MOCA GALA RAISES OVER 3.5 MILLION

The handsome and talented Francesco Vezzoli embroiders while Lady Gaga sings. I was quite impressed by her vocals and performance and admit that I knew very little of her actual talent prior to the gala....

Its been a crazy, busy week, month, fall....

Head spinning like a dream. Still just a little girl from Virginia taking it all in. Carine Roitfeld, my fashion heroine and real woman of all time looked amazing @ the MOCA gala, not surprisingly. Ridley Scott--so cool to talk to. Gore Vidal?! Brad & Angie is all most of the press have talked about..... To me, most exciting is that everyone came to support my favorite Los Angeles museum. The cultural renaissance of LA is growing strong! Larry Gagosian won the pretty in pink Steinway piano painted by Damien Hirst with beautiful butterflies for a cool $450,000.
Growing up as a ballerina, it was a beautiful thing to see the Bolshoi ballet (who almost didn't make it thanks to our American red tape).

Francesco Vezzoli had a hand in EVERY detail of the evening down to the table decor and settings. I love his point of view...It is the concept to utmost attention to detail which truly sets the artist apart.

That week was a whirlwind of Nadine Johnson helmed events and I haven't caught up to myself since. At the Prada party to launch Miuccia's new book, they transformed the entire store into a library. No merchandise....Absolutley fantastic with Ms. Prada there holding court wearing the most lovely genuine smile. The next day was the 30th Anniversary of MOCA Gala fundraiser and the afterparty at the enoromous new Prism gallery hosted by Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha, a very pretty pregnant Dasha Zhukova and POP magazine amongst others.

Sartorial style and handsome in tuxedos.. Ezra & Andrew.

Check out dear Rose Apodaca's piece on the MOCA Gala after party.... and ArtForum's post on the gala...

Most beautiful and sincerest of thanks to Karyn Kohl and Adam Gross and Jennifer Arcenaux from MOCA!

Me, Shawn & Jeremy. Shawn rocked the most gorgeous family heirloom pendant.... Jeremy wore a beautiful Gucci suit Tom Ford for made him for his sister's wedding years ago...later, the two were reunited @ the after party @ Prism gallery.

Also thanks to Shawn & Jeremy for being lovely escorts for the evening and for zipping me into the gorgeous vintage Azzaro dress from Cerre and tying up the silver Lutz belt from Zainab. Impossible to get dressed on my own that night!

Sleek hair, Egyptian eyes Lanvin dress. Karyn Kohl and Happy House @ MOCA cutie Tracy Fong.

All pics by Shawn K & Karyn Kohl.

"All things are ready if our minds be so."--Shakespeare

Serendipity.

Vogue Italia loves LA Designers

Costume Dept. "Grand Floral" leggings, left. Laura Kranitz headpiece, right.

Costume Dept. white lace leggings. Laura Kranitz headpiece. The lighting in this shot...the beautiful red and contrast of those white lace leggings. Kill me with joy ;)

October Vogue Italia was near impossible to find for some reason. But we kept stalking her, we had to find her. I had a search team. And viola, here she is with 2 of our LA loveys: accessories designer Laura Kranitz and women's/unisexy Costume Dept. We've all been waiting for 4 months to see how this shoot came together and what made it through to final edit. Also some great shots with Jeremy Scott--especially loving the mouse hands coat. Photographed by Steven Meisel. Styled by the incredible Lori Goldstein.

You think you know LA fashion? This is it people, and so much more to come!

She ran

She ran through the wood until she reached a clearing. There, she saw how beautiful the flowers were, standing upright and nodding their heads at her. All at once a brightly colored flower moved & flew away. "I did not know that flowers flew," she said. And there was no one there to tell her it was not a flower, but a butterfly.

ZAINAB toasts Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund Nominee OHNE TITEL

Shortly we are off to the Chateau Marmont for the Vogue/CFDA tea for the Fashion Fund nominees.

Last night, we had a fantastic and perfectly curated soiree for the launch of the new store front space for Zainab Sumu's new store, ZAINAB and a Spring 2010 trunk show & celebration for Alexa Adams and Flora Gil of OHNE TITEL for their Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund Nomination.

Zainab previously operated out of a gorgeous 1920's old Hollywood building by appointment only. This is her new venture onto Melrose, just across La Brea from the delicious M Cafe.
Zainab has the "eye" and the touch. A completely terrific point of view. Ohne Titel are exclusive to Zainab in LA. What I love about Ohne Titel is the amazing attention to detail. The fabrics are beyond. You must see them, feel, them, and try them on to fully understand. The reverse side of the pieces are as amazing as the outside.

My favorite French woman, Flavie Webster of Cerre, me, Alex & Flora of Ohne Titel in Comme Des Garcons & Ohne Titel respectively. They were straight off the plane, dashed to the Sunset Tower, and into the party. Amazingly creative women and incredibly fun! Their partnership--best friends, a Libra & an Aquarius.

This is Jerome Rousseau. A neighbor and darling gentleman who makes truly beautiful shoes, now available at Zainab.

Lips! Odilon designer Stacey Clark wears a black kiss while friend Natalie wears a striking shade of red.

The stunning Zainab & me. Zainab wears Ohne Titel Spring 2010 and Fall 09 Ohne Titel shoes with Jenni Kayne gloves. I wear Ohne Titel Spring 2010 with those now classic YSL booties, Julia Clancey hand drape and AND_i necklaces.

Izze sparkling juice (no added sugars!) and Pearl vodka. The perfect combination!
All photos by DemonicaPhoto.com

Zainab & the ever-friendly and handsome retail wonderkid & philanthropist Shamus.

Designer Jasmin Shokrian admires the beautiful Natalia Brilli French accessories.

Flavie & Clay of Cerre on Las Palmas. A MUST visit boutique of their beautiful leather collection and vintage finds.
To you from Paris. Gentlemen sample Histoires de Parfums.

Home Sweet Home

and now. safely home. in my curated world. listening to beautiful classical music. a thick and epic sort that makes your heart soar....up to that dreamy moon. with violins that make you want to smile and dance and curtsy. the soundtrack for a gentleman to tip his hat to a lady. he bows, looks up and catches an innocent eye.

that kind of music.

composed in 1898. "Dorian." Alexander Glazunov.

Halloween is near! Nosferatu

Flickering lights. Inspiring style (well, at least of our leading lady---or for a Halloween Nosferatu getup). Do you feel sorry for him, or is he just another stalker? Sometimes guys just look at you that way--they don't even realize it ;)

Nosferatu (1922) Originally released in 1922 as Nosferatu, Eine Symphonie Des Grauens, director F.W. Munarau's chilling and eerie adaption of Stoker's Dracula is a silent masterpiece of terror which to this day is the most striking and frightening portrayal of the legend.

REGGIE CASAGRANDE // PARADISE LOST: EXTENDED THROUGH NEXT WEEKEND

The first solo exhibition of Reggie Casagrande's work has had such a terrific response that we have extended the show until Halloween weekend.OCT. 17 TO OCT. 30, 2009. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 12-6 or by appointment.

6020 Wilshire Blvd. (across from BCAM at LACMA) Los Angeles, CA 90036

Paradise Lost tells a story of Miami’s most explosive decade. In the late seventies Miami re-emerged as a cocaine-ridden city of drugs and violence. Debaucherous discothèques, palatial mansions, exotic car dealerships, and international banks defined the new space that would become the future of contemporary South Florida. This body of work features photography, film, mirrored etchings, and works on paper exploring the themes of power, desire and destruction. Historical figures like cigarette boat king Don Aronow, drug queenpin Griselda Blanco and celluloid icon Tony Montana all worked well as symbols of empty promise. A passion for true crime and the current level of greed and corruption in our culture provided timely inspiration. “I figured it was a loose metaphor, much like the poem Paradise Lost by John Milton (1667) about the fall of man,” says Casagrande.

In the glamour of the night, the mirrored squares circling the dance floor create a fleeting contradiction between fantasy and reality. The power of transformation, and the popularity of cocaine’s anxiety ridden nature framed my decision to work within the notion of mirrors and perception.

The grid pattern’s allusive nature creates a linear abstraction reducing the space down to a single square. The square becomes a ring, the ring becomes a battle, and within this square is a spectacle of power. A dance unfolds where power and morality are on the line until a new opponent emerges in victory. -- Paul Mittleman, curator, Paradise Lost.

http://www.reggiecasagrande.com


Reggie Casagrande crew opening night.... It was a long week for all but so excited for Reggie to see this come to fruition for her. I met Reggie about 8 years ago when we hired her to shoot an ad campaign for the brand I was working for. I had seen her work in Paper magazine and thought she had such a cool POV. She was one of the first friendly faces from my former life that I saw once I moved to LA and I feel lucky to know this amazing woman.

The Thanksgiving I really Want

Okay, I loooove Halloween.

But what I dream of, is a Thanksgiving where my my family, friends and I dress in traditional attire of the original Thanksgiving.

Here Callie and I serve our native friends/relatives.

I did show up to a friend's Thanksgiving a few years ago dressed a bit native American. Everyone else was just themselves. Maybe that is myself though. Hmmm.....

“TUNE IN” Keala Kennelly Stars In FUEL TV’s Original Series “Firsthand”

Airing Sunday, October 25, at 8:00pm Eastern Time (5:00pm Pacific Time), and re-airing several more times during the next month

Pro surfer Keala Kennelly (and major dear & kind friend for 10 years) stars in FUEL TV’s signature 30-minute series “Firsthand.” Maybe you saw her in HBO's "John from Cincininatti" or DJing at some cool club, or even doing what she is most known for, surfing death-defying waves. I will neeeeever forget the fear/adrenaline of being in a tiny boat in Tahiti and watching that girl drop in on the most massive wave I'd ever seen in my life. I was afraid for her life,I was afraid for mine!

Keala Kennelly is one of the premiere big-wave women surfers in the world and she proves this every time she goes out to surf. In her episode of “Firsthand,” Keala spends some time at home on the North Shore of Kauai with the family and entertaining friends who are on vacation on the island. Keala also does a bit of stand-up paddling in front of her current home on the South Shore of Oahu, after which she shows us why she loves living in the city. Finally, Keala heads off to Tahiti to do what she does best, catch big waves at the famed Teahupoo. After watching this episode of “Firsthand,” you’ll see that Keala is warm and energetic and loves to surf!

It smells like fall :)

Blessings for New Beginnings

Shawn arranged for a private blessing at the beautiful and stunning Hindu temple in Malibu. It was a very moving experience--my first in a temple.

Limited Edition Photography Book Captures the Thrill and Beauty of One of the World's Premiere Endurance Rally Races

www.panamericanarace.com

Searing pavement. Roaring engines. Heart pounding adrenaline. The prestigious Carrera Panamericana is one of the most technically demanding races in the world, testing drivers' endurance and skill at every stage. Over one hundred classic sports cars from the 1940s to 1960s are pushed to their limits as they take on Mexico’s' diverse and often treacherous terrain from sea level to over 8000 feet at flatout speeds up to 200 mph.

After four years of negotiations with the organizers of La Carrera Panamericana, Los Angeles-based artist Sam Gezari arranged an embed for the entire 2000 mile, seven day race from the southern tip of Mexico to the US border. The race starts in Tuxtla Gutierrez and makes it's way through Oaxaca, Mexico City and countless other villages and cities until the last of the remaining cars arrive just over the northern border in Nuevo Laredo, Texas. On the first day alone there were a dozen crashes and by Day Five, nearly fifty-percent of the vehicles either had major mechanical issues or were totaled.

Working with the finest presses and book makers in LA, this 100 copy limited-edition book has 275 pages overflowing with vibrant, exciting photographs.

"Few motoring exploits can generate as much excitement as driving on public roads without speed limits, and The Carrera Panamericana does just that," says Leslie Kendall, Curator of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.

Often in this frame of mind....

Say yes to leopard

Meow.

Italian style by Emilio Cavallini. This would work as a layering piece with a tan or black tunic or some such item of clothing. Or just put on a pair of furry ears and make a fellow happy ;) I know it could seem tacky....but I like.....

Take these wings and learn to fly

Richard Avedon @ International Center of Photography

This image spoke to me.... I love his smile!

My legs on the subway after Avedon show...coincidental matching ;) Photo: DVN

Had an amaaaaazing time in NY with D @ this fantastic show. The early works through the 60s are certainly some of my favorites....when ladies were entirely elegant and men were so gentlemanly......

They have the original hand-cut artwork from Bazaar for this famous piece.

This could be Margiela today....

The show is up through Sept. 20th. Fridays from 5-8PM are voluntary contribution. Another art on the cheap experience. Otherwise its only $12. Wander about and be inspired by 2 full floors of Avedon and a fantastic bookstore! Also, see below if you are in NY & would like to attend a very inexpensive lecture.

Avedon and Fashion: September 10 | Thursday | 7:00 pm | $5 HBO Auditorium, 1100 Sixth Avenue at 42nd Street, 15th Floor An evening dialogue devoted to the changing paradigm of fashion with Harold Koda, Curator, Costume Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art; China Machado, Richard Avedon's 60s supermodel; and Lizzie Himmel, photographer. The event will be moderated by ICP Curators Carol Squiers and Vince Aletti.

Today

Its raining in NY today. I think its appropriate. Tears from heaven on this day of remembrance.

Confusion, fear, sadness. I was in NY for fashion week and was in a state of shock that morning. I can still hear the mass screams of people in the tents @ Bryant Park as news spread amongst the crowd and people fled. The feeling of Armageddon as that horrible cloud rose above the city, ATMs quickly ran out of money, cell phones were on the fritz, banks closed within a couple of hours of the hits, and all transportation to and from the city was shut down. It was like being a rat in a cage. A permeating sadness of all the lives lost and all those lost souls.

Around 3 or 4PM I wandered down towards Times Square to find the Western Union where Mike had wired money to me. I felt the smartest thing to do was to have cash on hand in case I needed to pay a stranger to drive me down to Virginia or anywhere off that island in the next days. At that point, I didn't know how long they would keep transportation shut down.

For about 6 blocks I only encountered 2 other people on the street. 1 was an old man closing the gate down to his market. He looked at me with a kind smile and said, "get home safe." The other was a solitary man on a bicycle riding down the middle of the street. It was a truly bizarre feeling--this city usually full of so much noise and movement. Carrying no bag as a safety precaution, I stuffed the cash inside my bra and went back to the hotel. I'll never forget that walk. The way the sky looked. The quiet. I stayed up all night trying to get through to Amtrak and finally got the very last ticket on the train going south to Virginia on 9/12, though at that point we weren't even sure if the trains would be running again.

I'll never forget the tone in my dear family and friends' voices during that time. I'll always remember vividly the people I talked with on the train. A guy who had an interview scheduled that morning in the World Trade Center, but his alarm hadn't gone off. A young girl who was there on vacation with her family and had just toured the WTC the day before. There was a calm and caring energy for one another on that train ride, though we all felt a bit nervous during our layover in DC.

Seeing my family never felt so good. Going back to California a week later, I felt really safe.

And on this day, I think of all of the love we are lucky to have in this world. I'm sorry for any times I have taken it for granted.

Mimi. 5 mo old rescue kitten

If we can't save ourselves, save animals ;) Mimi is a rescue kitten from the Sante D'or foundation here in LA (Los Feliz). She's a gift from my friend Mike. How could anyone resist? The shelter is great in so many ways. They socialize the cats and dogs together (unless the animal is truly afraid). Actually, I saw a massive bunny taking a nap next to a massive cat there and they were touching paws... pretty funny!

My Friend Kate Earl :)

VIMBY - Backyard Sessions: Kate Earl

I first heard Kate Earl's music several years ago on a CD sampler that was inserted in Surfer magazine. The song was called "Sweet 16" and it really spoke to me.

A few months later we happened to meet through some mutual friends in the surf industry--back when we were both living these other lives. As two girls from small towns, we found a common ground amongst all the fast-paced craziness that can happen here in SoCal.

Above is an backyard session she recently did for Vimby. I oddly enough, coincidentally received an email about it just after we had lunch at the yummy Figaro Cafe on Vermont Ave in Los Feliz.

Below is her new music video. I am super excited to see so many great things happening for this talented young woman--especially having seen the hard work it has taken to get this far.

Cheers Kate!!!
Melody Music Video Kate Earl

Kate will be doing an East coast radio tour next week after a quick stop in NY for some fashion shows. She will be playing live on her little portable keyboard. And without all the fuss and tinkering most singers get these days, Kate's voice is absolutely gorgeous live!