perfectly in his vision.
The 1,600-strong audience was a motley crew, ordinary-looking folks mixed in with green-haired teenagers, drag queens, tattooed vixens and even a Marie Antoinette look-alike, complete with towering powdered wig (all that was missing was some cake).
“But Jared,” I protested, “you know some people won’t approve of this populist approach? To them, fashion’s air of exclusivity is what makes it magical.” His response? "I don’t care." And what of the clothes? The collection, called Caspian, featured items from his ready-to-wear collection mixed in with some magnificent one-of-a-kind pieces. Blue-feathered drop-waist dresses with mandala motifs. Tangerine, azure and brown prints. An enormous gray over coat looked like the offspring of a felt factory and a rubber dingy, the collar towering above the model’s head. Updo's were romantic and gossamer-like, with East L.A. Chola influences evident in the dark-lined lips, heavy black eyeliner and giant hoop earrings sported by the models.
And then Lisa D'Amato got her bum out.
Well...not on the runway, exactly. But at a teeshirt-signing the next day, the rambunctious model amazed shoppers at a Salt Lake City mall by offering up her rear end for Sharpie autographs. She had been up most of the night with new friends made at Salt Lake City nightclub the Trapp Door where she had performed songs from her new album after the fashion show.
On the flight back to Burbank Lisa, who is launching a music career with the help of producer Cisco Adler, reminisced about her time on "America's Next Top Model." "The other girls hated me on that show,” she said. “Especially after I peed in a diaper on national TV."
Whaaaa???
"Life's too short,” she said, explaining how she stumbled upon the diaper and then decided to use it for what it was made for. “The other girls thought it was trashy.”
We suspect Lisa, who recently signed a six-figure recording deal with a Geffen subsidiary, will enjoy the last laugh.

December 9, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 29, 2007

Never too much--the Luther Vandross estate sale

The multi-day extravanganza, called "Elegance on Stage, Elegance in Life", is being put on by auction house Dawson & Nye, with Mrs. Ida Vandross as host.
Vandross, known for his trademark moustache, loved to wear monochrome suits (purple and orange were favorite colors), without a tie. Pieces from his home and wardrobe will be exhibited from Sun, Dec 2nd, with auctions on December 5 and 6.
Click here for more information.

November 29, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want your own style empire?

November 29, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

A feast for the senses

November 29, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rachel Pally sample sale

Sample sales go on all this time, but Rachel Pally's is one you should not miss. Her soft, flattering jersey-knit dresses, skirts and tops are feminine yet practical, allowing your body to breathe beneath the gentle fabric. I own a couple of her dresses, including a stunning teal halterneck number that somehow makes my shoulders look toned and sexy. Pally is also one of the few name designers who considers goddesses of all shapes and sizes—her stylish plus-size collection was recently featured on Oprah.

Did I mention she's also one of the smartest gals I know? A Berkeley grad, Pally reads obsessively, is an architecture buff and has, through sheer talent, hard work and personality, single-handedly built her thriving jersey knit empire.

The sale features new merchandise plus items from her previous collections, all at 50-90% off. It starts today (10a.m. to 6 p.m.) and runs through Sunday at 2001 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Suite F, Los Angeles, CA 90021, on the corner of  Santa Fe and 15th. Call 818-512-9472 or 818-512-9575 for more information, or email info@rachelpally.com.

November 29, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 28, 2007

Red carpet fashions, Brit-style

Red carpet fashions can be frustrating to critique, with Actresses/Models/Whatevers often drawing from the same bag of camera-ready tricks, time after time. Not so in London, where arrivals at the London Fashion Awards delighted us with their freshness and originality.

Pop star Lily Allen was cute as a Sugar Plum Fairy in her strapless baby pink corseted cabaret dress. Model Agyness Deyn looked like a younger, friendlier version of Brigitte Nielson in sheer black haute couture. Dame Vivienne Westwood looked like an electrified punk rock granny. A glammed-up Kelly Osbourne reminded us of a young, super curvaceous Liz Taylor. And model Erin O'Coner pulled a Medusa in her diaphanous, serpent covered silk gown. Sssssexy.
















(For those of you who are interested, Stella McCartney won "Designer of the Year" this year, following in the footsteps of previous winners Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.)

November 28, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 26, 2007

Shopping "intervention"

We hear that All Purpose, the avant garde men’s boutique in Los Angeles’ Third Street shopping district, has agreed to a week-long "intervention", starting on Tuesday, December 4th with a cocktail shopping event.

Jimmyjane, CITIZEN:Citizen and the house menswear label Filius are confronting "retail addiction and holiday overdose" this season  by transforming the store into a temporary "brand pharmacy" called INTERVENTION.


CITIZEN:Citizen will be featuring classics from its range, including the indulgence collection (recently acquired by the SFMOMA’s permanent collection), its Bullet-proof Rose (to be worn over the heart, made of ballistic nylon and featured in this year’s "Vogue" holiday gift guide) along with its just-launched matte black ccPhone.


Jimmyjane will feature its iconic 24k gold vibrators, exotic fragrances, silk blindfolds and provocative massage candles.



Filus will issue limited-edition shirts, knits and accessories to commemorate the INTERVENTION.

Sounds like some serious immersion therapy to us?


We especially love the invitations to the INTERVENTION press preview, which look like a bottle of your favorite meds.

The store is located at 144 South Flores Street in Los Angeles. 

November 26, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 20, 2007

Wanna be a Thanksgiving volunteer?

If you're considering volunteering this Thanksgiving but haven't figured out a plan yet, you better get on it. Soup kitchens are popular places to be at this time of year, and many volunteer lists are already full.

I plan on servicing my acute bourgeois guilt by showing up at The Echo nightclub in Echo Park on Thursday morning, bearing my famous sweet potato gratin, which will be donated to Gobble Gobble Give.

Food On Foot in Hollywood has six sponsorship postions remaining for its big Thanksgiving Day celebration. Yes, that's right, these days volunteering is so popular, you get to pay to do it. For $150 per person, you get to particpate in their Work for Food awards ceremony, and will distribute food and back packs to over 300 homeless and poor individuals. 110 year old Jessie Fairbanks will be in attendance. The event will be held at 1625 N. Schrader in Hollywood and parking is at the site. 

In New York (where the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade will go on, even though it is scripted, because its writers are not WGA members), there are plenty of ways you can give. Visit the New York Coalition Against Hunger's website, or Volunteer NYC.
For national volunteering opportunities, visit the altruists' dating service, Volunteer Match.

November 20, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 19, 2007

Date-saver: Decadestwo Chanel Event

We found this listing on the ever-awesome shopping site, TopButton.com:

 "Decadestwo is holding its semi-annual Chanel spotlight and sale. Decadestwo has acquired a tremendous selection of Chanel goodies including clothing, accessories, and handbags from the mid-1990’s to 2007. TopButton members are invited to attend the VIP special preview on Tuesday, November 27th, from 6:00-8:30 pm. The Chanel event opens to the general public on Wednesday, November 28th, at 11:30 am and goes through December 5th."

You know where Decadestwo is, right? It's on Melrose. It's one of the best contemporary designer re-sale stores in the galaxy.

Hey, does anyone remember Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld's diet book? It came out in 2005 after the designer lost a mountain of weight. Did you read it? What were your thoughts?

November 19, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

7th on Sale black tie gala dinner

The 7th on Sale black tie gala dinner in New York drew plenty of camera-ready looks from the A-listers who attended. 
Dita Von Teese wore this spectacular Marchesa Spring '08 gown. Mary Kate Olsen looked like a pristine diaper in Giambattista Valli with patent leather stripper heels, also by Valli. Kate Moss wore items from her eponymous Top Shop line which, while elegant, were nothing to write home about. We enjoyed Elle MacPherson's simple but stunning one-shouldered black satin look. Even more striking was Valentino's day-glo complexion. Singer Eve's coined Marchesa dress worn with black tights was a little too disco for our tastes. Michael Stipe simultaneously charmed and creeped us out with his  "Flasher Professor" get-up.

November 19, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 16, 2007

Like father, like son

Evan Yurman, son of famed jeweler David Yurman (whose line is beloved by socialites across the nation, especially in Texas), has designed his own collection of baubles for the family firm.

Here's Evan, director of David Yurman Men's Jewelry, pictured with mini-human Ashley Olsen at a party celebrating his collection.

Held at the haunted Paramour Mansion in Los Angeles earlier this month, the bash was attended by hundreds of LA's younger hip-stars. They sipped bubbly and jived to the sounds of tie-wearing music men, The Bravery.

Plexiglass towers outside encased Yurman's diamond and ruby-encrusted bling, while above it all the ghost of former resident Daisy Canfield Danziger looked on. (Daisy, shown here with her husband, silent movie star Antonio Moreno, died in a tragic car accident in 1933.)

Yurman, FYI, is no dilettante—he has forged pieces for various designers including Nom de Guerre, As Four and Alife. He also custom-made a poison ring for Kate Moss, made from a 40-carat moonstone and a 60-carat onyx grasped by two tiger claws.

Poison rings, for the non Wiccan among you, have hinges that open and close, and were used  by terrible people to dump poison or aphrodisiacs into their victims' drinks, without their knowledge. We wonder who Kate had in mind when she bought hers?

November 16, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tarina Tarantino's Tokyo Hardcore

Lucite-loving jeweler Tarina Tarantino launched her sexy "Tokyo Hardcore" collection last night with a bash at her store on Melrose. And what a colorful soirée it was...

Obnoxious celeb blogger Perez Hilton was there, sporting some very blue hair, à la Marc Jacobs.

America's Next Top Model runner up and Skelly Oil heiress Lisa D'Amato was there (pictured, right), sporting some sexy turqouise eyeshadow to match her shiny azure and gold jacket.
Tarina herself (pictured, middle) looked gorgeous, her black tunic dress offsetting her trademark fuschia 'do.

And then there was some guy in a very loud baseball cap (pictured, left).

The key to L.A. style, in case you hadn't noticed, is to make like you're colorblind. Like, duh.

November 16, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

7 For All Mankind store opening

Luxury denim brand, 7 For All Mankind, opened its first retail store on Thursday night with new paparazzi-friendly digs on Robertson Blvd. The store carries sportswear, handbags, shoes, kids clothes and of course, their signature jeans.

The evening began with a private cocktail party hosted by stylist and accomplished calorie-counter Rachel Zoe, and gave way to a packed party filled with Hollywood's young 'n sexy (Rashida Jones, Christina Milian and director Jason Reitman).

DJ Samantha Ronson provided the bumping soundtrack, and the tequila and wine flowed in abundance, leading to some enthusiastic under-the-influence shopping by party-goers. Dangerous...


(Thanks to Mia McNiece, Variety "V Page" Editor, for supplying this story!)

November 16, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 12, 2007

Liz Taylor's sparkly addiction

If there were such a thing as BAA--Bling Addicts Anonymous--you know Elizabeth Taylor would be a gold star member.

What shoes did for Imelda Marcos, diamonds do for Liz, whose personal collection includes a 69.42-carat, $1.1million Cartier diamond bought for her by Richard Burton. For her 40th birthday, Burton had the Taj Mahal Diamond, which dates back to 1627, giftwrapped for her. What a guy!

It came as no surprise when human magpie Taylor launched her own jewelry line, House of Taylor in 2005, through the same company that has created jewelry collections for Elton John and Celine Dion.

Taylor unveiled her latest House of Taylor collection on Saturday at Geary's on Beverly Drive. The looks are Crown Jewel decadent, best reserved for royal weddings, Coronations and other such blue-blood soirees.

Some one-of-a-kind couture pieces in the line are priced at more than $1 million...where's my Richard Burton when I need him?

(Photo: DeGuire/WireImage)

November 12, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 8, 2007

Armani builds Tokyo fashion palace

Et voila! Cate Blanchett flipped a switch and illuminated Giorgio Armani's 10-story shopping emporium in Ginza, Tokyo's most upmarket shopping and entertainment district.

The tower includes floors for the first Armani spa, an Armani restaurant and plenty of room for his men’s and women’s collections of clothes and accessories.

The top floor of the steel and glass fashion palace is taken up by a penthouse. Not for Mr Armani, but for the man who owns the land that the structure was been built on.

As Giorgio Armani knows--it pays to keep your landlord sweet.

(Photo: Jun Sato/WireImage)

November 8, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Look, no models!

Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal was the venue for a most unsual runway show this week...one which used holograms instead of models.
Target held what it called "the world's first model-less fashion show" , used a high-definition video projection to show off  the latest clothing collections for Target from Isaac Mizrahi, Erin Fetherston, Liz Lange, Mossimo, Keanan Duffty, plus jewelry by Dominique Cohen and shoes by Hollywould.
The virtual show was staged in the terminal's Vanderbilt Hall, where commuters seemed intrigued by the spooky fashion spectacle before them.

November 8, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

L'Oreal ladies reprazent

The multi-ethnic, age-representative Ladies of L'Oreal took up arms in the fight against ovarian cancer at a glittering silent aucton and benefit in L.A. last night. Eva Longoria, (who is Latina), Andie MacDowell (who is white), Kerry Washington (who is African American) and Diane Keaton (who is bespectacled) all showed their support. The event was held at the mahogany-floored, red crystal-chandeliered Murano restaurant on Melrose Ave., which is owned by Sandy Sachs and Robin Gans, lesbian nightlife mavens and founders of the Dinah Shore ladies' weekend.

We spotted Rita Wilson, Kyle MacLachlan, Jaime Pressley, Brittany Murphy, and Harper's editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey (the late Liz Tilveris, who was editor-in-chief of Harper's, was head of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund).

The Stylephile was there, sipping on a kir royale and inspecting the items up for auction, which included a beautiful dusky pink Carolina Herrera chiffon gown and photography by Raymond Meier and Greg Sorensen.

Visit www.ocrf.org for more information about ovarian cancer, which kills more than 15,000 women every year in the United States.

November 8, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 6, 2007

What's your true religion?

Scoop up some L.A. cazh (that's "casual", to the uninitiated) classics at the fem LA shopping event on November 17. You'll find up to 60% off on items by L.A. Fashion Week designers like Voom by Joy Han, Tart and Single, plus denim by Hudson, J Brand and True Religion.

The VIP Preview Access ticket ($15) offers two hours (Noon – 2pm) of VIP-Only shopping, and a VIP lounge with complimentary cocktails and mini spa services. General admission shopping ($5) is from 2:00pm-5:00pm. There will be a runway show at 2p.m. and 4p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, log on to www.gotofem.com. At Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405, Saturday November 17, noon - 5PM.
(Photo: Mike Guastella/WireImage.com)

November 6, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

RIP House & Garden

Just the other day, I was flipping through the pages of House & Garden, reading the feature about Gwyneth Paltrow's home in the Hamptons, and trying not to hate myself for not having her life. *Sigh.*
Such are the extremes of emotion inspired by the magazine. So, it came as a surprise to learn that after 106 years House & Garden will be shut down, with no more issues to be printed after this December.
The news came as a shock to many stylish friends of mine, who worship at the altar of Dominique Browning, H&G editor since 1995. Her predecessor, Vogue's Anna Wintour, had injected a heavy dose of fashion into the magazine during her tenure, causing some to dub it "House and Garment".
In spite of its fabled past, the magazine was simply "not a viable business investment", according to Conde Nast CEOs.
Apparently, H&G only had around 800 advertising pages, rather than the 1,000 it would have needed to be profitable.
And because of that, a little piece of American good taste died.

November 6, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 5, 2007

Badgley Mischka wrist candy

This is the moment we have been waiting for...Mark Badgley and James Mischka are debuting their glam new watch line this week, with a launch party at Lotus in New York on Tuesday November 6.
The couture designers have created a bejeweled collection of whimsical timepieces--think thick leather cuffs, eye-catching adornments and totally unnecessary baubles. (We, of course, love unnecessary baubles.)
Each piece will range between $350 and $1,200, and while you won't find any in the stores for the holidays (boo hoo), a retail launch will take place in Spring 2008.
Make sure you're on time for that one.

November 5, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Phyllis Diller, meet the hipsters

Paper, the New York style magazine, is taking up residence in Los Angeles for its annual five-day cultural marathon this week. And this time around they are looking to the past for inspiration, with co-editor and founder Kim Hastreiter (the subject of a lengthy New Yorker profile not so long ago) bringing veteran comedienne Phyllis Diller into the fray.
Diller will show a number of her own paintings at Paper's "Cultural Storefront", a Barbara Bestor-designed gallery space on 233 S. La Brea Ave, on Wednesday November 7 from 5p.m. to 8p.m. The show will also feature polaroids taken by local eccentric Henny Garfunkel. Both Diller and Garfunkel will be on site.
Other Paper events in L.A. this week include a Michael Jackson dance off co-hosted by Parisian ultra-boutique Collette, with dance floor tuition given by fashion designer Jeremy Scott. This is not a joke. And for the marginally less energetic, there's a backyard party at the Venice atelier of furniture and ceramics designer Elizabeth Paige Smith. Unlike the Phyllis Diller art show, neither of the latter two events are open to the public. So if you have strings, we suggest you pull them.
For more information visit www.papermag.com.
(Photo: WireImage/CohenArchv)

November 5, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 1, 2007

Rachel Zoe book signing at Kitson

Size zero stylist Rachel Zoe will be signing copies of her book "Style A to Zoe" at her spiritual home Kitson (where else?) on Saturday. Bouncing back from her messy Nicole Ritchie breakup, Zoe has collaborated with former WWD West Coast editor Rose Apodaca to write the tome, which contains contributions from Diane Von Furstenberg and Michael Kors, among others. Apodaca's sister Bianca provided the illiustrations. "It's her first book and is selling incredibly well," Zoe's rep told us. "Kitson seems to be the right place to be holding this signing. It is her crowd."
She'll be holding court at the store (115 S. Robertson Blvd.) from 12 – 2pm. We wonder if Zoe will find time to pop in to Rose Apodaca's second A+R design store, opening in Venice on Friday? 

November 1, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Costume Ball

Celebrities got into the Halloween spirit last night. Over at the Hollywood hotspot Green Door, Heidi Klum hit the cat walk while thesp Kyle McLaughlin looked like he had seen better days on the golf course. And only Paris Hilton would be pick up fashion tips from her stint in jail as she celebrated her freedom at LAX nightclub.

                   

November 1, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hair Help Is Here

You flat iron it, curl it, blow dry it... lets face it, you have put your hair through a lot. So why not treat your hair this holiday season with a gift from Antonio Prieto Salon. The New York salon is offering a Holiday Hair Package that comes in a chic silver box and includes a hydrating and nourishing treatment followed by a blow-out. In addition, you then get to choose from the Kérastase Résistance, Soliel, Nutritive or Réflection lines for the perfect shampoo and treatment masque combination ($125). So treat yourself or someone else. Your hair will thank you. For more info: www.AntonioPrietoSalon.com. (M. McNiece)

November 1, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 29, 2007

Glitter Girls

Heidi Klum has a message for all you make-up mavens out there: "Don't be afraid of glitter." The supermodel chatted with Stylephile about her new make-up line — "The Heidi Klum Very Sexy Make-Up Collection" — during the launch party at Victoria's Secret on Friday. What the collection lacks in originality when it comes to the name, it makes up for it with the products, which offers classic, beautiful colors with a twist. "We are always looking for something new and I really wanted something that was special and different," says Klum. The line consist of four products: lip gloss, eye shadow, the "Heidi" lipstick and glitter eye liner (all reasonably priced at $12-$18). "The glitter becomes a conversation piece," says Klum. "When you wear it, people will be sure to take notice of your eyes." 
(M. McNiece)

October 29, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 25, 2007

Ladies Who Lunch

Famed interior designer Kelly Wearstler opened up her home for a well-coiffed crowd during a luncheon Tuesday for Couture Cares: A Benefit for Breast Cancer. Well, when we say home, we actually mean yard since guests were unable to get a peak inside Wearstler's abode and instead mixed and mingled on the expansive front lawn. Despite the sweltering heat, the fashionable ladies remained rosy as they were treated to an outdoor runway presentation of the Nina Ricci Spring/ Summer 2008 collection followed by an elegant sit down lunch. Fashion, food and fundraising... we can cheers to that. (M. McNiece)

October 25, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 22, 2007

Queen For A Day

Unless you plan to go as Frida Kahlo this Halloween, I see no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of the services being offered by Queen Bee Waxing in Culver City this Friday eve. All the details below:

When: Friday, Oct. 26 - 6:30pm to10:00pm
Where: Queen Bee Waxing and SKN Rapaport Dermatology
10182 ½ Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

No need for a waxing appointment. It's on a first come first served basis. For great discounts on other services like Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, laser hair removal and acne laser, book an appointment with Deanne in Dr. Vicki Rapaport's office at 310.204.2236. For more details check out:  www.queenbeewaxing.com

October 22, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 18, 2007

Louboutin's Lovely Ladies

October 18, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 17, 2007

Pick of the Day: Kiehl's Class Act

School will soon be in session at Kiehl's. The popular skin care line is hosting events at their Costa Mesa and Santa Monica stores the first weekend in November, during which Dr. Adam Shaker Geyer, Kiehl’s new “Brand Ambassador for Skincare,” will help educate you on all your skincare needs. Among the topics to be discussed are the new Centella Skin-Calming Facial Cleanser, which Dr. Geyer says is, "a vital addition to any medicine cabinet," as well as Kiehl’s new line-reducing eye-brightening concentrate - a must-have product for anyone concerned about dark circles under the eyes. Refreshments will be served and you'll receive a Kiehl’s gift bag with travel-sized skincare samples. Now there's a class you won't want to ditch. (M. McNiece)

Details:
Saturday, November 3:   Kiehl’s Since 1851, South Coast Plaza
Location: 3333 Bristol St. Costa Mesa, CA  92626
Time: 2:00pm to 3:45pm:  one-on-one appointments with Dr. Geyer (A fee of $50 will be charged per consultation, redeemable towards your Kiehl’s product purchases.) 5:00pm to 7:00pm - Free group workshop
RSVP: 714.427.0998 to reserve your place.

Sunday, November 4: Kiehl’s Since 1851, Santa Monica
Location: 1516 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA  90403
Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm - free group workshop
RSVP: 310.255.0055 to reserve your place.

October 17, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 16, 2007

Reach for Pink

Need to brighten up your home with a splash of color? Well, now is the perfect time. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Design Within Reach has partnered with Knoll to create ten limited-edition benches to help fight breast cancer. From today until Oct. 25, DWR will hold an online auction for these ten benches, which normally retail for $3,463. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. For more information go to www.dwr.com/pink. (M.McNiece)

October 16, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 11, 2007

A Walk in the Clouds

The amount of beautiful dresses floating around the grand opening of Monique Lhuillier's new boutique was almost dizzying. "I feel like I am on a cloud tonight," said Lhuillier. "It is a dream to build a store that is a great backdrop for our product." The shop was clearly embraced by Hollywood's stylish ladies who all arrived in a dress by the designer. Lhuillier was the queen of the ball chatting with the likes of Maggie Grace, Kristen Bell and Rebecca Gayheart. Besides beautiful bridal gowns, the store also featured a new line of china and handbags. "It is a lifestyle that we are building," says Lhuillier. "The categories will just grow." (Location: 8485 Melrose Place).      (M. McNiece)





 

October 11, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pink Ladies Unite

It's time to look good while doing good. As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a large portion of each of the products below will go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an org started in 1993 by Estee Lauder's Evelyn H. Lauder. With so many fabulous products you have no reason not to treat yourself while helping others. 

* Estee Lauder's jeweled Pink Ribbon Compact: This sleek gold compact contains bronze goddess soft matte bronzer for a healthy glow. ($45.00/ available at all Estee Lauder counters).

* Creme de la Mer: This item doesn't even need a description since almost everyone has heard about the luxury skin care line that is favored by all of Hollywood's A-list stars. Look for the special pink box created especially for the month. ($195.00/ Available at all fine department stores)

* Origins Rejuvenating Hand Treatment: This 'Make a Difference' lotion contains the plant Rose of Jericho, which helps rejuvenate and refresh your hands leaving them silky and smooth ($18.50/ www.orgins.com)

* Splendid Tank: This cute pink camouflage tank top says you care not only about style and but also about helping others. ($42/ www.splendid.com)  (M. McNiece)

October 11, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thanks For My Loot Julia!

Some of the biggest stars — I am talking Oprah, Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks — came together to honor Julia Roberts last Friday night as she was awarded the American Cinematheque Award. But the best part about the whole hooplah is that Jewels and Pinstripes, the company putting together the extravagant gift bag, is offering Stylephile readers a chance to win some of the loot.

The contest: What the heck is Julia is telling Oprah in these pix that is so darn funny? The most clever answer wins.
The prize: TIGI gift basket of professional styling tools and tons of Bed Head products - valued at $250. 
The deadline: The winner will be picked Thursday (10/18) at 5:00pm so check back to see if you have won! 

(M. McNiece)

October 11, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 24, 2007

Clutch On to White

Still think you can't wear white after Labor Day? Well, bag that thought because white is now welcomed all year long. The white haute item of the moment is the Nancy Bag by Smythson. The luxury goods retailer recently launched the white version of their 2007 autumn/winter Nancy bag, which is available exclusively at their new L.A. digs (222 North Rodeo Drive) from August to October. Smythson will celebrate the launch of their brand spakin new Beverly Hills boutique on Wednesday eve and Stylephile will be there to report back all the details. (M. McNiece)

September 24, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 19, 2007

Ready, Set, Wed

Kick your wedding planning into high gear with the Wedding Salon – Los Angeles Wednesday at the Four Seasons Hotel. Browse gowns, china, flowers, cakes and invites from the industry’s hottest designers while sipping champagne and martinis. Eric Buterbaugh Floral Design, of Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher fame, exhibits, Martin Katz will have a multimillion dollar diamond display and two dozen of the hottest honeymoon destinations will be on hand. If your planning a trip down the aisle, this is the one must attend event. $75 per ticket pair, 4 – 9 p.m.



  
 

September 19, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 17, 2007

Madison Bi-Annual Blow Out Sale

Hit up Melrose avenue boutique Madison this weekend to score Marni, Gucci, Chloe and Marc Jacobs at 60 – 80 percent off. Sale runs through Sunday, 8115 Melrose Avenue. 

Happy shopping!

August 17, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 16, 2007

Barneys New York Warehouse Sale

 

Sure, there’s a sample sale daily, a trunk show weekly and a permanent collection of end of season discounts but in the bargaining realm, Barneys Warehouse Sale reigns supreme. Be sure to stop by Barker Hanger at the Santa Monica Air Center by Sunday to add a piece or 10 to your wardrobe.

 

Sale runs today and Friday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and this weekend 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

 

 

 

August 16, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Conscientious Fashionista

Philanthropy and fashion married last night to spectacular results when former stylist Simone Porter opened her Eagle Rock boutique, Lily Simone, to the Juniors of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Juniors members shopped labels Topin, Ella Moss, Geren Ford, Anna Corrina and Mimo while sipping champagne, noshing on mini quiches, Brie and crudities and knowing 20 percent of all proceeds benefit the Children's Fund of CHLA. Jeweler Leanna Lin was on hand hawking her vintage cabochons hairpins and Czech glass jewelry, the vintage glass Rooster pin is worth the trek to up-and-coming Eagle Rock. Porter also stocks trendy gold bangles, deeply discounted sample Botkier bags and an eclectic assortment of house wares.

The Juniors of CHLA is a fundraising group of young woman in the L.A. area dedicated to supporting Childrens Hospital Los Angeles' mission.

August 16, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 15, 2007

Fits like a Glove

A little black dress, the blue sweater that matches your eyes, strappy silver stilettos, dangly earrings — every woman has one no-fail wardrobe weapon for knocking them dead.

 

Add a perfect pair of denim to your arsenal. Stop by Barneys CO-OP at the Grove Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and get fitted with J Brand Jeans. Experts will guide you through their super skinny selections to their wide-legged Joplins. The creative force behind the luxe line will also be on hand as will a DJ and plenty of cocktails and light Hor d’oeuvres. RSVP to 888-469-4708.

August 15, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 7, 2007

Bony Pony Tea Party

Doing good and helping others always leaves a sunny countenance and an outward glow. Yoga, Ole Henriksen and Korbel Champagne can produce the same effect.

 

Give yourself a double whammy Sept. 22, with “Cure in the Canyons” tea party and beauty-fest dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. Explore Dr. Frank Ryan’s Malibu Bony Pony Ranch while sipping champagne and Glaceau Smart Water. Browse more than 35 tents filled with Glo Minerals, Sephora, Vincent Longo Makeup and Kinerase, stretch with Yoga Works, get pampered in the massage and manicure tents, chat with Henriksen and relax in Dole California’s Wellness Center.

 

The $40 tax-deductible donation goes directly to Expedition Inspiration breast cancer research initiatives. “Cure in the Canyons” kicks off at 11 a.m.

August 7, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 19, 2007

Come Sale Away: Neiman Marcus

Last call at Neiman Marcus ends soon and today is the final day for many online bargains. Well, the word "bargain" might be a stretch, but there are some substantial savings to be had. This oval Stephen Dweck topaz ring (pictured), reduced to $396 from $990, is one of those big cocktail rings that calls for an even bigger cocktail. Also, online are Christian Louboutin wedges for $162 and Tibi dresses priced at $297.

July 19, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 27, 2007

Summer of Movie Love: 1967

Hippie chic, free love, acid flashbacks...Has everyone forgotten that 1967 was a great year for movies? Especially, films with enough signature style and visual panache to have a viewer slack-jawed and pie-eyed. Who wouldn't kill to inherit Auntie Faye's costumes from Bonnie & Clyde? And can someone have a Valley of the Dolls party this summer?

Here's my list for the top five movies of 1967: 

1. The Graduate - Leopard, yum. 
2. Bonnie & Clyde - A beret and a blonde bob never loved each other more. 
3. In Cold Blood - Sound track by Quincy Jones. Even Robert Blake's leather jacket looked forlorn. 
4. Valley of the Dolls - Three different women. Three different styles.
5. In the Heat of the Night - Sidney Poitier's suits are sumptuous. 

June 27, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 21, 2007

Hermes: Are You Invited?

Tonight, Hermes---purveyor of all things emblazoned with an "H" that stands for "However did I get all this darn money?" ---opens a second retail store in Manhattan. The new shop at 15 Broad Street will be aswirl with revelers and an after-party follows at The Cunard Building at 25 Broadway. Expect delicious details to come and yes, a chance to win whatever gets bestowed upon attendees from Hermes. The Stylephile will announce a contest next Tuesday.

June 21, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 19, 2007

Sale: Conversation Pieces

One of The Stylephile's fave stores, A+R in Silver Lake, has discounted all of their tasty merchandise this week by 20%. If you haven't already visited this bijoux boutique--with its design-savant items like the Voodoo Knife Holder and set (now $120 and a perfect housewarming gift)--and perused its inventory of home accents and all around style supplements, then you should take a looong lunch and head on over. For non-Angelenos, there are sale items available online too at aplusrprojects.com.

June 19, 2007 in HAPPENINGS | Permalink | Comments (0)

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