Sep 2013 - Rebecca Wang by Hollywood Weekly Magazine, LLC

CALIFORNIA RETREAT WESTLAKE VILLAGE INN NADALEENA

Taking the Art World by Storm

Chaya Beverly Hills Celebrates 30 Years of Celeb Dining!

Rock meets

FASHION

RICHIE SAMBORA + NIKKI LUND THE DYNAMIC DESIGNER DUO The Virtuoso Life of

Jamie Foxx & Shaquille O’Neal Toast the Good Life

Rebecca Wang

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SEPTEMBER 2013, VOL. 20 PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Prather Jackson

VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris Michael D. Coxson

OPERATIONS Erskine D. McSwain (1991-2000)

MANAGING EDITOR Jenny Werth

GUEST EDITOR Sean Borg

ART DIRECTOR Ron Lucarelli

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Launy Rhem ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anthony Ewart MUSIC EDITOR Dick Michaels LIFE & STYLE EDITOR Niki Shadrow-Snyder CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Stephanie Grilli, PhD Lynn Jose Karen Bystedt Dallas J. Logan CONTRIBUTORS Yota Batsaras Anthony Calderon Sid Fish Niki Shadrow Jenny Werth Steve Zall Meagan Sargent

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Deborah Anderson Samantha Fielding Ash Gupta Benjamin James Deja Jordan DESIGN /SOCIAL MEDIA Andy Castillo RESEARCH/ DEVELOPMENT Alberto Arellano PRODUCTION MANAGER Hector Santacruz VP CORPORATE ACCOUNTS STRATEGY & PLANNING Rudy Germany DISTRIBUTOR NEWSWAYS

KEEP UP WITH HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY AT: www.hollywoodweeklymagazine.com FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @hollywoodweeklymagazine

ear Readers,

My goal has always been to bring you stories that reflect the myriad of diverse people who, in one way or the other, have their hands in Hollywood. It’s a given that huge celebrities will fill our pages, for they are the very stars who make other’s heart beat With my dearest friend Tammy Marcus in wild excitement throughout the world. But, that is only one group of people who make Hollywood, and Los Angeles as a whole, the rare place it so certainly is. We also have the people behind-the-scenes who make it possible to be a star at all. These are the writers, set-designers, producers, musicians, cooks, janitors and artists who serve as the shoulders upon which these celebrities stand. Each person is as unique and inherently ‘important’ as each ‘mega-star.’ It would serve us well to always remember that without one, there cannot exist the other; for Hollywood relies on one body which must collectively pump the blood through the city’s veins. This is what makes it the city of dreams. In this issue, we highlight a handful of extraordinary people with great gifts of talent. We have the colorful sunrise in Rebecca Wang’s eyes as she sets her sights on movie producing and passion. Next, we celebrate a man of great soul occupied in the many musical and artistic accomplishments of Lenny Williams. Of course, we also spice up the content with the no-nonsense approach of Criminal Defense Attorney R.J. Manuelian. And then we have Nadaleena, the former Playboy model who transcended her physical beauty into metaphysical art. Hollywood doesn’t stop with its daily red-carpet events, although they certainly tantalize with all the flashing cameras and flair. But really, Hollywood starts with the people who make up another color of red: the red curtain which opens and closes on the vast population of our vibrant city. May you remember that each day is all we have... Stop the incessant to-do lists and crazy rush through life. Because, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away. With much love,

Jenny Werth

P.S. Please send your thoughts to me at: Jenny@hollywoodweeklymagazine.com www.linkedin.com/pub/jenny-werth/28/658/956/

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The beautiful visionary

Rebecca Wang page

S E P T E M B E R • 2 0 1 3 Golden Era of Hollywood Marlon Brando

Fashions for Your Form Heidi Nazarudin

Soul for the ages Lenny Williams

Art Photography Morrison Hotel Gallery

Art Storm Nadaleena

The man who had all of Hollywood under his spell.

A “Hollywood Weekly” special peek into the beat-rhythm music & acting life made possible when you possess a truly deep soul.

New Hollywood Talent The Biz

Two exciting up-and-coming artists promise to have their names flashing in lights very soon.

Defense Attorney R.J. Manuelian

This no-nonsense attorney makes mean characters in novels seem, well, “nice.” A view of a grisly-hard-hitting lawyer you’ll call next time.

A blogger takes you through the best fashions for your shape. Plus, she reveals hit outfits for celebs!

Chris Stein’s photos create a fantastic display at the gallery in the Sunset Marquis Hotel. Some of his hottest shots of Blondie and more.

Nadaleena takes the Art World by storm from her high-altitude aerie in Colorado.

A Fashionable Team Niki-Rich

The Inn Crowd Westlake Village Inn

Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Jamie Foxx/Shaq O’Neal

Nikki Lund & Richie Sambora team up to bring the freshest trends in fashion -- elegant and relaxed at the same time!

A little bit Tuscany, a little bit modern soul. And everything that represents total relaxation.

Haute Cuisine Chaya

Chaya Beverly Hills Celebrates 30 years!! An anniversary of delicious sushi with tantalizing designs, sweet cocktails, innovative chefs and everything decadent.

Our beloved boys enjoy a great-night-out. Well, another in many “great nights out.”

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By: Christina Anastasiou

Rebecca Wang

The Brilliance of the Sunlight Reveals Rebecca Wang’s Exquisite Beauty… by Prather Jackson & Jenny Werth

In Rebecca, we find a gorgeous example of what makes a dazzling woman a rare gem; one illuminating both integrity and inspiration. Within her pure heart, the world celebrates a woman who embraces an inward commitment toward the betterment of society through her selfless contributions and the staggering success of her production company, Rebecca Wang Entertainment. Indeed, Rebecca personifies a rare type of jewel. One that shines multiple rays of success on the myriad of her accomplishments. It takes extreme dedication to live a life that includes such rich adherence to so many purposes. As a graduate from UC Berkley with a Masters in Psychology, Rebecca has helped advance a steadfast resolve for the compassion for humanity. While with her dedication to a romance with fashion, she has also created designs of extraordinary beauty. And most recently, we find her tackling the challenging world of producing movies. Yet another in a long list that makes up an impressive resumé. Rebecca Wang blooms in the light. She flowers as seamlessly as the lotus flower that serves as her production company’s logo. She thrives in the daylight’s vigor, and by night, beams under the bright flashes from red-carpet photographers. For no matter which brand of light falls on Rebecca, she remains radiant underneath them all.

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Exclusive Interview with Rebecca Wang

Hollywood Weekly: What would you say were formative influences and inspirations for you as a teenager and then a young adult? Rebecca Wang: My formative influences and inspirations for me as a teenager were sport, ballet and piano. The discipline of all that physical exercise and practice inspired me and has given me inner strength and confidence, as well as a commitment to my own optimum well-being. However, of greater impact than this was the influence of film and fashion. The film stories and the glamorous visions of fashion both made a big impression on me. H W: Do any of these inspirations and influences still impact you today? R W: Yes, they are both two vital and continuing passions of my life. I also learned the piano as a little girl. This did not come easily, but it opened me to the world of music and, like ballet, forced me to develop the skills of being disciplined, focused and patient. H W: Whereabouts did you live and travel during your formative years? How did this help shape/influence your current perception of people from different cultural, social and economic backgrounds? R W: As a child I grew up in Asia, and have later lived and worked in the US and Europe, and am now based out of London. In addition to this, every summer when I was young I would travel with my family. Each year was a whole set of new experiences, and the new education I was given about different cultures was not only exciting but also very rewarding. I still love to travel, along with all the enrichment that it brings. I feel I have been fortunate to have had such a broad experience, as it has given me an ability to feel at ease in a wide range of global, social and cultural contexts. It has also taught me to be open-minded and compassionate towards people no matter what their background is.

Academy for Film and Television Awards, and of the Director Circle of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and in addition, patron to the Tate Modern, National Portrait and Serpentine galleries and Royal Academy of Music in London. H W: Are there any belief or value systems which you hold dear in life? R W: I hold the values of honesty and integrity very dear. Respect and loyalty are also qualities that are highly significant for me. For example, I have chosen a lotus flower as my companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logo, since the values it embodies reflect my beliefs. The journey of a lotus flower growing towards the light is like that of a human on their life path: we meet obstacles that will make us strong and whole. To overcome them, we have to go beyond negativity in ourselves and practise persistence, patience and faith, and make the best and most fully conscious choices that we can. H W: Having graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, you then practised at various leading institutions, including the University of California, in addition to several elementary schools, specialising in family, children and counselling. What led you to this early career choice, and the areas of psychology you chose to practise in? What gave you the greatest satisfaction in this work, and what did you learn from it? How did your knowledge and experience in this field help and inform your passion for all art forms?

R W: I have always trusted my intuition. From a young age I found it never to be far off the mark. I decided to develop what was already innate and channel it into education. I gravitated towards clinical psychology because of the huge fascination I had and have for people and how our minds work, what trigger our reactions, and why we behave the way we do in certain situations. I was fortunate to be accepted at Berkeley, as its psychology major is known to be exceptional. During this process, I developed my own understanding both of myself and of others, and this also extended my ability to show empathy in my approach as a therapist. My fulfillment in the post-graduate work came from the privilege of being able to hear about other peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; life stories, which greatly H W: Beyond your work in cinema and with your production increased my capacity for both experiencing compassion and company, what are your passions in life and why? awareness, and incorporating these qualities into my personal and professional worlds. This gave me the opportunity to R W: My passions are wide-ranging, but for the most encom- hopefully make a positive contribution to the lives of others. pass the arts. I appreciate all art forms, most especially film, Seeing someone heal, grow and go beyond their previous limiphotography and fashion, and this passion has led to me betations was what gave me the greatest satisfaction. The concoming both a member of the Circle for BAFTA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the British nection from that work to my passion for the arts came with 8

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“Indeed, Rebecca personifies a rare type of jewel. One that shines multiple rays of success on the myriad of her accomplishments.”

the recognition that in therapy, arts have a healing role. They can create a sense or an experience of comfort and harmony for a person, which may enable them to release pain, and to connect with joy. H W: What drives and motivates you in your projects? R W: When working on any of my projects, I am driven primarily by the ability to create, to see and to watch an idea grow and develop from nothing into a finished entity. For me it is a privilege to be able to experience and develop or learn from that complete process. That is what drives and motivates me the most. H W: Philanthropy is very important to you. At what point did you realise that you had the ability to make an impact on this world for the better, and what guides you when choosing projects to support? R W: I believe I was practising philanthropy from a young age, always giving and sharing my clothes and toys with others, or passing them on to charity when I had no further use for them. The attitude and actions developed naturally from there. I feel that philanthropy is a universal human attribute we all have within ourselves; we can all make a difference if we choose. Outside of the arts world, when choosing which projects to support, the area of health and humanitarian issues is important to me. For example, my admiration and respect for the pioneering work and achievements of amFAR (the American Foundation for AIDS Research), has led me both to support them and become involved in their iconic charity Gala Series. Most recently I acted as sponsor to the 2012 Inspiration Gala held in Paris, and acted as one of the chairs for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inspiration Gala held in New York. H W: We have seen photos of you appearing on major galaevent red carpets, standing next to A-list celebrities. Frankly, in most instances, you look more comfortable than the celebrity. What is it about your concept of and sense for fashion and style that enables you to look so refined in front of the cameras? R W: For me fashion and style are an extension of an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personality, value systems and overall awareness. As a teenager, I was a tomboy who developed a love affair with fashion, and would secretly register for fashion design courses in the summer. My mother also had a major influence: always impeccably dressed and groomed, she would take me along with her to fashion shows in Paris, and also to museums and 10

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major art exhibitions. I believe that early exposure to fashion greatly helped cultivate my sense of style and taste. Beyond these factors, when attending a special event, I always make a habit of retreating to my own space away from the excitement and mania, and take some time to meditate or practise yoga. I believe that these both calm me and also cause me to feel mentally more prepared for all that is to follow, and that, perhaps, is why I might appear to look comfortable in front of the camera and in these settings. H W: Your accomplishments as an Executive Film Producer and as a CEO of your own Production Company are very impressive. How does that feel to you, and how does it feel be an inspiration for success? R W: Like most people, I never feel myself to be standing on top of a completed mountain of impressive accomplishments. No matter what you achieve, you generally always want to strive further. H W: During your time in the entertainment industry, what do you consider to have been your greatest achievement, and what obstacles did you have to overcome to achieve this? R W: To have gone into a whole new arena, and for the first time, and without any previous experience to have produced a full length feature Hollywood film - with two Oscar nominated actors Bill Murray and Mickey Rourke (also a BAFTA winner), and also the talents of Megan Fox and British actor Rhys Ifans, was an achievement and also a major learning curve for me. Being able to overcome each obstacle as it occurred on a daily basis, was the ongoing challenge I had to meet. My greatest achievement in all this was the learning and personal growth I gained from the experience, most especially that of breaking through my own fears and limitations. H W: It is clear that you are on a path of continuous development and connection, in which areas do you see your next direction as being, and why? R W: Across all my fields of work and interests, things are constantly moving and fluid. I embrace new possibilities and take them as they come. For more information on Rebecca, please visit her website: www.rebeccawangentertainment.com.

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HOLLYWOOD

ICON Marlon Brando - One of the Greatest and Most Influential Actors of the 20th Century Often regarded as a genius... Brando starred in colossal movie hits such as “The Godfather,” “A Street Car Named Desire,” and “On the Waterfront.”

This excerpt is taken from pages 256-257 of “Sid Avery: Art of the Hollywood Snapshot” (Reel Art Press 2012) by Ron Avery and Tony Nourmand

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Lenny

Williams

taying power is not something all artists have. The ability to connect with different generation decades after your original art was created. That very special position in art is reserved for people who were destined to shape this world with their creations. Singer Lenny Williams is an artist with staying power.

Fans of Mobb Deep’s “Nothing Like Home” and Kanye West’s “Overnight Celebrity” were introduced to Lenny Williams because both songs sampled his classic hit “Cause I Love You.” The same is true for the songs “Girl You Know” by Scarface, and “I Do” by Young Jeezy which featured Jay-Z and Andre 3000 which sampled another classic hit– “Let’s Talk It Over,” which Lenny Williams co-wrote. “Still In The Game” is Lenny Williams’ latest CD (or “Album” for musical purists like myself). Of course, there was never any doubt that Lenny Williams was “Still in the Game,” his music has never left us…Staying power. Who inspires you as an artist is usually a good indication of the kind of career you will end up having. Lenny Williams was inspired by the great Sam Cooke, so it’s no wonder Williams is such a masterful singer – when you set the bar that high for yourself you can’t help but make a lasting impact in this world with your art. Music has been a part of Lenny’s life since he was a young child in elementary school taking trumpet lessons. Ironically, even though Williams’ still plays the trumpet, and

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even performed with the mighty “Tower of Power” before on trumpet, he doesn’t consider himself a musician. Lenny also partnered with world renowned saxophonist, Kenny G, for his hit “Don’t Make Me Wait For Love,” on his album titled “Duotones” which sold 60 million copies. He is a singer first and foremost. His vocal ability is something he takes very seriously, and it is the reason he has perfected it over the decades. For Lenny Williams, singing is communicating. It is how he connects with the world; how he interacts with us. It is the manner in which he conveys that most precious of human qualities: emotions…

Lenny Williams has always been known, from the very start of his career, as a singer who can find the heart of the lyrics he’s singing and the essence of the music accompanying it to deliver a complete, powerful musical performance that affects the listener in a profound, meaningful way. In other words, for Lenny Williams, it is never just a song. It is an experience. A musical journey… Growing up in Oakland introduced Lenny to several major musical figures before they became famous to the world. I couldn’t even imagine what it must have been like hanging out with an unknown singer like John Fogerty from “Creedence Clearwater Revival,” but that’s exactly the kind of life Lenny Williams was living in Oakland. He knew all of our musical heroes. Sly Stone, Andrae Crouch and members of the famous Hawkins family, Edwin Walter and Tramaine. All these extremely talented artists were converging in Oakland at the same time.

Soul for the Ages by Anthony Ewart

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“

Like all artists, Lenny Williams was always looking for different ways to connect with audiences

“

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Gospel music has always been important to Lenny Williams, who truly began his singing career in church like so many famous artists, including his main influence, the fantastic Sam Cooke. When Sam Cooke left his gospel music and started singing secular music it was a big motivator for Lenny to do the same with his career, which is the reason Lenny’s music has been played all over the world. Like all artists, Lenny Williams was always looking for different ways to connect with audiences, so it wasn’t very surprising when Lenny started performing in musicals. Many of the theater productions Lenny performed in were classics in the theater community, but Lenny wanted to expand his horizons and actually started appearing in plays where he wasn’t just singing, he was acting. Speaking of acting, this upcoming fall Lenny Williams will star in a movie called, “Love Won’t Let Me Wait,” which stars Vivaca A. Foxx as well as Clifton Powell. “Love On Layaway,” which featured Deborah Cox, Mel Jackson and Martha Wash was a production in which Lenny parlayed the storytelling used in his singing performances into acting, and audiences approved. Storytelling is storytelling, whether you’re singing, acting, writing or painting; as long as you can communicate feelings and emotions to an audience, and if you were to extract the essence of who Lenny Williams is as an artist, he is a man who communicates the passions of life through art – in whatever form it may take. “What Men Don’t Tell,” with Kenny Latimore, Shante Moore and Dottie Peoples is another theater production that exposed Lenny to an entirely new audience. It’s really no wonder Lenny Williams has stayed in our lives since he made his grand debut with the enormously popular band “Tower of Power.” If ever there was a fitting name for a group featuring Lenny Williams, it is “Tower of Power.”

“So Very Hard To Go,” Don’t Change Horses (In The Middle Of The Stream),” and “What is Hip” are some of the massive hits Lenny recorded with “Tower of Power.” The three albums Lenny recorded with “Tower of Power,” “Back to Oakland,” Urban Renewal” and the self-titled “Tower of Power” have taken Lenny Williams all over the world. In addition to

traveling across the country, Lenny performed in concerts throughout Europe and Asia, and still tours countries on these continents regularly. Staying power… With over a dozen solo albums, his work with “Tower of Power” and his appearance on compilation albums, the Golden Voice of Lenny Williams, it seems – and to our benefit – will always be with us. So, the title of his latest CD really is addressing a fact that we already know; essentially it’s, as the saying goes, preaching to the choir: yes, Lenny Williams is “Still In The Game.” www.lennywilliams.com

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Some of the goss’ Perez was spiS never even dare to blog it, you sis The Biz said that, Perez just miw Having Otis English

TIS ENGLISH (real name Otis Ehrlich) is the 16-year-old multi-talented offspring of notorious Wild Child (and former Hollywood Monthly cover-girl) Emma Ridley and ex-music biz manager husband, Philip Ehrlich.

And while his mother cavorted around the London club scene back in the 80s trying to carve out a name for herself, it turns out her son is proving to be the REAL talent in the family! Otis, a blues-rock singer songwriter has formed a new band called Otis English and the Owls, and many industry bigwigs are starting to sit up and take notice of him. Otis’ focus is to bring back old methods and sounds that came from the greats. His influences include Blues Rock legends such as “Led Zeppelin,” Jimi Hendrix, and “Pink Floyd” to funk and soul musicians such as Stevie Wonder, James Brown and “Funkadelic.” He said, “I don’t want to get dragged into the feel of today’s pop and rock. I hope people find our music to be unique by today’s standards. I’m definitely not like Justin Bieber.” Who would have thought something so capable could have sprang from his mother’s loins! www.reverbnation.com/otisenglish

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illing Some of wasthe so juicy goss’ one Perez would was imply spilling wouldn’t was get soaway juicy withone it The BizThenever ight would ceremony: even dare The to Oscars. blog Nikki Lund

his curvaceous blonde clothing designer, and one half of the incredible ‘Nikki Rich’ brand has seen her company soar to dizzying heights over the past year. A label that’s gaining worldwide momentum. Her business partner is none other than ‘Bon Jovi’ rock legend Richie Sambora. Lund, a California native, is widely recognized for her sophisticated, fashion-forward thinking acumen. With a background in and passion for music, Lund spent many years honing her songwriting skills while performing with the band “Secret Mind” before going solo. Simultaneously, Nikki joined the design team at Jill Stuart as an intern in an effort to sustain her interest in the fashion world. It paid off. In 2005, she launched the loungewear line ‘Eccentric Symphony’. She drew a wealth of interest to the line, and at the same time her band grew exponentially. Attracting a huge audience for her music, her fashion…and her style. However, it wasn’t until Lund, who was making her own stage clothes caught the attention of fellow musician Richie Sambora. From there, things really took off. What followed was the birth of ‘White Trash Beautiful’ and ‘Nikki Rich’. Fashion truly rocks when Nikki Lund is at the helm... Turn to page 36 to see some of Nikki Rich’s Autumn/Winter designs!

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Criminal Defense Attorney “L.A. Law, but Real”R.J. Manuelian by Anthony Ewart

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Most of the cases handled by Criminal Defense Attorney R.J. Manuelian read like a James M. Cain novel.

Grisly stuff.

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wife accused of hiring two gang members to kill her husband for his life insurance policy. Attempted murder and rape. Domestic violence, prostitution, assaulting a law enforcement officer and racial profiling by police. If you’re the accused you’ve now been publicly humiliated and shamed; the damage to your professional career, incalculable and irreversible. Unfortunately many have found themselves in that very predicament. Having a competent criminal defense attorney, not just a lawyer who enjoys cash upfront whether they win or lose, makes the difference between being found not guilty and saying goodbye to your family as you’re being taken away in handcuffs. There’s a reason L.A. Prosecutors are very familiar with the name R.J. Manuelian; since 2008 he has been undefeated in trial and has assisted in back-toback Federal civil rights verdicts (totaling over $10 million). Like a great Heavyweight Prizefighter in their prime, R.J. is known to simply crush weak cases against his clients, due to an unyielding work ethic and his commitment to know his case better than the individuals who were actually there. When R.J. walks into a criminal defense courtroom he’s aware of everyone involved, like characters in a play he’s read a thousand times, or a skilled Hollywood Director who knows the motivation of his actors. He can anticipate what you’re going to say before you say it. So, why this intense passion for his clients? Unlike most lawyers R.J. will only take a case that he genuinely believes he could be of assistance, and not just take financial advantage of a person in dire consequences. Once he takes your case, however, your problems become his personal cause. One thing that has always impressed me with R.J. is that whenever he talks about one of his past clients he never describes them as just a person alone, he includes their family and friends and the impact their legal proceeding have had on the people in his client’s life. In other words, R.J. looks at the totality of the damage being inflicted on his clients and their loved ones. It doesn’t matter how hardcore cynical or pessimistic you are, that’s an act of compassion you can’t deny.

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R.J. goes against the stereotypes of what it takes to be successful – he never puts money before people. His clients mean something to him. In a sense R.J.’s job is keeping families together when one of them gets in trouble. His karma has built a pretty respectable fan base. Luckily for them, R.J. is now venturing into the entertainment world. There’s been a quiet buzz that Hollywood has been following some of R.J.’s cases, and many are interested in harnessing his personality and legal success into a consulting career for television and film. R.J. admits that he enjoys explaining complex legal issues, and whenever I see him and talk about current media cases, his assessments are always superior to the legal analysis I hear given on the news. I’m really waiting for Hollywood to enlist R.J. as a fulltime consultant on films and television projects, because there are really only a dozen or so memorable lawyers in movies and on TV that have captured the love and admiration of viewers. If Hollywood is truly listening, R.J. may change very soon.

“

When R.J. walks into a criminal defense courtroom he’s aware of everyone involved, like characters in a play he’s read a thousand times...

”

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CHAYA

CHAYA BRASSERIE BEVERLY HILLS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN LOS ANGELES Pouring

Signature Tuna Tartare

Miso Marinated Sea Bass

Clams in Sake Broth

Iced Green Tea

Tartare Bonsai

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Exec Chef - Tachibe

haya Brasserie in Beverly Hills kicked of its 30th Anniversary with a summer festival on July 28th, and will have ongoing events and special offers through October. Currently, Chaya has a delicious four-course 30th Anniversary Menu specially created by their Corporate Executive Chef Shigefumi Tachibe that is available until the 31st of August. They’re also extending a 30% discount to those celebrating either their 30th birthday or anniversary during the months of August and September. Also, on October 18 & 19th, they’ll be hosting an exclusive Chef Collaboration Tribute Dinner with their Michelin-starred Guest Chef Kuniaki Kozuka, from the original Chaya in Hayama, Japan. Guests will be able to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Chaya dining experience during these two nights with a menu that will be specially created by both Chef Kozuka and Chef Tachibe. www.thechaya.com The “star” menu!

A Food Variety

Grilled Salmon

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HEIDI NAZARUDIN Best Clothing Styles for Your et’s face it - we weren’t all born 5’10, slender, yet shapely in all the right ways. Fashion magazines would have you believe we are, however that’s just not the case. They’re other figures out here and if you learn to dress your body correctly you’ll look just as fabulous as the so-called “perfect 10.” Through movie magic, Hollywood has convinced us that leading ladies come in only one size, size one. But that’s not true.

The boyish figure Kate Bosworth and Emma Stone actually have thin, straight up and down bodies, they just know how to dress to flatter their figure. The concern with “boyish” is that a lack of curves reduces the image of femininity. Here’s where you put illusion to work. Add a dark belt to create the impression of a waist. Add volume to your top via ruffles, or puffed sleeves. The peplum is back and perfect for the boyish figure because it adds volume below the waist and creates the illusion of hips.

Big bust and/or plus-sized Queen Latifah and Christina Hendricks have been embraced as luscious beauties in Hollywood and beyond. Looking feminine is not their problem. Looking too sexy, perhaps. Rule number one is make sure your ensemble enables you to wear proper support garments without them being seen. And then start seeing the tailor as your best friend, because any extra fabric bulk adds to your frame. Do not hide under layers or baggy clothing.

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Apple-shaped

Body Type

Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer is habitually one of the best-dressed women on the red carpet. She has an ample waistline but that doesn’t stop her from looking fabulous. Use ruching to create the illusion of a smaller waist, and the folds will disguise your stomach. Draw the eye up or down using embellishments, v-necks, pops of color, and/or jewelry.

Pear-shaped

Zooey Deschanel and Alexis Bledel are two Hollywood beauties with disproportionally wide hips (as an aside, I often get them confused). I don’t know how many people even realize they have pear-shaped bodies because you will almost always find them wearing a-line dresses, full-skirts, or empire-waist outfits. All of these styles flair from the narrow torso and waist, away from the hips, creating the illusion of an entirely slender frame.

Long-waist with short-legs

Actress Claire Danes has this body type. How many of us would guess that she has to struggle to find clothes that flatter her? You’ll notice that she sticks to styles that draw the eye up – either by showing a lot of décolletage or using color. If this is your body type opt for a-line, empire-waist, and semi-fitted sheaths and stay away from clothes that emphasize your natural waist. Wear light colors on top and dark colors on your lower body.

Petite

The Olsen twins aren’t even 5’ tall and yet are award-winning designers and oft-copied fashionistas. Proportion here is everything. Make the tailor your friend too because an okay blouse may just be two inches away from being the perfectly proportioned shirt for you. Keep styles simple and streamlined. Avoid ruffles, pockets and pleats that will drag you down and make you appear shorter. Show some skin so that you’re not all fabric. Avoid childish looks such as pastel colors or baby-doll dresses. Veer toward columns of color to elongate your frame, such as a one-color dress. And then, of course, wear heels if you literally want to add inches to your height. The platform trend is on your side this year. Knowing what to wear in order to flatter your figure is not about limiting yourself. It’s about embracing the options that work best for you. Perfection doesn’t exist in the real world. Even our Hollywood ideals have stylists and costumers who work magic to make it appear as though our actresses were born wearing a tall size 4. Start working your own magic, and become a star of real life!

HEIDI NAZARUDIN Heidi is a writer and published author and, of course, a 24-7 blogger. She lives in sunny California. You can read her posts on fashion, beauty and women’s lifestyle topics and life as a blogger babe at heidiandco.org.

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Photos of Morrison Hotel Gallery Timothy White

WHERE THE ICONIC IMAGES COME TO STAY 28

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Sting and Debbie Harry (Blondie)

orrison Hotel Gallery is excited to present ‘Hell in the City of Angels: Chris Stein.’ The exhibition is on view at the gallery inside the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood. ‘Hell in the City of Angels: Chris Stein’ features Stein’s photography of some of the most classic rock n’ roll icons in history including Debbie Harry/”Blondie,” Richard Hell, Iggy Pop, and “The Ramones”. Many of the images are specifically related to Los Angeles. In fact, this is Chris Stein’s first exhibition since the 1980s.

Photo taken by Chris Stein

Andy Warhol photographing Debbie Harry

Chryssie and Debbie

Chris Stein started taking photographs in 1968. During his last years at the School of Visual Arts in NYC he began hanging out in the early downtown rock scene. In 1973 he met and began working with Debbie Harry and together they founded the band “Blondie.” Chris was always taking pictures of the milieu that surrounded “Blondie” and was lucky to be on the inside and mingle with many of the pioneers of the new wave and punk music scenes. His intimate photographs of Debbie Harry have helped establish her as an international icon. “I’m excited to be putting my pictures up at Morrison Hotel Gallery in LA. This is my first show since the 80’s,!” says Chris about the exhibit. Co-owner of Morrison Hotel Gallery at Sunset Marquis Timothy White says, “Chris Stein is rock-and-roll royalty in every aspect of that word. He was at the forefront of a movement. He and Debbie Harry were a part of a movement that spearheaded what created some of the best music of the decade, but what he created as a photographer, with her as his muse, really stands out as important imagery,which we identify with for that period of time and the people associated with it. It’s a big piece of music history and an exciting part of the exhibit.” The Ramones

Morrison Hotel Gallery Sunset Marquis Hotel 1200 Alta Loma Road Los Angeles, CA 90069

morrisonhotelgallery.com

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Photographer Peter Baratti

M I L L I O N -D O LL A R PA I N TER A PP EAR S O N TH E H O R IZO N

Nadaleena Takes the Art World by Storm by Stephanie Grilli, Yale PhD, curator â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taos Contemporaryâ&#x20AC;?

t the edge of the Great Plains just southwest of Denver, tilted sandstone monoliths bear evidence to millions of years of erosion and uplift of the ancestral Rocky Mountains. Amid these dramatic red-rock formations, Nadaleena Mirat Brettmann found a painterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perch that corresponds to her own intensity and that feeds her fascination with the immense and overwhelming power of nature. A force to be reckoned with, the Croatianborn artist lives and works in Roxborough, Colorado, a place often visited by landscape painters and photographers but not the customary site for a studio. Her aerie address, however, is hardly what makes her an artistic outlier. While many artists have posed nude in a life drawing class or for a friend, few can say they have been on the cover of Playboy, not once but twice. Ever since the Venus of Willendorf, artists have exalted the voluptuous female form; but now in an intriguing bit of role reversal, the model stands confidently behind the canvas. Drawing the figure since the age of five, Nadaleena could easily accept her own eroticized image, but the attention gained meant less than the secret pursuit of her own art. Challenging expectations and even raising a few eyebrows, in her mind she simply is fulfilling her creative destiny. From her earliest effort, Nadaleena has given herself over to the human figure and face, and some might even perceive veiled suggestions or figural references within her Twister

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more recent abstract work. With a precocious passion for Rembrandt, she became enamored of the elongated portraits and languorous reclining nudes of Modigliani. The influence of the idiosyncratic bohemian artist can be discerned in paintings such as Disconnect, which sold for a million dollars and was featured this year as part her one-evening, invitation-only gallery debut. In the uninhibited brushwork, Nadaleena reveals herself to be an ardent disciple of de Kooning, who alone of the Abstract Expressionists upheld the figure as subject, if distorted, while pushing what he could do with paint. In making the transition to non-figurative painting, she evokes the signature ferocity of de Kooning’s controversial Woman series, assertively wielding brush and palette knife with seeming abandon. While her brushwork always had panache, in her latest Twister series Nadaleena has stoked its expressive capacity, such that the frenzy of paint corresponds to the destructive storm. Whereas de Kooning conjures up a formidable archetype of female sexuality, the woman who could have served as his inspiration offers instead a feverish homage to Mother Nature. Nature at its most extreme is a reminder of something greater than ourselves. When she was a little girl, Nadaleena was on a boat with her aunt and uncle when a life-threatening storm at sea engulfed them. She felt excitement within the chaos, while simultaneously intuiting the seriousness of the situation from the adults’ obvious fear. As often with highly charged childhood events, this became a vivid and visceral memory that Nadaleena still carries, providing the basis of her previous series In the Eye of the Croatian Storm. Instilling in her an awareness of life’s unpredictability and impermanence, she has often crossed paths with powerful storms and weather-inflicted disasters in her travels around the world, almost as if there is some fateful link. With her

striking canvases of red hot twisters, she gives the fury of the funnel cloud a volatile, apocalyptic presence in the Romantic tradition of painters such as Turner. In the Twister series, Nadaleena turns a weather phenomenon into a visionary spectacle. Developing out of thunderstorms, a column of air moving at super-high speeds descends to the ground, where the spiraling vortex ravages everything in its path. Nadaleena seizes the terrifying shape of a raging twister and intensifies its uncontrollable force with uninhibited brushstrokes and vibrant relentless hues. Working primarily with red pigments, she draws on associations with fire and blood, such that the swelling configuration looms in a flaming inferno. Characteristically a color that screams, red is juxtaposed with red, opulent mixes of alizarin, crimson, scarlet,

“Painted with such impulsive energy and quick movements, the wild, swirling tempests can be seen as Bacchic dances.”

Chained By The Storm

An Aspen Leaf

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taking the wooden tip of her brush, Nadaleena incises sinuous linesâ&#x20AC;? Twister V

Cover credit: Photo by legendary Peter Baratti Make-up by celebrity artist Alexis Vogel Hair Design by Ruth Orantes

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vermilion, cadmium, in a way that is dizzying. Softer shades of pink and white only increase the pitch of the reds by contrast, and red-orange and flesh tones engender a disquieting feeling. Through color, Nadaleena

has suggested the awful roar of the twister to a point of operatic extravagance. Calling herself a “mad painter,” she embraces the irrational, spontaneous aspect of art, what Nietzsche deemed the Dionysian. Painted with such impulsive energy and quick movements, the wild, swirling tempests can be seen as Bacchic dances. Gashing black strokes punctuate the enveloping vortex yet also seem like rippling black streamers flung by ecstatic celebrants or orgiastic maenads. In Greek myth, snake-handling

maenads, or “raving ones,” achieved intoxicated states and ritualistically tore animals and sometimes men to pieces. Taking the wooden tip of her brush, Nadaleena incises sinuous lines, so that the painter’s act of markmaking embodies the same elemental unleashed spirit. The boisterous red infuses the tangle of gestures with a primal almost savage pulsation. A self-described “old soul,” her home town of Trogir on the Dalmatian coast was founded as an ancient Greek settlement, and perhaps instinctually she visually gives the all-American twisters the unflagging intensity of Athenian tragedy. Boundless and dynamic, Nadaleena’s twisters allow the viewer to get swept up in their own interpretation and response. The open-ended Biblical and mythological overlays align with the artist’s ongoing metaphysical interest. Nadaleena has a PhD in the subject from the University of Metaphysics in Sedona, Arizona, for which she wrote her thesis on the healing capacity of art and visualization. In this regard, she indicated that the twisters can even be viewed as internal state of mind or being. All the rampaging fierceness is potentially cathartic for both the artist and the viewer, with a resulting release and spiritual renewal. After the turbulence and devastation, come the calm and the sunshine in a cycle that shows “this too shall pass.” In citing this proverb, the ever-optimistic artist connects the Twister series with the theme of survival, one that she recognizes in her own life story. Now Nadaleena has appeared on the art horizon with all the suddenness and swath of a tornado. Fetching as much as seven figures, her new works are flying off her easel, awaited by collectors even before the paint has dried. This month, her work is on view at Sunset Gower + Sunset Bronson Studios in Hollywood, with an opening gala on September 14. In December, Suzanne Schultz Gallery will stage an exhibition at AlteRnaTive Art Space in Boston. Having shared her work privately with eager collectors for years, Nadaleena recently purchased a terrace penthouse at the condominiums across the plaza from the Denver Art Museum, both designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. Working with characteristic speed, Nadaleena has quickly transformed the penthouse, and the Museum Residences Gallery is taking Denver by surprise. The latest entry in the Golden Triangle arts district, the gallery, open by appointment, will showcase both her work and those of other artists whom she wishes to support. Even before the grand opening on August 15, Nadaleena invited five local artists; Bill Gian, Brian Comber, Mark Castator, Mark Giovanni, Kimberly McArthur Graham, as well as two emerging artists; Luci Geller, Ruth Orantes to be a part of this endeavor, and she plans to use this high-profile setting to share her spotlight.

www.nadaleena.com

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NIKKI Nikki Lund & Richie Sambora,

Photographer: Benjamin James Model: Ashley Novak Stylist: Nikki Lund Make-up: Mirna Gonzalez

Dream (cotton modal tribal tie dye print maxi dress) 36

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Echo (cotton modal drawstring tank dress with front pockets)

RICH A Dynamic Designer Duo Nikki Lund & Richie Sambora team up to bring the freshest trends in fashion -elegant and relaxed at the same time! Nikki Rich is a modern lifestyle brand for a new generation. Co-designed by Nikki Lund & Richie Sambora, the pair successfully bridge the gap between designer and contemporary fashion. Pairing luxe textiles with impeccable craftsmanship, the collection offers a unique designer aesthetic at an affordable price. This brand effortlessly echos the pair’s eclectic personal style. “I’ve always been into fashion... It’s another extension and another way to create for me. Nikki and I had great chemistry immediately. We knew where we wanted to take the designs and how we wanted to make people feel when they wear our clothes... She’s amazing. She never runs out of ideas…” Nikki added: “Working with Richie is a blessing. He’s a consummate professional in all that he does, and besides being one of the most talented musicians in the world he has an incredibly sharp eye for fashion. I used to create a line of clothing called Eccentric Symphony. Richie saw my work, asked me to make some custom pieces for him, and the rest, as they say, is history.” For information visit: www.nikkirichclothing.com Wind (woven cotton romper)

Sapphire (cotton modal romper with lace insert detailing) HOLLY WOOD WE E KLY

THE INN CROWD

Westlake Village Inn

A little bit Tuscany, a little bit modern soul

by Lynn Jose

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ith no shortage of upscale properties offering mindblowing luxury (even for the most seasoned of travelers) and some of the most breathtaking beach, mountain, and desert locales mother nature has seen fit to offer, Southern California can be said to be something of an embarrassment of riches. When impossibly trendy and stylish hotels and resorts are as ubiquitous as Starbucks (not that there’s necessarily anything wrong with that!) where do you go when you just want a demitasse of that exquisite espresso or carafe of wine you had the last time you were in Europe? The Westlake Village Inn would be a great place to start. Located in the Conejo Valley bordering both Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the Westlake Village Inn literally sits across the street from the Santa Monica Mountains and offers the blissful feeling of being in the middle of nowhere while actually remaining in close proximity to everywhere. With Malibu just next door and hiking trails that end in panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, just nine miles away, there’s no question that you’re in Southern California. But walk onto the property past the functioning vineyard and beautiful onsite lake on your way to the stately and tastefully grand lobby, and suddenly the southern latitudes most likely to come to mind will be European. When I arrived on a Sunday just before sunset for a two night stay, I felt more like the guest of a moneyed acquaintance on

a private estate than a commuter from Hollywood checking in to a hotel. But unlike many high end properties with attitudes to match, I was immediately put at ease by Joe and Nick, the two lovely young gentlemen behind the front desk. I’d figure this out as my stay progressed, but part of what makes the Westlake Village Inn tick is a certain old world sophistication and style coupled with a quintessentially SoCal warmth and hospitality.

in this room one day!) to another of my personal favorites, the Lakeside Wine Cellar, with an appearance of dining tables magically placed directly on the lake, it’s the perfect location for anything from marrying the love of your life to wooing investors or getting merry with the work stiffs at the annual holiday party. Sans the bad lighting, carpeting, and “banquet feel” of the typical catering hall or company meeting room of

The lush botanical grounds, Mediterranean flair, and private lake at the heart of the property make the Westlake Inn an incredibly popular and high demand wedding destination, with hundreds of unique ceremonies hosted every year. (A recent guest at a summer wedding was a world famous mega pop star – you might know her as the one and only Lady Gaga!) In addition to weddings, they also host many corporate and social events. With 14,000 sq. ft. of event space options, ranging from the magnificent penthouse Villa, with an opulent winding staircase and grand piano (I’m determined to throw myself an extravagant, 1920’s Great Gatsby themed birthday party

course! In addition to the property’s many amenities, the adjacent Pacific Tennis Club offers guests use of their courts. Golf lovers can enjoy an 18hole course and driving range next door. At The Westlake Inn it’s as if the CEO of a company suddenly became an egalitarian and decided the only fitting way to reward his employees was to throw open the doors to his beloved country estate. Or if you’re like me and need to indulge your inner Thoreau and be alone with your thoughts in a pristine natural setting every now and then to get the creative juices flowing, a few days at the Westlake Village Inn will have your synapses firing up to HOLLY WOOD WE E KLY

concoct new ideas for that screenplay or epic novel faster than you can record them. The most stressful and worrisome decision I found I had to make during my stay was how to adequately divide my time between the pool, the view from the private terrace in my room, and a partially hidden little stone bench I found on the skirt of the

lake. And if you factor in the Jacuzzi tub, gas fireplace, flat screen TV’s in each suite and room, as well as a full service spa, it can be downright impossible to figure out what to enjoy next! That said, as a born and bred city girl, there’s only so much serenity I can take before I 40

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start to feel a little anxious. Enter Mediterraneo, the Inn’s top Zagat rated bistro and Bogie’s, the lakeside nightclub and lounge. With its focus on fresh ingredients and inventive dishes, Mediterraneo embodies the Westlake Village Inn’s marriage of European elegance and sophistication

with Southern California warmth and accessibility. The night I arrived I picked a cozy, dimly lit booth inside to unwind from my journey with a few glasses of their delicious Malbec. The next morning I chose a table outside next to the lake for breakfast,

facing the Santa Monica Mountains and sipping my cappuccino when I suddenly realized I’d made some new friends in the form of a trio of ducks strolling about on the patio! Bogie’s next door could be an upscale martini lounge in any cosmopolitan city, with the glaring exception that it sits on and offers a stunning view of the lake, which I was lucky enough to enjoy at sunset. With weekly happy hour specials and jazz nights and tastings and even salsa dancing lessons, Bogie’s is worth a visit even if you’re not a guest at the Westlake. I don’t particularly

believe in bucket lists (life’s too short, do it now!) but if someone were inclined to make a bucket list for food, the red velvet pancakes for breakfast and sumac albacore tuna for dinner at Mediterraneo, and the manchego appetizer at Bogie’s with a glass or two of the aforementioned Malbec belong at the very top. In addition, The Stonehaus, a Tuscan inspired coffeehouse and tasting room, is in the final stages of construction and will offer yet another opportunity to sample delicious coffee, pastries and wine from the Inn’s private collection.

Can’t decide between a mountain or beach getaway? Have a hankering for the old country but can’t leave Los Angeles? Look no further than The Westlake Village Inn. Its cross section of old world and new, proximity to both hiking trails and the beaches of Malibu, nearby shopping and an air of seclusion in the middle of it all makes it the perfect place if you’re in the mood for something a little bit Tuscany, a little bit modern soul. 31943 Agoura Road Westlake Village, CA 91361 Tel: 818-889-0230 www.westlakevillageinn.com

“Mediterraneo embodies the Westlake Village Inn’s marriage of European elegance and sophistication with Southern California warmth and accessibility.” HOLLY WOOD WE E KLY

JAMIE FOXX, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL & JOE TORRE HONORED AT THE 13TH ANNUAL HAROLD & CAROLE PUMP FOUNDATION GALA RECENTLY AT THE BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL, LOS ANGELES 42 H OL LY W OOD WEEKLY

The Harold & Carole Pump Foundation

celebrated its 13th Annual Foundation Gala recently at the Beverly Hilton Hotel honoring Jamie Foxx, Shaquille Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal and Joe Torre. Celebrity supporters included: Kevin Hart, Bo Jackson, Julius Erving, Roger Clemens, Jim Brown, Gabby Douglas, Maria Menounos, David Robinson, Ronnie Lott, Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield, Oscar Robertson, Earl Campbell, Gale Sayers, Jamaal Wilkes, Moses Malone, Andy Enfield, Gary Sheffield, Cedric the Entertainer, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Bobby Brown, Penny Marshall, Ralph Sampson, Marcus Allen, Willie McGinest, Drew Kenney, Ozzie Smith, Eric

Moon, Michael Irvin, Jim Gray, Richard Dent, James Lofton, Tony La Russa, Greg Anthony, Jim Harrick, Josh Wolf, Mark Jackson, Tim Brown, President Vicente Fox, Holly Robinson Peete, Rodney Peete, and Marcellus Wiley. The evening raised over $1.2 million dollars.

Dickerson, Stacey Augmon, Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx John Savage, Chris Mullin, Warren

The Harold & Carole Pump Foundation helps benefit the Harold Pump Department of Radiation Oncology, the Carole Pump Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center, and the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Cancer Center at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Proceeds go towards the development of new technology, cancer screening, and educational programs for the underserved and uninsured. Funds raised will also go to establishing a family plan for cancer patients at Northridge Hospital.

Cedric the Entertainer, Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx Shaq, Kevin Hart

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