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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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Miss KK's bell sleeves

Miss KK is an L.A.-based designer whose elvish, vintage-inspired designs are much adored by artsy pixies across town.
As well as fairy dresses, peacock feather necklaces and wide-shouldered bolero-style jackets,  Miss KK  (otherwise known as Kristine Karnaky) has created a delightful range of bell sleeve shirts that have just hit the stores. (The model in these photos is A. Huizenga, from art-synth band Hard Place.)
When she's not stitching up a storm for her boho buddies or creating costumes for film and television, Miss KK is helping out at Doris Raymond's legendary vintage couture store, "The Way We Wore".
You can buy her designs at Show Pony (1543 Echo Park Ave., CA 90026), Madley (1227 Abbot Kinney Blvd., CA 90291), Scout LA (7920 W. 3rd St., CA 90048) or at www.MissKK.com.

July 23, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 22, 2008

Smoke&Mirrors sample sale

Smoke & Mirrors, the fashion-forward label run by current "Project Runway" contender Emily Brandle, is holding a sample sale Saturday July 26th from 12 to 5PM. Expect plenty of bold prints, bright colors and luxurious textures (visit the Smoke & Mirrors website to get an idea), all at heavy discounts.
Also on sale will be handbags by CoCo Blanco and belts by Harteau. Not to be missed!
Brandle grew up in Sacramento, California and studied at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, where she met Michelle Chaplin, with whom she would later co-found Smoke & Mirrors.
No word on whether Tim Gunn will be at the sale...
The sale takes place in Hollywood, call 323 658 8700 or email cristina@emgpr.com for full details.

July 22, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 21, 2008

Body Bar: an urban oasis on L.A.'s Eastside

It's what Angelenos on the Eastside of town have been craving for so long—a full-service pampering palace that won't involve you getting on a freeway.
Situated behind a pea-green Art Deco facade on Sunset Blvd. on the borders of Silverlake and Echo Park, The Body Bar offers a tempting range of restorative facials, microdermabrasion, massages, waxes, tub treatments and peels, for the lone ranger, for expectant moms and for couples.
Upon arrival you'll be offered a glass of wine and ushered through to the chill room, where lights are dimmed and you can snack on organic treats before your treatment starts.
I tried out the Body Bar Signature Facial, with a lactic peel. I'm peel-phobic, so this was a breakthrough for me. But I felt very safe in the hands of Body Bar aesthetician René Rutledge. She started by cleansing my skin using a Clairisonic brush, which is kind of like an electric toothbrush for the face. Then she applied a light papaya and pineapple exfoliating enzyme mask, followed by the very light lactic acid peel. Derived from sour milk, it is much milder on the skin than chemical peels and tingled only a little—but brought a whole lotta gunk to the surface.
She followed with the usual extractions and then used orange peel essential oils under a collagen-infused mask, to help heal my skin. Then she dusted off with a little mineral face powder, so I didn't have to step out in the world looking all greasy and post-facial. She used Body Bar's signature line of products for much of the facial, and I have to tell ya—my skin is smoother than a baby's behind.
You might also want to try their Volcanic Soak Bath, using pure volcanic ash to replace minerals, and their Seaweed-Infused Toning Treatment for the body, perfect for dry, undernourished skin that lacks tone. And we hear that their massage therapist Rubin has magic hands...
Body Bar Urban Spa, 3037 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90026. Tel: 323 684 7546.
www.bodybarspa.com

July 21, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 17, 2008

Just for men: ISHI 1451 Jewelry

25-year-old Ishi Glinsky started designing jewelry two years ago, partly in frustration at the lack of interesting accessory pieces for men. He started with necklaces, suspenders and wallet chains made from found objects, anything from street sweeper bristles, to dilapidated metals, nuts, and bolts. Today, he uses more conventional beading and coral pieces with antique objects such as preserved alligator claws and fossilized walrus tusks carved into detailed objets d'art.
Especially striking are his oversized necklaces, made from older chains, locks and antiques (currently on view as part of an art installation at the BPMW showroom at the Cooper Building in downtown L.A.).
"I approach each piece more as a collage than with a jeweler's mind," says Glinsky, who named his line 1451 because when turned upside down, the numerals it resembles the spelling of his first name. He is inspired by Dadaism and old photos of Native American tribes around the turn of the 20th century. "In older photographs, the beauty of their traditional tribal wear was beginning to be consumed by modernity."
You can buy his wares at Front St. 1124 Glendale Blvd, LA CA 90026. Large pieces are on display and available for purchase at BPMW Showroom, 860 Los Angeles St, CA 90024.
www.onefourfiveone.com

July 17, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Three great sales in L.A.

Meghan Sample Sale

Expect show-stopping prints, flowing silk silhouettes and lots of savings at the Meghan Fabulous sample sale this weekend in Los Angeles. A celebrity favorite—Shakira (pictured) wore Meghan’s “Lulu Couture” gown for a Harper’s shoot—the label is offering a $20 rack and up to 50%-80% off retail prices.
The sale runs Friday July 18 through Sunday July 20 and is located at 1406 S. Main St., 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015.  Cash and credit cards only. Click here for times.

Melrose Place savings

Starting today, July 17, Nancy Davis (daughter of Beverly Hills socialite Barbara Davis and tycoon Marvin Davis), and the Melrose Place District are teaming up to present the first-ever Race to Erase MS “Orange Pass” Shopping Benefit. The “Orange Pass” can be purchased for $75 with 100% of the proceeds going directly towards Multiple Sclerosis research. It entitles the bearer to a range of discounts at Melrose Place gems including: Frederic Fekkai, Kate Somerville, Santa Maria Novella, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Diesel, Lambertson Truex, MAX&Co., Mulberry, Sergio Rossi, Mary Norton, Republic, Comme Ca, Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante, and Kumo.
The “Orange Pass” will be valid from July 17-25, 2008. Go to www.erasems.org/orangepass for more info and to purchase a pass.

happy LA sale

happy LA, a Pacific Palisades boutique opened by Ellen de Generes' former personal stylist and a former “Sex And The City” production coordinator, is marking its first anniversary with a sale bound to make you happy. The "happy LA anniversary hour" will feature 20% off new fall looks from Falls, Hudson, Madison Marcus, Original Penguin and Scoop Beach. Plus 25-50% off summer styles from Genetic Denim, Mike & Chris, JET and Raven Tailored. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres from The Oak Room, and personal styling from owners Dawn Baker and Lori Bzura.
The sale starts Thursday, July 24 at 5PM. Call the store for more details, 310 459-5511. 542 1/2 Palisades Drive, Pacific Palisades. www.happy-la.com 

July 17, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | 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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 6, 2008

Have your own reality show for $2500

What's more obnoxious than an SLR-brandishing, cargo-pant-wearing tourist family in Beverly Hills? An SLR-brandishing, cargo-pant-wearing tourist family in Beverly Hills with its own camera crew.
Guests at the Peninsula Hotel can grab their 15 minutes of fame for a mere $2,500, which will buy them and their tribe a full day with an Emmy-nominated producer (times must be hard) and his crew. The team will follow guests around as they sightsee, shop, relax by the pool, and generally behave like the stars of their own reality show. The footage will then be edited in to a professional-quality DVD that can then be taken home to torture future generations with.
It's all part of the hotel's "Academy" program, which aims to give Peninsula guests a flavor of the true Beverly Hills lifestyle. I noticed there were no "Be Mean To Your Spanish-Speaking Nanny", "Botch Your Botox", or "Join AA" options, which would have added fuller authenticity to the program. Although you can book a session with Hollywood voice coach Bob Corff, who taught Jake Gyllenhaal (pictured) to sound like a cowboy in “Brokeback Mountain”.
"Enis you son of a whoresunbitch! I wish I knew how to quit you!"
Cool!
Peninsula Academy reservations are subject to availability and advanced booking is recommended.
Contact the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel Concierge for details. 310-551-2888 or
pbh@peninsula.com

July 6, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | 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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (5)

July 1, 2008

Project Runway's Jay McCarroll and his new doc

Project Runway fans will totally geek out over "Eleven Minutes", an hour-long feature documentary that reveals what happens after the reality TV cameras stop rolling. Focusing on season one winner/fashion bitch Jay McCarroll and the genesis of his post-Runway clothing line, the movie (being screened as part of this month's L.A. Outfest) has already been dubbed "a terrifying intro to the fashion industry", and "Project Runway on crack".
In the spirit of all good reality TV, it shows the gradual unraveling of Mr. McCarroll as he learns important lessons from almighty fashion PR and non-mincer-of-words Kelly Cutrone ("buyers don’t buy a first collection"), and comes to terms with his non-existent sex life. "My gay butt hasn’t seen much action lately,” he tells a reporter. "I've been stuck behind a sewing machine."
We're so in!
Eleven Minutes is being screened at L.A. Outfest on Wed, July 16 @ 8:30pm at the Ford Amphitheatre. Visit Outfest.org to buy tickets.

July 1, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 24, 2008

"Forgive Me" kids' tees by Mark Mahoney

If you're parent to a troublesome toddler, you should  should consider investing in one of these adorable Baby Eggi tees, designed by L.A. tattoo superstar Mark Mahoney.
Bearing the words "Forgive me, for I know not what I do" this tee is so damn cute, it acts as an instant Get Out Of Jail Free card for even the feistiest of  infants —even if he has just projectile-vomited over all your friends in a fancy cafe (true story) or stabbed the FedEx guy in the eye with an action figure (true story).
The line was co-founded by Jennifer Ahn, who oversees Martin Scorsese’s film preservation society. She commissioned L.A. tattoo guru Mark Mahoney (who has inked Johnny Depp and Drew Barrymore) to create baby-friendly designs for the tees. 20% of all net proceeds go to non-profit organizations benefiting children (customers have the option to select from different charities at check out).
And they're only $18. Visit www.babyeggi.com for more information.

June 24, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 19, 2008

Giveaway, and cute couple alert: Bishop of Seventh

When Chachi Prasad and his wife Karam Kim launched their premium denim line, they named it Bishop of Seventh, in honor of the place their cut their teeth in the fashion industry—namely New York’s Seventh Avenue. Then they packed their bags for L.A.
“We wanted to be around all the big boys in Los Angeles,” says Prasad, referring to major denim brands—J Brand, Seven for all Mankind, Rock and Republic, Paige Premium and others—which are mainly based in L.A., America’s denim capital.
Prasad and his wife had spent their careers on Seventh Avenue, working as designers for high-fashion brands like Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan and Michael Kors. Overnight, they found themselves in the wash houses and denim mills of Downtown L.A., coming up with their own, innovative denim treatments in an already competitive jeans market. “We weren’t really denim people before we started out, so it helped that there was a bunch of chemical engineers in my family,” says Prasad. “That gave me some cool ideas.”
They experimented, putting golf balls and pennies in dryers, and coming up with ways to soften their fabrics with minimal use of chemicals. This was around 2005, at the peak of the premium denim game. Prasad went against the grain, favoring raw, tailored denims and clean rinses rather than the embellished, super-distressed looks that were en vogue at the time. “I felt like we were ahead of our time,’ said Prasad, and he’s right—look around today and it’s all about raw denim, tailoring and minimalism.
Sensing that the premium denim explosion was about to plateau, Bishop decided to expand its focus and throw trousers into the mix (Seven For All Mankind, Joe’s Jeans and Paige Premium Denim have since all launched trouser lines). BofS trousers are engineered, with a twisted seam to elongate the leg and a rayon yarn that “wraps around a woman’s body really well,” says Prasad (He sent me a pair and yes, they do add an inch or two to my tiny frame). “Our trousers have a great price point too," points out Prasad, "especially compared with an Armani trouser for example."
Bishop of Seventh donates a portion of all profits to the charity Earth Rights International, which watches over human rights and environmental abuse by major corporations. (Earth Rights is currently pursuing Chevron for apparently hiring paramilitaries in Burma to oust people from their villages to make way for a pipeline). And for extra feel-good factor, their 35th Street Jean was actually blessed by a monk at a Tibetan Temple in Long Beach (where Prasad and his wife were married). “He performed a ceremony that was 30 minutes long, blessing the jeans for health, happiness and prosperity. Then he told us that we have a good, long journey ahead of us with this company. And so we keep going forward.”
Bishop of Seventh is gifting one Stylephile reader a pair of its 7th Ave jeans in Carbon Grey, plus a Christopher trouser in Black Gabardine (with a combined retail value of around $420).
To win, tell us what your favorite charity is, and why. Most compelling response wins! Leave your answers in the comments section of the post, being sure to include your email address so we can reach you. Deadline is Wednesday June 25, at 5PM.

June 19, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (17)

June 18, 2008

The Great Los Angeles Brainwash

There was a rumor going around the Mr Brainwash private preview in Hollywood last night that the whole thing was, in fact, a hoax.
"Someone told me this is all a big joke," said my informant in hushed tones. "We're all being filmed, and then in a week they'll reveal that Mr Brainwash isn't who he says he is, and everyone will know just how stupid L.A. is for falling for it."
This was whispered to me as I hovered around a graffiti'd urinal, à la Duchamp, just one of many jarringly literal interpretations on display in the former CBS studio on Sunset Blvd.
Whatever the truth, Mr Brainwash is definitely real, at least: he's Thierry Guetta, a French filmmaker who became so obsessed with the street artists he was filming, he decided to become one himself, wheat-pasting stretches of L.A.'s La Brea corridor with black and white Banksy-style stencils.
And if Guetta is indeed out to insult test L.A.'s intelligence, then he's doing an audacious job of it—in this super-sized solo show, his first ever, Mr Brainwash manages to rip off pretty much every important artist of the last 500 years. The DuChamp urinal, the Van Gogh self portrait and a whole series of Warhol Marilyns, all tweaked, ad-busted and given the Brainwash treatment. (The only thing he hasn't re-worked, as far as I could tell, was the Mona Lisa.)
But that's not to say there weren't any original ideas inside this cavern of re-purposed greatness.
His larger installations were, for example, very striking--former editing bays filled with books and taped off, graffiti'd with the words "not finish"; a dog sculpture made from old telephones; a 15 feet high take-out bag, complete with receipt taped to the side; and a 30 foot high robot built entirely from (working) vintage TVs. "Look, that's totally L.A.," said a friend, pointing to a cage filled with film reels and car tires. She was right.
I asked Roger Gastman, publisher of street art magazine "Swindle", whether he thought the Mr Brainwash thing was an elaborate J.T. Leroy-esque hoax. "Um, no, I don't think so," he shrugged. "I mean, he exists. He's outside right now, riding a tricycle with a cast on his leg."
The next morning I asked Shepard Fairey, arguably the best-known graffiti artist in America, his thoughts on the conspiracy theory. "He's not a hoaxer," said Fairey. "He is, however, crazy."
Go see for yourselves.
Mr Brainwash, "Life Is Beautiful" continues through Sunday, June 22. At 6121 W Sunset Blvd @ El Centro, Hollywood, CA, 90028. Click here for opening hours.

June 18, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (2)

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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

Obama prefers Hope

Fairey put 700 posters in to production, 350 of which would go on the street, bearing the words "Progress" or "Hope". When they sold out he made 10,000 more, and shortly before beginning his second production run, he heard word from Obama's people again—they loved 'Hope', and felt that was the best message for Fairey to pursue.
Fairey's next batch of posters was all ‘Hope’ and the rest, as  they say, is history.
The Obama campaign posters are sold out, to purchase other Shepard Fairey prints visit the Obey Giant store here.

June 18, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Touch the testosterone: Ed Norton's "Fight club" gear, Javier Bardem's "No Country" shirt

If you're creepy like me, you may occasionally fantasize about burying your nose in the armpit of Ed Norton's "Fight Club" shirt, huffing the emasculated sweat like bad glue, getting high on the fumes of his frustration.
Mmmm.
Or perhaps, you lust after Carmen Electra’s gold floral print with white lace trim dress with silver buttons, the one she wore in “Scary Movie 4”.
Whatever your film or TV costume fetish, you're bound to find something to satisfy it at the upcoming Hollywood Roadshow, a huge auction taking place Saturday June 21st and Sunday June 22nd in El Segundo, just south of L.A.
Several hundred items from acclaimed films including “No Country for Old Men”, “Star Wars”, “21 Grams”, and “Lords of Dogtown” (as well as Edward Norton’s personal collection of costumes and key props from “Fight Club”) will be up for bid, with proceeds to benefit the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Additionally, hundreds of movie-themed pinball machines and arcade games including PacMan, Ms. PacMan, Galaga, The Simpson's, Jurassic Park, and many more will be auctioned. 
Personally, I'd be psyched to get my hands on Oscar-winner Javier Bardem’s denim jacket, long-sleeve button-up shirt and black "Wrangler" pants (with bloody holes) from “No Country for Old Men”. Or Stacy Peralta’s Graffiti Short Surfboard, used on screen as set decoration in “Lords of Dogtown”.
The live auction will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 21st and June 22nd at Premiere Props’ warehouse in El Segundo, California (128 Sierra Street, El Segundo, CA 90245).  There will be a preview from 9am – 11am, and the auction will begin at 11am. All items will also be for sale to the general public via Hollywoodroadshow.com and eBay.com, with the preview beginning June 21st at 9am and the live auction starting at 11am.
For more information, visit www.hollywoodroadshow.com.

June 5, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recession sale in L.A.--LabelNYC

I first talked to fashion designer Laura Whitcomb of Label a couple of years back, when I interviewed her by phone for a style magazine. The story was only supposed to be 300 words in length, but we chit-chatted for over an hour, and when we hung up, I cursed the universe for placing this amazing lady in New York (she has a boutique in Nolita) and me in L.A. That's how cool she was. Life went on of course, and then a month ago I commented on a friend's shirt, and how great the design was. "Oh, it's by my friend Laura Whitcomb," he said. "She runs this line called Label, and she's in L.A."
I called her and she immediately recognized my voice and proceeded to tell me some exciting news: she's holding an L.A. pop-up, selling more than 1000 pieces of archival stock and past seasons' wares at a space in Mid City, spitting distance from  Variety/Condé Nast/LACMA etc.
Some handbags are priced as low as $5.
"We've never done a sale like this before," she said. "We're conscious that some people are starting feel the recession."
LA-based Stylephile readers—the sale continues through Sunday June 8, 11am - 7pm, with beautiful multi-layered jewelry items by ANKH by Racquel jewelry on sale too. I highly recommend you visit, if only to say hi to Ms. Whitcomb. You'll find her very agreeable, I'm sure.
The sale takes place at 609 South Burnside Street, Apartment 103, near LACMA. Call to make an appointment (323) 933-3537.

June 5, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

From TV to Bootie

At Kari Feinstein's pre-MTV Movie Awards Style Lounge, I ran into two very excited women brandishing panties with strategically-placed padding at the back. One was a former PBS producer named Susan Bloomstone, who had given up the TV game in order to help women's butts look better. "Look, these make your bootie pop!" she exclaimed, holding up a pair of pink panties, soft cotton hip-huggers with built-in undulating glutes.
In the film-world, butt-padding is commonplace. Pedro Almodóvar had Penélope Cruz wear a prosthetic rump in "Volver", so she could look more womanly. And on ABC's “Brothers and Sisters”, Calista Flockhart's character padded her bony behind, so she could look more appealing to her suitors. The ass-less Kelly Ripa tried on a pair and is now a convert—and who can blame her? Booty-enhancing surgery is one of the most painful procedures around, which is exactly why Susan Blooomstone came up with the BOOTY POP concept in the first place. After reading a an article in the New York Times about the dramatic increase in the rate of buttock augmentation surgery, she figured there had to be a better way, founding her company Sweet Apparel with friend and fashion merchandiser Lisa Reisler.
I took a pair home—not for me (I am extremely blessed in the booty department), but for my skinny-ass boyfriend, who wore them all afternoon. He said he definitely felt more feminine, although pointed out he would be perturbed if a girlfriend padded her booty out early in a relationship. "It's false advertising, don't you think?"
BOOTY POP is available in seven colors at Kitson. Visit www.mybootypop.com for more info.

June 5, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 3, 2008

Black the new black at the MTV Movie Awards

There were no "in-between" hues at Sunday MTV Movie Awards, with stars opting either for dark and dramatic, or dangerously day-glo.
Sarah Jessica Parker won the "tightest dress ever" award in microscopic black L'Wren Scott and lace-up Louboutin boots. Charlize Theron looked like a Jean Paul Gaultier perfume in black leggings (yikes!) and nude-and-black bustier.
Rumer Willis was all grown up with side swept raven tresses and a clingy black cocktail gown. And heiress Paris Hilton, who apparently is not gay any more, looked very Bonnie And Clyde with her dashing boyfriend Benji Madden, both of them wearing black-and-white print. We hope Benji stuck around to take his girlfriend to jail later that night, where she will serve a 23-day sentence for violating her probation. Anne Hathaway, who will never go to jail for violating anything, looked just about edgy enough in a pretty Sophia Kokosalaki number.
Sadly, no-one sent the "black is the new black" memo to Meghan Fox, who showed up looking as though she'd been possessed...by the Sugar Plum Fairy.

June 3, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 29, 2008

Project Runway moving to L.A....for a hot minute

We were excited to hear that our beloved "Project Runway" is considering a move to L.A. this fall, after its fifth and last season with Bravo (which airs in July). The Weinstein Company has sold the rights to the show to Lifetime, and we hear they plan on splitting filming of Season Six between L.A. and New York.
It's a significant development, and one that is sure to divide fans of the show, especially those who, somewhat myopically, still believe New York/Bryant Park to be the be-all-and-end-all of American fashion. Hopefully, the move will bolster L.A.'s reputation as a hub for creative innovation, and draw much-needed attention to the local fashion landscape, oft pooh-poohed in haughtier circles, but deemed under-appreciated by those who know and understand the terrain. "It's not all Juicy sweatpants in L.A., you know," sighed L.A.-based "Project Runway" finalist Rami Kashou when I spoke with him this week.
Season Seven is expected to return to New York.
UPDATE: I spoke to Tim Gunn a few minutes ago and he confirmed that Season Six would be in LA for its entirety, with Season Seven moving to New York, and then Season Eight back to L.A. etc. etc. Long live Project Runway!

May 29, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (5)

Opening Ceremony sale

Another great sale this weekend, on both coasts.
The Opening Ceremony sale begins this Friday, May 30th with 30-60% off selected items by edgy designers we love.
Among them are: Acne, Chloe for Opening Ceremony, Bless, Hussein Chalayan, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Mary Ping, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Nakkna, Marios Schwab, Loden Dager, Nom de Guerre, Jeremy Scott, Melissa Shoes, Nike, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, Topshop, Endovanera, Katy Rodriguez, Jasmine Shokrian, Wren, Suh-Tahn, Grey Ant and, of course, Opening Ceremony.
Opening Ceremony New York is located at 35 Howard St.,  New York, NY 10013. Tel 212-219-2688
Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 11-8pm and Sundays 12-7pm
Opening Ceremony Los Angeles is located at 451 North La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048. Tel 310-652-1120. Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 11-7pm and Sundays 12-7pm
www.openingceremony.us
(image from Proenza Schouler)

May 29, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 28, 2008

Billion Dollar Babes sale tomorrow

Billion Dollar Babes is returning to Los Angeles for a Spring Sale on Friday May 30 and Saturday May 31, at which Escada is hosting a private boutique featuring over 1200 pieces of their latest Spring 08 collection straight from store shelves, all at 60% off. Here's what else BBB has lined up:
-James Jeans are just $80 (retail $185)
-Debra Rodman's party dresses (as seen in Barneys and Planet Blue) are $98.
-Oliver Peoples' Harlot frames (pictured) will be on sale for a $130 (retail $340)
-Plus Society For Rational Dress, Tibi, swimsuits by ViX swimwear and many more
When you're not shopping, you can hang in the garden lounge bar and sip martinis, and take advantage of free $100 gym memberships and makeovers.
The sale takes place at Smashbox Studios in West Hollywood. Click here for event details and RSVP.

May 28, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | 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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

The perfect hotel for insomniacs

The Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village is offering stressed-out, sleep-deprived high-flyers everything they could possibly need to nod off, from in-room chamomile aromatherapy facials to teddy bears, available on request.
The hotel, located just outside Los Angeles, has launched its "Sleep Well" program, created with the help of medical and wellness experts from California Health & Longevity Institute.
As well as mind-calming spa treatments like the chamomile facial, a lavender body treatment, and reiki, you can dine from a Sleep Well menu, make use of blackout drapes and take advantage of on-site clinical hypnotherapy, guided imagery and meditation to help you sleep. And for hardcore insomniacs, physicians can conduct clinical sleep studies on you within the comfort of a Four Seasons guest room.
Cuddly teddy bears are provided upon request, as are specialty pillows including orthopedic, full body, buckwheat and foam varieties.
To reserve a good night's sleep at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, call (818) 575-3000 or visit www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage.

May 27, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 22, 2008

bliss out by the pool

Fancy sitting by the pool with a piña colada cocktail in your hand...and a piña colada mask on your feet? bliss in Los Angeles is opening up its swim-side spa tomorrow (May 23) meaning you can get everything from a rapid rub massage to a "pedi colada" pedicure while being pampered in bliss’ private cabana. The bliss cabana is open Friday-Sunday from 11am—6pm and is located at the W Los Angeles in the Backyard. 930 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90024. Hours are 9am-9pm, seven days a week. Call 323 930 0330 to book an appointment.

May 22, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cameron Diaz goes bald

Natalie Portman rocked a mean bald head in "V for Vendetta".
Demi Moore was hot as a butch egghead in "G.I. Jane". And we longed to stroke Sigourney Weaver's stubbly scalp in "Alien 3".
Cameron Diaz, however, is not a natural-born Hare Krishna.
Just take a look at this photo from the set of "My Wednesday's Keeper", in which she plays a mother who shaves her head as a gesture of support toward her daughter who has leukemia.
I haven't seen such a disconcerting conehead since, well, "Coneheads".
Thankfully though, this is a bald cap, entirely temporary. Something Britney should have considered before reaching for the clippers.

May 22, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 20, 2008

Angelina's 1920s chic in "Changeling"

Dig out your grandma's 1920s felt cloches, ox blood lipstick, and Mary Jane ankle straps—tonight is the Cannes premiere of Clint Eastwood's "Changeling", a true story-inspired tale set in 1920s Los Angeles. Starring Angelina Jolie, the movie features some stunning Roaring Twenties looks (put together by costume designer Deborah Hopper) that are sure to thrill vintage fans.
The 1920s were hugely influential in terms of modern fashion, and you'll regularly see Ascot racewear, "garconne" or Flapper straight shifts and Great Gatsby-esque looks on contemporary runways. (Think Temperley London Spring/Summer '08, Chanel Fall/Winter 2007, and Sue Wong's recent forays into bejeweled 1920s decadence.)
Thankfully, modern women are more in love with their curves than 1920s gals were–we no longer feel compelled to bind our breasts with the once-popular Symington Side Lacer bra, which could be laced at both sides and pulled in to flatten the chest...ouch!

May 20, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | 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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (10)

May 13, 2008

High fashion boutique for stylish tweens

When I was a bratty, fashion-obsessed pre-adolescent I would have killed for a store that, you know, spoke to me. 
So even though I'm all grown up, I'm still excited to hear about Play Couture, a boutique opening in Beverly Hills this week. Catering exclusively to the 7-16 set, the store will carry collections by Miss Grant, LA Made, Miss Sixty, Diesel, Junk Food, Keds, Pazitos, Moschino, IT Jeans, Kicco Kids, Havainas, Ed Hardy, Paul Frank, Awake, and Anjewels to name a few and owner Trevor Levin, was born and raised in Los Angeles and went to Beverly Hills High School—so he understands the need among pre-adolescents to look uncommonly stylish.
Play Couture is located at 253 S. Beverly Dr. Beverly Hills, CA  90210, tel: 310-866-8738.
(Photo of tween fashionista Ryan Newman, who plays young Hannah Montana.)

May 13, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Herbal cocktails at the Crescent Hotel, anyone?

Bored of Bloody Marys, Bellinis and Brandy Alexanders?
Then why not try a Salad Toss (Veev Acai liquor, cucumber, fresh basil, and blood oranges), a Rosemary’s Nectar (raspberry vodka, fresh rosemary, cranberry, lemon, and lime juices), or a Victoria’s Secret Garden (St. Germain elderflower liquor, fresh garden flowers, Hangar 1 citrus vodka)?
These are just some of the $14 garden and herbal-inspired cockatils on offer at the Crescent Hotel bar, just in time for summer. In the heart of Beverly Hills, The Crescent was originally built as a residence for Hollywood’s silent film actors in the 1920’s. It was purchased and redeveloped by hotelier Gregory Peck in 2001, who worked closely with designer Dodd Mitchell to redesign the Crescent in 2003.
Click here for more info.

May 13, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you swung by the new H. Lorenzo store yet?

H. Lorenzo's "green-powered" concept boutique on Robertson is well worth a visit, if you haven't already peeked inside.
Opened just a few weeks ago at 474 N. Robertson Blvd., the HLNR store is a solar-powered and paperless shopping experience for men and women. “I chose North Robertson for this new type of retail experience, because this is where the fashion nucleus in L.A. has shifted," explains owner Lorenzo Hadar. "Nowadays the fashion elite who come here to shop are people who care about the environment.  I hope the eco-initiative we’re taking with HLNR similarly inspires others to achieve a higher standard.”
The 4,000 square feet boutique features uses solar power generated by rooftop paneling, a paperless receipt system, sustainable hangers and shopping bags, as well as low-volume flush TOTO toilets and energy-efficient Dyson Airblade hand driers in the washroom. HLNR will carry the latest from designers such as Zac Posen, Ann Demeulemeester, Balmain, Comme Des Garcons, Preen, Veronique Branquinho, Viktor & Rolf, Junya Watanabe, Dsquared, John Galliano, Neil Barrett, Yohji Yamamoto, Marc Jacobs Shoes, Chloe Shoes and Guiseppe Zanoti.

HLNR (474 N. Robertson Blvd.) is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  A parking lot is available for 13 automobiles, as well as a private paparazzi-free entrance.  For further information on the collections please visit www.hlorenzo.com, or to set up a private shopping appointment, please call (310) 659-1434.

May 13, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 1, 2008

Win a limited edition Veuve Clicquot Traveller

If your mom gets her kicks from champagne, why not gift her Veuve Clicquot Traveller (sic) this Momma's Day. It looks like a stylish mini tote...but inside, it's hiding a mini bottle of VC fizz. Designed to be the perfect carrier for a 375 ml bottle of Veuve, this Louis Vuitton-designed case keeps bubbles cool whether your mom's on the beach, at a garden party or running some pre-Mimosa errands. And once the contents are gone, she can use it as a cute handbag/vanity case/jewelery, simply by removing the cooling neoprene insulation from the inside. Buy here.
We have one Limited Edition Pink Veuve Cliquot Traveller to gift to a Stylephile reader (if you re-gift to your mom, we promise not to tell). To win, tell us about the last time you got drunk on champagne. Leave your answers in the comments section, and make sure to include your email address. Deadline is this Sunday, May 4!

May 1, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (30)

April 30, 2008

Fight them with fashion: Chanel tweed grenade bombs

Last week marked the opening of “Vanity Bonfire”, a solo exhibition of new works by the young artist Sean Christopher at the Corey Helford gallery in Los Angeles. A graduate of the New York School of Visual Arts, Christopher creates work that very much appeals to the Stylephile.
Why?
Because in these turbulent times, Sean Christopher is one of the few to successfully marry themes of war, peace, and mortal combat with...Chanel.
We admire his audacious tweed Chanel grenade oil paintings—So bold! And just look at his adorable Chanel branded army tanker—where can I buy a real one?

Corey Helford Gallery was established in April 2006 by Jan Corey Helford and her husband, television producer Bruce Helford ("The Drew Carey Show", "George Lopez", "The Oblongs"). The gallery is located at 8522 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232 and is open Tuesday - Saturday, Noon to 6:00pm.

April 30, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Win a dinner for two at Dakota Bridge

Where can you savor your filet mignon in the jasmine-scented night air, seated just yards above an azure swimming pool around which young beautiful things are sipping wines several years older than they are? At Dakota Bridge, Hollywood's newest dining destination.
Essentially an extension of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Dakota steak house, Dakota Bridge offers a semi-private dining experience that overlooks the hotel's Tropicana Bar and its David Hockney pool. Dakota Bridge can accommodate intimate dinners, from two to forty guests, by reservation, and all diners are guaranteed entry to the Tropicana Bar.
Tim Goodell, president/executive chef of Domaine Restaurants is calling the new venture a "pure, one-of-a-kind Hollywood experience,” and just last week, the restaurant popped its celeb cherry, when fashion designer Charlotte Ronson hosted a private dinner party there for family and friends (including her buddies Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie) to celebrate her Fall '08 collection.
Dakota Bridge is gifting one Stylephile reader a delicious dinner for two—to win just tell us this: If you were dining at Dakota Bridge, what would you hope to see happening down below at the Tropicana Bar?
Leave your answers in the comments section of this post, making sure to leave your email address. Deadline is Tuesday April 6.
Dining hours for the Dakota Bridge are Sunday – Wednesday 6-10:30 pm for larger groups; individual reservations are available Thurs 6-10:30 pm; Fri and Sat 6-11 pm. Reservations are required  (323) 466-7000.

April 30, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (15)

April 24, 2008

Giveaway, and sale: Pegah Anvarian tomorrow!

Here's another steal for L.A. readers: designer Pegah Anvarian is holding a special sale at the California Market Center, coinciding with the regular monthly sample sale there.
You'll be able to pick up designs like these (pictured) from Pegah's Spring 2007 to Spring 2008 collections, all for 65% or more off retail.
Even if you're not ready to slip in to one of Pegah's sexy draped jersey dresses, it's worth checking out her new collection of fitted pants, tailored jackets, and signature scarves.
Pegah has kindly offered to gift one Stylephile reader a beautiful silk scarf from her collection (fabric is pictured).
To win, simply tell us this: how many scarves do you think you have mislaid over the years, and where do you think they end up? Leave your answer as a comment, and don't forgte to include your email address! Deadline is Wednesday April 30.
The sale takes place tomorrow, Friday, April 25th, from 9 a.m.  to 6 p.m. at The Annex at the California Market Center (off the Main Lobby), 110 East Ninth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90079. The CMC is a 13-story building in downtown LA housing more than 1,000 showrooms and 10,000 product lines. On the last Friday of every month, it opens its doors to the general public to shop for samples at participating showrooms.
No RSVP is necessary.

April 24, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (11)

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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 3, 2008

We're giving away a bottle of Safi perfume oil!

When I was 21 I spent an unforgettable three months in Kenya. I went on safari and had a close encounter of the baboon kind, right outside my tent. I watched polo matches and drank gin tonics for breakfast. I went to John Hurt's house. On the night train from Nairobi to Mombasa, I killed cockroaches by turning my can of deodorant in to a blow torch. I was licked by a giraffe, I dyed my hair purple and I made love in a tree house. And I'll never forget the intoxicating smell of early evening on the outskirts of Nairobi, looking out across the Great Rift Valley and praying I'd never have to go home.
Which brings me to Safi, the new fragrance by NYAKIO. Nyakio Kamoche, a first generation American with Kenyan roots, developed NYAKIO based on family beauty secrets. She launched Safi, which evokes the spirit of Kenya, earlier this month with a star-studded bash at APOTHIA in LA's Fred Segal Melrose, attended by Bryce Dallas Howard, Keisha Whitaker, Kristin Cavallari, and Emily Deschanel, among others. The fragrance itself is a super-sensual blend of essential oils, with top notes of fresh lychee, juicy pineapple and black currant, soul notes of stargazer lily, fresh-cut freesia, and neroli, and base notes of muhuhu wood, fresh bamboo, and crisp papyrus.
Yum. You can buy Safi here.
We have one bottle of Safi perfume oil, worth c. $70, to give away. To win, leave a comment telling us about the most beautiful place you've ever traveled to, and don't forget to leave your email address! Deadline is 5PM on April 9.

April 3, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (28)

April 1, 2008

Dittos jeans giveaway!

Dittos is gifting a pair of its "Classic" jeans in blue (pictured) to a Stylephile reader. Just leave a comment telling us what your favorite thing about the 1970s is...or was. (It doesn't matter if you were still a glimmer in your daddy's eye at the time...just be creative!). And don't forget to leave your email address. Deadline is Monday April 7 at 5PM.

April 1, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (28)

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

April 1, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 25, 2008

Last night at Little Dom's

Living in L.A., you become accustomed to regular celebrity interaction. My friend once asked Vincent Gallo to serve her a hotdog outside Home Depot (she didn't realize who he was, "he was standing by the hotdog stand, he had a beard" she protested). A nameless star of the 1980s once invited me to take magic mushrooms and have a threesome with his wife. (I didn't go there). And a few years ago, I spent my birthday with Def Leppard. All run of the mill, regular La-La land kind of stuff.
But last night at Little Dom's restaurant, even jaded Angelenos like myself couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the random Monday night star-power strolling through the door. Little Dom's recently opened in the Los Feliz neighborhood of L.A., the Eastside outpost of Dominick's restaurant in West Hollywood. It's a cozy little spot, serving upscale Italian fare. Not the kind of place that screams red carpet. So I was only mildly surprised to spot Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, waiting to be seated with some friends. Then in sashayed Kelly Lynch, blonde and eternally beautiful, with her equally long-haired beau Mitch Glazer. "Hmm," I thought. "It's getting hot in here." Then not five minutes later, in walks Christina Ricci. "This is getting ridiculous," I whispered to my friend. "I know," she said nodding over to the corner, where Orlando Bloom was hanging out.
With that much eye-candy, the great food was just a bonus. Long live L.A.

March 25, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 20, 2008

APOTHIA AROMATICS: the smell of success

At L.A. Fashion Week you could literally smell the glamour in the air—thanks to the APOTHIA AROMATICS candles that were quietly burning away within the tents. Named "Interior Fragrance of the Year" by the Fragrance Foundation, the collection (which includes scents with alluring names like "Velvet Rope", "Juiced", "Scene" and "Bronze") is meant to evoke the essence of life in L.A. So throughout the five days of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios, an assortment of APOTHIA AROMATICS' 11 interior scents were placed in the main lobby, the VIP green rooms and the press check-in area, infusing a gentle and calming aroma into the adrenaline-filled air.
APOTHIA AROMATICS is the fragrance, candle and home diffuser collection released by APOTHIA, the high-end luxury beauty and lifestyle boutique at Fred Segal Melrose. You can buy at APOTHIA at Fred Segal Melrose, and at fine department stores and specialty boutiques in the U.S. and U.K.

March 20, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 18, 2008

Fit for a McQueen

There are way too many chain outlets with a "Mc" in the name—but here's one we're actually happy to see open. Alexander McQueen is bringing his theatrical high fashion vision to L.A., with a new retail store set to open next month. The 3100sq ft store on Melrose Avenue, on the corner of Melrose Place, will be the third McQueen outlet in the U.S. It was designed by Will Russell of Pentagram architects, and was conceptualized by Alexander McQueen. Expect "organic ethereal shapes", stalactite forms floating above the floor, chips of mother-of pearl in the flooring and a 9ft metal sculpture of a man called ‘Angel of the Americas’ by British artist Robert Bryce Muir, half of which will ‘float’ through a glass skylight.
Oh, and clothes. Lots of clothes. (The store will house his womenswear, menswear, accessories and eyewear collections over one floor.)
8379 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA. 90069. Tel: 323.782.4983
 

March 18, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 17, 2008

America's most stylish mayor?

In New York, Hillary almost posed for Vogue (she backed out, last minute).
In Paris, president Nicolas Sarkozy shacked up with a supermodel.
And in L.A., Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is blazing a fashion trail, establishing himself as the most stylish politico the city has ever seen.
But don't expect the crush-worthy Villaraigosa, who loves runway shows and took the podium at last year's L.A. Fashion Awards, to ditch his somber councilman's suits any time soon. Rather, you should think of him as LA's Fashion Enabler, a closeted hipster who gladly opened up his backyard to fashionistas last week for a cocktail party and celebration of eco-style. The invitation-only FutureFashion L.A. event (hosted by Designers & Agents, the CFDA and Earth Pledge) was held on the sprawling lawn of Getty House, the mock Tudor mansion that is the official residence of the Mayor of Los Angeles.
 Surrounding a small pond at the back of the lawn were a dozen or so eco-designs by mainly local designers, including Magda Berliner, Trina Turk, Trovata, and Bahar Shahpar. Each designer had created their piece using various eco-fabrics given to them by Earth Pledge, an organization that helps designers and manufacturers transition to sustainable fabrics.
 My favorite garment was this huge bell-sleeved caftan by VPL (pictured), made from organic wool jersey and organic cotton indigo denim.
 Hob-nobbers included David Hiller, L.A. Times publisher, and all the usual L.A. fashion suspects. I saw Rose Apodaca, who wrote most of the L.A. Times' magazine's Spring fashion issue. Davis Factor, the Max Factor heir who runs Smashbox studios with his brother. Trina Turk and her extremely tall husband. My friend, the fashion designer Rachel Pally. And the mayor's two fashion-crazy daughters, including Prisila Villar (pictured),  who is studying at FIT in New York. The mayor's girls are, it turns out, his secret fashion weapon, and it was on their encouragement that the entire event took place.
 Oddly, there was no sign of Linda Loudermilk, one of L.A.'s best-known eco-designers. Also absent was Diane Von Furstenberg, president of the CFDA.
But I did meet a man who looked like pirate.
 Are you in fashion? I asked the man, who, it turns out, is the fabulous Russian painter Alexey Steele (pictured).
"Actually, I'm in anti-fashion," he said, snickering. "I paint nudes."

March 17, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 13, 2008

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle: longest name, cutest style

(I can't believe I am featuring a "Hannah Montana" star on The Stylephile, but here goes.)
Not only does Anna Maria Perez de Tagle have the longest name in Hollywood, she was also born in 1990. (Seriously. Do you know anyone who was literally, not metaphysically or spiritually, born in the nineties?)
Being born in 1990 means you get a special fashion pass that allows you to do whatever you want and still look adorable, as displayed by Anna Maria Perez de Tagle at L.A. Fashion Week. Here she is, in high-waisted mommy jeans, flouncy grape blouse and a rainbow growing out of her face. Love it.

March 13, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (2)

Viktor & Rolf champagne: pretty on the inside

I have to admit—Viktor & Rolf's upside down pink bottle design for Piper-Heidsieck kinda had me at hello.
But, just because something's pretty on the outside, doesn't mean the inside's necessarily up to much (especially not in Hollywood.)
So, it was with much trepidation and inner suspensefulness that I opened up a bottle of V&R bubbly just a few days ago. The results were feminine yet bone-dry, morello cherry-tinged and sexier than a bartender at Whiskey Blue at the W hotel, currently the only bar in L.A. where you can order a bottle of V&R champers (for around $225 per bottle).
If your bar-hopping days are over, however, you can also buy it online, and fizz things up with your honey in the privacy of your four-poster bed.
Bottoms up!

March 13, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 6, 2008

Giveaway: rose gold and diamonds by Blessedcharm

Today we have a very special Stylephile giveaway, courtesy of a woman who took the plunge and made a completely fresh start in her career, going from high-powered Hollywood agent to jewelry designer.
Making a career change is something many of us think about, but are too frightened to actually do. But for Emily Rabinowitz, founder of Blessedcharm jewelry, the call of creativity was too much to ignore.
Formerly an agent at Innovative Artists Agency in Santa Monica, Rabinowitz took her experiences in the entertainment industry and the corporate world and used them to help build the business side of her Blessedcharm and Kiss of Karma collections, high-end lines whose pieces convey symbols of hope, optimism and personal clarity. Blessedcharm can be found at Fred Segal and Jennifer Kaufman in Los Angeles, K. Frank in Santa Barbara, and Rich Hippie in Dallas. Rabinowitz has offered to gift one Stylephile reader her lovely rose gold and diamond-encrusted "Hugs for Harmony" necklace. Feminine and sweetly discreet, it's an adorable piece that I picked out especially for the Stylephile. It is worth $600, and looks very similar to the one pictured.
To win, simply post a comment (don't forget to include your email address) telling us about the biggest change you've ever made in your life. Deadline is Wednesday March 12 at 5PM.

March 6, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (40)

Jared Gold's L.A. fashion show is open to all

Jared Gold has a distinctly fresh approach to his fashion shows, much more democratic than that of his snootier contemporaries. As far as he's concerned, anyone with an interest in fashion should be able to enjoy the runway spectacles he's known for putting on, not just so-called VIPs. So, it makes sense that his 'Czarina' show on Friday March 14 (one of the last events of Fashion Week), will be open to the public.
He is building a 190-foot catwalk inside Downtown's Union Station (800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA) for a catwalk extravaganza expected to draw 1500 of his fans. Expect a young and very enthusiastic crowd, and some dayglo hair colors. The event is free.
"We’re turning the whole idea of a fashion show on its head," said Gold. "Normally, there are press and celebrities at these events—but they’re not who buy my clothes. Why not let those people in and let them see the entire line and give them a great place to shop?” He will show more than 50 looks, many of which will be available to buy immediately at a pop-up shop, on-site at Union Station.
Downtown art band Miss Derringer, led by my good friend the artist and singer Liz McGrath, will play a set. Gold's favorite internet starlets Stevie Ryan, Raquel Reed and Audrey Kitching as well as “Dexter” star Jennifer Carpenter will walk the catwalk.
Free tickets are available to the public at www.blackchandelier.com 

March 6, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 4, 2008

Paper magazine toasts La Lohan

Beams of blazing March sun added extra warmth to Lindsay Lohan's newly auburn hairdo today, at a lunch held in her honor by Paper magazine. The gathering, held at the Sunset Marquis hotel, was to celebrate Paper's much-talked-about "Girl, Interrupted" cover interview with the newly-sober Lohan. The story was penned by my good friend Steffie Nelson, to whom Lindsay admitted she had recently experienced a dry spell, work-wise. ""Now I know what it's like to be an out of work actor - and how much it scares me," she said in the story.
In the spread (in which she's blonde), Lohan wears several pieces from Jeremy Scott's Spring/Summer '08 collection, which we saw on the runway at L.A. Fashion Week last October. Jeremy Scott (pictured, with Lohan) shot the images of Lohan for Paper, and was there at the lunch, taking snaps of the 80-or-so guests with his own, heavily-Bedazzled Polaroid camera. Also there was super-talented costume designer Arianne Phillips, who made my day by saying she is a regular Stylephile reader. Right on!
It was a fashiony crowd, and many were, quite appropriately, dressed in Jeremy Scott. Like style writer Rose Apodaca (pictured) for instance, who rocked a JS sweater with some seriously hot pink sling-backs, and an enormous rose ring that she swiped from her design store, A+R. The store is being transformed into a Gen Art pop up shop for three days, featuring clothing made by Gen Art alumni and three fresh Gen Art designers. More on that soon!
I chatted with teen queen fashionista Cory Kennedy, who was wearing a Jeremy Scott tire-track dress, and had just come back from Paris Fashion Week. (So young and so fabulous. Sigh.)
I was introduced to Paper founder David Hershkovits, whom I recently name checked in the Stylephile, as he is writing for Kenneth Cole's new socially-conscious blog, the AWEARNESS blog. Read it!
I also said hi to Paper's founding mother and editor Kim Hastreiter (here's a cute photo of her with photographer Mark Hunter). Hastreiter has this strong, earth mama energy about her, very much in keeping with her nurturing tendencies toward young, emerging artists and tastemakers.
 The whole event (where no alcohol was served - perhaps to respect Lohan's sobriety?) was put together by the formidable Kelly Cutrone, founder of New York publicity firm People's Revolution. Kelly has dyed black hair, which we chatted about briefly (I've been having issues with my own dyed black mop). Someone recently suggested she lighten hers to a "pretty" shade of honey brown. Her response? "Hell no! I don’t do 'pretty'!".
(FYI: She's pretty.)
Read the Paper magazine interview with Lindsay Lohan here.
Buy Jeremy Scott here.
Click here to listen to the New Yorker interview with Kim Hastreiter of Paper magazine.

(Story by Caroline Ryder, Editor, The Stylephile)

March 4, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 3, 2008

Natalie Portman's vegan shoes

Natalie Portman may not actually be a vegan, but she refuses to wear any clothes or shoes from animals. So it made sense when she decided to launch her own line of vegan footwear with Te Casan, one of New York's largest shoe boutiques. (We also hear that Natalie, 26, will star in the next Mira Nair film entitled "Kosher Vegetarian". How apt.)
The line comprises pretty ballet flats, high satin sandals, and faux patent pumps, all limited edition (only 100 pairs per size). The designs, like Portman herself, are understated yet polished—nothing like the attention-grabbing stripper heels we've featured in this blog this last few months.  Apparently she created the line because "Stella McCartney does great shoes, but they’re expensive and very fashiony. And I’ve been getting stuff from Target...but I did need some shoes that weren’t made of canvas or plastic.”
The shoes cost around $250 a pair and are available online at TeCasan.com, and at the New York Te Casan boutique (382 West Broadway).

March 3, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 25, 2008

Oscars paint it black...and red

Red and black were the dominant hues on the Oscars red carpet, which yielded far less color, variation and innovation than we had hoped for.
Hilary Swank (Versace), Jennifer Garner (Oscar de la Renta), Penelope Cruz and Laura Linney (Michael Kors) all went back to black—thankfully, the funereal mood was lifted by dazzling crimson looks on Heidi Klum (Galliano), Mylie Cyrus (Valentino), Katherine Heigl (Escada), Anne Hathaway (Marchesa) and