Kitten Magazine / K23 / Breeze by Kitten Magazine

KITTEN* FRESH FACES IN FASHION VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 BREEZE FRESH 4 CONTENTS 5 MASTHEAD FACES 8 KAT TURNER * FASHION EDITOR 8 AGNESA * MODEL 9 CAROLINE * MODEL 9 AUTUMN * MODEL FASHION 18 COCO KLIKS 26 CARLOS DIEZ 34 CARDIAC 42 CLAIRE LA FAYE FEATURES 10 TINO RODRIGUEZ * ART 12 HEIDI TOLL * DESIGN 14 RILO KILEY * MUSIC 16 SARAH JANE MORRIS * MOVIES RUNWAYS 50 TULEH * NYC FASHION WEEK 52 CARLOS MIELE * NYC FASHION WEEK 54 JENNIFER NICHOLSON * NYC FASHION WEEK 56 ATIL KUTOGLU * NYC FASHION WEEK RESOURCES 58 SHOPPING * LA 58 DINING * LA 59 NIGHTLIFE * LA 59 CULTURE * LA READERS 60 KITTEN SUMMER BRINE FASHION SHOW 62 KITTEN NYC FASHION WEEK PARTY Main Cover Image: Photographer * Mike Vensel Model * Caroline Thompson / Group Madrid Fashion * Carlos Diez Back Cover Image: Photographer * Richard Goldstein Model * Gessica Hoffman / Karin NYC Fashion * Cardiac

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Fresh Faces in Fashion

Publisher & Editor in Chief Mike Vensel Fashion Features Resources Copy

Editor Editor Editor Editor

Senior Editor NYC Senior Editor London Senior Editor Paris Senior Editor Milan

Kat Turner Veronica Chanel Tiffany Lee Rebecca Boccardo Erna Bersegian Holly Albright Sandy Lakar Franziska Hoehle

Contributing Editors Amanda Wagner, Ariadna Ledesma, Edward Jahn Contributing Photographers Melissa Rodwell, Richard Goldstien, Mike Vensel, Peter Gurnz Special Thanks Sophia Clari, Ana Maria DeLosRios, Group Models Judy Vensel, Andrew Dutkowsky, Chris Dutkowsky Andy Warhol, Hugh Hefner, Terry Richardson West Coast Office Kitten Magazine 1725 Ocean Front Walk Suite 614 Los Angeles CA 90401 Telephone 1.310.451.2202 Fax 1.310.917.1178 info@kittenmag.com Subscription Inquiries / Customer Service subscribe@kittenmag.com, U.S.rates are $14.95 per year. Kitten is printed in the U.S. and published by Sevense Inc. 1725 Ocean Front Walk Suite 614 Los Angeles CA 90401 Copyright 2005 Kitten Magazine Kitten is a registered trademark of Sevense Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in full is prohibited. Kitten* welcomes contributions. Kitten assumes no responsibility for content of advertisements. For more information please visit: http://www.kittenmag.com

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TINO RODRIGUEZ * ART

Interview by Veronica Chanel

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TR: My name is Tino Rodriguez and I am a painter, I’m originally from Mexico but I’ve been living in California since 1982... wow that’s a long time. VC: How long have you been painting? TR: I’ve been painting since I was a little boy. Ever since I had this connection with this visual linear world, I felt like it was easier for me to communicate with images rather than any other way, even verbal language was a bit odd. Language is so misleading, I just felt more connected with visual images that’s the way I feel like I can communicate my best. VC: What was it when you were growing up that influenced to become an artist? TR: The thing about growing up in Mexico is you are surrounded by art everyday. You go to the market place and you see the arrangements of fruits and the trinkets they sell. All of the colors and the smells it all goes inside you and it becomes a part of how you want to talk about the world. Even if you live in a different culture you still have that inside you. The music and the energy I was surrounded by all this growing up, that is just one of the small parts of my desires to become an artist. When I was a kid I thought I could talk about wonderful stories with these things and I think that’s what I have been doing ever since. VC: What would you like people to get from your stories? TR: I think that changes as time goes by I remember when I first started painting at school, I was angry and I wanted to shock people. I really wanted to scare people and you know wake them up according to my philosophy which it’s defiantly not anymore. I think have matured a lot. Now I would like them to have a conversation with the piece and get something good out of it. To be able to get a story that they have never heard before maybe they will get an image that they could never imagine could happen before, I would like to connect with people on a deep level or on any level really.

VC: Where are your stories inspired from? TR: The thing for me, painting is archeology, I study a lot of mythology and I have a lot of books from all over the world. I read a lot of this stuff because its really fascinating and I want to use some parts and put it into a contemporary background and tell some of the stories, not as I read them but as they inspire me to do which is very different from the way you view them when you’re reading them. Basically I intertwine all those stories and a lot of stuff comes from dreams but not in the essence of this painting is a dream I would present the dream in a pictorial way to where it’s not a dream anymore but a conscious perception of what the dream was about. VC: Do you have any artists you admire or inspired by? TR: I’m very inspired by Persian paintings, Indian miniature paintings, Mayan art, Hispanic art, I’m really fascinated by my own culture I just love Babylonian art too. VC: Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years? TR: Because of the way I live on a daily basis I don’t like to think about the future or the past that much I like to embrace the present as much as I can and live as fully as I can everyday I should like to think I will be painting or who knows what I’ll be doing. VC: Do you have any advice to aspiring artists? TR: I think the one thing about contemporary society for a lot of artists is that they are really manipulated by the media and by galleries and by what they are supposed to be doing. There are all these trends around the art world of what is the “thing” to be doing I think that’s not very good for a visual artist of any kind, the one thing you have to retain is your integrity. I think the best thing for young artists is to just follow your visions. It’s very likely that they have the right perception when they look inside themselves and say I want to do this. When people do that you are able to see it. Don’t follow the trends of the moment because that isn’t really coming from you. VC: Do you have any shows coming up? TR: In early October 2006 I’ll be showing new work at the Jan Baum gallery in Los Angeles. You can check my website for show dates. For more visit: www.tinorodriguez.com

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Photo * Quinn Kristian Koeniges

HEIDI TOLL * DESIGN

Interview by Veronica Chanel VC: First tell us about your latest project. HT: The residence you see is the second home I have designed for Mr. Turner. We have been working on it for about 9 months. The inspiration for this job was the great modern architectural style of the home as well as his incredible art collection from his travels around the world, mostly to the Far East and Africa. Every piece of furniture in the home is spectacular because Mr. Turner has exquisite taste but my favorite pieces would have be the custom Pompeian dining table Made of Imbue wood and the fur Kalup lounge chair made in Brazil by Atmosphere Furniture. VC: How were you inspired to become an interior designer? HT: My brother subscribed to Architectural Digest Magazine when I was in Jr. High. I would anxiously await it’s arrival each month and read it front to back. I think that may be why I’m always attracted to projects that have Architectural significance and not just big interior scopes. VC: What was your very first project? HT: It was a dream job. I was working for another designer right out of school years ago and we were

awarded the renovation of a modern home for Vidal Sassoon and his wife. The project went fabulously and was published right after we finished. I have seen it published recently as well so they must still be happy with it. It is great to see items we selected still being used a decade later! VC: What do you love most about your job? HT: Seeing my clients living in the environment I created for them. For example, just the other night, I went to a party at a client’s home and the individual conversation areas we created were alive with activity, every piece of furniture was being used, and the lighting was setting exactly the kind of dramatic atmosphere we were hoping for. That’s a lot of fun to see. VC: Is there anything you like least about your job? HT: It’s pretty amazing how unreliable vendors and suppliers can be sometimes. Of course, one advantage of hiring an interior designer is that over the years we tend to find subcontractors on whom we can rely and this cuts down the headache factor. You treat good subs like pure gold. But still, it seems on every job there’s somebody who doesn’t deliver on time, or fabricates a piece of furniture incorrectly or uses the wrong fabric and I have to

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Photo * Quinn Kristian Koeniges

move mountains to make sure we still meet client deadlines. VC: Have you had the chance to work with any celebrities? HT: I typically do not discuss the names of the celebrities I work with, but the house I designed for Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro was just published in In Style magazine, so I can talk about that project. That job was a real pleasure because they have great taste and sense of style. VC: How do you get inspired for each new project? HT: The personality and preferences of the client are always the biggest considerations. Next is the architectural style of the house which always informs the design aesthetic. VC: How do you go about creating a client’s “dream”? HT: Nothing is more important than listening carefully to what the client is saying and making sure you’re working towards their vision. Plus I spend time presenting layout alternatives and images for their reaction before setting off in a design direction. VC: what decorating advice do you have for someone with a new house and a limited budget? HT: Paint is inexpensive and goes a long way, shop at local flea markets and Ikea.

VC: Are there any hot trends in interior designing right now? HT: 40’s glamour, use of dramatic color and using unusual materials such as exotic wood grains. VC: How would you characterize your personal style in your home? HT: Comfortable Zen modern. I tried to evoke serenity and harmony using a lot of natural materials in basic earth tones. VC: Do you have any advice on aspiring interior designers? HT: Work for a large corporate design firm out of school. You will learn about interior architectural details you will use in whatever direction your career takes you. VC: What are the most important skills an aspiring interior designer needs to have? HT: A vivid imagination, reliability, organizational skills. VC: For a little fashion question do you have any favorite designers? HT: Valentino, Calvin Klein and Roberto Cavalli. For more visit: www.heiditolldesign.com

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RILO KILEY * MUSIC

Interview by Veronica Chanel

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Rilo Kiley has to be one of the greatest indie rock bands to come out of Los Angeles, although most of LA just doesn’t know it and neither do Rilo Kiley “We just never found it in Los Angeles” once stated by Jenny Lewis (the painfully adorable lead singer). With the release of their latest album “More Adventurous” the band has been selling out shows all over the country where people DO get it. While on tour with Coldplay I was able to ask Jason Boesel (Drums) a few questions before a show. VC: So how is the Coldplay tour going so far? I know you just started but how have the first few shows been? JB: Yea we just started but it’s going really well, it’s a lot of fun. Right now we are in Grantham Pennsylvania, tonight is actually the first show of our own. This tour we are doing three or four shows of our own in between the Coldplay dates. VC: What would you like listeners to get from your new CD? JB: WWell I guess we would just like new listeners to enjoy the record as a whole. I think a lot of records are made to have sort of one or two radio songs and the rest is kind of a throw away, well we like to think that every song on this album is worthwhile to listen too. For the people who have been listening to the band for a while hopefully we have displayed some sort of growth. VC: When you play live shows what is most important? JB: Keep the fans interested and give them a good show. I guess live we tend to rock out a little bit more its just the nature of us playing together on stage, we try to slow down and play some acoustic stuff and kind of give a longer set and not to wear people out. VC: How would you describe Rilo Kiley’s sound to someone who has never heard of you? JB: I guess I would say rock based with folk and country influences.

VC: On the Rilo Kiley website you have two music videos. The one for “Portions of Foxes” - was that the bands very first video? JB: It was actually our second video, the first one was “It’s a Hit” but that was all animation so we didn’t do much for it. “Portions for Foxes” was the first one where we actually showed up for the video. VC: How was that experience? JB: It was a lot of fun! We filmed it in Burbank in this taxidermy warehouse, set up all our stuff and had a couple sweet directors work on it. VC: Who came up with the treatment? JB: It was my idea actually. The idea came from a Susan Orlean essay where she went to this taxidermy world championship or something like that. It’s a really great essay. VC: Well if you weren’t musically talented what would your dream career be? JB: I guess to be a fiction writer. VC: Where would you like you see yourself and the band in six years? JB: Wow six years? I think within those years there will be about a year and a half break and emerge from that with a new set of records. I guess better than anything we have done in the past. VC: Do you have any favorite fashion designers? JB: Marc Jacobs I saw some new shirt by him, I think it was new kind of like a French Navy style shirt with horizontal stripes it looked really awesome. VC: A random question; if you had a theme song what would it be? JB: Hmm a theme song? I think it would be “When I Paint My Master Piece” by Bob Dylan. For more visit: www.rilokiley.com

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Photo * Bradley Meinz

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Photos * Bradley Meinz

SARAH JANE MORRIS * MOVIES Interview by Veronica Chanel

Born and raised in Memphis TN. Sarah started out in theater as a kid and then ballet as a teenager but after seeing the path her older sister had taken Sarah realized she wasn’t as passionate about dancing as she was about acting. “When I got to college I thought I should do the responsible thing and study something I could get a REAL career out of so I studied communications. Half way threw college I had this feeling that acting was for me”. One month after graduating college Sarah moved to LA with dreams of being a big movie star. “I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, but I figured some things out”. VC: What are some of your most resent projects? SM: I’ve been working on a new TV show called “Windfall”, which will be airing on NBC either this November or January. I’ll be recurring on the show. The cast includes Luke Perry (90210), Sarah Wynter (24), and D.J. Cotrona (Skin) who is my love interest. I also just guest stared in an episode of “Cold Case” which will air in early November. Oh and Adam Rifkin (Detroit Rock City) He wrote and directed this move, I think they titled it “Captured”. The whole movie is shot from the perspective of surveillance cameras, there are all these people getting interconnected in one way or another and you see all their paths being crossed through the cameras. It looked pretty cool... it’s different. VC: Aside from acting you also do a lot of modeling correct? SM: You know I never thought I could model because I’m 5’6 which in modeling is short, so when I moved to LA Ned my boyfriend at the time (now husband) was modeling so he took me into his agency and they took me in, my height just wasn’t a big deal. It’s a nice way to make some money in between acting. To me modeling is like mini acting jobs but it doesn’t fulfill the same feeling that acting does.

VC: What do you think you would do if you weren’t acting or modeling? SM: Um you mean like if I stayed back in Dallas and never moved to LA? VC: Or you moved here for other reasons. SM: I don’t know... I can’t really imagine myself doing anything else. Sometimes I have those fleeting moments of what else can I do when I want to say ‘The Hell with this!’ but again those thoughts go away quickly. Sometimes I think I could be a florist, a few years ago I sent off for some flyers for floral design school. VC: In between working how do you spend your time? SM: I really love to prowl flea markets and work in the yard, Ned and I bought a house little over a year ago and when he goes away on tour I’m here all alone so I’ll go outside and pull some weeds. I’m really into Netflix right now so we’ve been watching A LOT of movies and I watch a lot of TV, people can say TV junks up your mind but to me it research I love watching other actors. VC: Who would be some of your favorite actresses? SM: I’m a big Katherine Hepburn fan. I love Diane Lane. I think she’s just amazing, so beautiful and real. VC: Lets talk fashion, how would you describe your personal style? SM: I kind of keep it simple but I like to throw in a cool purse or a really great pair of shoes, I have a lot of shoes. Keep it simple but accessorize. VC: Any favorite designers/labels? SM: My friend Jesse Kamm a new LA designer she makes really wonderful stuff. Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, for the casual stuff I love American Apparel. I wear a lot of vintage stuff I find at flea markets. VC: Whose fashion sense do you admire? SM: Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow clothes just look great on her, and Sienna Miller, she’s got good style.

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IKS COCO KL

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ICS ELL EN S LIK OTOG RODW K CO / PH ISSA CO N N * NESA * MEL TIGA O I H AG R AR FAS EL * APHE HN H L D E MO TOGR L * JO VENS LLO L O ZI NE H ICA IKE N P N O HA M NM H C * C A TE LIST MIA NIC STY R * DA VERO * I HA EUP K MA

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COCO KLIKS * FASHION Interview by Mike Vensel

MV: How long have you been designing? CK: Since I was 5 years Old. MV: Where were you born? CK: ChiangMai, Thailand. MV: Has that had an influence on your design? CK: I think my entire life since then has had an influence on my design. MV: What are your signature designs? CK: Tailored jackets with hand embroidered details. MV: Can you tell us about your current collection? CK: My current collection is about the discovery of Tahiti. So there’s a little mutiny on the bounty, there’s fresh island breezes and lovely island ladies. MV: Who is the Coco Kliks customer? CK: She is the smart girl that dosen’t have to be overtly sexy to accomplish her goals and is probably between 20 and 40 and loves luxury and novelty. MV: How has travel had an impact on your design? CK: I’ve traveled extensively as well as lived in many different places and one of the things that I am mesmerized by everywhere I go is water and that was the beginning of my Tahitian concept. I was thinking where is the water the most powerful and I think its most powerful in the South Pacific island and I chose Tahiti as my starting point as I was reading more history about that area I found a particularly interesting story about European discovery that clicked with me and my story began there.

MV: How long have you been showing on the runway in LA? CK: This is my fourth season, so that’s two years. MV: How do you feel about the LA fashion scene? CK: It’s kind of like the wild west out here we are on the fringes of the fashion world and in a way I like it because I am isolated and I have the freedom to do really what I want and I can listen to my own voice instead of being submerged in the fashion scene the way I would be if I was living in New York or Paris. It also gives me a more even platform as far as media exposure where as in New York or Paris I may never have the media that comes to the shows now. MV: What do you like most about being a designer? CK: Being able to share things that are important to me with a lot of people. MV:What do you like least about being a designer? Having to worry about sales. MV:What advice could you give to someone just starting out? CK: Intern somewhere. For more visit: www.cocokliks.com

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DIEZ S LO

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FASHIO N MODEL *CARLOS DIEZ * PHOTO CAROLINE TH O GRAPH ER * MIK MPSON / GRO STYLIS UP MAD E VENS T * MIK E VENS EL RID EL

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CARDIAC

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CARDIAC * FASHION

Interview by Mike Vensel MV: How long have you been designing? CA: Three and a half years. MV: What are your signature designs? CA: Our women’s one of kind pieces. MV: What do you like most about design? CA: The creative outlet, especially with our one of a kind pieces we try to treat them like a painting, We don’t hold back on any creativity, we don’t try to conform to any trend or style that happens to be in, we jest let flow and see what comes out. MV: What do you like least about design? CA: The sewing. The sewing is rough when we sew everything ourselves, everything is dyed by hand we make the screens, it’s a lot of work but its always worth it to explore the possibilities. MV: What inspires you? CA: We inspire each other, we feed of of each other, we have visions that are similar but when the meld together they become really interesting and unique. MV: What is your design philosophy? CA: We don’t really have a design philosophy, we just try to stay true to our creative nature, we always try to have something that is sophisticated, sexy but at the same time unique and cardiac. MV: Can you tell us about your experiences showing on the runway? CA: We have always had a great response, its fun to go through the whole process of a show, the tension, the problems, the things that come out smoothly are great also but everything that’s rolled up into the package is really fun. MV: You are noted as being two of the strongest designers in Miami, what keeps you in Miami, and why haven’t you moved to a larger market?

CA: I think that anything we are working on we can do remotely, we can always pickup and shift but we are extremely happy here, everything is perfect from the weather to the atmosphere and there is no need to uproot, we are strong enough and I think if we keep pushing as hard as we are we will be noticed anyway. Miami is small but there is a great little design community and its growing constantly. The recent IFTS trade show is a great example of local designers that wanted to make something happen and organized and event and made it happen so people are able to see that there is some artistic creativity in Miami. Most people don’t think of Miami that way, I think there is a stereotypical image and I think it makes us stand out. MV: Who is the Cardiac customer? CA: It’s a broad range, from punk rock girls to women in their 50’s. Our clothes fit a wide variety of people and I think it comes down to confidence and I think you have to have a little bit of attitude. MV: What advice can you give to up and coming designers? CA: Definitely stay true to what you feel and what you want to express, never compromise your artistic integrity just to sell a piece, because if you put out what is in you somebody is going to like it. I think that’s true with everything. MV: Has travel inspired your work? CA: Not so much, I don’t think so, I think its kind of irrelevant. MV: Where can people find out more about Cardiac? For more visit: www.cardiacdesign.com

FASHION * CARDIAC JEWELRY * SHUANGI FOR TRUE PETITE MODEL * GESSICA HOFFMAN / KARIN NYC PHOTOGRAPHER * RICHARD GOLDSTEIN / LIQUID LOLLIPOPS LABS PHOTO ASSISTANT * KYLEE SORENSEN STYLIST * SHOSHANA FINN / LIQUID LOLLIPOPS LABS HAIR AND MAKEUP * JANE PITTMAN / DALIA VEITIA PRODUCER * JOHN FISHER

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CLAIRE LE FAYE

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CLAIRE LE FAYE * FASHION Interview by Kat Turner

KT: Where are you from? CL: Originally I am from Milwaukee Wisconsin. KT: How long did you live in Wisconsin? CL: 18 years. KT: Do you feel that the mid west has been and inspiration for your line? CL: No, not really, I always felt like I was kept there against my will like Pablo the penguin who hated the cold, so as soon as I turned 18 I headed out west, moved to Oregon, lived there, went to art school, then moved to New York, finished design school, moved back to Portland, started a label and then finally moved down here to LA. KT: Do you feel like living in Portland had an influence on your design? CL: Portland and New York were two environments that have had in influence on what I do. They are dramatically different but I can say enough about New York, the variety of things, funkiness, downtown vs. uptown and I think Portland has a little bit more of a free for all do it yourself feel, so It’s great being able to incorporate both along with my crazy weird historical inspired ideas. KT: There are a lot of historical elements, period pieces romance and elements of fairy tale and imagination in your designs, where do you draw that? CL: Childhood, fantasy, imagination, I love history, the Victorian era, Medieval and gypsy culture and to be able to use that and combine it with modern day elements is really great. KT: When did you start designing? CL: Well really forever, its just one of those things that I have always done, but I didn’t realize I could make a living at it until 4 years ago. KT: And you just moved to LA so tell me about that. CL: It’s been fantastic. KT: What made you decide to move from Portland to LA? CL: Most of my business seems to be focused on Los Angeles and so it magnetically drew me down. KT: What’s your take on LA fashion? CL: Eclectic, it’s definitely a mixture of things that keep it interesting, obviously people don’t take it too seriously, so they can have fun with it.

KT: Do you have a signature look that you carry from collection to collection? CL: Vintage elements, whether its grandmas lace or chiffons, or some kind of little pleating. There is allot of little pleating that is sort of out of control that carries over from collection to collection. KT: What sort of woman wears Claire le Faye? CL: Definitely one who’s not afraid to be seen, confidant, sexy, is looking to not wear what everyone else in the room is wearing and she isn’t afraid to stand out. KT: What is one fashion item that you can’t live without? CL: Jeans, hands down. KT: Do you have a favorite brand? CL: No, there are just so many fantastic ones out there KT: What is one fashion pet peeve that you cannot stand? CL: Corduroys and Birkenstocks. KT: With socks? CL: The big woolly ones. KT: What do you like most about being a designer? CL: The freedom to be an artist everyday. KT: What do you like least about designing? CL: The only big drawback is that I am doing allot of the work myself. I look forward to being able to spread that out as I progress. KT: What words of advice can you give to designers starting out? CL: Contacts are everything and take advantage of any help that is out there. KT: Has travel had an influence on your design? CL: Definitely, living in New York for so many years and being able to go abroad and see what the rest of the world is doing in relationship to how I live. There is so much old history that I think we forget about being in such a new country and its great to be able to mix all of that history with what’s in front of me. KT: If I could give you a ticket now to anywhere in the world where would go? CL: Italy. KT: Why? CL: History, culture, climate, laid back, romance everything.

FASHION * CLAIRE LE FAYE MODEL * AUTUMN / PHOTOGENICS PHOTOGRAPHER * MELISSA RODWELL TECHNICAL * JOHN HARTIGAN STYLIST * DEANA ANAIA HAIR * DAMIAN MONZILLO MAKEUP * AMEY RENE

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NYC Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2005 Photos by Mike Vensel

TULEH * RUNWAYS

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NYC Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2005 Photos by Mike Vensel

CARLOS MIELE * RUNWAYS

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NYC Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2005 Photos by Mike Vensel

JENNIFER NICHOLSON * RUNWAYS

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NYC Fashion Week Fall / Winter 2005 Photos by Mike Vensel

ATIL KUTOGLU * RUNWAYS

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SHOPPING * RESOURCES / LA Barracuda 7600-B Melrose Ave. Los Angeles With their graffiti inspired murals, collection of vintage keyboards, designer vinyl toys, mod furniture, plus in-house DJ, Barracuda is one of the standouts on the mostly trite and trend-trailing stores on the Melrose strip. They carry a wide selection of men’s and women’s hipster streetwear and silk-screened tees, carrying labels like GSUS, Paul Frank and Fornarina, plus many independent designers and surprisingly stylish from labels like Nike and Stussy rarely found anywhere else. Don’t overlook the jewelry selection! Bleu 454 S. La Brea Ave. Hollywood 323.939.2228 A bit far down the strip, Bleu carries a wide selection of local and international designer pieces with a wonderfully ethnic feel. They also offer lots of colorful and comfy tees and lacy lingerie. H. Lorenzo 8660 W. Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood 310.659.1432 This is a must-shop locale that carries high-end designer pieces from the likes of Helmut Lang and Alexander McQueen.

Kitson 115 S. Roberston Blvd. West Hollywood 310.859.2652 An ongoing celebrity favorite, every square inch of Kitson is literally crammed with ultra-trendy clothes, shoes, bags, gifts and beauty products like an It Girl’s dream swap meet. Pleasantly overwhelming, be ready to push through the constant crowd of shoppers to get to the heaps of hip and colorful accoutrements. Madison 113 S. Robertson Blvd. West Hollywood 323.651.3662 Another Robertson favorite, Madison supplies the top American and European designers along with cutting-edge new fashions. Yellow 605 N. La Brea Ave. Hollywood 323.525.0362 Don’t be too irked by the very un-PC title accompanied by Chinese characters. This store out in the boonies carries ultra-fashionable national and international brands including local golden boy Brian Lichtenberg. Lots of colorfully deconstructed, sequined, and silk-screened pieces, they also carry a small collection of vintage clothes upstairs.

DINING * RESOURCES / LA The Belmont 747 La Cienega Blvd. Hollywood 310.659.8871 Stylish guests line the bar and tables are adorned with everything from steaks, seafood, pastas and all other nouveau-American favorites. There is a smoker friendly patio that adds to this restaurant’s fun cocktail lounge atmosphere. Cobras and Matador 7615 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles 323.932.6178 Located in an updated Spanish tavern, this tiny restaurant is regularly packed with urban hipsters and the occasional celebrity. This restaurant serves up 17 different varieties of tapas along with Spanish cuisine with an authenticity rarely found outside of Spain. Falcon 7213 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood 323.850.5350 This chic, open-air restaurant serves up tantalizing Californian cuisine in a stunning and sprawling modern environment. Traditional comfort foods get a cosmopolitan twist here, and stick around for club hours when the place turns into a hip Hollywood nightspot.

The Ivy 113 N. Robertson Blvd. West Hollywood 310.274.8303 A cottage on the trendy shopping stretch of Robertson, this well known and constantly packed American-Cajun eatery offers a cozy interior with fireplace and an outdoor patio perfect to star-gaze the likes of Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan making their way through the shops. Koi 730 N. La Cienega Blvd. Beverly Hills 310.659.9449 Sexy and sophisticated, this restaurant caters to the Hollywood elite. The huge layout consists of four dining rooms, a lounge, a patio with fireplace and a busy sushi bar. Its décor mixes traditional Asian flair with chic modern furnishings with Buddha statues, black leather booths, bamboo stalks lining the walls. Nobu 3835 Cross Creek Rd. Malibu 310.317.9140 Another addition to world-class chef’s Nobu Matsuhisa repertoire, for many local celebrities, Nobu’s delectable Japanese cuisine is a daily rendez-vous. Try the rock shrimp and the jalapeno yellowtail sashimi.

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NIGHTLIFE * RESOURCES / LA Beauty Bar 1638 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Hollywood 323.464.7676 Where else can you order a martini with manicure for ten dollars? This stylish 50’s reminiscent atmosphere with the glittered walls and vintage salon chairs serves up anything from underground rock to top 40 nights. Any local knows this place is a must!

The Standard Rooftop Bar 550 S. Flower St. Downtown L.A. 213.892.8080 Soaring atop the Standard Hotel, this rooftop bar and club offers the most amazing 360 degree view of downtown Los Angeles. Previously a bank building, the hotel amazes with its playfully sleek take on 60s Mod design.

Cinespace 6356 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood 323.654.1268 Known to have anything from concerts, to fashion shows, to after parties, this upscale restaurant and bar offers cozy dinner and movie nights in their sprawling screening room. But for those can’t sit still, it also has a dance floor, smoking patio and two fully stocked bars.

Spaceland 1717 Silverlake Blvd. Silverlake 323.661.4380 Nestled in Silverlake’s artist district, Spaceland is the perfect place to check out the newest local band and peruse a crowd of hipsters and music snobs. The run down rock n’ roll atmosphere is perfect for those wanting to avoid the door scenes and pretentiousness of most Hollywood hotspots.

Forty Deuce 5574 Melrose Ave. Hollywood 323.465.4242 Ivan Kane’s new venue is a throwback to the roaring twenties featuring a modern take on the art of burlesque. Sexy dancers striptease their way down a bar that doubles as a runway. Cheeky décor and cozy atmosphere, call ahead if you want to enjoy the show while sitting at one of its highly sought out tables.

Star Shoes 6364 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood 323.462.7827 A tiny dimly lit dance club, it features glass cases displaying their collection of one of a kind vintage shoes and shoes designed by local artists. Radio on Wednesday nights is one the best places to be to see fashion shows, concerts, and playful theme nights where the artists, musicians, hipsters, fashion designers and trendsetters alike love to get down.

CULTURE * RESOURCES / LA Fashion District Between Broadway, Wall Street, 7th Street and Pico Boulevard Downtown Los Angeles If you would ever have the need to buy knockoff designer anything, cheap anything, or anything from colored contacts to LED belt buckles, the Fashion District is your haven. Santee Alley is the district’s primary vein where shops of all kinds are condensed into one long alley. The colorful surrounding areas also house the Fabric District, the Jewelry District and the Toy District.

LA County Museum of Art 323.857.6000 www.lacma.org LACMA has a permanent collection that includes about 100,000 works of art spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present, making it the premiere encyclopedic visual arts museum on the west coast. Located on Wilshire’s “Museum Row” that also houses the La Brea Tarpits, the Peterson Automotive Museum, the California Craft & Folk Art Museum and the Carole and Barry Kaye Museum of Miniatures.

Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr. Los Angeles 310.440.7300 www.getty.edu Located up on the mountains above the 405, this sprawling museum of visual arts not only holds some of the most high profile exhibitions in the world, but also has many lush gardens and pools with breathtaking views of the city. The J. Paul Getty Trust is an international, cultural, and philanthropic institution devoted to the arts that features the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservative Institute, and the Getty Grant Program.

Museum of Contemporary Art 250 South Grand Ave. Los Angeles 213.621.1741 www.moca.org The museum for the younger and hipper crowd, MOCA features artists and exhibitions that are more avant-garde and modern than LACMA; which is more historical. Designed by Arata Isozaki, MOCA’s uncommon forms combine with unusual materials for a distinct profile. MOCA’s “Members Only” art openings and previews are some of the top nights for the Los Angeles’s arts and entertainment elite to wind down and network. There are two other MOCA branches are located at the Pacific Design Center and The Geffen Contemporary.

Kitten*

E HOLLYWOOD KITTEN SUMMER BRINE FASHION SHOW / CINESPAC

O MARCO BRIAN LICHTENBERG / KATNIC / MICOUTURE / MARC

Kitten*

PHOTOS * MIKE VENSEL

NYC KITTEN NYC FASHION WEEK PARTY / ROCK CANDY

PHOTOS * MIKE VENSEL / ERNA BERSEGIAN