fall fashion!
Meet L.A.’s NEW International a-list Jon voight on the tv renaissance PLUS KARL LAGERFELD AUSTIN STOWELL ELI BROAD FRANK GEHRY
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FRONT RUNNER De rigueur! For half a century, Fred Segal’s iconic shops have been a must-visit for local fashionistas and out-of-towners alike.
FRED THE GREAT
Visiting a Fred Segal store is not an errand, it’s an event. It’s not so much a store as a cultural crossroads, where high-profile customers and genius curators have come together for half a century. On the cusp of the counterculture era, Fred Segal got his start selling jeans in 1961 in Hollywood. “He was one of the first to take Levi’s and adapt them, making them lower rise, adding flare legs,” says Fred Segal’s CEO, Paul Blum. “Even when Fred was just selling jeans, it was about the social movement.” And luxury: Segal added a then-outrageous price tag, $19.95, or $160 in today’s dollars. In 1965 he opened the original Fred Segal edifice, that ivy-shrouded polestar at the corner of Melrose and Crescent Heights. The shop-within-a-shop concept evolved, creating an exclusive retail village with one-of-a-kind products, a restaurant, and super-accommodating staff. It’s a formula that “has been desired and emulated for decades,” says Ron Robinson, who worked for Segal from 1968 to 1977, before launching his own successful emporium and brand. Matthew Preece, owner of the Fred Segal Salon in Santa Monica, adds, “The brand means quality, but there’s an individuality to it.” If you popped in during the 1970s, you might have spotted Elton John or the
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Rolling Stones lingering over lunch. In the 1980s, you could find Madonna and Sean Penn locking lips in the corner. “The planets aligned,” says LA-based designer John Eshaya, who worked at Fred Segal for 24 years. By the 1990s and 2000s, he says, “Every designer was coming through—Tom Ford, Valentino, Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace—to see what was there.” Segal retired in 1987, but not before his name became synonymous with an effortless-yet-chic SoCal lifestyle. “He had a great energy,” says Blum. “He made people feel fashionable, connected, and comfortable.” Media company Sandow acquired the rights to the Fred Segal name in 2012 and opened outposts at LAX, SLS Las Vegas, and then in Tokyo. Fredsegal.com, a mix of e-commerce and content, launched this August, and a location in Yokohama, Japan, debuts in 2016. According to Preece, the company is also eyeing real estate in New York and Miami. “There are very few American brands of heritage,” says Blum. As the brand evolves, “We have to be careful that it has the surprise and warmth that was developed through the years. A lot of people sell LA culture. What we are is an authentic LA experience.” LAC
photography Courtesy of fred segal
For 50 years, retail emporium Fred Segal has been selling cutting-edge la style to celebs and Fashion-Forward mortals alike. BY KATHRYN DRURY WAGNER
DISCOVER THE WORLD THROUGH THE LENS OF PETER LIK LIK BEVERLY HILLS showcases some of Peter’s most notable photographic masterpieces. Located on Beverly Drive just off Rodeo, LIK BEVERLY HILLS is a natural fit for those who pursue luxury and have a fondness for exquisite beauty. 319 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210
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contents 130
TV personality, fashion journalist, and “It-Brit” Louise Roe is one of many emigré hotshots improving the restaurant, nightlife, and fashion scenes of their adopted home: the City of Angels.
september 2015 22 // front runner 38 // letter from the editor-in-Chief
40 // letter from the publisher
42 // ... Without Whom
this issue Would not have been possible
44 // the list 91 // invited
style 49 // Chanel no. 1 For design maestro Karl Lagerfeld, the exquisitely crafted Chanel Métiers d’art collection is the highest expression of haute couture.
52 // digital age Download the latest fber opticinspired accoutrements for fall.
56 // style spotlight New arrivals, open-air shopping, and the rise of the stacked bootie: September’s most stylish news.
60 // Women in the blaCk Award-winning Mad Men costumer Janie Bryant and Black Halo’s Laurel Berman collab-fab on a new line of Hollywood-perfect prêt-a-porter.
62 // denim daze The top trend for fall takes off from the runway… and lands in your closet.
One the eve of her Paris Fashion Week debut, celeb stylist-turned-designer Mary Alice Haney gives a tour de force of her LA fashion favorites.
68 // full speCtrum Haute horologists imbue this season’s most dazzling timepieces with all the colors of the rainbow.
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photography by david walter banks
66 // paris, here she Comes!
september 2015
78
When it opens this month, The Broad will inject a fresh dose of the world’s best contemporary art into an alreadyhopping Downtown art scene.
97
Dishes like oil-whipped tomatoes with chives, basil, and balsamic bring The Gadarene Swine’s oh-so-vegan-cool vibe to Studio City.
culture AccordinG To Jon
Season openings from the LA Philharmonic and LA Opera headline the city’s jam-packed cultural calendar.
As cable TV gives Hollywood a run for its money, Ray Donovan star Jon Voight talks about his own conversion from big screen to small.
tASte
78 // BroAd show!
97 // how Green is
73 // The Gospel
Will the long-awaited debut of Eli Broad’s monument to all things modern art fnally make Downtown LA art capital, USA?
80 // ABsoluTely KAABoo Coachella for adults? This month, cool goes SoCal swanky at new festival Kaaboo in Del Mar.
82 // FAll’s Guy
Whiplash’s second lead, Austin Stowell, goes frst string this season in two new Spielberg projects.
84 // Gehry,
82
Rising star Austin Stowell talks booking back-to-back roles alongside H’wood’s swell set.
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88 // culTure spoTliGhT
my VAlley?
On the other side of the Hollywood Hills, TV and movie execs are dining low on the hog at new vegan-chic eatery The Gadarene Swine.
100 // Bowled oVer Move over, chopped salad. Industry players today want their power lunch in an even bigger bowl.
102 // Aces oF VenTurA At hot spot Tipple & Brine, three top chefs explain how the Valley suddenly became a foodie destination.
The BlocKBusTer
104 // TAsTe spoTliGhT
Starchitect and icon Frank Gehry gets his hometown due at LACMA.
An A-list celebrity turns vintner, collaborative pop-ups take over, and Ventura Place shines.
86 // lemon Aid! Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation marks 10 years with a mega-fest raising money to help fght cancer in kids.
photography by iwan baan (museum); Jessica sample (gadarene swine); mathew scott (stowell)
contents
contents
september 2015
features 106 // Queen of Thrones Smart. Beautiful. Fierce. The general consensus on both sides of the pond is that English charmer Natalie Dormer rules. By David Hochman Photography by Tony Duran
112 // WesT of eden This season, high fashion goes haute cowboy. Photography by René & Radka
122 // hides and ChiC Fall’s fashion fetish: über-luxe leather! Photography by René & Radka
130 // California, here We Come!
136 // luxe 2.0
The Luxury Education Foundation’s board members and leaders of our favorite iconic brands—Dior, Graff, Chanel, Hermès, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Lalique—talk about new strategies, core values, and how fresh talent is driving success. Moderated by Hitha Herzog Illustrations by Jessica May Underwood Photography by Tanya Malott
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106
Natalie Dormer, Game of Thrones’ queen and Hollywood’s princess-inwaiting, can’t seem to help but captivate her viewing subjects.
Coat, Dries Van Noten ($2,535). Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-276-4400; barneys. com. Bra, Dolce & Gabbana ($275). 312 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-888-8701; dolcegabbana.com
photography by tony duran/studio@tonyduran.net
In the quest for life, liberty, and the pursuit of luxury, emigrés of the fancy variety are suddenly bypassing New York to set up shop in Los Angeles. Meet LA’s new international A-list. By Erin Magner
B E V E R LY H I L L S S O U T H CO A S T P L A Z A PA L M D E S E R T
310 . 285 . 0 3 3 0 714 . 957. 6 8 0 0 76 0 . 7 73 . 0 0 25 E S C A D A . CO M
contents 143
The whimsy-meets-bold style of this over-the-top penthouse characterizes the work of Belgian-born wunderkind Maxime Jacquet.
september 2015
haute property 143 // MaxiMe au MaxiMuM!
Designer Maxime Jacquet is pushing LA interior design to the edge… of chic.
144 // eclecti-city For Martin & Brockett, LA style is all about the mix.
146 // a thoroughly Modern Mash-up
This season, opposite materials attract!
long weekend 148 // Midnight at the oasis
Let the party begin! Eternally cool Palm Springs comes alive after the heat of day passes.
and finally… 160 // tele-path[et]ic Long-form television is not for the lonely-hearted.
Natalie Dormer Photography by Tony Duran/ studio@tonyduran.net Styling by Martina Nilsson at Opus Beauty Hair by Christian Marc at Forward Artists using Leonor Greyl Makeup by Matthew VanLeeuwen at The Wall Group using Clé de Peau Beauté Manicure by Sarah Chue for Dior Vernis Photo assistance by Justin Schwan and Arthur Lang Video: Adriano Valentini Location by Sources Locations Embroidered wool sweater, Giambattista Valli ($1,260). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neiman marcus.com. Black diamond pear stone C earrings, Oscar de la Renta ($390). Neiman Marcus, see above
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photography by tigran tovmasyan
on the coVer:
JOIN US ONLINE at la-confdential-magazine.com We have the inside scoop on Los Angeles’s best parties, style, and more. dine
SEASONAL FALL DISHES AT NEW LA RESTAURANTS Savor a taste of autumn at these just-opened eateries.
SEE THE LATEST FROM LAST NIGHT’S EVENTS Couldn’t attend? Browse the newest photos from LA’s most exclusive parties.
style
WHAT CELEBRITIES WILL WEAR THIS FALL We pair Hollywood’s hottest with the trends they should try.
COME FOLLOW US
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPANEK PHOTOGRAPHY (DINE); JESSE GRANT AND CHELSEA LAUREN (PHOTOS); DMITRY_TSVETKOV (STYLE)
photos
SPENCER BECK Editor-in-Chief Deputy Editor RAMONA SAVISS Executive Managing Editor DEBORAH L. MARTIN Art Director JUAN PARRA Photo Editor REBECCA SAHN Senior Fashion Editor FAYE POWER Copy Editor WENDIE PECHARSKY Research Editor LESLIE ALEXANDER
ALISON MILLER Group Publisher Associate Publisher VALERIE ROBLES Account Directors NORMA MONTALVO, DEVON MOORE, MIA PIERRE-JACQUES Account Executive RILEY O’NEILL Event Marketing Manager KELSEY MARRUJO Distribution Relations Manager JENNIFER PALMER Office Manager CAROLYN SCARBROUGH Sales Assistant KRISTINE GUEVARRA
NICHE MEDIA HOLDINGS, LLC Senior Vice President and Editorial Director MANDI NORWOOD Vice President of Creative and Fashion ANN SONG Creative Director NICOLE A. WOLFSON NADBOY Executive Fashion Director SAMANTHA YANKS ART AND PHOTO
Senior Art Director FRYDA LIDOR Art Director JUAN PARRA Associate Art Director ALLISON FLEMING Senior Designer NATALI SUASNAVAS Designer AARON BELANDRES Photo Director LISA ROSENTHAL BADER Photo Editors MARIE BARBIER, JODIE LOVE, SETH OLENICK, JENNIFER PAGAN Associate Photo Editor HALEY HAMBLIN Senior Staff Photographer JEFFREY CRAWFORD Senior Digital Imaging Specialist JEFFREY SPITERY Digital Imaging Specialist JEREMY DEVERATURDA Digital Imaging Assistant HTET SAN FASHION
Associate Fashion Editor CASEY TRUDEAU Assistant Fashion Editors CONNOR CHILDERS, LISA FERRANDINO Entertainment and Bookings Editor JULIET IZON COPY AND RESEARCH
Copy and Research Manager WENDIE PECHARSKY Copy Editors DAVID FAIRHURST, CANDACE NICHOLSON, JULIA STEINER Research Editors LOIS BARRETT, JAMES BUSS, JUDY DEYOUNG, KAREN MCCREE EDITORIAL OPERATIONS
Director of Editorial Operations DEBORAH L. MARTIN Director of Editorial Relations MATTHEW STEWART Executive Editorial Assistant CHRISTINA CLEMENTE Online Executive Editor CAITLIN ROHAN Online Editors ANNA BEN YEHUDA, TRICIA CARR Online Editorial Assistant CATHERINE PARK Senior Managing Editors DANINE ALATI, KAREN ROSE, JILL SIERACKI Managing Editors JENNIFER DEMERITT, MURAT OZTASKIN, OUSSAMA ZAHR Shelter and Design Editor SUE HOSTETLER Timepiece Editor ROBERTA NAAS ADVERTISING SALES
Account Directors SUSAN ABRAMS, MICHELE ADDISON, CLAIRE CARLIN, MICHELLE CHALA, KATHLEEN FLEMING, VICTORIA HENRY, KAREN LEVINE, MEREDITH MERRILL, JEFFREY NICHOLSON, SHANNON PASTUSZAK, JIM SMITH, JESSICA ZIVKOVITCH Account Executives SUSANA ARAGON, LAUREN BROGNA, JANELLE DRISCOLL, VINCE DUROCHER, JAMIE FOX, IRENA HALL, SAMANTHA HARRIS, SARAH HECKLER, CATHERINE KUCHAR, FENDY MESY, MARY RUEGG, JACKIE VAN METER Sales Support and Development EMMA BEHRINGER, ANA BLAGOJEVIC, LISSETTE COLLS, ERIN GLEASON, DARA HIRSH, EMERY HOLTON, REBECCA JAMES, KARA KEARNS, MICHELLE MASS, NICHOLE MAURER, RUE MCBRIDE, ELIZABETH MITCHELL, STEPHEN OSTROWSKI, MACKENZIE WAXMAN, ALEXANDRA WINTER MARKETING, PROMOTIONS, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations LANA BERNSTEIN Senior Director of Brand Development ROBIN KEARSE Director of Brand Development JOANNA TUCKER Brand Development Managers KRISTIN BARNES, JIMMY KONTOMANOLIS Promotions Art Designers KAITLYN RICHERT, CARLY RUSSELL Event Marketing Directors AMY FISCHER, HALEE HARCZYNSKI, LAURA MULLEN, KIMMY WILSON Event Marketing Managers CRISTINA PARRA, ASHLEY VEHSLAGE Event Marketing Coordinators BROOKE BIDDLE, BLAIR GOTTFRIED Event Marketing Assistant SHANA KAUFMAN ADVERTISING PRODUCTION
Director of Positioning and Planning SALLY LYON Positioning and Planning Manager TARA MCCRILLIS Director of Production PAUL HUNTSBERRY Production Manager BLUE UYEDA Production Artists MARISSA MAHERAS, DARA RICCI, ALISHA SMITH Director of Distribution Operations MATT HEMMERLING Fulfillment Manager DORIS HOLLIFIELD Traffic Supervisor ESTEE WRIGHT Traffic Coordinators JEANNE GLEESON, MALLORIE SOMMERS Manufacturing Coordinator KIMBERLY CHANG Circulation Research Specialist CHAD HARWOOD FINANCE
Controller DANIELLE BIXLER Senior Finance Directors AUDREY CADY, LISA VASSEUR-MODICA Director of Credit and Collections CHRISTOPHER BEST Senior Credit and Collections Analyst MYRNA ROSADO Financial Analyst NEIL SHAH Senior Billing Coordinator CHARLES CAGLE Senior Accountant LILY WU Junior Accountants KATHY SABAROV, NATASHA WARREN Accounts Payable Coordinator NADINE DEODATT ADMINISTRATION, DIGITAL, AND OPERATIONS
Director of Operations MICHAEL CAPACE Director of Human Resources and Administration STEPHANIE MITCHELL Digital Producer ANTHONY PEARSON Facilities Coordinator ASHLEY GUILLAUME Chief Technology Officer JESSE TAYLOR Desktop Administrators ZACHARY CUMMO, EDGAR ROCHE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
J.P. ANDERSON (Michigan Avenue), ANDREA BENNETT (Vegas), KATHY BLACKWELL (Austin Way), KRISTIN DETTERLINE (Philadelphia Style), LISA PIERPONT (Boston Common), CATHERINE SABINO (Gotham), JARED SHAPIRO (Ocean Drive), ELIZABETH E. THORP (Capitol File), DAMIEN WILLIAMSON (Executive Editor, Aspen Peak), SAMANTHA YANKS (Hamptons) PUBLISHERS
JOHN M. COLABELLI (Philadelphia Style), LOUIS F. DELONE (Austin Way), DAWN DUBOIS (Gotham), ALEXANDRA HALPERIN (Aspen Peak), DEBRA HALPERT (Hamptons), SUZY JACOBS (Capitol File), GLEN KELLEY (Boston Common), COURTLAND LANTAFF (Ocean Drive), DAN USLAN (Michigan Avenue), JOSEF VANN (Vegas)
Managing Partner JANE GALE Chairman and Director of Photography JEFF GALE Chief Operating Officer MARIA BLONDEAUX Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer JOHN P. KUSHNIR Chief Executive Officer KATHERINE NICHOLLS Copyright 2015 by Niche Media Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. Los Angeles Confidential magazine is published eight times per year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material, and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Los Angeles Confidential magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs, and drawings. To order a subscription, please call 866-891-3144. For customer service, please inquire at losangelesconfidential@pubservice.com. To distribute Los Angeles Confidential at your business, please e-mail magazinerequest@nichemediallc.com. Los Angeles Confidential magazine is published by Niche Media Holdings, LLC., a division of Greengale Publishing, LLC. 8530 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90211 T: 310-289-7300 F: 310-289-0444 niche m edia holdings: 711 Third Avenue, Suite 501, New York, NY 10017 T: 646-835-5200 F: 212-780-0003
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36 LA-CONFIDENTIAL-MAGAZINE.COM
LETTER from the Editor-in-Chief
WE ARE A NATION OF ADDICTS. If the classic
addictions—sex, drugs, and booze—aren’t your thing, there are countless new ways to indulge. High on everyone’s list today is “technology.” For an ADHD-challenged society where “multitasking” (for most people, that’s doing a lot of things all at once, badly) has become a prerequisite for obtaining the American dream, then phones, computers, tablets, and all the imbedded corollaries—Facebook, LinkedIn, name-your-app—have allowed us to stay connected, wired, 24/7. Like most addictions, there is some danger. (My car was totalled recently by a young driver en Lights, camera, Emmy? A script run-through with Dharma & Greg’s Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson in 1999 (BELOW); getting ready for my close-up (RIGHT).
route to buy dinner. Why make a shopping list when you can call home for one at 40 mph?) This month, we celebrate one of my all-time favorite “tech” addictions: television! If you’re like most Americans, who spend over five hours a day in front of the not-so-small-screen, you know what I’m talking about. Back in the old days, it used to be a one-screen-fits-all kind of addiction. There were three networks. Everyone watched Lucy and The Wonderful World of Disney and Walter Cronkite. Today, you can flick through a thousand(!) channels, catching just a glimpse of this show or that. There’s a new exception to this multitasking approach to TV viewing, and it’s pretty good news: long-form series. Shows such as Scandal, Homeland, Downton Abbey (for the high-minded), and The Kardashians (for the lowborn) have enticed a whole new generation of TV addicts to pay attention and concentrate… week after week, month after month. And with the exception of said reality TV, the fare is generally excellent. “Boob tube?” Maybe not so much. In this issue, we celebrate two of the best shows on cable TV: Ray Donovan, whose star, Jon Voight, talks candidly about his transition from big screen to small (see “The Gospel According to Jon,” page 73), and the most addictive show of all, Game of Thrones. Natalie Dormer, the super-smart English charmer who plays Queen of the
Seven Kingdoms, is on her way to becoming bona-fide Hollywood royalty. She’s got “It”... in spades. I wish her luck (see “Queen of Thrones,” page 106). What’s more addictive than watching television? How about starring on it. Let the millennials get their “15 minutes of fame” on Snapchat, Instagram, and the like. There’s nothing quite like “lights, camera, action” and a live studio audience to fuel a proper would-be fame addiction. Some years ago, I guest-starred on a little show called Dharma & Greg, the Emmy-nominated situation comedy that featured Golden Globe-winning Jenna Elfman, Thomas Gibson, and Susan Sullivan (love her), among others. It was a publicity stunt by the show and the magazine I helmed back then (which was owned by ABC) in which I was to play myself, sort of a snarky, gay-ish The Devil Wears Prada kind of editor-in-chief. It didn’t require too much acting. What fun! The studio gave me my own trailer on the Fox backlot. And a wardrobe/makeup person. And funny lines. And the applause… live applause! Now that’s a proper good addiction. I miss my brief stint/stunt in front of the camera… my would-be Emmy moment. (So they had my name removed from my trailer before I even exited the show for the last time… as I recall, that did hit me rather hard.) Ahh… fame. #herestoNormaDesmond #cheerstoaddiction #theemmyshouldhavebeenmine
SPENCER BECK
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38 LA-CONFIDENTIAL-MAGAZINE.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY DURAN (DORMER); CHELSEA LAUREN (HENDRICKS)
Women on top! Paying court to two of the queens of the not-so-small screen (FROM LEFT): Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer, photographed by the super-talented Tony Duran, and Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks with Kiernan Shipka at our Women of Influence luncheon at the Four Seasons Los Angeles.
TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM. THE VALLﾃ右 DE JOUX. FOR MILLENNIA A HARSH, UNYIELDING ENVIRONMENT; AND SINCE 1875 THE HOME OF AUDEMARS PIGUET, IN THE VILLAGE OF LE BRASSUS. THE EARLY WATCHMAKERS WERE SHAPED HERE, IN AWE OF THE FORCE OF NATURE YET DRIVEN TO MASTER ITS MYSTERIES THROUGH THE COMPLEX MECHANICS OF THEIR CRAFT. STILL TODAY THIS PIONEERING SPIRIT INSPIRES US TO CONSTANTLY CHALLENGE THE CONVENTIONS OF FINE WATCHMAKING.
ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE IN STEEL. CHRONOGRAPH.
AUDEMARS PIGUET BEVERLY HILLS 254 NORTH RODEO DRIVE BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210. 310-247-8181
LETTER from the Publisher
Celebrating Los Angeles Confidential’s Women of Influence Four Seasons Tea with cover star Christina Hendricks and her Mad Men costar Kiernan Shipka. BELOW LEFT: Raising awareness about homelessness at the Frank LA benefit auction for Lamp Community with cofounders Patrick Gill and Cindy Troesh.
SEPTEMBER! THE WORD IMMEDIATELY EVOKES A SENSE OF PURE ELATION. From the cashmere warmth of fall fashion to the official launch of awards season with the Emmys on September 20, it’s enough to thrill any fashionista given the endless number of red carpets and runways ahead. This year though, I’m thinking about things a bit differently. Our editor-in-chief joked with me that he’s never seen me in the same outfit in the three years we’ve worked together, estimating some 900 different looks. I wondered to myself, is that really so very far from the truth? In the 1930s, the average woman had fewer than 10 outfits in her closet. Each was perfectly tailored to fit and made of high-quality fabrics and materials. Getting dressed was almost ceremonial, with no detail left undone. Designers released a mere two collections a year, compared to today’s cycle with as many as 18! Fast-fashion trends have completely ripped the door off quality, not to mention our ethics, if you are someone who cares about issues like lead exposure from synthetic inorganic materials, the use of child labor, exported jobs, or pollution from overcrowded landfills full of disposable clothing. Enter the capsule wardrobe, a minimalist
approach to fashion that embraces fewer, quality, classic pieces that work together and won’t go out of style… Parisian chic! It’s a concept that is gaining momentum and is already embraced by busy entrepreneurs and world leaders alike: from the infamous black turtleneck uniform worn by Steve Jobs most of his life, to President Obama, who recently stated, “You’ll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I’m trying to pare down decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing because I have too many other decisions to make.” And so I’ve challenged myself to transition to a capsule wardrobe, and by doing so eliminate the expense, waste, and stress of managing such a large collection. Rather than drown in possessions, I’m paring back while investing in handcrafted quality. Luckily, many of the most respected luxury retailers are located just down the street. Classic investment pieces, functionality, cohesiveness—these are my new standards. Balmain peacoat? Check! Lanvin ballet flats and a Saint Laurent LBD? Double check! Wish me luck; it’s a whole new (and more responsibly simplified) world.
ALISON MILLER
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA LAUREN
“Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.”—Epictetus
...wiTHOUT wHOm this issue would not have been possible
TONY DURAN One of the world’s most acclaimed fashion photographers, Duran has photographed, for the last 17 years, a “who’s who” of Hollywood’s A-list for publications like GQ, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and Elle. Duran shot Natalie Dormer for this issue’s cover story, “Queen of Thrones” (page 106). What were you most trying to capture during the Natalie Dormer shoot? Natalie was such a cool girl—great humor, a great presence. Completely approachable. But you are instantly drawn to her clear eyes. Really telling. They hit you like bullets when she locks down on you. So I went after a quiet, sexy strength. If you were to have your portrait taken, who would you want to shoot it and why? Mikael Jansson. I have always loved his work. He really captures people… elevates them… yet there is such a rawness to what he does. That would be beyond an honor! Do you remember the first photo you ever took as a kid? I didn’t pick up a camera until my senior year in college. I was never one to take photos as a creative outlet. I was much more into drawing and painting. To be honest, I don’t even remember owning a camera as a kid. My first [camera] was the one I happened to “keep” from my photo class! Share your thoughts on selfies… I’m not a big fan of selfies. I am not sure what they are trying to communicate, and I feel they put the focus too much on what people look like as opposed to who they are. Funny coming from me who makes a living taking portraits! But what I do has a level of fantasy to it that I feel is understood.
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// September 2015
DAviD HOcHmAN
HiTHA HeRzOg
eRiN mAgNeR
David Hochman covers travel, the good life, and fame for The New York Times, Food & Wine, Forbes, and Details, among other publications. He lives near the beach in LA with his chocolatier wife, Ruth Kennison, who runs The Chocolate Project, and their son, Sebastian. In this issue, he interviews cover star Natalie Dormer (page 106). How do you think Dormer’s dance training has aided her acting? Natalie has a freeness about her that comes from dance. She moves easily, she’s comfortable in her skin. It’s all part of her flexibility and range as an actor. Any funny moments during the interview that didn’t make it in the story? She and her boyfriend love Venice Beach and were figuring out ways to sneak off for a bike ride and an Abbot Kinney shopping stroll between all of her show-biz appointments. If you could interview any old Hollywood figure, who would it be and why? Charlie Chaplin probably had a lot to say… for a strong, silent type.
Hitha Herzog is a retail analyst and on-air contributor for Fox Business Network, an author, and associate professor at Parsons School of Design. For this issue, Herzog moderated our roundtable discussion with luxury brand executives for “Luxe 2.0” (page 136). What surprised you about the discussion? In the past, executives used the same model [they currently use] to market to their luxury customers. [But now,] with social media, the “demographics within demographics” differ from brand to brand. If you can’t implement a targeted plan based on metrics you get from social media, then your company is going to have problems. What initially attracted you to reporting on the luxury market? The historical aspect of it. Most of these companies are hundreds of years old and tied to families with rich histories. Covering these companies is a study in art history, socioeconomic theory, philosophy, and market analysis.
For nearly a decade, Erin Magner has been reporting on LA’s style, wellness, and culture scenes for publications such as Glamour, Nylon, and Refinery29. In this issue, Magner (a former Los Angeles Confidential deputy editor) explores the city’s rapidly growing communities of international expats in “California, Here We Come!” (page 130). Are there any “international” spots in LA you love to visit? I’m excited to check out the new LA outpost of L’Eclaireur, a rad Parisian concept shop that’s opening on Robertson later this year. It’s kind of like the French version of Maxfield. What were you most surprised or delighted to learn while researching this story? My neighborhood [Santa Monica/Venice] is apparently ground zero for LA’s new wave of European, South American, and Australian expats. It’ll be interesting to see how they make their mark on the area! What’s the next “import” you’d most like to see? Really good Indian food.
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the list september 2015
Yosef Abgoon
Peter Meksian
George R. R. Martin
Carly de Castro
Gretchen Pace
Jean-Louis Bilbault
Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves
Hedi Gores
Easther Liu
Michael Poutre
Sean Jackson
Scott Chung
Anne Walraven
Eva Chen
Jared Leto
Rumer Willis
Mark Duplass
Maria Grazia Chiuri
Dakota Weiss
Elyse Walker
Ali Plonchak
Pierpaolo Piccioli
Rose Theodora
Elodie Khayat
Caitlin Crosby
Ashley Olsen
Jeremy Fall
Lejla Rose Isakagic
Carli Lloyd
Mary-Kate Olsen
Jermaine Jackson
Geri Giagnorio
Sheryl Sandberg
Riley Curry
Viola Davis
Amy Schumer
Andre Iguodala
Devon Still
Jeffrey Tambor
Roz Saedi Navi
Dia Simms
Leah Still
Ruby Rose
Lauren Remington Platt
Paola Palazzo
Andy Samberg
Omar Sy
Nicky Zimmermann
Paula Malcomson
Katherine Kims
Jim Buss
Simone Zimmermann
Taraji P. Henson
Kit Harington
Emily Ratajkowski
Uzo Aduba
Christian Audigier
Eric Ng
Julius Randle
Anthony Anderson
Monica Basin
Olga Lorencin-Northrup
D’Angelo Russell
Michael Fassbender
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style tastemaker
Chanel no. 1
photography courtesy of chanel
FOR DESIGN MAESTRO ARL LAGERFELD, THE EXQUISITELY CRAFTED CHANEL MéTIERS D’ART COLLECTION IS THE HIGHEST EXPRESSION OF HAUTE COUTURE. by kari molvar In the world of fashion, there’s Karl Lagerfeld—and everyone else. As the creative force behind the legendary house of Chanel, Lagerfeld works at a pace that exceeds maximum velocity. The ageless German designer, artist, and photographer turns out eight collections a year for Chanel (not to mention those he does for Fendi and his namesake line, in addition to the numerous collaborations he takes on), which means nearly every hour of every day is spent designing items that will soon be coveted and obsessed over (think cropped blazers, flap messenger bags, and cap-toe chunky heels). Yet of all Lagerfeld’s collections, the Chanel Métiers d’art is perhaps the most dazzling. Staged once a year, it’s a celebration of the rich craftsmanship of the seven ateliers, or artisan workshops, that supply Chanel with its fine embroidery (from famed French embroidery house Lesage), hats and hair accessories (from milliners Maison Michel, one of Chanel’s first Métiers d’art subsidiaries), feathers and flowers (from Lemarié, a Parisian fashion institution whose feathered looks have adorned haute société since the Belle Epoque), and more. The clothes are lavish, and the backdrop follows suit. Since the first Métiers collection debuted in 2002, it’s been presented at such memorable venues as a Dallas rodeo, a castle in Scotland, and on a barge in Shanghai. Last winter the new Paris-Salzburg Métiers d’art collection was fêted at Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, Austria, a destination that sparked Lagerfeld’s senses. Rumor has it that Coco Chanel found inspiration for the famous Chanel jacket in Salzburg after spying a similar design on a hotel lift operator. But as Lagerfeld charmingly points out, “Nobody can prove if she said this herself, but who cares? There was a connection, and that connection doesn’t need to be related to the truth to serve as my inspiration.” To present the
The couturier warrior: Chanel’s Métiers d’art collection may be just one of eight the indefatigable Karl Lagerfeld churns out for the house that Coco built, but it remains a favorite of diehard Karl fans. above: A look from the collection.
continued on page 50
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style tastemaker
clockwise from far left: Jackets, many with a Tyrolean air, play a starring role in Chanel’s Fall 2015 collection; the newly revamped Chanel boutique at South Coast Plaza; blouses with high collars are also trending; style-statementmaking patent boots ($1,425).
80-plus looks, models like Stella Tennant and Kendall Jenner walked through a series of candlelit rooms where guests sat on elegant sofas and nibbled on confections. To close the show, Lagerfeld strolled through with a dolled-up Cara Delevingne, who held a half-eaten pretzel in hand. Everything was so überchic that it deserved an encore. And so this spring, Lagerfeld restaged the entire Paris-Salzburg collection at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City for a crowd that included Beyoncé, Vanessa Paradis, and Julianne Moore. “New York is quite far away from Salzburg, and since it was such a success there, I thought it would be nice to show it to our friends [here in the States],” the designer explains. The models, the clothes, the dark romantic music all showed up. The only thing Lagerfeld couldn’t bring was the 18th-century rococo castle, which didn’t seem to bother him in the least. “The simpler set showed the collection better than overly ornate, gilded rooms,” he admits. And the collection was devastatingly beautiful: Jackets played a starring role, and each was more imaginative than the next. Many pieces showed fresh takes on Tyrolean styles, like the beaded
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dirndl-inspired dress with leather bodice, ruffled blouses with high collars and bibs, and knit leggings in alpine colors of hunter green and dove gray. Even the accessories had a playful sound of music joy to them: headphones with coiled braids that covered the ears, felt bags embroidered with flowers, feathered hats, and black patent leather clogs were among the standouts. Of course, Lagerfeld made a convincing case for bringing back lederhosen. The style’s best ambassador: Lagerfeld’s 6-year-old godson, Hudson, who wore a pair of jean lederhosen with knee socks. The outfit reminded the designer of what he wore as a child. “But my lederhosen were made from leather. There were no jeans around for that back then!” While the collection nods to the past, it never reads as old-fashioned. “In a way, the clothes are timeless because Austrian people still wear these types of dresses, but mine are versions of great luxury,” Lagerfeld says. However, it’s a luxury that would be unimaginable if not for the ateliers. “The commitment Chanel has made to supporting its ateliers is crucial not just for Chanel but for the entire haute couture industry
and ready-to-wear business,” says Barbara Cirkva, the brand’s division president for fashion in the US. “The handcraftsmanship that goes into these pieces can never be replicated.” Many of these exquisite items will find their way into the newly revamped Chanel boutique at South Coast Plaza. The 9,000-square-foot space was designed by star architect Peter Marino to feel “like a Southern California residence, where one area flows into the next,” notes Cirkva. “We wanted it to feel like a home, so people can sit down and focus on the depth and breadth of the collection.” A sizeable area is devoted to shoes, in particular. “Women today create entire wardrobes around their shoes,” adds Cirkva, citing Chanel espadrilles as especially in demand. As for the Paris-Salzburg collection, it’s easy to fall in love with every last ruffled blouse and hair bow, which only proves that Lagerfeld has done it again—and seduced us all, himself included. “It’s very difficult for me to have favorites pieces,” he says. “I love the collection as a whole—if not, I would only show one dress!” south coast plaza, costa mesa, 714-754-7455; chanel.com LAC
photography courtesy of chanel
“The cloThes are Timeless because ausTrian people sTill wear These Types of dresses, buT mine are versions of greaT luxury.”—karl lagerfeld
W E S P E A K F L U E N T I TA L I A N The New Bottega Veneta Shop at NM Beverly Hills • Now Open
NM
BEVERLY HILLS 310.550.5900 NEIMANMARCUS.COM
STYLE Accessories
DIGITAl AGe DOWNLOAD THE LATEST FIBER OPTIC– INSPIRED ACCOUTREMENTS FOR FALL. photography by jeff crawford styling by faye power
STAR TECH
Studded Mini 3Baguette, Fendi ($2,450). 355 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-276-8888; fendi.com. Knot backless heel, Proenza Schouler ($895). Opening Ceremony, 451 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-652-1120; openingceremony.us
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ProP Styling by Sergio eSteveS
Metal accents add a powerful punch to these style servers.
Big Bang Pop Art. A unique model inspired by the famous art movement. Automatic chronograph in 18K yellow gold. Bezel set with 36 amethysts. Pink alligator-skin strap and blue rubber. Limited edition of 200 pieces. www.hublot.com •
twitter.com/hublot •
facebook.com/hublot
STYLE Accessories
BLACK AND BLUETOOTH
Chrysler suede and specchio pump, Paul Andrew ($1,395). Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com. Bal58 Spray shoulder bag, Balenciaga ($3,750). 8670 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310-854-0557; balenciaga.com. Spiral pendant fumoso necklace, Pluma ($597). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com
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ProP Styling by Sergio eSteveS
Bold color combinations, such as black and blues, create the perfect contrast.
shop at www.giuseppezanottidesign.com
9536 brighton way, beverly hills ca 90210 310 550.5760
beverly center - 8500 beverly blvd, los angeles ca 90048 310 499.2962
giuseppe zanotti design
Fall-Winter 2015
STYLE Spotlight Animal attraction: David Webb’s Elizabeth Taylor bracelet, with multistrand cultured pearls, emeralds, brilliant-cut diamonds, 18k gold, and platinum (price on request).
// shop ’til you drop //
RETAIL OF TWO CITIES LA shoppers are getting a breath of fresh air— literally—at these new outdoor destinations.
must-have
ROCKS ’N’ ROLL!
Glittering Web
grand opening
FINE JEWELRY SHOP DAVID WEBB DEBUTS AT THE BEVERLY WILSHIRE. BY RAMONA SAVISS Known for fine, statement jewelry, David Webb’s LA flagship takes up residence at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel this fall. A few blocks away from the original shop on Brighton Way, the new boutique will have a separate entrance off of Wilshire Boulevard. Splurge on the must-have items of the season, including structural necklaces, oversize diamond-studded rings, and hammered gold cuffs, in addition to Webb’s iconic animal bracelets covered in precious gemstones and set in dazzling gold. A celeb-favorite, these baubles (still handcrafted by artisans in New York) have been seen on style lovers from Jacqueline Kennedy, Diana Vreeland, and Elizabeth Taylor to Jennifer Garner, Rihanna, and Amy Adams. 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-858-8006; davidwebb.com
LA-based bauble boutique King Baby is expanding its empire to West Hollywood. With existing locations in Santa Monica, Las Vegas, Nashville, and Beijing, the brand’s second Los Angeles outpost is designed after the house’s rock ’n’ roll-inspired aesthetic. Founder and designer Mitchell Binder remains at the helm of the company he launched 15 years ago, taking inspiration from musical legends such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendricks, and The Dead. Shop for handcrafted men’s and women’s accessories, featuring stackable chain bracelets and leather straps with skull, lion, and rose (think: biker-chic) motifs. 8590 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; kingbaby.com
// one to watch //
1. Westfield Topanga gets a breezy-chic face-lift with the launch of The Village, just in time for the fall fashion frenzy. Retailers will include stores, spas, and dining spots, including Jonathan Adler, Burke Williams Day Spa, YogaWorks, Pressed Juicery, Skin Laundry, M. Fredric, Sur La Table, and more. 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park, 818-594-8732; westfield.com/topanga 2. New to El Segundo, The Point has set up shop with stylish retailers Planet Blue and Michael Stars, fitness favorite SoulCycle, and healthy dining destinations such as Superba Food + Bread, True Food Kitchen, and Mendocino Farms. The open-air shopping mall has a decidedly beachy vibe—the Pacific is just across PCH! 850 S. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo, 310-414-5280; thepointsb.com
1
Stores, spas, and dining destinations will call The Village at Westfield Topanga home.
2
The Point in El Segundo has stylish retailers, good-for-you dining options, and a decidedly beachy vibe.
MANE ATTRACTION
Celebrity hair stylist Wendy Iles is making the jump to retail with the launch of Iles Formula, a new collection of haircare products. Tapping her years of on-set experience, Iles has created a line that promises to change the look and feel of your hair after just one use. The all-natural three-piece set ($116, AT LEFT) has been two years in the making and uses fine oils and ingredients sourced globally. The best part? It’s all wrapped up in chic, sleek, white packaging, perfect for Hollywood’s minimalist A-list. Ron Robinson at Fred Segal, 8118 Melrose Ave., LA, 323-651-1935; ilesformula.com
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO BOLLINGER (KING BABY); TRACY BRESHEARS (THE POINT); ILLUSTRATION COURTESY WESTFIELD TOPANGA (THE VILLAGE)
Handcrafted Handcrfted with biker-chicjewelry baubles biker motifs are the specialty of the house at King Baby.y
STYLE Spotlight Bag, Céline ($3,350).
well-heeled
SKY-HIGH! Stacked booties make for one of fall’s biggest statements.
OOH LA LA, OC!
Envelope bag, Salvatore Ferragamo ($2,100).
Dior ($1,710). 309 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-859-4700; dior.com
Hermès puts on the glitz with a long necklace ($238,900) and ring ($23,000, INSET), both in white gold with diamonds.
“H” Is for Heritage
HERMéS WOWS AGAIN WITH NEW COLLECTIONS THAT FEATURE CLASSIC TECHNIQUES. BY LISA FERRANDINO The first piece of jewelry to be introduced by Hermès was the Filet de Selle bracelet—a 1927 tribute to the fabled house’s equestrian roots. Now, the Filet d’Or line carries on the tradition, offering rose-gold and white-gold pieces embellished with diamonds for a modern take on a timeless design. Made up of necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings, the adornments incorporate elements
evident in earlier pieces, including an Attelage buckle clasp, reinterpreted Milanese mesh steel bracelet straps (inspired by a medieval coat of mail), and the Hermès bijouterie’s signature diamond “approach,” using the tiny gems to enhance pieces such as the Filet d’Or rope necklace, with over 2,400 diamonds. 434 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-278-6440; hermes.com LAC
Monique Lhuillier ($895). 8485 Melrose Pl., LA, 323-655-1088; moniquelhuillier.com
Stuart Weitzman ($465). South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714-432-8100; stuartweitzman.com
A STAR IS REBORN Silver travertine, Donald Deskey–inspired lamps, and Etruscan marble embellish Salvatore Ferragamo’s new 1930s Hollywood-esque flagship on Rodeo Drive. “The Ferragamo family has upheld his legacy. It [is] my job to do the same,” says architect Bill Sofield. The interior incorporates iconic Ferragamo designs, such as the cork wedge, and features exclusive shoe and bag styles. 357 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-2739990; ferragamo.com —Julianne Neuman
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VENI, VINCE, VENICE!
Vince brings more luxury à la mode to Abbot Kinney. The style set is no stranger to Abbot Kinney Boulevard with haute spots like Satine and Steven Alan. Now, the Venice shopping destination can add Vince to its repertoire of fashionforward shops. The NY-based, LA-designed brand’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection is housed in a space with a gray felt wall and matching gray flannel-upholstered furniture but with rustic touches such as exposed wooden beams. Shoppers can expect to find exclusive pieces, from classic shoulder bags to luxurious coat styles in soft gray and salmon. 1353 and 1355 Abbot Kinney Blvd., LA; vince.com
Tory Burch ($595). 142 S. Robertson Blvd., LA, 310-248-2612; toryburch.com
Valentino Garavani ($1,495). 324 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-247-0103; valentino.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRIS VELGHE (HERMÈS); JEFF CRAWFORD (VALENTINO); COURTESY OF VINCE (VINCE)
A taste of Paris’ Right Bank—specifically the Avenue Montaigne—has come to the West Coast with the opening of Céline’s newest location at South Coast Plaza. The Parisian flagship has adapted SoCal style, with bespoke furniture by Danish artist FOS, a gray stone façade, and accents of onyx, travertine, and pebble stone. The brand’s covetable pieces, under the creative direction of Phoebe Philo, range from shoes, sunglasses, and leather goods to the latest readyto-wear looks, featuring color-blocked dresses and color-saturated skirts. South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714-957-1255; celine.com
STYLE Dynamic Duo Clothes-minded! Laurel Berman (left) and Janie Bryant team up for a fashion—and photo—op in Black Halo’s Downtown LA studio. below: A runway look from the Fall/Winter 2015 Black Halo collection.
Women in the Black
A discotheque may not be the typical venue to conduct business, but it was at the mirror ball–accented Giorgio’s at the Standard in Hollywood that the seeds of a beautiful partnership were sown. Janie Bryant, the costume designer most famous for her iconic work on Mad Men, was there one summer night in 2014, wearing a white Black Halo jumpsuit (as one does at a disco), when her stylist friend introduced her to the LA label’s marketing director, Georgia Ganjeh. “I was such a big fan of the brand—I love, love, love the way the clothing fits,” says Bryant. “I said to Georgia, ‘Oh, we should do a collaboration!’” In just a few weeks, Bryant was working with Black Halo founder/designer Laurel Berman to create the first collaborative capsule collection for the 13-year-old dress house, a favorite among celebs. “It seemed like the perfect fit, because [Bryant] had already worn the clothes,” says Berman. “She knew the quality, fit, and what the brand is about. This gave her the opportunity to bring her aesthetic to the line.” Mutual respect for their unique talents meant the women had even more to bond over. “Janie is really sweet and down-to-earth,” says Berman. “We had a great rapport from the get-go.” The duo’s process, which unfolded over many creative meetings in Black Halo’s Downtown LA headquarters, began
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INSIGHT best eats: Berman, “a super foodie” and vegetarian, loves The Springs, Crossroads, Craig’s, Bäco Mercat, and Sushi Gen, while Bryant’s go-tos are Faith & Flower, Bestia, and N/Naka. InspIratIon! For the costume
designer: vintage magazines and catalogs sourced from eBay, period flms, and vintage fabrics. Berman gets ideas on her commute through LA and from museums’ fashiondesigner exhibits. “I can’t get enough,” she says. top shops: Shoes from Palter DeLiso, jewelry by David Webb and Suzanne Felsen, and lingerie from Los Feliz’s Panty Raid for Bryant. Berman’s roster includes local gems Just One Eye, Church, Fred Segal, Curve, and H. Lorenzo.
with fabrics sourced from all over the world. “I am really attracted to luscious florals and super-rich colors,” says Bryant. It’s worth noting the line has a wholly contemporary feel—“it’s not about [Mad Men]. I was thrilled to be able to do a modern collection after that,” adds the designer, who has previously collaborated with Maidenform, Shoes of Prey, and Banana Republic. The collection absolutely has Black Halo’s DNA, but Bryant’s stamp is on it, says Berman, who appreciated Bryant’s updated neckline on Black Halo’s classic pencil dress, the use of velvet for a one-shoulder number, and a French-brocade version of the label’s bra top and full skirt. “We connected on what we love about fashion and how we’re both super detail-oriented and meticulous about things fitting perfectly,” says Bryant. “I really felt like we were simpatico.” The results are a rococo-inspired selection of 12 strong yet feminine silhouettes for fall, including a lush red and teal floral-print dress called the “Frenchie,” a strapless peplum jumpsuit, and a pale blue embossed neoprene dress with sculpted sleeves (above). “That dress is like a piece of art,” says Bryant. “It’s unexpected and has a bit of whimsy. It’s just the chicest thing ever.” LAC
photography by Melissa Valladares (berMan)
AwArd-winning Mad Men costumer Janie Bryant And BlAck HAlo’s LaureL Berman collAB-fAB on A new line of H’wood-perfect prêt-A-porter. By EmErson Patrick
STYLE Trends
Denim Daze
THE TOP TREND FOR FALL TAKES OFF FROM THE RUNWAY… AND LANDS IN YOUR CLOSET.
Good Jeans: Tom Ford’s Autumn/Winter 2015 runway show in LA featured denim’s return to minimalist ’70s styles currently in hot demand.
It’s back and better than ever—denim has taken over as the “It” trend to watch this season. Thanks to celebrities, models like Kendall Jenner (who recently joined the Calvin Klein campaign), and top designers, along with companies that have reimagined denim culture, the standard jean has been given a second life. Paige Adams-Geller took the denim industry by storm back in 2004 when she started her LA-based company, Paige Denim, and has seen firsthand exactly how denim culture has changed. “Most of the evolution that has taken place has been through fabric innovation. Fabric trends have evolved into more comfortable stretches—currently we are in the age of the super-stretchy, super-soft fabrics you want to live in.” No one did denim better than Tom Ford in February, when he showcased his Fall 2015 collection in LA. Models wearing color-blocked suede skirts paired with denim indigo tops and ultraluxe denim coats strutted down the whiterose-petalled runway. It was a collection that brought back ’70s minimalism and nodded to a vintage Cali-cool vibe, announcing “Denim is back!” but with a modern, outré-lavish twist. From high fashion to ready-to-wear, this denim renaissance is an LA stylelovers’ dream. Whether you’re heading to Melrose Avenue for a day of shopping or stopping by Cecconi’s for a night out with girlfriends, there’s a denim look for you. Herein: an LA-centric guide to the denim styles you must have… now. continued on page 64
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photography by alessandro garofalo/IndIgItalImages.com
BY LISA FERRANDINO
HAPPY SPORT
STYLE Trends BOYISH CHARM
SAVOIR FLARE
This season women’s designers were inspired by indigos for guys, creating tomboy looks with a feminine touch. In this vein, jean favorite AG Jeans (329 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-275-2621; agjeans.com) teamed up with style sensation Alexa Chung. The results: knit pieces with boyish silhouettes—like its Revolution-cut jeans, available in deep red and navy for fall. Wildfox (8710 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-855-9030; wildfox.com) has played into this trend as well with the introduction of two new boyfriend cropped styles, while Paige Denim (The Grove, LA, 323-556-8880; paige.com) added detailed work to its new Dolly embellished look—a chic twist on a tomboy classic.
The “once in, then out, and now back in” vintage flare style made a major comeback this season as the classic ’70s silhouette got a new slimming look. It was showcased by J Brand (1214 E. 18th St., LA, 213749-3500; jbrandjeans.com)—which developed a full capsule collection of flares, including styles like the Sabine and Bella kick flare, offering a vintage, minimalist aesthetic—and in 7 For All Mankind’s (Westfield Century City, LA, 310-552-7931; 7forall mankind.com) new line, Tailorless. The collection gives shoppers the ease of getting that bell-bottom look (without chopping off inches of fabric) for a notailored pant that sits perfectly on your frame.
PATCH IT Patchwork—an iconic ’70s trend—is getting a major upgrade with luxe designs from top designers like Tom Ford (346 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-2709440; tomford.com). Ford took the ’70s motif and incorporated it into full denim looks, with large patches of varying shades of blue seamlessly incorporated into long-sleeve peplum tops and floor-length skirts. Meanwhile, Paige Denim worked the trend into cropped styles, teasing glimpses of patchwork into the corners of hips near pockets and on the knees of cut-up jeans.
SHAPE UP! Beyond fit and style, pieces that use smart-fabric technology—from stretch to body-conscious twills— show off your curves and slim in all the right places. Guess (411 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-247-8667; guess.com) employs #smartGuess denim technology in new styles like the Push-Up, which retains its shape all day, and the Shape-Up, which accentuates every curve. Hudson (Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com) got in on the action with fabrics like Elysian and Ded, which allow for stretch and recovery while showing off your best… um… jean-etic assets! LAC
on trend
INDIGO MOOD Denim-hued stones have buyers wrapped around their finger.
Irene Neuwirth (price on request). By special request, 8458 Melrose Pl., West Hollywood, 323-285-2000; ireneneuwirth.com
Karma El Khalil ($4,740). Roseark, 1111 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood, 323-822-3600; roseark.com
“FABRIC TRENDS HAVE EVOLVED INTO MORE COMFORTABLE STRETCHES—THE SUPER-STRETCHY, SUPER-SOFT FABRICS YOU WANT TO LIVE IN.”—PAIGE ADAMS-GELLER AG Revolution
J Brand Bella
Guess GuessShape-Up Push-Up
Suzanne Felsen ($6,700). 8332 Melrose Ave., LA, 323-653-5400; suzannefelsen.com
Sydney Evan ($1,650). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com
Kimberly McDonald ($5,850). 8590 W. Sunset Blvd., LA, 310-854-0890; kimberlymcdonald.com
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STYLE Social Network
Paris, Here She Comes!
On the eve Of her Paris fashiOn Week debut, celeb stylist-turned-designer Mary alice Haney gives a tOur de fOrce Of her la fashiOn favOrites. Despite her Tennessee roots, designer Mary Alice Haney is a California girl. The former fashion editor and super stylist’s love for the West Coast is reflected in her two-yearold, LA-made luxury brand, Haney, filled with red carpet-worthy dresses and separates that embody LA’s casual elegance. In true Angeleno fashion, the designer has a juicy list of favorite haunts. Although Haney, 43, describes herself as a “big online shopper,” she loves to hit up sartorial gems like Satine (8134 W. Third St., LA, 323-655-2142; satine boutique.com) for laid-back wardrobe staples; Switch (238 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-860-1650; switchboutique.com) for “great Helmut Lang sweaters”; Elyse Walker (15306 Antioch St., Pacific Palisades, 310-2308882; elysewalker.com) for “dressy pieces”; and her friend Nevena Borissova’s Curve boutique (154 N. Robertson Blvd., LA, 310-3608008; shopcurve.com) for avant-garde designs. “One of the things that LA has more
of than any other city is amazing personal shoppers,” adds Haney, who counts Tony Ferreira at Saks Fifth Avenue (9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com) and Catherine Bloom at Neiman Marcus (9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com) as her favorites. “Those two are great resources if you’re looking to step up your fashion.” When it comes to beauty, the mother of five sings the praises of her facialist, Dayle Breault (424-228-5117; dayle@goddessofskin.com). “She’s just the bomb,” says Haney. And, she confesses, she turns to Dr. Jessica Wu (11620 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 700, LA, 310-473-5878; drjessicawu.com) and Dr. Raj Kanodia (414 N. Camden Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-2763106; drkanodia.com) for a little Botox. The Manhattan Beach resident is also a regular at restaurants like Little Sister (1131 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310-545-2096; little
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sistermb.com)—where she loves the lettuce-wrapped egg rolls; Love & Salt (317 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, 310-5455252; loveandsaltla.com); and M.B. Post (1142 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310-545-5405; eatmbpost.com)—“They have the best biscuits,” she says. When entertaining at home, Haney enlists the help of SetSipServe (a2btable.com). Her next fête, however, will take place in Paris following the brand’s market week debut. Haney, after all, has much to celebrate. “As a brand, we have found our voice,” she says. A voice that lives by the tagline: “sexy California glamour.” How very LA. How very international.... shophaney.com LAC
photography by ElisabEth CarEn (hanEy); jana williams (ElysE walkEr)
Talking shop: For designer Mary Alice Haney, red-carpetworthy inspiration starts in her Manhattan Beach office. below, from top: Haney’s must-visit LA hangouts include Elyse Walker in the Pacific Palisades and Curve boutique in Malibu (pictured) and on Robertson Boulevard.
By Jessica estrada
www.hamiltonwatch.com
INTO THE DREAM
KHAKI X-WIND
AUTOMATIC SWISS MADE
STYLE Time Honored
FULL SPECTRUM HAUTE HOROLOGISTS IMBUE THIS SEASON’S MOST DAZZLING TIMEPIECES WITH ALL THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW. by RObERTA NAAS PHOTOGRAPHy by JEFF CRAWFORD
This fall, the colors of the sky are alight in lively, luxurious timepieces that sparkle with your every move. Top jewelry and watch brands have put their design and engineering know-how to the test and have pulled out all the stops as they combine sapphires, colored diamonds, and a host of rainbow-colored gemstones into alluring pieces of jewelry that keep time with an eternal twinkle. For more watch features and expanded coverage, go to la-confidential-magazine.com/watches.
This 37mm Bulgari MVSA High Jewelry watch ($141,000) is crafted in 18k white gold and features a full pavé diamond dial and a case bejeweled with amethysts, sapphires, and diamonds. 401 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 301-858-9216; bulgari.com
The Chopard Happy Sport Chrono ($78,530) features a mother-of-pearl dial and 6.10 carats of trapeze-cut multicolor sapphires on the bezel, not to mention 0.50 carats of diamonds floating within the dial. Westime at Sunset Plaza, 8569 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-289-0808; us.chopard.com Graff’s Butterfly Full Motif watch (price on request) is adorned with multicolored sapphires (weighing 3.96 carats) and 5.51 carats of diamonds. The sculptural arrangement of the sapphires comprises the butterflies. Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; graffdiamonds.com
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STYLING BY TERRY LEWIS
clockwise from top: From Franck Muller, this Double Mystery watch ($161,200), meticulously set with diamonds and multicolored sapphires, features a hands-free hours and minutes indication thanks to an ingenious mechanism of two revolving disks with fixed arrows that point to the time. Westime, 216 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-8888880; franckmuller.com
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autumnal elegance T
he Beverly Center offers fabulous fashion foliage for fall.
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1. Salvatore Ferragamo presents the Made-to-Order Driver, an exclusive customization program of the iconic Parigi shoe. Along with personalized lettering, customers can select from over 100 variations of material, color, and hardware, resulting in a truly unique creation by you and for you. Available instore and online (driver.ferragamo.com) Prices vary. SALVATORE FERRAGAMO, 310.652.0279
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2. Montblanc’s Heritage Chronométrie Ultra Slim is a true watch aficionado’s timepiece with its manually wound mechanical movement and simple two-handed dial all contained within an ultra-slim 38mm case of red gold. The black alligator strap and complimentary red gold-plated buckle lend a handsome dignity to this watchmaking masterpiece. $5,800 montblanc, 310.854.0049
3. The Tiffany T square bracelet pays homage to the modernist architecture of New York with sculptural sensibility and clean, deconstructed lines. Created in 18 k gold, the T motif defines Tiffany’s aesthetic romance with classic lines and innovative design over the last 160 years. $5,000 tiffany & co, 310.657.0016
4. The Witch sandal from Giuseppe Zanotti’s FW15/16 collection brings a coven of crystals together on lush black suede. The graphic back design offers a buckle closure and the internal platform adds a dramatic lift making this shoe this a standout statement that will cast a spell on you. $1,425 giuseppe zanotti design, 310.499.2962
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KIM FOX PHOTOGRAPHY
PhotograPhy by gilles toucas. styling by stacey Kalchman. grooming by christina guerra at celestine agency using leonor greyl
CULTURE Top Billing
The Gospel AccordinG To Jon
As cAble TV giVes H’Wood A run for iTs money, Ray Donovan sTAr Jon Voight TAlks AbouT His oWn conVersion from big screen To smAll. by scott huver
When watching Jon Voight on Showtime’s character-driven crime-noir series Ray Donovan, you can’t help but notice something: Despite the passing of 46 years since the debut of his landmark film Midnight Cowboy and the accumulation of countless credits and laurels, Voight still seizes his roles with the same kind of vigor, the same crackling energy, that made him so eminently watchable from the very start. “I come to work, and I don’t think I’ve changed much. I think I’m still as demanding of myself as I ever was,” agrees Voight. At 76, the actor has maintained as consistently vibrant a career as can be hoped for in ever-fickle Hollywood. After getting his start headlining critical and box-office hits in the ’70s, including Deliverance, The Champ, and Coming Home, for which he won an Oscar, Voight moved ConTinueD on page 74
Man with a mission: After nearly half a century in front of the camera, “I don’t think I’ve changed much,“ says Jon Voight, one of Tinseltown’s most durable stars. “I’m still as demanding of myself as I ever was.”
la-confidential-magazine.com 73
CULTURE Top Billing
on to admired supporting stints throughout the ’80s and ’90s in films like Runaway Train, Varsity Blues, and The Rainmaker. In the current millennium, he has enjoyed a string of scene-stealing, chameleonesque character turns in movies such as Ali, Holes, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (opposite his superstar daughter, Angelina Jolie), and Pope John Paul II. His approach to his craft, he explains, is “always the same, always looking to do something, looking to have some fun and have a good atmosphere in which to work. When you go in with cheerful energy, you’re better at everything.” During Voight’s early years, even the best television actors were desperate to graduate to the more respected, more lucrative big screen; now, however, he’s among a growing crop of highly honored film actors—Kevin Spacey, Viola Davis, Michael Sheen, Terrence Howard, and Billy Bob Thornton, among them—finding some of their richest roles on TV. The actor is currently turning heads with his alternately amusing and alarming portrayal of Mickey Donovan, the scheming, untrustworthy, but disarmingly charming paterfamilias of the fractured, fractious Donovan family. Mickey’s unquenchable lust for life, unrepentant selfishness, and desperately toxic need to dominate his tribe even prompts his successful but brooding son Ray (Liev Schreiber), a high-priced Hollywood “fixer,” to take a hit out on the old man. “There’s a sense of playfulness but also danger in [my character], a wild energy,” says Voight, who earned a Golden Globe for his performance in the first season. “It seemed to me that Mickey is a little bit of both the guys in Runaway Train and Midnight Cowboy. I think of him as a kind of drowning man, but a survivor in that he has to cling to whatever board comes his way. There’s a desperation in his
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“SOMETHING’S HAPPENED IN TELEVISION. EVERYBODY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE’S A KIND OF RENAISSANCE.” —JON VOIGHT
moves, but he wants to be part of the family, too. He wants to be revered and loved, and he wants to give love to his family—but in that way, he’s really dangerous. The closer he gets to you, the more problems you’re going to have.” Yet within the dark LA shadow world of Ray Donovan, Mickey is so buoyant that viewers can’t help but find themselves rooting for him, no matter how reprehensible his actions. “When people see me come down the street, they laugh,” chuckles Voight of the fan reaction. “Because I’ve given them some good times with this character: ‘I hate you, but I love you!’ It’s a conundrum for people, but it’s fun for me… Everybody knows some shady characters who have charisma, these guys that you [think], Geez, did he do that? And yet, the guy’s so charming.” Ray Donovan marks Voight’s second extended foray into series television. A “good experience” on the überpopular 24 convinced him that the oft-proclaimed current Golden Age of Television offered
him the kind of rich creative opportunities he enjoyed in film. “Something’s happened in television, of course,” says Voight, aware of the medium’s highquality progression, from The Sopranos and Mad Men to Homeland and Game of Thrones. “Everybody acknowledges that there’s a kind of renaissance happening and all of this wonderful opportunity.” On Donovan, he was swayed by the quality of the writing from series creator Ann Biderman and her team, as well as the opportunity to grow a character over an extended period of time. “And I wanted to work with Liev,” he says. Voight seems especially pleased that the role has helped him upend a certain stalwart image: “Some part of the public thinks of me as an elder statesman, a strong, silent type, perhaps somebody with some grace. [But] we’ve abandoned all of that with this character!” he laughs. “And then people say, ‘Hey, I like it this way!’” Voight is used to sharp, unexpected turns. As a child growing up in Yonkers, New York, he showed such aptitude with pencils and paints that his father, a professional golfer, introduced him as “the artist of the family.” “I became that identity,” he recalls. “And then he took us to movies when I was 5. And at 6, I retired from painting, from being an artist, because CONTINUED ON PAGE 76
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES (MIDNIGHT COWBOY ); MICHAEL DESMOND/SHOWTIME (RAY DONOVAN); ABC PHOTO ARCHIVES/ABC VIA GETTY IMAGES (OSCARS)
He’s walkin’ here! Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman in 1969’s Midnight Cowboy. RIGHT: Voight as paterfamilias Mickey Donovan in Showtime’s Ray Donovan. INSET, BELOW: Voight accepts the Academy Award for his leading role in Coming Home in 1979.
Culture top Billing Jon Voight: Behind the tinsel Curtain
Voight shares at least one trait with his character Mickey Donovan: the forward-leaning drive to survive. “I’ve always felt that if I worked hard enough, I would succeed,” Voight says.
On the dark side of fame: “In the ’30s and ’40s, the studios controlled the lives of actors because they needed protection from the press. The press could only go so far back then. All that has broken down over the years, so that today, the press is in your bedroom and bathroom and everywhere else. It’s much worse for [my family today] than it was in the ’40s and ’50s; much worse.” Character actor vs. leading man: “I have the greatest admiration for the great leading men: Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart— these guys were just sensational when they played a role that was identifable as their character. My generation, most of us wanted to be character actors, and we looked up to another good, solid breed: Dustin Hoffman, Al
“SoMe part of the publiC thinkS of Me aS an elder StateSMan, a Strong, Silent type. but We’ve abandoned all of that With My CharaCter in RAy DONOVAN!”—jon voight
Pacino, Bobby Duvall, De Niro, Jack Nicholson. So yeah, I’m a character actor, but I’ve done some leading-men roles successfully. I think Coming Home is a leading man. I think I was effective in that.” On his favorite small town: “From the beginning, I’ve lived in Beverly Hills.
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been the ones I wanted for a period of time, but I’ve always been reminded that people think that I have something to offer.” Even Voight’s private time is centered around being productive, including “serious considerations about the world we’re witnessing right now,” he says of his efforts to shed light on issues that are important to him, including national security, a rise in hostility toward Israel, and truth and trust in the media. Although Voight remains a bit nonplussed at the volume of congratulatory showbiz ceremonies these days (“There’s more and more awards shows,” he marvels. “At last count, I think Warren Beatty said there were 70-something. It’s completely crazy!”), he does appreciate what those notable trophies ultimately signify, even now with a mantle full of them. “It’s always gratifying to get attention for the work that you do, and it does help you: It gives you a little bit of influence in the things that you want to do,” he says. “Why do some things come to me? I wonder sometimes, what is it about a performance that catches the eye of so many people… and entertains? But then I’m very, very happy to entertain people.” LAC
From my backyard, I see the hill on the other side of Benedict Canyon. It looks like I’m in Italy! I just have this little place where I can get away from everything. And yet I can jump down to Beverly Hills. I go to Nate ‘n Al. You know where the police department is. You know where the post offce is. It’s really a small town… in the middle of all of this other stuff.”
Motion picture perfect: Jon Voight on the red carpet with daughter Angelina Jolie and son James Haven at the 1988 Academy Awards.
photography by Jim Smeal/Wireimage (Jolie); gilleS toucaS (voight)
I saw this other medium—the human beings who are acting, the music, the beautiful cinematography— all creating a wonderful ‘painting.’ Life itself is being portrayed. So I gave up the art thing.” While studying acting in college and venturing into the professional world of show business, Voight enjoyed early success in light, comedic roles but came to a surprising realization: “Not only did I want to do this, but I wanted to be taken seriously,” he explains. “Once I clearly made that decision, I never stepped back from it,” he says of committing to a life in film. “I somehow knew that if I worked hard enough, I would have success. I wasn’t going to give up. I just felt it, the confidence I’d be able to do it.”Success came quickly, but not too quickly— Voight was 30 by the time he made Midnight Cowboy—and alongside a personal life that included a pair of marriages, the second of which produced Jolie and his son, James Haven, his career has experienced only the briefest of lulls here and there over the course of nearly five decades. Perhaps the only personal trait he shares with Mickey Donovan is that forward-leaning drive to survive. “I’ve always had enough offers,” he says. “They may not have
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culture Hottest ticket
Broad Show!
Will the long-aWaited debut of Eli Broad’s monument to all things modern art finally make dtla art capital, usa? by michael ventre The Broad museum arrives on Grand Avenue in the midst of the LA art world’s latest migration Downtown.
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As multibillionaire Angelenos go, Eli Broad is one of the more formidable. The only child of Lithuanian immigrants, he grew up in the Bronx, suffered from dyslexia, and began his career as an accountant. He has imposed his economic will on the city often, most notably in the arenas of art and philanthropy. Doing so, he has clashed with board members, community leaders, and Frank Gehry. He goes after what he wants with the single-minded focus of Kobe Bryant going after championships. But the opening of The Broad museum on September 20 is not just another event on the “to-do” list of some local luminary. It is the ordinary citizen’s equivalent of moving art work from the attic to a climate-controlled storage unit, except that the items in question represent the cumulative passion of years of collecting some of the most consequential contemporary creations of the past several decades. “It’s not a culmination—we continue to collect voraciously—but it is a reflection of four decades of collecting by an individual family,” notes Joanne Heyler, founding director of The Broad and director and chief curator of The Broad Art Foundation, who has worked with Eli and his wife, Edythe, on the collection for almost all of her career. “When you’ve been involved with the art world and with artists—there are 200 artists in this collection—to the extent that the Broads have so consistently, what you wind up with in the best-case scenario is a portrait of an era. It’s not a portrait that claims to represent absolutely every important type of artworvck that’s been pursued in the last four decades by artists. But, rather, it [expresses] a very specific point of view.” Heyler has been fielding inquiries about the museum for some time now: Homeland Security officers at the airport, passersby Downtown, and the 3,500 people who came to a one-day preview event in February have all wanted to know
photography CoUrtESy oF thE BroaD art FoUNDatIoN (norm’s) ED rUSCha, norm’s, La Cienega, on Fire, 1964, oIl aND pENCIl oN CaNvaS, 64 1/2 x 124 3/4 x 2 1/2 IN. (163.83 x 316.87 x 6.35 Cm) thE BroaD art FoUNDatIoN; IwaN BaaN (mUSEUm). oppoSItE pagE: IwaN BaaN (FaCIlIty); ElIZaBEth DaNIElS (BroaDS)
Los Art-geles! Norm’s, La Cienega, On Fire (1964), by Pop Art icon Ed Ruscha, will be on display for the first time ever at The Broad’s grand opening in September.
The Book of eli in a rare audience with arts prophet Eli Broad, the message is clear: let the people come and behold! How did the idea for The Broad museum come about? My wife and I started The Broad Art Foundation in 1984 when our walls at home were full but we wanted to continue collecting art. We [wanted] to create a public collection of great contemporary art that we could loan to museums around the world. Since then, our collection has grown to around 2,000 works. Our goal is to share our collection with the public. Change of art: A rare look at the archives of The Broad. inset, left: Eli and Edythe Broad with Joanne Heyler, founding director of The Broad and director and chief curator of The Broad Art Foundation.
Why did you choose Downtown LA as the site for the museum? I’ve been involved in Downtown and Grand Avenue since I became the founding chairman of MOCA in 1979. I joined with then-Mayor Richard Riordan to raise $225 million to resurrect Walt Disney Concert Hall, and I then went on to become founding chairman of the Grand Avenue
“Eli has bEEn saying for many, many yEars that Downtown haD thE potEntial to bE los angElEs’ vibrant cEntEr.” —joanne heyler
Committee. I’ve always believed that Los Angeles needed a vibrant city center, and today, Grand Avenue truly is its heart. It is the cultural center of Los Angeles. Edye and I can imagine no better home for The Broad. What will be distinctive about The Broad? Edye and I decided to build and endow The Broad as a gift to the city. We love contemporary art, and we want to share it with as many people as possible. That’s why we will have free general admission. I think people will come to The Broad because it has a deep collection of great contemporary art by this generation’s best artists. We also plan to offer
when it would finally open. “I know people are very curious about this new building on the landscape of Los Angeles,” she says. “Two weeks ago I walked down the street to a meeting at the Downtown LA library, and I was stopped two times. ‘Hey, are you the director of The Broad? When is that opening again?’ It makes me feel like we’re on our way to achieving what the Broads have always wanted, which is the widest possible access by the public to the collection.” Designed by the New York City-based firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, The Broad offers 120,000 square feet of space on three floors at a cost of $140 million. The idea is to not only offer gallery space for eager aficionados, but also to have the place serve as a highbrow lending library and archive. And the choice of location–on Grand Avenue, across from MOCA and just down from Walt Disney Concert Hall, which Eli Broad helped save when it was dying a slow financial death—was in keeping with Broad’s longstanding belief that Downtown is a happening place. “Eli has been saying for many, many years—before it became self-evident and before it was fashionable to say this—that Downtown had the potential to be Los
Angeles’ vibrant center,” Heyler says, “culturally, socially, and in terms of restaurants and people living in this part of LA.” The Broad is only the latest in a continuing influx of arts-based interests to the Downtown area. Night Gallery, one such venue, warmly welcomes its new neighbor: “The opening of The Broad museum is further confirmation that Downtown Los Angeles has become an international art center,” notes Night director Rachel LaBine. Renowned contemporary artist Edgar Arceneaux, a native Angeleno, is thrilled that admission to The Broad will be free, and as a board member of local interdisciplinary arts center REDCAT he is looking forward to sharing the spirit and vibe. “The trend of these large private collectors to create big institutions is something I’m eager to see,” he says, “because of the ripple effect it will have on the artists’ community.” Naturally the Broads visited the museum many times during its construction. But Heyler recalls one particular recent visit when she and Eli Broad were able to reflect on just what it all meant. “He and I sat across from each other, and he said, ‘We actually did it. It was a long road—five years—but it’s done, and it’s terrific.’” 221 s. grand ave., 213-232-6220; thebroad.org LAC
interactive programming to truly engage people with the art. As a lover of great art, what moves you? What excites you? I’m fascinated by how artists do things that haven’t been done before. I still remember the frst time I saw [photographer] Cindy Sherman’s work. I was fascinated by how she could make herself up into another person and then she became the artwork. I’m excited by some of our newest acquisitions, from Yayoi Kusama’s Infnity Mirrored Room to Jordan Wolfson’s Female Figure. They’re artworks that provoke a unique response in the viewer. We’re excited to create that experience and share those works at The Broad. Where does this passion come from? My wife was the family’s frst collector, and she got me interested in art. I enjoy having conversations with the artists. Artists have a different worldview than bankers, lawyers, accountants, and business people. I love hearing how they think, and I’m especially intrigued by art that refects the social, political, and cultural issues from the time the art was created. What do you hope visitors take away from The Broad? I hope they visit often and bring their families and friends. We won’t be a static museum with the same works on the walls all the time. The Broad collection will be dynamic and will continue to grow. What is your vision for the future of the museum? Edye and I hope it continues to be a leader in contemporary art, both in terms of collection and programming. And we would love to integrate all of the cultural institutions along Grand Avenue so that people realize what an abundance of riches we have, right here in the heart of the city.
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CULTURE Music
ABSOLUTELY KAABOO
CoaChella for adults? this month, Cool meets soCal swanky at new festival aaboo in del mar. by emerson patrick
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Knock ‘em dead! Brandon Flowers of The Killers will headline at Kaaboo along with SoCal native/stunner Gwen Stefani (right) of No Doubt, as well as a number of other top music talent.
mance quality. To that end, Bonnie Raitt, who has been performing for decades, was booked alongside relative newcomer The Apache Relay. As for the name, Gordon says it’s a fictional word that occurred to him at 5 am around a fire pit after imbibing too much tequila. Like his concept, “some form of lightning metaphorically struck,” he says, “and Kaaboo was discovered—it had the right sound. We knew we had found it.” kaaboodelmar.com LAC
INSIGHT Festival “Four play” per Bryan Gordon: “artwork will have 75–100 contemporary artists from all over the country, with a heavy representation from SoCal. It’s going to be a beautiful, breathtaking display of creativity and energy.” “palate is like an entire food and wine festival-withinthe-festival, with approximately 60 different wineries and craft spirit distillers and 18 restaurateurs serving cutting-edge cuisine.” “Bask will be a huge beach club near the main stage with cabanas, chaise lounges, umbrellas, a pool, and volleyball courts.” “indulgences is the ‘me’ zone where you can get your hair blown out, makeup reapplied, a shoulder or foot massage, henna tattoo, hot shave, play golf, or smoke a cigar.”
Ceviche from Agave del Mar, one of the top-of-the-line restaurants whose cuisine will be featured at Kaaboo.
photography by Kevin Mazur/WireiMage (floWers); MiiKKa sKaffari/filMMagic (stefani); courtesy of agave del Mar (ceviche)
There’s no rule, of course, against adults of a certain age attending Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits or the like, even if port-a-potties, greasy pizza, long lines for cheap—yet pricey—beer, and hot, sweaty crowds aren’t great incentives. But Kaaboo, a new festival debuting September 18–20 at San Diego’s Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds, is changing all that. The music mega-event is focused not only on great live music—the lineup includes headliners No Doubt, The Killers, and Zac Brown Band alongside Snoop Dogg, 311, Fitz and the Tantrums, The Roots, Counting Crows, and Minnie Driver—but also on a curated suite of polished and pristine amenities to boot. Want a blowout between sets? Easy. A hot shave and a cigar? No problem. A couple swings on a golf simulator, a glass of small-batch tequila with a bite from SD hot spot Herringbone, or a dip in the pool? Done, done, and done. This sounds-too-good-to-be-true weekend is the work of Sausalito-based serial entrepreneur Bryan Gordon, who after attending many a music festival with his 22-year-old daughter, wanted something more. “I’ve been a lifelong music fan and just a fan of experiences,” says Gordon. “Over the years I’ve attended a number of different festivals, I’ve been a longtime patron of Cirque du Soleil, I’ve watched the evolution of Las Vegas—all that blended together in my mind’s eye and helped me develop a recipe for a more elevated experience for adults.” The 53-year-old aims to reach those between 20 and 65 who love the experience of live music and discovering new bands but also appreciate upscale food and drink, art—one highlight is the gallerylike pavilion known as Artwork—pampering, and even comedy (an impressive lineup of comedians is set to perform inside an air-conditioned structure with comedy clublike seating and food and drink service). Though there’s an ocean breeze, producers are also building a sandy beach with a pool and cabanas. After all, even die-hard music fans need a little R&R in the midst of a 12-hour day. The musicians performing at Kaaboo—which Gordon says is “100 percent a rock festival”—were chosen for their relevance, diversity, and perfor-
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Love Letters U.S. Tour starring Ali MacGraw & Ryan O’Neal
Twyla Tharp
Artistic Advisor Patti LuPone Matters of the Heart
Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Guys and Dolls
Photo by Bill King
2015 /2016 Season Subscribe Today
Frances McDormand Theater of War
CONNECT WITH US: 9390 N SANTA MONICA BLVD, BEVERLY HILLS CA
310.746.4000 | thewallis.org Jean-Yves Thibaudet Colburn @ The Wallis
CULTURE Talent Patrol INSIGHT Foodie Fave:
“My number-one spot for dinner is Dominick’s. They have this beautiful outdoor patio and a freplace. Their rice balls and homemade pastas are out of this world. It feels like going to your aunt’s house. I used to work in restaurants, and that’s the atmosphere I’d liked to create. I feel like I’m kin there.” 8715 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-652-2335; dominicksrestaurant.com Fitness Fix:
“I love hiking in Griffth Park. I know those trails like the back of my hand. Runyon
Fall’s Guy
Whiplash second lead Austin stowell goes first string this season in two new spielberg projects. By Lucy cohen BLatter
Austin Stowell, Steven Spielberg’s newest leading man, didn’t grow up with dreams of Hollywood stardom. But thanks to a sports injury in high school, he traded football for the footlights. Classmates in his hometown of Kensington, Connecticut, were surprised to see how he transformed himself for his first appearance onstage, playing the eccentric Russian ballet instructor in You Can’t Take It With You. “I worked at the grocery store, was class president—suddenly they see me drinking and smoking as Boris Kolenkhov,” the 30-year-old Stowell says. “I really fell in love with performing.” After high school he auditioned for the acting program at the University of Connecticut, thinking he’d try it for a year and, if that didn’t work out, prep for law school. But he never had to take his LSATs, and from the looks of it, never will. Stowell’s
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Canyon is great and all, but I’d rather not have to dodge people in high heels.” Just For Fun:
“I’m not really a club kind of a guy. I very much prefer a cold IPA, and I love to play games— darts, pool, shuffeboard—really anything that involves points and me somehow beating you! I go to Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood whenever I can. See my buddy Chuck behind the bar for a Dale’s Pale Ale.” 8447 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 323-654-2287; barneysbeanery.com
first gig was on ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and it’s been fast-forward ever since. After such films as Behind the Candelabra, Love and Honor, Dolphin Tale 1 and 2, and last year’s super smash Whiplash, he landed his current gig as Sean O’Bannon, a “shoot first, ask questions later type of guy,” in TNT’s 1960s New York City–based cop drama Public Morals, directed by and starring Ed Burns and produced by Spielberg. This October he’ll play Francis Gary Powers, a Cold War-era U2 pilot shot down and imprisoned by the Soviets for espionage, in Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, a movie headlined by Tom Hanks and Alan Alda. (He’s also set to appear in two James Franco films—In Dubious Battle and The Long Home.) Of course for an up-and-coming actor, booking backto-back projects with Spielberg is akin to winning the lottery. And it was the director who originally suggested Stowell try out for his movie. When he went to audition for the part of Hanks’ legal assistant, Spielberg thought Stowell looked more like a linebacker (he’d been fight training for his cop role) and asked if he’d be interested in portraying the pilot, whom the plot revolves around. “Honestly, I’d be interested in playing third rock from the left in a Spielberg movie,” he says. Though Stowell never got to know Powers, he was able to watch videos of him and meet his son. “He always kept his sense of humor,” he says of the pilot. “And considering everything he went through, that was pretty amazing.” During the movie’s filming, Stowell was racking up the frequent-flyer miles, commuting between Berlin, New York, and LA. Stowell, who has lived in LA since 2008, got to know the city well by “printing out MapQuest maps” and exploring different neighborhoods during his downtime between auditions. He says he is lucky to have built a strong foundation of friends, which isn’t always easy in this town. “You’re in the car a lot, where you’re alone. At the gym, people have their headphones on,” he says. “New York swallows you up, but in LA, it’s more like, ‘How can I get in?’” LAC
photography by Mathew Scott. hair by Stephanie hobgood for excluSive artiStS ManageMent uSing unite hair care. Styling by Stacey kalchMan
Seeing stars: Austin Stowell, photographed here at the Garland, says he would have played “third rock from the left” for the chance to work in a film directed by Steven Spielberg.
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culture Design Building blocks: A model for Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, circa 1988, and (below) a 1991 sketch of the riverfront elevation for the Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Both will be part of the LACMA retrospective. inset: Frank Gehry.
Gehry, the Blockbuster
Icons are fuzzy—especially cultural icons. Their audacious brilliance casts them partly in high relief, which in turn puts them partly in shadow, the overall effect yielding glittering impressions at the expense of a more comprehensive portrait. Take LA’s own Frank Gehry. (Okay, the 86-year-old Pritzker Prize winner was born in Toronto in 1929, but since he first moved to this sunny burg in 1947, studied at Los Angeles City College, graduated from USC, and established his practice in LA, we can be proprietary.) Gehry is the Caesar of sinuous, sculptural curves; the maestro of innovatively imagined materiality; the birther of buildings that have given the world new ways to dream in both form and function. But “Frank Gehry,” a major retrospective making its US debut at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) this month, demonstrates he’s all that, plus a bag of chips. Organized by the Centre Pompidou in Paris and originally curated by Frédéric Migayrou and Aurélian Lemonier, the exhibition explores the entirety of Gehry’s career. It examines more than 60 projects, among them Gehry’s own house in Santa Monica, Downtown’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the recently opened Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris; includes over 200 drawings and more than 60 models (many, including Facebook’s new campus, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s renovation, and Gehry’s most recent residential designs, not shown in Paris and on view for the first time); and is divided into six conceptual themes, organized chronologically and encompassing 50 years, 1965 to 2015. At the exhibition’s core, however, are two through lines that have, until now, been under-served. First is Gehry as a ground-breaking urbanist, one who is deeply sensitive and responsive to his buildings’ relationship to a city. The second theme is Gehry’s role as a pioneer in the development of digital design and fabrication technology, especially his adaptation of CATIA, a software tool used in the aeronautics and automobile industries that allows the digital manipulation of three-dimensional designs, which in turn has allowed the realization of Gehry’s revolutionary projects. How then does Stephanie Barron—LACMA’s senior curator and department head of modern art, who, along with assistant curator Lauren Bergman, curated the exhibition’s LA presentation—define “Gehry-ness?” “His buildings don’t look like other buildings. He’s managed to harness the technology to advance a very old art and to bring to it the imagination of an artist, the technical understanding of a great architect, and combine that with a real interest in how people interact in spaces. [He is] a real humanist.” Michael Govan, LACMA’s CEO and director, is similarly enthusiastic. “Frank is not only one of LA’s cultural icons,” he says, “he’s one of LA’s greatest exports in the sense that he’s identified his work with our city. There’s an openness, a casualness, a fearlessness, a curiosity, and then there’s his relationship with artists. It would be very hard to have a higher status than Frank, and it’s well deserved. He’s an artist… and a philosopher.” Now that’s a portrait in full. September 13–March 20, 2016, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA, 323-857-6010; lacma.org LAC
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THE FRANK TRUTH This September, Frank Gehry is slated to receive the third annual J. Paul Getty Medal, an award recognizing living individuals for their leadership in the visual arts. Here, the LA legend speaks his mind. What’s your favorite part of the lacma retrospective?
“I have a thing about looking backwards. I always waste my time going forward.” you’ve called architecture “frozen music” and music “liquid architecture.” is there a style of music you liken most to your Work?
“Gagaku [a type of Japanese classical music combined with performance associated with the Imperial Court].” What inspires you about aquatic life, fish particularly?
“The sense of movement.” hoW has living in la made a difference to you as an architect and artist?
“We had different heroes than architects in New York. We didn’t get Corbu [the infuential Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier] like they did. We were looking at Japan, China, Korea. You can also be anonymous in Los Angeles. I still value that; I still hide out.” if you Weren’t an architect, What Would you do?
“Cello player. I always wanted to be a cello player.”
photography by elisabeth caren (gehry); © 2015 image courtesy of gehry partners llp (Disney concert hall); © 1991 by frank gehry. collection frank gehry los angeles. © gehry partners llp, image courtesy gehry partners llp (guggenheim)
The STarchiTecT and icon GeTS hiS homeTown due aT Lacma ThiS monTh. by michael herren
A NATION IN REVOLT. INNOCENT CIVILIANS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO SURVIVE?
CULtUre spirit of generosity Charity register Opportunities to give.
Get Lucky for Lupus LA Bet big at this celebrity poker tournament and silent auction. Founded in 2000 by UCLA professor and Cedars-Sinai physician Dr. Daniel Wallace, Lupus LA helps raise funds for medical research, patient services, and advocacy for the Lupus Research Institute. When: wednesday, september 16 Where: Avalon hollywood, 1735 Vine st., lA contact: lupusla.org/event/get-lucky-forlupus-la
fAce forwArd GALA
Come and get it! LA foodie royalty Suzanne Goin, David Lentz, and Caroline Styne will preside over L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade’s special anniver sary this month. right: Celeb chef Giada De Laurentiis will fly in from Las Vegas for the event.
The sixth annual event raises money to provide pro bono reconstructive surgeries for victims of domestic violence. The Moulin Rouge-themed evening will feature a cocktail hour, auction, dinner, and musical performances. When: saturday, september 19 Where: millennium Biltmore hotel, 506 s. grand Ave., lA
Alex’s lemonAde stAnd FoundAtion mArks 10 yeArs with megA-Fest L.A. Loves ALex’s LemonAde: Foodie Fun in the sun to rAise $ to help Fight kids cAncer. By Eric rosEn When some of LA’s (and the country’s) best chefs come together, you know it must be for a good cause: namely, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade on September 12. The event benefits the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a charity that funds pediatric cancer research. It is named for the late Alexandra “Alex” Scott, a brave young cancer patient who, at the age of 4, had the idea to open a lemonade stand to help raise money for other children battling the disease. Though Alex lost her battle to cancer, the charity she founded with her parents, Liz and Jay Scott, carries on her legacy and has raised millions of dollars to date. The Los Angeles event began six years ago after husband-and-wife superchefs David Lentz (The Hungry Cat) and Suzanne Goin (Lucques, AOC) attended chef Marc Vetri’s Great Chefs event in Philadelphia to benefit the charity. “We were so impressed by what Marc had done and the power and tragedy of Alex’s story that we just felt we needed to do something,” explains Goin. With Goin’s business partner, Caroline Styne, on board, L.A. Love’s Alex’s Lemonade was born. Vetri, who inspired them, says, “I love the LA event because David, Suzanne, and Caroline have made it their own. It is totally them and their personalities, and I just love being part of it.” This year’s program will feature an all-star lineup of 61 chefs at UCLA’s Royce Quad, including Josiah
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Citrin, Roy Choi, Benjamin Ford, Jeremy Fox, Neal Fraser, Ludo Lefebvre, and Joachim Splichal. Among those coming from out of town are chefs Chris Bianco from Phoenix, Giada De Laurentiis from Las Vegas, John Besh from New Orleans, and Marc Vetri from Philadelphia, “who planted the seed,” says Goin. Among the mixologists participating are familiar names like Eric Alperin of The Varnish, and barmenabout-town Marcos Tello and Aidan Demarest (Seven Grand, 1886). For her part, participating chef Jenn Louis of Lincoln Restaurant in Portland says, “I am from Southern California and love the positivity, the sunny nature of where the event is held, and everyone involved. LA is the perfect place to gather such culinary talent and fundraise for [this] important cause.” “What has been really fun and rewarding is how many people have been turned on to the cause and how motivated they have become as the message has been passed along,” says Goin. But, says Lentz, the event is also fun. “Bring the kids along and experience it for yourself!” L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade takes place 12–4 pm on September 12. Tickets are $195 for general admission. Children under 12 are free. A $1,200 Meet and Greet ticket comes with 11:30 am access, reserved seating, and admission to an exclusive chef’s dinner on September 11. lalovesalexs lemonade.com. LAC
poLo in the pALisAdes Head to the 10th annual polo match in the Pacifc Palisades, which brings together more than 500 guests to beneft Miriam’s House, a 15-bedroom safe haven in Los Angeles for children and their mothers. The event will honor Carey Caruso, John Southworth, and Timothy Pylko, and will support Promises Foundation’s efforts to provide innovative health programs to prevent substance abuse for low-income women and their families. When: saturday, september 26 Where: will rogers historic state park contact: promisesfoundation.org/poloevent-2015
MAtteL pArty on the pier Spend a day at the pier at this star-studded event featuring rides, games, a silent auction and more family-friendly fun. The 16th annual fundraiser will beneft the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA. When: sunday, september 27 Where: pacifc park on the santa monica pier contact: partyonthepier.ucla.edu
the sMiLe GALA Help Operation Smile provide life-changing operations to those born with cleft lips or cleft palates around the world. The evening, emceed by Brooke Burke-Charvet, kicks off with cocktails and silent auction followed by dinner, awards, and live entertainment. When: Friday, october 2 Where: Beverly wilshire hotel, 9500 wilshire Blvd., Beverly hills contact: operationsmile.org/lagala
photography by StEFaNIE KEENaN (goIN); KrIStEN hoNEy (logo, dE laurENtIIS)
Lemon Aid!
contact: faceforwardla.org/tickets
CulTure Spotlight Flying high: Twyla Tharp is a Primetime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Choreography, among her other accolades.
Lighten up! Miles Aldridge’s highly-saturated photographs make Instagram filters seem like child’s play.
The Surreal Thing
Get a shot of chic with Miles Aldridge’s stylized fashion photos, on display this month. by jamie wilde Miles Aldridge’s highly saturated pictures pop with color and imagination. The Fahey/Klein Gallery will be showing the Brit photographer’s ironic/iconic images for five weeks this fall. Some of the featured works will include Home Works #3, 2008, and Actress #5, 2013 (above , from top), showcasing Aldridge’s signature style: the use of hyper-perfect female models dressed to the nines paired with pointedly unglamorous backgrounds. The London-born artist creates a temporary lapse from reality with his dreamy photographs, making this exhibition the perfect way to get lost in art and fashion this season. September 10 through October 17, 148 N. LaBrea Ave., LA, 323-934-2250; faheykleingallery.com LAC Pagliacci comes to the LA Opera this September.
SCREEN
// The Twyla Saga // award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp takes the stage this month to celebrate her—gasp!— golden anniversary at the Wallis. the season opener, Twyla Tharp: 50th Anniversary Celebration, will feature new works by the 74-year-old legend, showcasing the breadth of tharp’s imagination— including Preludes and Fugues set to the classic “the Well-tempered clavier” by Bach, as well as a performance of Yowzie, which mixes classical ballet with vernacular dance against a jumpin’ jazz score by Henry Butler and Steve Bernstein. October 1–3, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-7464000; thewallis.org
The electric Gustavo Dudamel leads the way at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
orchestral conductivity
Kick off the new season as superstar Gustavo Dudamel conducts the LA Philharmonic (above) and Simón Bolívar Symphony orchestra of Venezuela for the opening night concert and gala featuring a program for Beethoven lovers. September 29, at 7 pm at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., LA, 323-850-2000; laphil.com
// on stage //
televisionary! Check the pulse of fall’s hottest new shows at the PaleyFest Fall TV Previews. The weeklong event will feature panel conver sations with upandcoming TV talent as well as highprofile guest appearances by Ken Jeong, Ricky Martin, and Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden. Also anticipate a reunion of the cast of an asyetundisclosed fanfavorite series with nightly fan receptions open to all festival goers. Last year, the CW’s awardwinning Jane the Virgin’s cast members were in attendance, so expect the flash of impending TV stardom. September 9–17; paleycenter.org
A Night At the OperA
Celebrating 30 years this fall, don’t miss LA Opera’s opening-night performance of the company’s original Gianni Schicchi/Pagliacci, featuring Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo as Schicchi, under Woody Allen’s direction, and then as conductor of the second show.
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THE SMALL
This anniversary season’s lineup includes several other stage classics, including Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Puccini’s La Bohème and Madame Butterfly. September 12, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., LA, 213-972-8001; laopera.org
PhotograPhy by VErN EVaNS (dudamEl); bill KiNg (tharP); graNt mudford (PalEy CENtEr); © milES aldridgE, CourtESy of fahEy/KlEiN gallEry (aldridgE); robErt millard/la oPEra (pagliacci)
Lighten up:
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INVITED Christina Hendricks reigns supreme at the Women of Influence tea party.
Girl Power photography by chelsea lauren
Los AngeLes ConfidentiAL lauds the city’s female phenoms with a posh tea in Beverly hills. by Kelsey Marrujo Not even LA’s hot and humid weather could dampen Christina Hendricks’ spirits as she glided into Los Angeles Confidential’s annual Women of Influence party on the morning of her Emmy nomination, expanding her total of Television Academy recognitions to six in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Continued on pAge 92
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INVITED
Rachel Roy and Cio Soler with Leslie and Francesca Drago
Christina Hendricks and Kiernan Shipka
Stephanie Drake
Guests enjoyed pairing Veuve Clicquot rosé with their specialty sandwiches.
Ariel Gale
Amy Eldon Turteltaub and Kathy Eldon
Jillian Ezra and Ann Wang
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Michael Newcombe
Nancy Davis and Degen Pener
The formal tea took place in the Wetherly Room and patio of the Four Seasons Los Angeles.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSE GRANT AND CHELSEA LAUREN. OPPOSITE PAGE: DONATO SARDELLA (LOUBOUTIN); WIREIMAGE/FILM INDEPENDENT (LA FILM FEST)
Yael Lipschutz
(Mad Men). Hendricks, who graced the cover of the magazine’s power women issue, joined other featured mavens such as Nancy Davis, Bethany Mota, and Rachel Roy for an afternoon of high tea, presented by Moroccanoil and Beverly Hills BMW at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Throughout the day, guests enjoyed light bites served on cake stands by Archive Rentals along with flowers provided by Sticks and Stones Floral Design and beverages courtesy of Veuve Clicquot and Zico Coconut Water. Beverly Hills BMW offered guests an exclusive look at its new 640i Gran Coupe on-site.
Christian Louboutin
Guests perused the new space, which showcases men’s and women’s shoes, handbags, and leather goods.
Molly Sims
Reese Witherspoon
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN STORE OPENING BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART welcomed a new boutique by famed
designer Christian Louboutin with a private fête hosted by James and Heather Rosenfield, Jenni Kayne, and Jenny Belushi. Louboutin himself joined the A-list style set, including Reese Witherspoon and Molly Sims, among others, at an intimate cocktail hour followed by dinner at Farmshop to toast the grand opening. Shiva Rose and Jenni Kayne
Alessandra Ambrosio
Nina Dobrev, Todd Strauss-Schulson, Taissa Farmiga, and Angela Trimbur
Zoë Saldana
William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman
Shameik Moore, Kiersey Clemons, and Tony Revolori
LA FILM FEST THE ALWAYS-ANTICIPATED Los Angeles Film Festival
returned to L.A. Live on June 10-18, featuring a lineup of American and international cinema committed to diversity, innovation, and unique perspectives. The festival, sponsored by Los Angeles Confidential, granted guests access to one-of-a-kind events and master classes as well as sneak peeks of emerging online and TV content. Mae Whitman
Kiernan Shipka
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INVITED The Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles featured a pop-up shop of LAND merchandise to benefit the organization’s mission to create site-specific public art exhibitions.
// style spotlight //
STARS IN STRIPES FASHIONABLE CELEBS DONNED SUMMERY STRIPES AT BEAUTY DESTINATION STRIII E TO FæTE
Attendees gathered at the Velaslavasay Panorama in West Adam for screenings of films by artists Matthew Brannon and Jeremy Shaw.
THE LAUNCH OF CAUDALÍE FOUNDER MATHILDE THOMASÕ BOOK, THE FRENCH BEAUTY
AS THE FINALE of its cross-coun-
try exhibition “The Manifest Destiny Billboard Project,” Los Angeles Nomadic Division hosted a series of artist programs, readings, screenings, installations, and an opening reception supported by Los Angeles Confidential and Absolut Elyx vodka, from June 24–28 in Los Angeles. The two-year project, which commissioned 100 billboards from various artists displayed along Interstate 10, unveiled its final chapter of large-scale artwork designed by artist Matthew Brannon.
BASTILLE DAY.
FC Zoe and Alicia Lawhon Artist Shana Lutker hosted a ribbon-tying ceremony to close the project.
Catherine Fulmer and Kristie Streicher
Bobbi Woods and Mark Verabioff
The weekend’s opening exhibition featured billboards from all 10 chapters of the project.
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Rebecca Feferman and Jenn Streicher
PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN ROSENZWEIG (LAND); GETTY IMAGES FOR CAUDALÍE (STRIPES). OPPOSITE PAGE: EMMA ROSENBLATT
LAND’S “MANIFEST DESTINY BILLBOARD PROJECT” WEEKEND
SOLUTION, AND CELEBRATE
Shannon Bayless and John Long
DJ Milo Rock
Fernando and Stacey Donayre with Jana and Frank Westerbeke Simon and Iris Nofar
THE GARLAND GRAND OPENING
LA NOTABLES FLOCKED to North Hollywood to celebrate
the grand opening of luxury hotel The Garland alongside Los Angeles Confidential, which sponsored the evening. Guests enjoyed Selvarey Rum beverages as they explored the property’s many luxury spaces, including new dining destination The Front Yard, the grand James and Fillmore Suites, a posh garden venue called Beverly Park, and more.
Carly and Cole Laddusaw Selvarey rum treated attendees to a tasting station inside the property’s courtyard.
Scott Elliot, Rhocelli Pascual, and James Crank
Shauna and Michael Poutre Lauren Carothers and Sira Butler
Edwin and Marcelino Valencap
Michelle Wolff with Oona and Dan Kanner and Linda Fusco
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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Take a stroll into Toscanova and you will immediately feel like you have stepped off the plane in Tuscany, Italy. You will marvel at the authenticity of richly flavored Italian food by renowned Chef Sciandri and the decadent milieu replete with all Italian servers offering their knowledgeable food and wine suggestions.
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tAStE Studio City!
How Green Is MY ValleY? On the other side Of the h’wOOd hills, tV and mOVie execs are dining lOw On the hOg at new Vegan-chic eatery The Gadarene Swine.
photography by jessica sample
By Jen Jones Donatelli
One might not expect the word “swine” to describe a vegan restaurant, but then again, The Gadarene Swine isn’t your everyday vegan restaurant. The name is actually a nod to the philosophical fallacy about the value of going your own way—and chef-owner Phillip Frankland Lee is set on doing just that. The Gadarene Swine joins a long string of high-profile restaurants to hit the Valley in the last year—from Barrel & Ashes to Maradentro to Idle Hour. It’s been a vital part of helping raise Studio City to its sudden status as a foodie hot spot, but Lee’s focus is on highlighting something else: the vegetable. With a mantra of “vegetables elevated,” Lee actively shies away from the gimmicks and cleverly named substitutes often employed by vegetarian eateries. Instead, the 28-year-old chef has designed dishes that highlight the vibrant flavors, colors, and textures of veggies, creatively presented in vessels like tree-trunk plates and colorful pottery. “We’re not using any tricks here—no soy patties, fake cheese, or ‘chicken’ spelled a different way,” says floor manager Gabriel Wischmeier. “We don’t try to fill you with tons of grains and heavy carbs; our focus is on making vegetables the star.” continued on page 98
Entrée new! Veggies take a star turn in The Gadarene Swine’s oil-whipped roasted tomatoes in a balsamic reduction with chives and basil. Homemade sourdough baguettes play a supporting role.
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taste Vegetarian in the Valley
Along with being a culinary hotbed, Studio City is increasingly a desirable destination for vegetarians and vegans. Get out your GPS, and prepare to go green. Girasol (11334 Moorpark St., Studio City, 818-924-2323; girasolrestaurant.com): Two-time Top Chef alum C.J. Earth to table (from left): Tree-trunk plates play up the colors and textures of The Gadarene Swine’s vegan offerings; chef Phillip Frankland Lee and his wife, pastry chef Margarita Lee, helm the quaint-meets-buzzy hot spot; the Blackened Cauliflower mixes four cauliflower varieties (roasted, in a purée, and as chips) with pistachios, Thai basil, and soubise.
Jacobson whips up vegetarian delights like kohlrabi and apple carpaccio, roasted carrots and Burrata, and sugar snap peas over cactus “snow.” H.O.P.E. (Healthy Organic Positive Eating) (11943 Ventura
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made some significant changes and additions recently. Chief on the list has been the conversion to a full vegan menu last spring. Although the shift was minimal (it involved converting only one dish away from the use of honey), it was an important one. “We were already catering to LA’s vegan population, but this opened another door for people who prefer completely vegan dining,” says Marty Shield, who was promoted from being Lee’s sous chef to the position of chef de cuisine in February. Spring also marked the addition of an outdoor wine garden, which made its debut during the Valley-iteration of the CicLAvia biking event. The momentum continued when The Gadarene Swine partnered with Lee’s other restaurant, Scratch Bar, to host a pop-up restaurant at Coachella this year, in the sectioned-off VIP area. “They literally built us a restaurant on the grounds,” says Margarita. One of the specially created desserts served—a Balinese-inspired coconut pudding with mojito and fresh strawberries—has made its way onto The Gadarene Swine’s permanent menu. “Phillip and I got married in Bali, so a number of our dishes have been inspired by our journeys there,” adds Margarita. Looking ahead, the Lees are working on building an organic garden in the back of the restaurant, where they’ll grow herbs, butternut squash, and more. “The first order of business is to start growing our own vegetables, but the future vision is to move our chef’s tasting experience into the garden,” shares Shield. They’re also confident about their place in Studio City’s thriving culinary scene. “So many great places have opened recently—Barrel & Ashes, Vegetable (see sidebar), Maradentro. The Valley has a lot more credibility now,” says Margarita, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley. “But our style is completely different than anyone else on the block.” Spoken like a true Gadarene swine. 11266 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-508-5500; thegadareneswine.com LAC
Blvd., Studio City, 818-5069015; eatwithhope.com): Formerly Vegan Plate, this vegan restaurant is heavy on Thai and Asian-inspired fare, from crispy seaweed quinoa rolls to Muay Thai soy “chicken” wings. SunCafe (10820 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-308-7420; suncafe.com): An inviting outdoor patio, robust wine list, and knowledgeable staff make SunCafe a can’t-miss stop for organic, plant-based eats. Don’t leave without trying the lettuce-leaf tacos and awardwinning mac ’n’ cheese. Vegetable (3711 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City; 818754-1149; vegetablela.com): Vegetarian comfort food is the name of the game at Vegetable, which recently opened in April. Menu highlights include truffed mushroom risotto and raw, hand-torn squash pasta with creamy garlic Alfredo.
photography by jessica sample
The Gadarene Swine is a departure for Lee, a carnivore chef best known for his ambitious Scratch Bar restaurant in Beverly Hills. The catalyst came last year when Lee developed a tumor inside his ear and adopted a plant-based diet at the urging of his wife, Margarita (a former raw vegan and now The Gadarene Swine’s superb pastry chef). “While Phillip was going through the process with the doctor, I was treating him with raw vegetables, pressed juices, and Chinese herbs,” recalls Margarita. “Within a month, the tumor [was gone].” Lee was healthy again—and hooked on vegan dining. Late last year, he and Margarita opened The Gadarene Swine in the former Eggplant space, and it didn’t take long to attract health-conscious foodies hungry for a new option. Margarita estimates the restaurant’s clientele at about 50 percent regulars, many of whom are industry types from nearby studios like CBS Radford, NBC Universal, and Warner Bros., as well as a laundry list of A-listers. (Patrons have included Bryan Cranston, Ashton Kutcher, Lupita Nyong’o, and Zoe Saldana, as well as hardcore vegans like Moby and Alicia Silverstone.) The culinary world also took notice—in the past year, Lee has earned several accolades, including San Pellegrino’s “Best Young Chef” award and a “30 Under 30” nod from Zagat. Like Scratch Bar, one of the premier experiences at The Gadarene Swine is the tasting menu, offered in seven, nine, and 12-course increments. Participants sit at the L-shaped chef’s counter facing the open kitchen, with only vague hints on the menu, like “tomato,” “eggplant,” and “medley,” describing what’s to come. Often included are signature dishes such as blackened cauliflower; house-made sourdough with sugarroasted, crushed tomato oil; and roasted mushrooms with burnt sweet potato puree. “Diners get the entire experience of the restaurant through the tasting menu,” says Margarita. Though the restaurant just opened last year, the Lees have
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Good Times. BLACKJACK AT MORONGO CIRCA 2015 MORONGOCASINORESORT.COM
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TASTE The Dish!
BOWLED OVER
Once upon a time, when you wanted to witness an old-school Hollywood power lunch, you would head to the Polo Lounge to covertly reconnoiter celebrities being interviewed over a customized version of the McCarthy (Cobb) salad, or snag a corner table at La Scala to eavesdrop on deals being made over its elegant chopped salad. But in a town where time is money and every second counts, everyone from high-powered stud io executives and (power) hungry producers to starving screenwriters prefers their power lunches fast… and, apparently, in a big bowl (not to mention healthy, i.e. veggie-, protein-, and nutrient-dense!). Staked out on its own stretch of La Brea, Ammo Restaurant (1155 Highland Ave., LA, 323-871-2666; ammocafe.com) has long been the lunch spot of choice for cross-town meetings thanks to its position as a midpoint between the Valley Studios and the agencies of Beverly Hills. Its food is just as much a draw as its location, however, and this Mid-City mainstay has evolved with the times to create one of the most popular lunch bowls amongst Hollywood’s heavyweights. Dubbed “Alexander’s Brown Rice Bowl,” this hearty helping is heaped with brown rice and fresh market vegetables such as crunchy broccoli, tart cherry tomatoes, and nutrient-rich bok choi. The ingredients are tossed with seasonings such as red onion, cilantro and jalapeno for just the right hit of spice, and diners can choose from two protein topping options: chicken or tofu. Though simple, the dish is fresh and, most importantly in an imageobsessed town, it is healthy and customizable to any diet diners are likely to be on. Nearby, M Café de Chaya (7119 Melrose Ave., LA, 323-525-0588; mcafedechaya.com) is another popular spot thanks to its prime setting near the corner of Highland and Melrose (as well as locations in Beverly Hills and Brentwood), but also for the über-healthy macrobiotic cuisine patrons can count on. The lunch menu includes an entire section dedicated to wholegrain bowls. Diners choose either Koda Farms organic heirloom-variety Kokuho Rose brown rice, steamed organic quinoa, or half of each as the base of their bowl. They then can opt for protein options of tofu, tempeh, crispy seitan, salmon, or black cod, depending on
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Pass the bowl! The rice bowl at Sqirl (here with add-ons of bacon and avocado) reigns supreme in a health-obsessed city that likes to pile it on, all in one dish.
Orsa & Winston packs this only-in-LA farro bowl with tuna crudo, avocado, snap peas, and more before topping it with nori and green onion.
At Ammo, the ÒAlexanderÓ heaps crunchy market veggies (plus chicken or tofu) on top of the health-food predecessor to the quinoa craze: brown rice.
whether they prefer teriyaki, curry, or Korean-inspired bibimbap preparations. Downtown has also become a creative hotbed— both in the entertainment industry and beyond—so to cater to arty types, celeb chef Josef Centeno has instituted bowl options on the lunch menu at his esteemed eatery, Orsa & Winston (122 W. Fourth St., LA, 213687-0300; orsaandwinston.com). Start with barley, farro, quinoa, or rice for the foundation of the dish. There are several topping options, including a beef curry that might include meat, cauliflower, sunchokes, and kale; a seasonal vegetable bowl; or a seafood crudo inspired by tuna poke with raw fish accompanied by fresh kale, carrots, asparagus, and snap peas. The dish is then flavored with any number of options ranging from nori and green onions to a house-made Calabrian chili paste, tarragon-mint salsa verde, and even a kelp-noodle option. Across town, on the production-company-cluttered Westside, Sage Organic Vegan Bistro (4130 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, 424-228-5835; sagevegan bistro.com) serves up a veritable panoply of bowls, with entire pages of its menu devoted to this all-in-one-style specialty. Among the choices are a Mediterraneaninspired falafel bowl with basmati rice, quinoa, falafel, cucumber, Roma tomatoes, avocado, and orange, all topped with tzatziki, mango aioli, and sprigs of cilantro. For something a little more down-home, the “Bowl of Soul” is a satisfying mishmash of roasted sweet potato, black beans, quinoa, grilled corn, sautéed kale, horseradish, and a gluten-free mac ’n’ cheese ball topped with wing sauce and pickled jalapeño cabbage, and served with a biscuit (sans gluten, of course). The most popular lunch/brunch bowl in town, however, has to be the one at Sqirl (720 N. Virgil Ave., LA, 213-394-6526; sqirlla.com), thanks to chef Jessica Koslow’s inspired decision to use a base of brown rice, seasoned with grassy-green sorrel pesto and tangy but understated preserved Meyer lemon in a lacto-fermented hot sauce that’s equal parts gamey and punchy. She tops it all off with earthy black radishes or bright, speckled watermelon radishes, depending on the season, a perfectly poached egg, and crumbly, sharp French sheep feta with a pinch of salt for flavor. Try turning down a role with that dish in front of you! LAC
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAIME BEECHUM (SQIRL); MELISSA VALLADARES (AMMO)
MOVE OVER, CHOPPED SALAD. THE INDUSTRY A-LIST TODAY WANTS THEIR POWER LUNCH IN AN EVEN BIGGER BOWL. BY ERIC ROSEN
Proof of reincarnation. And the astonishing renovation of the Sheraton Hotel at The Bloc is only the beginning. With stunning retail and office spaces whose future inhabitants will make The Bloc the centerpiece of DTLA’s transformation, the best is yet to come.
welcoming future office tenants Hautelook | Flash Sale Site by Nordstrom, Inc. Golin | PR Firm, Part of the IPG empire Newmark Grubb Knight Frank | Commercial Real Estate DLR Group | Architecture Firm Keller Williams | Residential Real Estate
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welcoming future retail tenants Wingtip | Solutions for the Modern Gentleman Starbucks Evenings | Wine, Craft Beer & More Davio’s | Northern Italian Steakhouse N’iceCream | Homemade Gelato & Sorbet Freemarket | Retail Gallery TLT Food | Crisp. Refreshing. California Cuisine. Urban Oven | Wood-fired Pizza & Catering Popbar | Handcrafted Gelato on a Stick BrandsWalk | Premiere Lifestyle Store
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taste On the town
Aces of Ventura
aT HOT SPOT TIPPLE & BRINE, THREE TOP CHEFS EXPLaIN HOW THE VaLLEY SuddENLY BECaME a FOOdIE dESTINaTION. by Jen Jones Donatelli
There seems to be a consensus that Studio City—and the Valley in general—is experiencing a foodie renaissance. What was the spark? Timothy Hollingsworth: People with families have moved out of the Westside, Mid-City, and Hancock Park because they want more and can get bigger houses [in the Valley]. The influx of new restaurants is filling a need [with the growing community]. Rory Herrmann: Many people who live on this side of the hill either work at the studios or are actors who want to escape the Beverly Hills crowd. It feels like a community, and now we’re building a community of chefs here, too! Paul Shoemaker: Looking at greater Los Angeles, Santa Monica is known for farm-to-table with restaurants like Tar & Roses and Gjelina; Downtown started as seafood and steakhouses and has evolved into so much more. Culver City has also had a huge renaissance, especially with gastropubs. Until now, Studio City has been virgin restaurant territory, and now there’s a food movement happening here, too!
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right, from top: Sea urchin toast with avocado mousse, radish, and scallion is a best-selling appetizer at Tipple & Brine; Valley boys Timothy Hollingsworth (left) and Rory Herrmann (center) of Barrel & Ashes with Paul Shoemaker of Firefly talk all things edible in Studio City; hamachi crudo with blood orange, black garlic purée, hazelnuts, cilantro, and ginger vinaigrette is another of Tipple & Brine’s signature dishes.
photography by jessica sample
Not many paths begin in Yountville and wind up in the San Fernando Valley, but for Rory Herrmann, Timothy Hollingsworth, and Paul Shoemaker, that’s been the road commonly traveled. All three worked with chef/restaurateur Thomas Keller early in their careers and are now helping to drive the red-hot food movement in Studio City (Herrmann and Hollingsworth at barbecue sensation Barrel & Ashes, and Shoemaker at Firefly). “Between California and New York, we’ve all worked around each other for a long time, and somehow we’ve all ended up on the same block,” laughs Herrmann. And that’s no coincidence—the Valley has steadily gained credibility with the foodie set, and Studio City is blazing the trail with a string of new, upscale restaurants. Top Chef alums like C.J. Jacobson and Antonia Lofaso have set up shop in recent years, and renowned restaurant groups like Bill Chait’s Sprout and Mercado have also recently put down roots with Barrel & Ashes and Maradentro. Today, the three chefs are gathered just down Ventura Boulevard at another popular spot: Tipple & Brine. On the menu? Sea urchin toast with avocado mousse; hamachi with black garlic, hazelnuts, pickled ginger, and blood orange—and, of course, fresh oysters, which get the seal of approval from self-professed “seafood junkie” Shoemaker. So why is the San Fernando Valley suddenly on fire? The trio takes the temperature.
What’s Studio City’s “cuisine calling card”? RH: To date, Studio City has been known for sushi and great bars, but its main advantage is that it’s compact. LA is so spread out, with all of these pockets a world away from each other. The cool thing about Studio City is that all of the restaurants and bars are so close to one another—it’s a very social scene. PS: With the horsepower of all of these chefs, my hope is that Studio City will be known for discovery of food—whether it’s through small plates or mini tasting menus. For example, one of the dishes I’m making at Firefly is an époisses ravioli; you warm it with butter and it just explodes in one bite. It’s a discovery of cheese in a whole new way. Firefly is one of those iconic Studio City institutions that continue to be current. Was there any pushback when you came in last fall and revamped the menu? PS: The whole idea of me coming on was to remodel the restaurant and put Firefly on the map with the rest of the big boys. When Jeffrey [Best] opened Firefly in 2002, there wasn’t really anything else around on Ventura; now, 13 years later, he wants to set the tone again and be the next big thing. After changing the concept to be more upscale and farm-to-table, we did lose about 10 percent [of our regulars], but we gained 25 percent more clientele overall. The business is constantly growing, and that’s been the beauty of it. RH: There are a number of Valley institutions that will always be popular—Katsu-ya, Casa Vega—but people are also looking for what’s new and what’s next. Who are some of the chefs leading the charge? RH: C.J. Jacobson is a great example of a chef who came over to Studio City to do something completely different with Girasol. Talk about a chef who’s been
very visible between his stint on Top Chef and his post at The Yard in Santa Monica—he had the ability to open anywhere, and he chose to be here. At your own restaurants, what are some of the dishes that are resonating right now? RH: Hoecakes with maple butter! Also, our Frito Pie is really fun and nostalgic, and we’re doing a banana pudding with classic Nilla wafers. PS: Our menu changes a lot at Firefly—right now, it’s the K-Town BBQ, which is a Wagyu hangar steak that we marinate over Vietnamese rice porridge. Another popular dish is our beef-belly risotto bathed in bordelaise. What’s next project-wise? PS: We’re building our charcuterie program—making our own sausages for brunch and starting to add items like duck prosciutto and oxtail terrine. I’m also getting more experimental with different types of seafood. Right now, I’m doing a play on surf and turf with unagi (eel) and liver, where we place the freshwater eel, poached in sake and Kombu, on a crushed Yukon gold potato and a seared piece of liver, then top it with a sunny-side-up quail egg, a touch of tomato compote, and thinly sliced green onion, then finish it with a bit of reduced eel sauce. TH: At Barrel & Ashes, we’re opening a bar upstairs with [mixologist] Julian Cox and creating the menu for that. The next step will be to open the backyard and do more Texas-style barbecue; we want to put the kitchen inside an Airstream trailer. It’ll be a casual, fun experience where people can enjoy live music and get their barbecue served on butcher paper. RH: We plan to put some horseshoes out there and just let people have fun! 14633 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-528-2550; tippleandbrine.com LAC
TasTing greaT in The 818 The three tastemakers go table-hopping in Studio City. ASAnebo (11941 Ventura Blvd., 818-760-
3348; asanebo-restaurant.com): “Delicious sushi that was awarded two Michelin stars.” —Shoemaker bARRel & ASHeS (11801 Ventura Blvd.,
818-623-8883; barrelandashes.com): “Tim [Hollingsworth] has put a playful spin on barbecue that I really respect. His food is the perfect balance between comfort and new.” —Shoemaker blACk MARkeT liquoR bAR (11915 Ventura Blvd., 818-446-2533; blackmarket liquorbar.com): “A great vibe and feel at night, with high energy and a local crowd.” —Herrmann FiReFly (11720 Ventura Blvd., 818-762-1833;
frefystudiocity.com): “Starting off with cocktails and apps in the bar and then having dinner on the patio is one of the quintessential Studio City experiences.” —Herrmann THe GAdARene SWine (11266 Ventura
Blvd., 818-508-5500; thegadareneswine.com): “Chef Phillip Frankland Lee doesn’t focus on making vegetarian dishes, but [instead] cooks the ingredients to showcase what they are with unique favors and interesting textures.” —Hollingsworth GiRASol (11334 Moorpark St., 818-924-2323;
girasolrestaurant.com): “C.J. Jacobson’s cuisine really upped the ante for restaurants in this part of town—I love the fried snapper.” —Shoemaker TeRu SuSHi (11940 Ventura Blvd., 818-7636201; terusushi.com): “A Sapporo and a couple bites of their sushi are some of the best things in the world.” —Herrmann
Over a platter of oysters at Tipple & Brine (shown right), chefs (from left) Paul Shoemaker, Rory Herrmann, and Timothy Hollingsworth give the 818 on the foodie revolution under way in the Valley.
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TASTE Spotlight tea time
ON THE BUBBLE
THE PLACE TO BE! FORGET PEYTON PLACE. VENTURA PLACE HAS GOT A-LIST LA TALKING! BY ERIC ROSEN
Two fine-food purveyors, Alfred Coffee + Kitchen (12077 Ventura Pl.; alfredcoffee.com) and McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams (12075 Ventura Pl.; mcconnells.com), are joining cafécum-market Joan’s on Third on Ventura Place in Studio City this fall. The triple threat turns this once-sleepy side street into a veritable Valhalla for foodies. “When I discovered this quaint, charming street, I knew I had to open a location here,” explains Alfred owner Joshua Zad. Alfred regulars will recognize familiar favorites, including Stumptown Coffee and artsy Compartes chocolate, plus exclusive offerings for the new locale. Also sweetening the deal is McConnell’s, a Santa Barbarabased artisanal ice cream shop. “We knew we needed a spot that had a powerful, intrinsic sense of community [like our Grand Central Market location], and Studio City has all that and so much more,” says owner Michael Palmer. LAC
Drew Barrymore
// perfect pours //
LA-CONFIDENTIAL-MAGAZINE.COM
GONE FISHING
DeLeón Tequila and chef Octavio Olivas’s seafood-focused pop-up, Ceviche Project, have partnered on a five-part dinner series at Mondrian LA’s Skybar. This month’s event takes place Thursday, September 24, with tickets priced at $125 per person, and includes a five-course dinner of all-new dishes (oysters, caviar, crudo) paired with scrumptious DeLeón cocktails. cevicheproject.com
Hotel Bel-Air
FANCY GRILLS
The Hotel Bel-Air hosts a special dinner (the first in a series) on September 9, courtesy of Wolfgang Puck and his pals, chefs and barbecuers extraordinaire Francis Mallmann and Adam Perry Lang. For $175 per person, guests will be treated to drinks and liveaction-grilled foods shared, family-style, on communal tables. dorchestercollection.com Boba with booze, at E.P. & L.P.
STAR VINTAGE
Drew Barrymore adds “vintner” to her résumé. The oenophile launched her label, Barrymore Wines, in 2013 and recently partnered with Carmel Road Winery to create a Pinot Grigio. “It’s a perennial favorite because it complements a variety of situations and foods,” Barrymore explains of
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The Ceviche Project’s namesake specialty
Barrymore by Carmel Road debuts an award-winning Pinot for fall.
the Monterey-grown varietal. While taste is paramount, Barrymore also looked to work with a vineyard commited to sustainable farming. “It’s a huge benefit, especially with what’s happening in LA with water conservancy,” she says. New this season is a Pinot Noir,
which was inspired by Barrymore’s love of Beaujolais. As for what’s next? “We are working on our third varietal as we speak—that should be out next spring,” she says. “We’re prolific little rabbits over here!” Erewhon Natural Foods Market, 7660 Beverly Blvd., LA, 323-937-0777; barrymorewines.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY COSTA PHOTOGRAPHY (ALFRED); DANIEL COLLOPY (E.P. & L.P.); FRANKIE CASTRO (CEVICHE); COURTESY OF BARRYMORE BY CARMEL ROAD (BARRYMORE)
Rise and grind: With the recent addition of two new cafés, Alfred Coffee + Kitchen now boasts five LA locations.
You might recognize Alex Straus from his stints slinging cocktails at hot spots like Hemingway’s. These days he’s putting a fresh twist on Asian libations with boba tea cocktails at E.P. & L.P. (603 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-855-9955; eplos angeles.com), a Southeast Asian street food-inspired eatery. “We created bubbletea cocktails to complete the Asian eating-house experience,” says Straus. The X-rated Thai tea cocktail (BELOW) is made with exotic cassia bark, citrusy tamarind, a trace of tongue-tickling ancho chili liqueur, and Thai tea with a splash of a housemade milk blend, all served in a sealed plastic cup.
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She’s got game! “When you meet Natalie, what distinguishes her is this sense that ‘here’s someone who’s going to be a star,’” says screenwriter David Goyer about Dormer (left), the Game of Thrones’ Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and Hollywood’s princess-in-waiting, here rocking a regal metallic lace gown by Chanel ($6,550). 400 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-278-5505; chanel.com 106
queen of thrones SMART. BEAUTIFUL. FIERCE. THE GENERAL CONSENSUS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POND IS THAT ENGLISH CHARMER NATALIE DORMER RULES. by DAVID HOCHMAN photography by TONY DURAN
n
atalie Dormer is on a pool terrace overlooking Los Angeles, doing what can only be described as the happy dance. In an entertainment world where things so often go wrong, everything appears to be going exactly right for Dormer, and you sense her good fortune as she casually pirouettes and pliés—she was a ballerina before becoming an actor—for a photographer’s camera on this sparkling-blue day in Beverly Hills. But then she stops, cocks her hip, and scrunches her lips into a mischievous little pucker that edges up on one side. Dormer has very large, bright blue eyes that somehow loom larger in that instant. The English actress is so well known for this facial fourish that there is a highly traffcked Tumblr page called “Natalie Dormer’s Smirk.” For the record, she is okay with that. “I have a lopsided smile; what can I say?” she says, when I ask about it later. “And if that message flters down to some girl looking in the mirror who feels she’s not completely symmetrical, then I am glad to have helped in some small, albeit ridiculous, way.” At the moment, Dormer is not smirking so much as suppressing laughter or perhaps primal screams. It has been an intense week and one that’s about to get crazier. She just arrived via London, where she lives, from Serbia, where she flmed her frst honest-to-goodness lead role in a supernatural horror flm called The Forest. Tomorrow, she heads to San Diego for the restorative Zen retreat that is ComicCon. Over three frantic days there, she will promote roles in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, which opens November 20; Patient Zero, an upcoming bio-thriller about a global pandemic; and the sixth
season of HBO’s Game of Thrones, in which Dormer stars as Margaery Tyrell, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Press panels, parties, hoards of furry green-haired cosplayers—“The trick will be remembering which Natalie Dormer I need to be and when,” she says as her grin starts to curl again. “I’m trying to remain sane and not go totally schizophrenic.” Madness might be justifable. At 33, Dormer somehow fnds herself in two of the biggest pop culture sensations of our time. Hunger Games and Game of Thrones attract so much frenzied analysis and commentary that they are international events. Game of Thrones, which this year received a whopping 24 Emmy nominations, will once again simulcast across more than 170 countries when it returns next year, and the three Hunger Games flms alone have grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. Dormer, who frst appeared in Mockingjay Part 1, was the number-one choice to play Cressida, the propaganda flm director whose scalp ripples with vine tattoos. “Natalie had to shave part of her head for the role, and she wore the look with absolute ferceness,” says Hunger Games producer Nina Jacobson. “She gives you everything as an actor, and yet, on screen, you still can’t quite pinpoint what she’s thinking. The more you watch her, the more you want to know. I suspect it’s why audiences are so drawn to her.” One casualty has been Dormer’s anonymity. “Recognition can be a many-times-a-day occurrence,” she says, kicking back on a pool chaise. She’s wearing black stretch pants and a gray t-shirt under a black jacket glittering with zippers. “I get oil paintings from fans, computer-generated art from fans, fans approaching me in the toilet, fans approaching me in the sauna. It’s a Champagne problem, but I can’t really go anywhere without a, ‘Wait. Aren’t you…?’” conTinued on PaGe 110
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Coat, Dries Van Noten ($2,535). Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-2764400; barneys.com. Bra, Dolce & Gabbana ($275). 312 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-888-8701; dolcegabbana.com opposite page:
Patterned dress, Marc Jacobs ($3,900). 8400 Melrose Pl., LA, 323-653-5100; marcjacobs.com. Loafers, Max Mara ($695). 451 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-385-9343; maxmara.com
“I get oil paintings from fans, computergenerated art from fans, fans approaching me in the toilet, fans approaching me in the sauna. It’s a champagne problem but I can’t really go anywhere without a, ‘Wait. Aren’t you...?’” —natalie dormer
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D
ormer grew up in Reading, England, where a thriving Hollywood career seemed about as probable as an invite for a play date with Prince William. “I didn’t know any actors and had no idea how to get into the profession, so I kept really quiet about it,” she says. Dormer’s father worked as a computer programmer and her mother was a housewife, but it was her grandmother who inspired Dormer, the eldest of three, to perform. “She would take me to see Shakespeare’s tragedies in the ruins of the Reading Abbey, knocked down by Henry VIII and Cromwell, and my eyes totally opened up to the possibilities.” A straight-A student who speaks multiple languages, Dormer was accepted to Cambridge University but chose instead to enroll at drama school in London. Just months after graduating, director Lasse Hallström cast her as a bumbling virgin opposite Heath Ledger in Casanova. Dormer’s role was written as a bit part but Hallström gave her more screen time when he saw she had real potential. David Goyer, the screenwriter behind Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, and the writer and coproducer of The Forest, says, “When you meet Natalie, what distinguishes her is this sense that ‘here’s someone who’s going to be a star.’ It’s partly her ambition—she has clearly decided she’s going to be a big success—but it’s also her rare combination of razor-sharp wit, unusual intelligence, and unique, timeless looks.” That mix made her a natural to play Anne Boleyn in the 2007 Showtime series The Tudors. By the time another costume project, Game of Thrones, came along, Dormer might as well have stitched herself permanently into a corset. “You say that,” she says a touch defensively, when asked about the period roles, “but I’ve actually only done three corset dramas in 10 years. Kate Winslet’s spent more time in a corset than I have. Helena Bonham Carter has spent more time in a corset than I have. What Americans tend to forget is that I can carry a semiautomatic weapon and run around in jeans and t-shirts, too.” That’s true. Her role as Sherlock Holmes’ only love, Irene Adler, in the CBS series Elementary showed that Dormer could be powerful and sexy without ruffes. But it is the character of Margaery Tyrell on Thrones that is her greatest creation. Here, too, the role was not conceived as a major one—Margaery is a marginal fgure in the original fantasy novels—but Dormer turns her into a politically savvy woman in charge, who dominates whatever scene she’s in. Last season found Margaery in what might have been the most uncomfortable sex scene ever broadcast on television that did not actually involve sex. The boy king, Tommen Baratheon, played by Dean Charles Chapman, made Margaery his queen— with all the carnal clutching and gasping such a royal union involves on a show like Thrones. Fans were agog. Chapman is 17 but playing 12, an age gap that set off a Twitter storm even though the hook-up was mostly implied (viewers saw the couple waking up in bed without their clothes, and there was a brief kiss). Dormer fnds the fuss a little irritating. “After what we’ve done on this show—the rape, the incest, the child murdering—it baffes me that two people in a reasonably good, reasonably affectionate
relationship is what gets the wide eyes and the questions.” As for questions about Dormer’s own relationship, let’s just say it might be easier to extract answers from Ser Pounce, the Game of Thrones cat. Dormer’s partner of four years is Anthony Byrne, a flmmaker and director. He created Hozier’s latest music video, which features Dormer. Byrne is across the pool today, tapping on his phone as Dormer talks, but she doesn’t say much about him. “I couldn’t possibly comment,” is all she says when asked about recent reports that the couple was spotted ring shopping or about the double date paparazzi caught them on in Serbia last June with Lady Gaga and her fancé (and Dormer’s costar in The Forest), Taylor Kinney. Dormer treasures her privacy, which is partly why she stays off social media. “I’ve been busy enough playing four different roles in the last four years,” she says, “and I don’t have energy to put out some perfect image of Natalie Dormer that’s not the real me anyway.” To stay grounded, she spends as much time as possible with friends she’s had since childhood. “Most of my closest pals have nothing to do with the industry. They watched me struggle fnancially. They know my sob stories and the roles I missed out on and the nights when I never thought I’d work again.” She is also devoted to philanthropy. Dormer ran the London Marathon last year to raise money for Barnardo’s, the UK’s largest children’s charity. “She put us all to shame by somehow managing to train in the middle of Hunger Games,” Nina Jacobson laughs. If Dormer’s schedule allows, she’ll run the New York Marathon this November in support of Team for Kids, the New York Road Runner’s charity. She also appeared in a campaign on behalf of Plan UK, which works to eliminate forced underage marriage and female genital mutilation around the world. Whether future roles will involve bodices and bustles remains unclear. natalie dormer Margaery did not appear in the Game of Thrones’ fnale last season, leaving fans to wonder if she might become yet another victim of brutality in Westeros and Essos. But Dormer will be okay no matter what happens. She says she’d love to do a comedy (“I’m a huge fan of Veep,” she says) or a naturalistic drama, and being a Bond girl might be cool, too. Dormer looks out to LA, her eyes glimmering, as that confdent, cryptic facial expression returns. “My fve-year, no, 10-year, hell, my 55-year take is that I’m going to keep doing this as long as I can keep doing this,” she says. “You look at my countrywomen like Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave and Diana Rigg—they’re gonna drop doing what they love to do. That’s where I’m heading.” Corset or not, she says, “Someone’s going to have to carry me out.” LAC
“You look at my countrywomen like judi dench and vanessa redgrave and diana rigg – they’re gonna drop [dead] doing what they love to do. ThaT’s where i’m heading.” —
Embroidered silk dress, Erdem ($5,280). erdem.com. Bra, Dolce & Gabbana ($275). 312 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-888-8701; dolcegabbana.com Photography by Tony Duran/ studio@tonyduran.net Styling by Martina Nilsson at Opus Beauty Hair by Christian Marc at Forward Artists using Leonor Greyl Makeup by Matthew VanLeeuwen at The Wall Group using Clé de Peau Beauté Manicure by Sarah Chue for Dior Vernis Photo assistance by Justin Schwan and Arthur Lang Video: Adriano Valentini Location by Sources Locations beauté:
Leonor Greyl Baume Bois de Rose ($49), Éclat Naturel Nourishing and Protective Styling Cream ($46), Serum de Soie Sublimateur ($46). Chris McMillan Salon, 8944 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, 310-285-0088; leonor greyl-usa.com. Clé de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation in O10 ($125), Luminizing Face Enhancer ($95), Eye Color Quad in 313 ($80), Extra Rich Lipstick in 101 ($65). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com. Dior Dior Vernis in Trianon ($27). Neiman Marcus, see above
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WEST OF EDEN THIS SEASON, HIGH FASHION GOES HAUTE COWbOy. photography by rené
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& radka
styling by martina nilsson
opposite page:
Silk crepon dress, ChloĂŠ ($5,695). 8448 Melrose Pl., LA, 323-602-0000; chloe.com. Skinny tie, Ralph Lauren Collection ($215). 444 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-281-7200; ralphlauren.com. Red floral necklace (in hand), Dries Van Noten ($1,775). Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-2764400; barneys.com. Suede boots, Gianvito Rossi ($1,025). Barneys New York, see above this page:
Yellow and black jacket ($3,950), tweed dress ($5,290), and dark blue crystal and tassel necklace ($990), Lanvin. 260 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-402-0580; lanvin.com. Ruffled silk chiffon and organza bib shirt, Oscar de la Renta ($1,390). 8446 Melrose Pl., LA, 323-653-0200; oscardela renta.com. Dreambox studded knee-high lace-up boot, Altuzarra (price on request). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-5505900; neimanmarcus.com
opposite page: Swan dress, Altuzarra ($2,195). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com. Lilac floral necklace, Dries Van Noten ($735). Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-276-4400; barneys.com this page:
Blazer ($1,565) and silk gown ($7,065), DSquared2. Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com. Origami-collar body shirt, Donna Karan New York ($950). Saks Fifth Avenue, see above. Black boots, Dries Van Noten ($725). Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-276-4400; barneys.com la-confidential-magazine.com  115
Lantern-sleeve lace turtleneck dress, Donna Karan New York ($6,800). Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com. Black belt with tassels, Lanvin ($690). 260 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-402-0580; lanvin.com. Aqua velvet boots, Dries Van Noten ($735). Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-276-4400; barneys.com 116  la-confidential-magazine.com
this page:
Coat, Derek Lam (price on request). Barneys New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-276-4400; barneys.com. Sleeveless ball gown ($8,310) and open-toe boots ($915), Elie Saab. Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com opposite page:
Winter-white daisy embroidery dress, Stella McCartney ($4,080). 8823 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-2737051; stellamccartney.com. Black lace bustier ($745) and black satin high-waisted panty ($295), Dolce & Gabbana. 312 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-888-8701; dolcegabbana.com. Suede lace-up boots, Giambattista Valli ($1,575). Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com
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opposite page: Viscose Cady Deco Wave neckline dress, Tom Ford ($4,990). 346 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-270-9440; tomford.com this page:
Teint irisé ladder-stitch high-neck dress, Alexander McQueen ($2,645). 8379 Melrose Ave., LA, 323-782-4983; alexandermcqueen.com. Les Cuissardes Cabriolet gloves, Perrin Paris ($850). 346 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-786-9936; perrinparis.com beauté: Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet Foundation in Beige 10 ($47), Joues Contraste Powder Brush in Malice ($45), Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Prélude ($61), Rouge Allure Intense Long-Wear Lip Colour in Coromandel ($36). 125 N. Robertson Blvd., LA, 310-278-5505; chanel.com. Bumble and Bumble Styling Lotion ($29), Thickening Hairspray ($29), Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil ($39). Chop Chop, 830 N. La Brea Ave., LA, 323-464-8100; bumble andbumble.com
Stylist: Martina Nilsson at Opus Beauty Hair by Laurent Mole at Forward Artists using Bumble and Bumble Makeup by Kathy Jeung at Forward Artists using Chanel Model: Erika at Next Management LA Photography assistance by Adam Rondou
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HIDES AND CHIC FALL’S FASHION FETISH: ÜBER-LUXE LEATHER! photography by rené
122
&
radka
styling by martina nilsson
opposite page: on erika (left):
Dress ($3,995) and top ($465), Jason Wu. Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com. on ashley (right): Vest, Iro ($1,200). 325 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-276-1885; iroparis.com. Top, Dior ($2,800). 309 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-859-4700; dior.com. Skirt, Marc Jacobs ($5,800). Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com
this page: on leah (left): Top, Escada ($4,295). South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714-957-6800; us.escada.com. on ashley (right): Jacket ($22,000) and dress ($2,400), Bottega Veneta. 457 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-858-6533; bottegaveneta.com. Flat boots, Michael Kors ($265). 360 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-777-8862; michaelkors.com
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opposite page: Vest ($1,690) and shoes ($795), Sportmax. Max Mara, 451 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-385-9343; maxmara.com. Shirt and skirt (both prices on request), Salvatore Ferragamo. 357 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-2739990; ferragamo.com. Pants, Vince ($1,250). 8471 Melrose Pl., LA, 323-782-1007; vince.com this page:
Coat, Dior ($8,800). 309 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-859-4700; dior.com. Top, Hermès ($1,525). 434 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-278-6440; hermes.com. Pants, Edun ($1,695). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com. Belt, Salvatore Ferragamo (price on request). 357 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-273-9990; ferragamo.com
opposite page:
Coat, Louis Vuitton (price on request). 295 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-859-0457; louisvuitton.com
this page, left:
Coat, Christopher Kane (price on request). Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com. Skirt, Brooks Brothers ($498). 468 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-274-4003; brooks brothers.com. Shoes, Lie Sangbong (price on request). liesangbong.com. this page, right: on ashley (left): Jacket ($2,890) and dress ($1,490), Miu Miu. 317 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-247-2227; miumiu.com. Sweater, Fendi ($750). 355 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-276-8888; fendi.com. Knee-highs, Wolford ($29). South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714-556-7900; wolfordshop.com. Heels, Ralph Lauren ($850). 444 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-281-7200; ralphlauren .com. on erica (right): Dress, Miu Miu ($1,490). see above. Top, Hermès ($1,525). 434 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-278-6440; hermes.com. Knee-high lace-ups, Porsche Design (price on request). 236 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-2050095; porsche-design.com
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opposite page: Dress ($6,100), shirt ($2,800), and shoes ($2,050), Dior. 309 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-859-4700; dior.com this page:
Jacket, Sportmax ($1,690). Max Mara, 451 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-385-9343; maxmara.com. Leather top, Fendi ($1,550). 355 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-276-8888; fendi.com. Sweater, Edun ($795). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com. Pants, Bally ($4,195). South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714-557-1914; bally.com. Shoes, Dior ($2,050). 309 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-859-4700; dior.com beauté:
Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Crayon in Blacquer ($25), Style Eye-Con No. 7 in The Vamp ($59), #Instamarc Light-Filtering Contour Powder ($49), New Nudes Sheer Lip Gel in Have We Met? ($30). 8410 Melrose Ave., LA, 323-866-3562; marcjacobsbeauty.com. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil ($39), Shine On Finishing Spray ($15). Rust Salon, 646 N. Fuller Ave., LA, 323-9337878; bumbleandbumble.com Styling by Martina Nilsson at Opus Beauty Hair by Laurent Mole at Forward Artists using Bumble and Bumble Makeup by Samuel Paul at Forward Artists using Marc Jacobs Beauty Models: Leah at LA Models, Erika at Next Management LA, and Ashley Louise at Next Management LA
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EU
ROPE
THE IT BRIT LOUISE ROE
CALIFORNIA,
HERE WE COME! IN THE QUEST FOR LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF LUXURY, EMIGRÉS OF THE FANCY VARIETY ARE SUDDENLY BYPASSING NEW YORK TO SET UP SHOP IN LOS ANGELES. LONDON MEETS SANTA MONICA! PARIS ON LA BREA! EVER BEEN TO RIO? TRY RODEO! AS THE CITY OF ANGELS MORPHS INTO A GLOBAL CAPITAL OF SUPER-CHIC INDUSTRY AND DESIGN, MEET LA’S NEW INTERNATIONAL A-LIST. By Erin Magner
Louise Roe photographed in her Beverly Hills home.
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“I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH LOS ANgELES… THE AMBIANCE, THE MOTIVATION OF PEOPLE—LIKE , ‘OH, YOU’VE gOT AN IDEA? COOL, LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN.’” —louise roe Since arriving on the West Coast, Roe has seen her career blow up, from an early stint hosting MTV makeover show Plain Jane to the inception of her year-old fashion blog and newly launched book, both titled Front Roe. “I started [the blog] because I missed working in magazines, and I think that’s an opportunity LA gave me,” says Roe, 33. “The blogging scene here compared to Europe... it’s incredible! When you take photos and you have a beautiful blue sky in the background, it makes a big difference.” This month, Roe will be back on the red carpet hosting Access Hollywood’s Emmy Awards Pre-Show and traveling to New York Fashion Week.; she’s also gearing up to debut a collaboration with an as-yet-unnamed European clothing brand. But there’s no doubt she’ll be returning to her West Hollywood sanctuary as soon as she can. “Everything I need in terms of my job, fitness, food, and lifestyle... all of that is here. It’s brilliant!” louiseroe.com
PhotograPhy by DaviD Walter banks; illustration by shutterstock.com. oPPosite Page: PhotograPhy by anna maria Zunino noellert (bing)
Need proof that LA is becoming a magnet for the international fashion pack? Just look at Louise Roe’s Instagram feed. Among the impeccably dressed cast of characters posing with the British-born style expert are celebrity stylist Anita Patrickson, who hails from South Africa; fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, originally from the Philippines; and Jasmine Yarbrough and Tamie Ingham, who emigrated from Australia to create cult shoe brand Mara & Mine. “There’s a spirit of entrepreneurialism here that’s not just within the entertainment industry,” explains Roe, a journalist, TV host, and author who moved from London to LA in 2009 after covering the Oscars as British Vogue’s digital news editor. “I just fell in love with the city. The lifestyle, the ambiance, the motivation of people—like, ‘Oh, you’ve got an idea? Cool, let’s make it happen.’”
// DRESS CODE //
continental divine
eat sheet
BON APPÉTIT! Judging by its number of new Gallicinspired restaurants, French food is once again en vogue in LA (chalk it up to an ever-growing cadre of expats trading the City of Lights for the City of Angels). For a Parisian-style dining experience with a hint of SoCal flair, don’t miss these nouveau arrivals:
AnInE BInG Fashion Designer Nationality: Danish “Scandinavian fashion is very androgynous; I think you see more personality in the way people dress in LA. But what they share is that no one is trying too hard. It’s about comfort and style at the same time. There are several great Scandinavian brands in LA, like Acne Studios (855 S. Broadway, LA, 213-243-0960; acne studios.com) and COS (357 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-734-3472; cos stores.com), but I honestly only wear my own line, Anine Bing (8130 W. Third St., LA, 323-424-3165; aninebing.com)!”
MArTA POzzAn Model/Actress/Influencer Nationality: Italian “LA is a city that encourages you to experiment—you can wear denim and an oversized blazer to feel chic and French, or overalls and sandals as if you’re hanging out somewhere in Spain. Among my favorite Italian brands are Gianvito rossi and Sara Battaglia. Elodie K. (8428 Melrose Place, LA, 323-658-5060; elodiek.com) has the best selection of both. I love beauty products by Santa Maria Novella (8411 Melrose Pl., LA, 323651-3754; santamaria novellausa.com), and also adore Moschino (8933 Beverly Blvd., LA, 818-827-5700; moschino.com).” itssuperfashion.com
DéSIréE KLEIn Fashion Designer/Stylist Nationality: German “There are many similarities between LA and Berlin; they both are cities that give you space to invent yourself. There are lots of artists and designers moving here from Europe, and everyone is very Désiréekleinstore
open to collaboration—LA has a very positive, utopian vibe! I’m lucky to have some of my favorite Berlin labels at Désiréekleinstore (1709 N. Kenmore Ave., LA; desiree klein.org). I also love the Berlin/Paris brand Bless, carried at Ooga Booga (943 N. Broadway, LA, 213-6171105; oogaboogastore.com).”
Library sunglasses, Acne Studios ($340).
say what?
hot hood
Shampista
Westside europe
noun [sham-‘pēes-tēa] Origin: Italian “Literally speaking, in Italian this means ‘shampoo giver’... basically ‘hairdresser.’ Here in LA, my Italian girlfriends and I use it to refer to someone who knows how to trick people with words by making the person feel good and listened to. It’s not far off from what a celebrity hairstylist does.” —Alice Braccini, CEO and founder of fashion PR agency Violetta Group
Best Brasserie: Terrine. From classic moules frites and côte de boeuf to an Instagram-worthy charcuterie plate, Terrine is the stuff of Francophile reveries. This hot spot gained more fire over the summer, thanks to its idyllic patio and new late-night bar menu, available until 2 am on weekends. Très Rive Gauche! 8265 Beverly Blvd., LA, 323-746-5130; terrinela.com
Santa Monica Beach has nothing on Santorini or St.-Tropez, right? Think again. “French, English, and German [expats] are really congregating in our area,” says real estate agent Tami Pardee, who specializes in luxury properties in Venice and Santa Monica (pardeeproperties.com). They like the restaurants, and having the beach right there is so unique to them.” The Euro-style walkability of LA’s beach towns is also a major factor, leading to an especially high concentration of sexy, Euro-chic accents on Abbot Kinney and in nearby Ocean Park.
Best Bakery: Pitchoun. In Provençal lingo, “pitchoun” is what you’d call a child—but the treats on offer here are anything but kids’ stuff. Expect to find croissants made with 100 percent French butter, tartines heaped with seasonal meats and veggies, and plenty of gorgeous sweets (above). The owners (pastry chef Frédéric Soulies and his wife, Fabienne), furnishings, and music are all French imports. Naturellement! 545 S. Olive St., LA, 213-689-3240; pitchounbakery.com Best Steak Frites: L’Assiette. With an oh-so-French respect for tradition, L’Assiette’s elevated prix-fixe menu consists of three variations on a theme—steak and fries. Choose from prime nebraska beef, cooked sous-vide; a daily fish selection; or marinated mushrooms, all served with hand-cut fries (which take 24 hours to prepare and cook) and topped with a sauce made from a secret recipe. 7166 Melrose Ave., LA, 323-274-2319; lassiettesteakfrites.com
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SOUTH
AM
ERICA
Mara Carrizo Scalise photographed in her Laurel Canyon home.
MARA-VILLOSA!
Like many designers from afar, when Mara Carrizo Scalise decided to take her fashion business to the next level, she moved to New York. But 15 years later, she found the sparks were fizzling between her and her adopted city. “I wanted to be close to nature,” says Scalise, 43, who originally hails from Argentina. “I was also feeling like the New York fashion industry was a bit oversaturated.” So along with her husband and two children, she upped sticks for Laurel Canyon in 2011—and hasn’t looked back. “I have really awesome designer friends here. It’s kind of like a tribe; everybody shares and grows together,” she says, citing knitwear designer Raquel Allegra, Superfine denim designer Lucy Pinter, and Velvet founders Jenny Graham and Toni Spencer as some of her
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closest compadres. Easy access to stylists and celebrities has also been fortuitous for Scalise’s brand; fans such as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Miranda Kerr are able to shop directly from the design studio (other stars who have worn Scalise’s pieces include Rihanna, Mila Kunis, and Kristin Wiig). And she’s also embraced LA manufacturing—all of her jewelry, leather goods, and home items are made locally— and retail, with stores such as Roseark and Madison showcasing the line and its homegrown ethos. “A lot of super-creative friends from Argentina have been moving to Los Angeles,” she says. “But I also have friends from Australia, Sweden, France— all over! I’ve always been very drawn to beauty—it can be nature, architecture, music, art—and there is
a little bit of all of that in Los Angeles. It’s a perfect life.” maramcs.com
“I HAVE REALLY AWESOME DESIGNER FRIENDS HERE. IT’S KIND OF LIKE A TRIBE; EVERYBODY SHARES AND GROWS TOGETHER.” —MARA CARRIZO SCALISE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID WALTER BANKS; ILLUSTRATION BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
MARA CARRIZO SCALISE
// DRESS CODE //
eat sheet
Rio gRandeuR
amazonian prime LA has no dearth of stellar Latin restaurants, offering everything from authentic regional cuisine to unexpected international influences. Here, two of the city’s top chefs—both born in Peru—spotlight some of the city’s best South American-inspired spots: Ricardo Zarate Private Chef; Three-time James Beard Award nominee (formerly Picca, Mo-Chica, Paiche) “My favorite Peruvian restaurants in Los Angeles are El Rocoto (11433 South St., Cerritos, 562-924-1919; elrocoto.com) and Pollo a la Brasa (764 Western Ave., LA, 213-387-1531; polloalabrasa.net)— they’re the most traditional and remind me of home. I also like Café Brasil in Culver City for authentic Brazilian (10831 Venice Blvd., LA, 310-837-8957; cafe-brasil.com).”
It’s easy to spot a BrazIlIan gIrl In la—the caramel tan, the tousled haIr, and an outfIt that’s the perfect comBInatIon of laId-Back and lIBIdInous. to help socal gals capture some of that sartorIal magIc, Ilana Kugel—the rIo de JaneIro-Born creatIve dIrector of la’s Koral actIvewear—presents a few of the style staples from her home country that translate perfectly to the west coast... Go Brazilian in LA with this yoga- and Pilates-friendly jumpsuit by Koral Activewear.
Creative Director Ilana Kugel talks shop.
The bar at Blue Plate Oysterette.
Paolo Bendez’u Executive Chef, Blue Plate Oysterette “Fresh, raw fish was a huge part of the cuisine I grew up with, so one of my go-to spots is actually Nobu (903 N. La Cienega Blvd., LA, 310-657-2900; noburestaurants.com). Chef Matsuhisa spent years running a sushi bar in Peru. I try to incorporate [the Peruvian influence myself] at Blue Plate Oysterette (8048 W. Third St., LA, 323-656-5474; blueplatesantamonica.com). We have a ceviche based on an old recipe [from] my family’s restaurant back home.”
by the numbers
90272
The zip code of Pacific Palisades, which is one of the top locations in which South American expats—namely those from Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, and Bolivia—are buying homes in LA, according to Santiago Arana of The Agency (theagencyre.com).
“alexandre Birman is a Brazilian shoe designer whose family has been in the footwear industry since the 1970s. he started his namesake collection in 2008 and makes really luxurious, handcrafted shoes. he has a big celebrity following—his shoes are my favorite splurge!” Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211; saks.com “In Brazil, women have worn jumpsuits during workouts since I can remember. this trend has now started to catch on here in the us—I design a jumpsuit for Koral activewear each season, and it’s one of my favorite pieces. It’s great for workouts like yoga and pilates, since you don’t have to worry about your top moving around or your leggings riding down.” Ron Robinson at Fred Segal, 8118 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323-651-1935; ronrobinson.com “I think every Brazilian woman has a nice piece of jewelry from H.Stern... the pieces are fabulous! I love Brazilian jewelry because they use a lot of natural stones and unique designs.” Saks Fifth Avenue, see above
salud!
wine of the times South AMerICAn WIneS, SPeCIFICALLy vArIetALS FroM ArgentInA And ChILe, Are hAvIng A MoMent In SoCAL. SAntIAgo-Born SoCCer PLAyer-turned-LA-BASed WIne IMPorter And vIntner AlEx GuARAChi gIveS uS the SCooP. Why should Angelenos be paying attention to South American wines right now? Countries like Chile and Argentina over-deliver. For the money you pay, you get a better wine than you would from France or Italy. these are wines that are bold, rich, and not too tannic.... you get a glass of Argentinian Malbec or Chilean Cabernet and you think, I could drink a whole bottle of this! Which regions are particularly hot? Mendoza in Argentina, where the finest Malbecs are grown... they’re the best in the entire world. And then, in Chile, you’ve got Colchagua producing amazing Cabernets, Merlots, and Carménères; Leyda is a bit more coastal and turns out some fantastic Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot noirs. Any lA restaurants with great South American wine lists? Some Latin-American spots are Malbec (1001 E. Green St., Pasadena, 626-683-0550; malbec cusine.com) and ushuaia (2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-315-5457; ushuaiasteakhouse.com). other restaurants that do great business with our South American wines are Boa Steakhouse (101 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-899-4466; innovativedining.com) and Mastro’s (246 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-888-8782; mastrosrestaurants.com). guarachiwinepartners.com
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the gour-mate When chef Curtis Stone first arrived in LA a decade ago, he didn’t think he’d be here for long. He’d film the pilot for Take Home Chef, maybe produce a season or two, and then possibly return to Australia, where he was born, or London, where he’d worked under the legendary Marco Pierre White. After all, the food scene in LA wasn’t the phenomenon then that it is now. “If I’m being really honest, I was underwhelmed,” says Stone, 39. “I got here and the menus seemed pretty generic.” But that pilot turned into a 140-episode series, and by the time it wrapped in 2008, its star was starting to see LA dining in a new light. “There’s a very different attitude in LA’s high-end restaurants now,” he says. “The guard’s really changed.” In 2014, Stone threw his own hat into the ring with his first restaurant, Maude (212 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-859-3418; mauderestaurant.com)—a wildly popular space with menus that focus on a single ingredient and change each month. “To me, LA is so special because of its ingredients,” explains Stone. “I can get root vegetables out of the high desert, I can buy the most unbelievable tomatoes from San Diego, and I quite literally go out and pick flowers and herbs and vegetables from my garden at
“IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WORD IS OUT IN AUSTRALIA ABOUT LOS ANGELES… I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS WHO ARE MOVING OUT HERE!” —curtis stone
Chef Curtis Stone photographed in his Beverly Hills home.
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home and take them into the restaurant. There’s this real farmer community that’s alive and well, and that’s not something you find all over the world.” The chef also collects inspiration from his multiculti kitchen staff, which has included chefs from Belgium, England, Colombia, and Guatemala. And although he doesn’t know of many other Aussies on the LA food scene yet, he doesn’t think that will be the case for long. “It sounds like the word is out in Australia about Los Angeles… I have a lot of friends who are either visiting or moving out here,” says Stone, whose own brother is relocating to SoCal to help him open a new restaurant in Hollywood this winter. “It’s certainly changing, that’s for sure.” LAC
photography by ray Kachatorian; illustration by shutterstocK.com. opposite page: photography by Daniel collopy (e.p.&l.p.); Jesus banuelos (terrine)
curtis stone
// CHEERS! //
HOW TO PARTY LIKE AN AUSSIE CALL IT A STEREOTYPE, but as most down-under denizens will tell you, their compatriots are always up for a good time. In this spirit of sunny hedonism, two of LA’s Australian-born hospitality hotshots show us how to have a Sydney-style night out without leaving LA. E.P. & L.P.’s rooftop deck offers great views of the H’wood Hills.
Spend the “morning after” at Terrine.
The food and drink are both must-haves at Eveleigh.
Grant Smillie DJ and co-owner of E.P. & L.P. “The biased option is to start your night at E.P. & L.P. (603 N. La Cienega Blvd., LA, 310-855-9955; eplos angeles.com). Our executive chef, Louis Tikaram, was named the prestigious 2014 Josephine Pignolet Young Chef of the Year, and the food is unique to our culture. With an enormous rooftop deck and great views of the Hollywood Hills, why would you want to have a drink inside? If you’re after a stiff late-night tipple, I love the Roger Room (370 N. La Cienega Blvd., LA, 310-854-1300; theroger room.com). It reminds me of the old dive bars in Melbourne with great bartenders. Terrine (8265 Beverly Blvd., LA, 323-746-5130; terrinela.com) is a favorite of ours the next day to soak up the night before. Their deviled eggs are the bomb!” Nick Mathers Co-owner of Eveleigh and Goldie’s “In Australia, I believe we have a great ability to combine a lively drinking scene with a well-rounded food scene. The LA spots that embrace this are (of course) Eveleigh (8752 W. Sunset Blvd., LA, 424-239-1630; theeveleigh.com), The Tasting Kitchen (1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310-392-6644; thetasting kitchen.com), and Laurel Hardware (7984 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 323-656-6070; laurel hardware.com). The best hangover brunch is at Gjusta (320 Sunset Ave., Venice, 310-314-0320; gjusta.com)— sitting on a crate eating an egg sandwich and drinking coffee reminds me of the good old days in Bondi and Darlinghurst!”
culture club
HITTING THEIR MARKS “The difference between Australian and American artists is that a lot of our film and TV actors, directors, and writers happen to be from the theater,” says Nick Hardcastle, himself an Australian-born actor living in LA. To give his fellow industry expats an outlet for their first love, he and actor Nate Jones gave birth to the Australian Theatre Company last year, which launched with a nearly sold-out, award-nominated production of critically-acclaimed love story Holding the Man. The company has since achieved 501(c) (3) not-for-profit status, which will allow it to raise money for workshops, educational seminars, and a new playwrights’ award; two new productions are also on the books for 2016. “LA is such an amazing melting pot of creativity—anything is possible in this place because of the people,” says Hardcastle. “Everybody just wants to be a part of something and see it grow. So, for us, it’s kind of a no-brainer why we’re doing this!” australiantheatrecompany.com
dress code
THREAD ALERT Picture LA’s surf style with a splash of London ingenuity and New York cool, and you’ll realize why the fashion and beauty coming out of Australia is so very hot. Lucky for us, scores of the best Antipodean brands are starting to set up shop in SoCal—these four destinations are not to be missed: Best for Swimwear: Zimmermann Romantic without being saccharine, these suits are so exquisite you’ll want to wear them both on and off the sand. The brand’s LA flagship also carries its seasonal collections of sandals, cover-ups, and ready-to-wear for women. 110 S. Robertson Blvd., LA, 310285-9680; zimmermannwear.com Best for Indie Brands: Aust. Australian transplant Hannah Wang and Canadian expat Kristin Fedyk teamed up to pay tribute to independent Australian men’s and women’s designers, stocking brands such as Camilla and Marc, Zanerobe, and Ksubi Eyewear in their beachside hideaway. 1617 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310-873-3303; thisisaust.com
D&M
Best for Beauty: Aesop Come for the seriously cool store design, but stay for the potent, plant-powered skin, hair, and body potions—all infused with heavenly scents. No wonder Aesop has been a staple on the Australian beauty scene for almost 30 years. Locations in Venice, West Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Downtown; aesop.com
“It stands for ‘deep and meaningful,’ like when you get into a conversation and talk about the meaning of life. You could be drunk at a party with a stranger and talking about religion— that’s getting into a D&M.” —Hannah Wang, co-owner of Aust.
Best for Celeb Style Stalking: BNKR This brand-new Downtown megaboutique carries a range of Australian labels worn and loved by the likes of Cara Delevingne, Jessica Alba, and Solange Knowles. Expect plenty of on-trend goods from brands such as C/MEO Collective, Finders Keepers, and Keepsake. 901 S. Broadway, LA, 213-290-9282; us.fashionbunker.com
say what?
noun [de-n(d)-em] Origin: Australian
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Luxe .
20 The Luxury Education Foundation’s board members and leaders of our favorite iconic brands—Dior, Graff, Chanel, Hermès, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Lalique—talk about new strategies, core values, and how fresh talent is driving success. moderated by Hitha Herzog illustrations by Jessica May Underwood photography by Tanya Malott
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Los Angeles Confidential recently sat down with the CEOs and presidents of top luxury brands to get their read on the new luxury economy, how millennials will impact this vital industry, and what’s hot in the luxury sector across the US. The gathering dovetailed with the tenth anniversary of the Luxury Education Foundation [LEF], a public, not-forprofit organization that focuses on educational programs for design and business students at both the undergraduate (Parsons School of Design) and graduate (Columbia Business School) level. The programs, studying the creation and marketing of luxury goods, also allow students to learn about this highly competitive sector of retailing by interacting with senior executives from iconic firms. In turn, these firms benefit by gaining fresh perspectives about their brands from a new generation of talent.
want students to understand that. Today, when you have Raf Simons designing, he’s very involved in the art world so he collaborates with artists to create fabric for dresses—it modernizes the process. The 2008 financial crisis impacted all market sectors. How did your consumer change during the last five to seven years? RC: I would say nothing changed for Hermès. We found that even during the crisis customers were willing to invest in certain items. The 2008 holiday season was a very interesting time because we saw very loyal clients still wanting to purchase those investment pieces. VO: We learned that we are not recession-proof. Customers weren’t shopping at the same level. But here’s the thing: For brands like ours—true luxury brands—you don’t start manipulating or changing your approach. So we took a little bit of a hit in 2008, but I think we rebounded very quickly because we didn’t change our formula.
Hitha Herzog: Tell us about your relationship to LEF and how your involvement has benefited your brand. Robert Chavez: It’s really great to get a new perspective from students. Sometimes when we’ve presented projects and they come back with their observations we think, Wow, we never looked at it that way. This fall we’ll ask them to focus on the traditional Hermès scarf and come up with new ideas to market and wear it, and to present the scarf digitally in unique and innovative ways.
Maz Zouhairi: It was similar with us. In 2010 things turned around, and 2011 and 2012 were better years. I would say that the recession did remind us that we have to be relevant, exciting, and fresh to today’s world and time. Luxury is a dream, not a necessity.
Vincent Ottomanelli: We learn what the students’ perceptions of our brand are from the outside looking in, so we benefit from learning how we can communicate to different generations. Barbara Cirkva: What’s so interesting with LEF is how the program has expanded. Obviously, we are famous for the Master Class [where luxury brands and their executives work on case studies involving current business situations] and now, over the last several years, we have added five or six new programs. Just 10 days ago, we hosted 25 students from Columbia Business School at Chanel. They spent the day with us so that, from their standpoint, they can understand what happens every day in the world of luxury. What was so rewarding for us on the Chanel side was having the opportunity to interact with the students and learn what was important to them. The DIY culture has taken root strongly with millennials in this country. Are American students interested in developing craftsmanship skills? Or do you find that more likely to happen in Europe? RC: When you visit the ateliers in France, you’ll be surprised at how youthful many of the new craftspeople are. There’s been this surge in interest of people wanting to do something with their hands, whether it’s making jewelry, working with silk, or stitching leather. With LEF we’re always looking for new programs to offer students, just like the craftsmanship program we launched this year, the 10th program in our 10th year. Pamela Baxter: Students need to be exposed to luxury from the very beginning. You can’t separate craftsmanship from the brand because it goes back to the beginning of the brand. If you take Dior, for example, it goes back to Christian creating and designing for the brand, and you
Moderator: HITHA HERZOG Retail Analyst and Contributor, Fox Business Network Panelists: HEnRI BARGuIRDjIAn USA CEO and President, Graf PAMELA BAXTER CEO and President, LVMH Perfumes and Cosmetics North America BARBARA CIRkVA Division President of Fashion, Chanel ROBERT CHAVEZ CEO and President, Hermès VInCEnT OTTOMAnELLI President and Regional Director, Salvatore Ferragamo MAZ ZOuHAIRI CEO and President, Lalique North America
Millennials, the so-called first generation of “digital natives,” are projected to be the biggest generation of spenders since the boomers. However, millennials are dealing with economic issues boomers didn’t have —a long-term slow-growth economy, which is postponing their arrival at certain levels of affluence. They have more debt and less spending power than other generations did at equivalent ages. How are you marketing to them versus how you market to boomers or their successors, Gen X? PB: If you look at brands like Chanel and Dior, we are seeing new, young couture clients every day. There is always going to be that customer where there’s no price ceiling—they want something that’s exclusive to them. RC: Maybe we’re not seeing as many millennials as we’d like to. And those we do see are at an entry price point. So
“Communicating with social media makes our lives easier because you get instant reaction.” —henri barguirdjian, usa ceo and president, graff Graff necklace
LUXE ET VERITAS
The Luxury Education Foundation enlightens the next generation of emerging talent and tomorrow’s leaders.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Luxury Education Foundation (LEF) was established to help students acquire the specialized skills needed to succeed in luxury Salvatore Ferragamo heel
retail. Since LEF’s founding, over 500 students from
it’s their first scarf, first tie, first watch. Regardless of age, there is one consistency: People are genuinely interested in quality and craftsmanship. They want something that is very well made, that’s going to last a long time. But, for example, in the case of ties, a younger customer wants a thinner tie—same quality, just thinner. BC: I think it’s less a generational issue than a lifestyle issue. There are certain badges of honor you want to acquire at different stages in your life. For some individuals it might be 10 days at an Aman resort. For other people, it’s going to be a Chanel haute couture dress, or handbag, or something from Dior or Lalique. But it’s much more individual than it was in the boomer years, where there was more consistency to “what’s your first badge, what’s your second badge?” Today, it’s based more on personality and lifestyle. MZ: It’s also about having collaborations that are relevant to a younger audience. All brands are searching for ways to be relevant to millennials. In terms of being more relevant, I recently visited a Graff store in Las Vegas and found Beats by Dre headphones with Graff diamonds on them! Henri Barguirdjian: The idea of doing something with Beats by Dre was a cool way to show that we’re not old and stodgy, we can also be hip—so there you go. It was a fun collaboration. VO: It’s interesting what you did with the Beats product. The heritage of our brands is about product. I don’t think it’s necessarily generational; it’s about the quality and the craftsmanship that each of our brands represent. We have been around for over 100 years and everything we do has to be product-focused and then secondly, it is how can we communicate that to stimulate [interest from] different generations?
Columbia Business School and Parsons School of Design have taken courses focusing on the creation and marketing of luxury goods; about half have gone on to work in the sector. The number of executives and brands involved—among them Cadillac, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton—has grown exponentially over the last decade, much like the global goods market itself (a $950 billion industry in 2014). The LEF program offers 10 classes, from Corporate Classroom, in which students spend the day at the headquarters of luxury brands for a glimpse of day-today operations, to a new Luxury Craftsmanship Workshop established this year, where design students
What do you think are the priorities for luxury customers today? Have buying patterns changed? Lifestyles are more casual. Everything is global. RC: People want to make a subtler statement. Society has become a bit over the top in terms of celebrity status.
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participate in a two-week program with master artisans from LEF brands. But it’s in CONTINUED ON PAGE 140
I’m just fascinated by this. It’s like how much less can you wear to a black-tie affair today? And it’s getting crazier and crazier. So you know it’s reaching a tipping point with people starting to think, Wow, where does this all end? I think the real big change with millennials is the concept of less is more. They don’t want lots of anything, just a few very good things. And fortunately for us, it plays into who we are. If you’re just going to have one, let me have the best one that I can have. MZ: It depends on the audience. Some younger consumers are attracted by celebrities and that’s their way into a luxury brand like Graff or Lalique. Our classic, luxury consumer varies as well. There are those who want the limited, one-of-a-kind product and there are those who want something not limited but with the same levels of craftsmanship and effort behind the design. HB: Our customers want pieces that are understated but with gems of extreme rarity and quality. Nothing ostentatious—I hate to use the word “bling.” What is the consumer buying in the luxury category? What are the hottest items to have this year? BC: We are seeing growth in ready-to-wear and, more specifically, in knitwear. Additionally, shoes continue to be an area of growth for the brand, and the newest US Chanel boutiques feature dedicated shoe salons, which showcase the breadth of the shoe collection. RC: Our single-best category this year is the home area. We are finding an exorbitant interest and increase in our home business—decorative items, accessories, furniture. It seems that people really want this Hermès lifestyle in their homes. HB: There is such scarce supply to demand, and our customers are looking for pieces with great rarity and value. This year our Butterfly line [where gems for jewelry and timepieces are crafted with butterfly shapes] has done extremely well. MZ: We’re investing significantly in the Lalique Art Division. Collaborations with the Yves Klein Foundation, Anish Kapoor, Zaha Hadid, Rembrandt Bugatti, Elton John, and Damien Hirst have helped drive interest from a younger customer. What does the luxury customer want today and how are you addressing these wants? HB: I think that there are two things happening. Number one, new consumers have educated themselves very quickly and their Hermès scarf
Moderator Hitha Herzog greets Maz Zouhairi as (from left) Barbara Cirkva, Vincent Ottomanelli, and Pamela Baxter look on. top right: Baxter. bottom right: Robert Chavez.
“The hottest [luxury] market right now? Definitely Los Angeles. And I would include South Coast Plaza in Orange County as well.” —barbara cirkva, division president of fashion, chanel
Chanel clutch Henri Barguirdjian discusses the current luxury market. left: Barbara Cirkva.
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the Master Class that students, who work on a design and marketing case study prepared by a luxury firm, might see their efforts make it to the marketplace. This year, for instance, participants involved in a Lalique case study repurposed the iconic Mossi vase design as a shot glass. Other groups created My Dior handbag
Travel Games, a carrier for Loro Piana’s board game
knowledge of our world and our product is very impressive. If anything, the whole new way of communicating with social media makes our lives easier because you get instant reaction whether you are doing something right or wrong. Usually you hear much more about the wrong than the right, but it doesn’t matter. It’s information that is thrown out there by the thousands, which before, you had no way of knowing. It becomes an important element of how we react to our clients. BC: When we survey customers after a shopping experience in our own stores, one thing that’s always consistent, and I’m always amazed that it doesn’t change, is how they are hungry for more of the story. When you say, what would have made your experience better? It’s always that they want to know more of the story. The story of the brand, or Coco Chanel, or that handbag... Today, brands are global, but how do you market to your customers differently from city to city? How does the product mix differ from store to store? PB: I think it’s a matter of lifestyle, so yes, we do merchandise the stores very differently. For example, in Miami, they like a lot more color. VO: Believe it or not, we sell more shearling coats in South Beach than we do in New York City. So you have to be ready for surprises like that in every market. BC: We all just have one brand collection, so we don’t create specific things for other markets, but we might tailor our assortments for them. But I have to say, if there’s something that’s really hot and key on the runway, it’s hot everywhere, everybody wants it. So if it’s very heavyweight, and you’re in California, you still have to have it. HB: Jewelry moves much more slowly than fashion; we don’t have six collections a year. The trends in jewelry go from decade to decade. When you acquire a piece of high jewelry, there has to be a perennial aspect to it, that it’s going to work for years, and eventually become a
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family heirloom. Having said that, yes, you sell much more conservative, understated jewelry in Chicago. The Beats by Dre items are fun in Vegas. You’ll sell more colorful jewelry in Florida than you do in other places. MZ: In Miami, where there’s a more Latin influence, there are other aspects that depend on lifestyle. The Latin culture is much more about weddings. What are your hottest markets right now? BC: Definitely Los Angeles. We’re in Beverly Hills. I would include South Coast Plaza as well. Southern California has been very, very strong for us and continues to be. Miami is strong right now, too, and about to get even stronger with the Design District shaping up. Is it primarily a local clientele in Los Angeles? BC: Los Angeles is about 55 or 60 percent local because Beverly Hills draws from a broad, international tourist/ visitor base as well.
collection, or responded to Van Cleef & Arpels’ challenge to create jewelry pieces with a spring theme. Ketty Pucci-Sisti Maisonrouge, president of LEF, notes that the Master Class “allows students to
How has corporate sustainability factored into the marketing of your brand? HB: It’s part of our DNA and part of what we do. The jewelry industry in particular has been targeted more than others. It forced the industry, in general, and then the individual companies, to send out the message that [we need to change] the way we do things. PB: Younger generations and particularly the millennials are very interested in sustainable practices and ask a
experience why a true collaboration between design and business is the basis for success in the luxury industry.” Some project results are so spot-on they are picked up by the firms: One LEF team took Hermès’ Balcon du Guadalquivir porcelain pattern and transferred it to an enamel bracelet (SHOWN BELOW). Today it is an Hermès best seller. —Suzanne Charlé
FROM LEFT:
Barguirdjian, Cirkva, Ottomanelli, Baxter, and Zouhairi.
“We have to be relevant, exciting, and fresh to today’s world and time. Luxury is a dream, not a necessity.”
LA: A CUTTING EDGE ABOVE For stylish Angelenos, luxury means limitless possibilities. by erin magner
In thIs town, luxury shoppIng Is full of only-in-LA moments. Where else is it perfectly acceptable to pop into Louis Vuitton and Chanel wear-
—maz zouhairi, ceo and president, lalique
ing ripped jeans and a 20-year-old t-shirt? In what other city can one try
north america
many times have you walked into Barneys and heard eight different lan-
Lalique vase
lot of questions about where you’re sourcing materials, or how you’re producing. All our companies that have been around for 50 to 100 years have to have responsibility, credibility, and followthrough on these topics, because they are going to get more and more important as the customer gets younger. BC: Another aspect of sustainability is an approach we started taking 10 years ago, of buying small artisan [businesses] where the craft itself was in danger of becoming extinct. I think many of you have done the same thing. Mr. Lagerfeld creates the Métiers d’art collection once a year (see page 49)—that only uses those five to six specialist houses. When we think about sustainability long-term, and for all of us, the story of our brand is so much tied to what is unique and special, that giving these people a lifeline, if you will, to continue their craft is what it’s about as well. LAC
on $500 sneakers in Charlie Chaplin’s former dance studio (Opening Ceremony) or Howard Hughes’ one-time HQ (Just One Eye)? And how
guages (none of them English) before reaching the second floor? Clearly, LA’s luxury retailers and their disciples are in a class of their own, but their distinct brands of outrageousness have changed markedly in recent years. “Before the recession, more was more in LA,” says Nicole Pollard Bayme, founder and CEO of A-plus-list personal shopping, styling, and concierge service lalaluxe (lalaluxe.com). “But in the last few years, I find my clients are more humble about their wealth—they prefer a bespoke, handcrafted, or artisanal piece over a logo. They are less brand-conscious than the rest of the country... and the rest of the world, for that matter.” In Pollard Bayme’s case, those clients are a mix of local hot shots and international power players, which reflects LA’s new status as a hub for the nomadic style squad (see “california,
here we come !” on page
130).
“A lot of my clients are jet-setters; even if they have their base in LA, they’re all over the place,” seconds Greg Simonian, fourth-generation president of fine timepiece haven westime (westime.com). “Others have second homes here. I’m getting a lot of customers from Southeast Asia—Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong—and also Western Europe.” So how are local luxury destinations adapting to this
“My LA clients are more humble about their wealth—they prefer a bespoke, handcrafted, or artisanal piece over a logo.” —nicole pollard bayme,
founder and ceo, lalaluxe
new breed of urbane LA shopper? At neiman Marcus Beverly hills (neimanmarcus.com), which is in the midst of a floor-toceiling reinvention, it’s about giving clients service on par with that of a private-island resort. “Now, more than ever, the experience defines [a brand],” says Gretchen Pace, vice president and general manager of the iconic department store. “If a client is very busy, we can send a tailor or someone to do fittings. People have less time than ever, and they really appreciate it when we can meet them where they need us.” When its face-lift is complete in 2016, Neiman Marcus’ shoppers will be privy to amenities like a Champagne bar on the shoe floor, three new spa rooms for custom beauty treatments, and a fragrance gallery with dozens of exclusive scents. “I don’t think the standards of the LA shopper have ever changed— they want the very best and they want it first,” adds Pollard Bayme. “But I do think they are becoming more connected to the world and how their pieces are made.... LA is on the forefront of a new way of thinking.”
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Dorri discovered her spark – now discover yours with a week of Chicago Ideas. From October 12 to 18, join a community of curiosity in which hundreds of the world’s brightest minds host inspiring talks and hands-on labs across the city of Chicago. Tickets on sale now at chicagoideas.com.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY TICKETS JUST $15
Photo Credit: Saverio Truglia Photography
DORRI MCWHORTER // CEO YWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
HAUTE PROPERTY Abode & Beyond
At the august age of 27, Belgian-born interior designer Maxime Jacquet is already making a mark in the crowded field of LA design. After honing his skills on the late Christian Audigier’s interior design team, Jacquet, who moved to the US just seven years ago, expanded his portfolio to include projects for David Guetta and Paula Abdul, along with a $5.3 million model apartment at The Carlyle Residences on Wilshire Boulevard. This month, he’s tackling his first hospitality project—French pastry shop Bo Nuage’s Beverly Hills outpost. We spoke to him about how fashion drives interior design and his “bad boy” reputation.
Maxime au Maximum! photography by tigran tovmasyan (jacquet, penthouse); anthony barcelo (the carlyle residences); jeFF ong (clinton residence)
Designer MaxiMe Jacquet is pushing LA interior Design to the eDge… of chic. By Allyson Rees
Luxurious throws from Hermès and Louis Vuitton serve as counterpoints to whimsical touches like neon and cartoon murals in this penthouse designed by Maxime Jacquet (pictured above). A Carlyle Residences apartment designed by Jacquet to be sold “as is” for $5.3 million.
the grand living room of the Clinton Residence in Beverly Hills. Jacquet says he gave the vintage-style ’70s home a “graceful” designer’s update.
How would you describe your aesthetic? It’s not something you can label as “modern” or “classic.” It’s a mix of a little bit of everything— pieces that maybe don’t belong together on paper, but in life represent emotions. I like to tell a story through what I do. Your projects have strong references to fashion. I like to inspire myself with fashion because it’s always going faster and faster. It’s a never-ending ride—it keeps on turning. The design industry is changing and is becoming similar. People no longer think, Is this piece going to last me a lifetime? They are more open to change. What are your favorite fashion periods to reference? I love the 1950s and ’60s because there’s a lot of experimenting with fabrics and materials. But I also love the ’80s because of the extravagance, and the 1920s because it’s so elegant…. It’s really not just about a certain period; it’s about a moment. Take, for example, a picture of Brigitte Bardot—that moment, that fashion, that hairstyle—that is what is inspiring. What are some of your favorite local design resources? Los Angeles is “Candy Land” for me. It’s one of the only cities where you can find anything at any price. The Rose Bowl Flea Market is something that I particularly adore. You can buy something that you may not see anywhere else, and since I work with so many clients, I always want to have something exclusive. I love Sherle Wagner (839 N. La Cienega Blvd., LA, 310-358-9095; sherlewagner.com) for hardware. They’ve been producing designs for so many years, so there are many different references— everything from Art Deco to very traditional, bronze detail work. I also like Twentieth (7470 Beverly Blvd., LA, 323-904-1200; twentieth.net) because they have high-end, one-of-a kind-pieces—most are of an edition of four or five. How did you earn the title “the bad boy of design”? I know exactly who I am and I stand up for it. I am right on the edge, and I’m happy to be there! LAC
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HAUTE PROPERTY Trends
Eclecti-city
Mixing it up(scale)! Designer Jason Martin (BELOW LEFT) flaunts his quirky, over-thetop aesthetic in his jewel-like shop, Martin & Brockett (HERE AND BELOW).
When Jason Martin decided to move on from his role as design director at Kristen Buckingham’s design firm, the goal wasn’t to become a one-note showroom owner. Instead, Martin has taken his modestly proportioned Pico Boulevard space, called Martin & Brockett, and filled it with a hard-to-label mix of old and new finds that range from rustic to glossy and traditional to modern. “This space is just too small to jump on a trend, which isn’t what I want to do anyhow,” says Martin. “In fact, I sort of purposefully created a space where there isn’t a thread connecting it all.” If there is a through line, it’s that every item—from the Biedermeier dressers to the plein-air paintings—strikes the Amarillo, Texas-born designer’s eye. “I wanted all kinds of people to walk in and find something,” says Martin, who has also sprinkled the space with pieces from his own collection, also named Martin & Brockett. The line includes mostly tables and lamps, which, just like the store, defy easy description. “I wanted to make classic pieces that people could figure out how to use on their own,” says Martin, who describes many of the striking side and occasional tables as being “a mix of traditional woods used in modern shapes.” Mixing materials in unexpected ways—try oak and patina brass in his Circles entry table—is part of the allure. While the front of the light-filled showroom offers an always-evolving mix of furniture, art, lighting, and accessories, Martin’s design studio takes up the back part of the space. There, he juggles a handful of equally eclectic interior design projects that range from modern to Mission-style. “I gave up on being one look a while ago,” he says. “To me this is much more interesting.” 5449 W. Pico Blvd., LA, 323-879-9395; martinandbrockett.com LAC
OUT OF THE CLOSET California Closets’ latest Lago Sorrento line channels a whole-grain appeal that’s got enough design cred to step beyond the walk-in and into public rooms in the house. In this library (RIGHT), shelving conquers clutter and creates a rustic-chic ambience. Inspired by colors and patterns found in nature, the new collection of shelving is actually made of laminated particleboard—but with its organic-looking patterns and texture, it gladly keeps company with all types of wood. californiaclosets.com
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A new shelf life: California Closets’ latest offering is fit for a gentleman’s librar y.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF STEPHEN BUSKEN (MARTIN & BROCKETT)
FOR MARTIN & BROC ETT, L.A. STYLE IS ALL ABOUT THE MIX. BY ALEXANDRIA ABRAMIAN
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HAUTE PROPERTY Spotlight In the mix: This season, forgo the matchy-matchy and opt for this West Elm coffee table, which pairs a marble top with an antique brass-finished spun-metal base ($599). 8366 Beverly Blvd., LA, 323-782-9672; westelm.com
Madiero pendant light, made from bleached driftwood and white lacquer, Lusive (price on request). 3400 Medford St., LA, 323-2279207; lusive.com
A THOROUGHLY MODERN MASH-UP THIS SEASON, OPPOSITE MATERIALS ATTRACT! BY ALEXANDRIA ABRAMIAN
Wood and marble cheese board with knife, WilliamsSonoma ($60). 339 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-274-9127; williams-sonoma.com
Lucite and brass Barcelona floor lamp, Jonathan Adler ($1,095). 8125 Melrose Ave., LA, 323-6588390; jonathanadler.com
Call it the ultimate in conscious coupling for home design: The coolest craze to hit the décor scene is the latest crop of unexpected material meet-ups. Pair Lucite and lacquer, rustic luxe fabrics with high-glam plastics, or industrial-inspired steel with fresh-from-the-forest woods. So forget all about playing-it-safe, one-note décor: This season it’s all about sexy and stylish hookups made from the most unlikely material Allard end table made of sugar maple wood and mates. So are you ready to swipe right for the latest in must-have home pieces? Here steel, Room & Board are some of the best ways to get a piece of the action. LAC ($429). 8707 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310-7369100; roomandboard.com
Wood, concrete, and metal Bonham dining table, HD Buttercup ($3,295). 3225 Helms Ave., LA, 310-558-8900; hdbuttercup.com
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Acrylic and stainless steel Kazan club chair, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams ($2,530). 242 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310691-7910; mgbwhome.com
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Midnight at the Oasis Let the party begin! eternaLLy cooL paLm SpringS comeS aLive after the heat of day paSSeS. By Kathy a. McDonalD
Night moves! The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs offers a Vegas-like experience for denizens of the night, and will soon acquire a shot of Old Hollywood glamour with the opening of the haute nightspot Bardot.
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Restaurant & Stage (1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr., 760322-4422; purpleroompalmsprings.com) brings cabaret-style entertainment in a hidden lounge to the sleepy end of Palm Canyon Drive; the Amigo Room (701 E. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-325-9900; ace hotel.com/palmsprings) at the Ace Hotel (in a former Googie-style Denny’s) features rotating nights of DJs, live music, karaoke, and bingo; and Hollywood’s Bardot will open soon at the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs (150 S. Indian Canyon Dr., 760-3259676; hrhpalmsprings.com), a major coup for the resort, which since its opening in late 2013, has offered a Las Vegas-like experience for night owls.
photography courtesy of the hard rock hotel palm springs. opposite page: Valentine freeman (reunion); Jaime kowal photography (bootlegger tiki); barbara kraft (la quinta)
A weekend in Palm Springs can be deliciously eclectic: boozy days by the pool, sports aplenty, midcentury antiquing, and decadent nights out. There’s an endless mix of pleasure-inducing pursuits. Through it all, the towering Mt. San Jacinto provides an iconic—magical—backdrop. The Coachella Valley’s current resurgence—new hotels, designer shopping, refreshed architecture—is evident on every street corner. After dark, there’s an evolution underway too, with a spate of new, coolerthan-thou restaurants, bars, and clubs. A vintage sensibility infuses some of the latest hot spots. The reborn, 1960-built Purple Room
Mad in PalM SPringS “One Mad Chef ” Jimmy Schmidt reinvents fine dining at La Quinta. Executive chef Jimmy Schmidt of Morgan’s in the Desert (the signature restaurant at the La Quinta Resort & Club) is at the forefront of Palm Springs’ fne-dining revolution. His e-mail moniker, One Mad Chef, betrays his passion to reengineer food, deepen favors, and, most importantly, make food nutritious. “We do a lot of crazy stuff,” says Schmidt. In the last six years, the
At Bootlegger Tiki, kicky cocktails and a kitschy, Don the Beachcomber décor uphold the tiki tradition, right down to the bartenders’ tattoos. left, from top: Reunion with DJ Day stirs up the crowd at the Amigo Room; the entrance to La Quinta Resort & Club, which has been a H’wood hideaway since 1926.
chef has completely changed how the restaurant sources ingredients and prepares its menu. From animal aging (and using all cuts) to making the restaurant’s favored salts, oils, pastas, dressings, and sauces to creating one-of-a-kind specials, Schmidt is a one-man culinary
“palm springs is an experience all its own, with distinctive architecture, hollywood lure, and natural beauty unlike anywhere else.”—chris pardo
cowboy. For instance, his white truffe “risotto” uses creamy celery root in place of starchy rice. “It offers better favor and has a much better nutritional profle,” explains Schmidt.
“Palm Springs is an experience all its own, with distinctive architecture, Hollywood lure, and natural beauty unlike anywhere else,” says architect Chris Pardo of Chris Pardo Design Elemental Architecture. His ongoing Palm Springs projects include the 32-room Arrive Hotel (to open in late 2015, backed by Facebook investor Ezra Callahan) and key elements of the under-construction, downtown-mall remake— the eventual home of a Kimpton Hotel. Just since 2011, Pardo has witnessed “a renaissance in watering holes and food establishments,” although dive bars like the Fireside Lounge (696 s. oleander road, 760-3271700) near the airport still attract patrons due to their regular “interesting characters.” “Because Palm Springs is close to Los Angeles, yet in the middle of the desert—that creates something really unique and unconventional,” echoes Joshua Katz, creative director of Proper Hospitality, the company behind the recent transformation of the Viceroy Hotel Palm Springs into the Avalon Hotel (415 s. belardo road, 760-320-4117; avalonpalmsprings.com). Also drawing attention are ambitious contemporary restaurants. “The Palm Springs food scene is much more exciting now,” says Tara Lazar, who along with her team at F10 Creative,
opened the swanky Mr. Lyons Steakhouse (233 e. palm canyon dr., 760-327-155; mrlyonsps.com) in May and Latin American-infused Chi Chi nightclub at the Avalon Hotel in June. Her popular brunch spot, Cheeky’s (622 n. palm canyon dr., 760-327-7595; cheekysps.com), famed for its signature bacon flights, anchors the Uptown Design District; next door, Birba (622 n. palm canyon dr., 760-327-5678; birbaps.com), open only at night and almost fully outdoors, is the Coachella Valley’s most popular patio for an of-the-moment menu of charcuterie, elevated pizzas, and craft cocktails. A Palm Springs native, Lazar is immersed in the farm-totable food culture and committed to sourcing ingredients locally from Coachella Valley farmers. As a hotelier (alcazar, 622 n. palm canyon dr., 760-318-9850; alcazarpalm springs.com) and restaurateur, she knows the drill of the weekend circuit. “People come here for two or three nights and they want every night to be a little different,” she says. Smartly, the city has added a free trolley service, the Buzz, which meanders north and south on Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon Drives to accommodate bar crawlers and other party people.
Because of his close ties to local farmers, Schmidt often receives the freshest ingredients. Building on this, the chef created the Food Shed Exchange (foodshed exchange.com) to connect area chefs to primary food sources, from cattle ranchers to urban farmers. The end result: Morgan’s prix-fxe menus celebrate one or two ingredients at the peak of seasonality. Of his delicious adventure, Schmidt says, “It’s been very enabling as a chef.” 49-499 Eisenhower Dr., La Quinta, 760-564-7600; morgansinthedesert.com
continued on page 150
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LONG WEEKEND At The Edge Steakhouse overlooking the Coachella Valley, it’s not just the view that’s elevated: the service, décor, and menu of this classic at The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage are matchless as well.
A CUT ABOVE In retro-cool Palm Springs, the old-school steakhouse has been born again. Mr. Lyons A remake of the landmark Lyons English Grille, Mr. Lyons is a classic gem, reimagined. The restaurant’s series of rooms offer distinct experiences, from a sultry, low-lit cocktail lounge to outdoor dining on double patios. From chef Tara Lazar and F10 Creative, the menu is steakcentered but with seasonal, farm-fresh options. There’s tableside service in the dining room, and the lounge has kicky cocktails and elegant bar bites such as prime rib chili and chorizo-stuffed dates. 233 East Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-327-1551; mrlyonsps.com CirCa 59 at riviera PaLM sPrings Executive Chef John Roberts is behind the new menu at the hotel’s indoor/outdoor retro-glam dining room, playfully illuminated at night by hanging globes in the trees and fre pits. His oh-so-popular “now and then” menu presents old-school favorites (steak Diane, veal Oscar) along with more modern dishes like sea scallops with hedgehog mushrooms. A standout wine list complements the potent cocktails. 1600 N. Indian
“IT’s a DIffERENT NIghTlIfE offERINg hERE ThaN IN la, BuT oNE ThaT’s No lEss glamoRous, sExy, aND ElEgaNT.”—joshua katz
Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-778-6659; psriviera.com the edge steakhouse The triple play of haute décor, magnifcent views, and elevated ingredients (steaks are dry-aged in-house) combine to make this glass-walled steakhouse at The
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restaurant (701 W. Baristo Road, 760-327-3446; spencersrestaurant.com), and Le vallauris (385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, 760-325-5059; levallauris.com). Super-chic hotel bars dot the landscape, too: The designer digs at the Colony Palms’ Purple Palm restaurant and Bar (572 N. Indian Canyon Dr., 760969-1818; colonypalmshotel.com) or the riviera hotel’s indoor/outdoor sidebar (1600 N. Indian Canyon Dr., 760-327-8311; psriviera.com) are hidden treasures. “It’s a different nightlife offering here [than in LA]—but one that’s no less glamorous, sexy, and elegant,” says Proper Hospitality’s Katz. The end of day in Palm Springs has long been called the “purple hour,” when shadows lengthen and there’s a transition to blue then indigo as Mt. San Jacinto morphs eventually to black. One can mingle with the elements: dive into a pool, sit by a fire pit, absorb the night air, drink in hand, while gazing at a sky filled with stars. Executive Chef Jimmy Schmidt of La Quinta’s Morgan’s in the desert (see sidebar , page 149) describes the transition well. “The desert at night is spectacular; it’s when Palm Springs truly comes into its own.” LAC
Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage the pinnacle of refned dining in the area. There’s an extensive wine list, pitchperfect cocktails, and the main courses—the fown-in Maine lobster and rare-aged New York steak to name two—are pricey but expertly executed. Superlative service aims to match the unequaled setting overlooking a wide swath of the Coachella Valley. 68900 Frank Sinatra Dr., Rancho Mirage, 760-321-8282; ritzcarlton.com Mister Parker’s The almost-hidden Mister Parker’s at the Parker is an artflled dining room that’s both comfortable and decadent. The dark walls and low lighting make everyone look like a superstar. Service is top-notch. The stylized French bistro menu features fashionable crowd pleasers, including the heirloom tomato salad, tuna tartare, and Wagyu short rib. 4200 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 760-321-4629; theparkerpalmsprings.com
photography courtesy of the ritz-carlton rancho mirage (the edge steakhouse)
A good start to any night, which might begin at the 4 pm happy hour, is the Bootlegger tiki (1101 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-318-4154)—a mash-up of kitschy tiki bar (the space was once home to a Don the Beachcomber) and modern speakeasy. Under provocative velvet paintings, sip on Don’s originalrecipe mai tai or Bootlegger Tiki’s own concoctions, such as the Mango Unchained (made with fiery Thai chili-infused reposado tequila, bourbon, and mango puree). “We took the history of the space and repurposed it,” explains cofounder Jaime Kowal of the intimate boîte. The devoted crowd and even more dedicated bartenders (five have tattoos of the Bootlegger Tiki logo), create an überwelcoming vibe. While traditional nightlife experience abounds— think the bachelorette party celebrants at the hard rock hotel’s lobby lounge in little black dresses or the potent tequila flight at el Jefe at the saguaro Palm springs (1800 E. Palm Canyon Dr., 760-3221900)—there’s always the option of tapping into true Palm Springs nostalgia at old-world establishments such as Melvyn’s (Ingleside Inn, 200 W. Ramon Road, 760-325-2323; inglesideinn.com), spencer’s
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INVITED Maria Cornejo
Jessica de Ruiter
Jasmin Shokrian and Magda Berliner
Natalia Bonifacci
George Kotsiopoulos
Stephanie Danan and Justin Kern
ZERO + MARIA CORNEJO TOAST FIVE YEARS cocktail reception to salute its five-year anniversary on Melrose Place. The chic party brought forth fashion powerhouses like Irene Neuwirth to accompany hosts Maria Cornejo, Marisa Tomei, Marysia Woroniecka, Bibi Cornejo Borthwick, Nina Clemente, Emma Reeves, and Laurence Goldberg. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres by chef Sherie Farah as they browsed the designer’s latest wares. Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters
Journey performed with the LACHSA Choir.
John Savage and Blanca Blanco
Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Thomas Wilkins, and Ross Valory
Arnel Pineda
OPENING NIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL The concert raised $1.6 million for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s education and community programs.
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THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL sprung into its 94th season with an openingnight concert featuring chart-topping rock band Journey, recently inducted into the concert venue’s Hall of Fame. Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra LA, the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Choir (LACHSA), and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by principal conductor Thomas Wilkins, also performed for the sold-out crowd. Jonathan Weedman
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DONATO SARDELLA/COURTESY OF ZERO + MARIA CORNEJO (ZERO); MATHEW IMAGING (HOLLYWOOD BOWL). OPPOSITE PAGE: AMY PINARD/GUESTOFAGUEST.COM
CHILEAN FASHION BRAND Zero + Maria Cornejo held an in-store
Janelle Monáe
Guests enjoyed cocktails beneath a Frank Gehry-designed canopy.
MOCA GALA
Stefan Simchowitz and Rosie Riedl Gala cochair and board cochair Lilly Tartikoff Karatz addresses the crowd.
MORE THAN 770 international guests from the art, fashion,
and entertainment spheres arrived at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles to toast John Baldessari at the cultural institution’s annual gala. The event, presented by Louis Vuitton, raised over $3 million to support MOCA’s operations and included a special performance by R&B artist Janelle Monáe.
Lilly Tartikoff Karatz
Dita Von Teese
Gia Coppola and Nathalie Love
Marisa Tomei and Patricia Arquette
Guests gathered near the stage for Janelle Monáe’s vocal stylings.
Michelle and Peter Farmer
Sylvia Chivaratanond and Philippe Vergne
Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson
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INVITED // style spotlight //
HAT TRICK FASHIONISTAS FLOCKED TO THE DEL MAR RACETRACK FOR AN OPENING DAY PARADE OF ECCENTRIC HEADWEAR,
Guests browsed through makeup samples by Urban Decay.
DURING WHICH MORE THAN 340 CONTESTANTS VIED FOR TOP HONORS IN THE CATEGORY
Urban Decay treated attendees to makeup touch-ups.
OF LAVISH ACCESSORIES. Jessica Wilson
POP ICON Gwen Stefani joined forces with
Manicurists added color to the afternoon, providing complimentary services to guests. Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Riley Patricof
BeautyCon Los Angeles for a high tea at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre to celebrate the release of her Harajuku Lovers pop electric fragrance collection and corresponding accessories set. Movers and shakers of the digital world, including YouTube stars Kandee Johnson and Bunny Meyer, attended the function, which presented guests with an array of fashionable freebies, including watches, sandals, and scents from the singer’s kitschy line.
Bunny Meyer A DJ spins records at the Harajuku Lovers launch celebration.
Belinda Berry and Amber Maturime Evelina Barry
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Gwen Stefani
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE DEL MAR THOROUGHBRED CLUB (DEL MAR). OPPOSITE PAGE: GETTY IMAGES (WOMEN IN FILM)
BEAUTYCON LOS ANGELES HIGH TEA
Jessica Szohr and Lucy Webb
Alex Merrell
Kate Mara and Jenna Dewan Tatum
Julie Bowen
WOMEN IN FILM CRYSTAL + LUCY AWARDS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WOMEN in Film, Los Angeles held its annual Crystal + Lucy Awards, hosted by Maria Bello and presented by MaxMara, BMW of North America, and Tiffany & Co. The star-studded affair recognized actors Nicole Kidman and Kate Mara, among others, and featured a special presentation by Kristen Stewart and Stephenie Meyer to honor filmmakers from “The Storytellers –New Voices of The Twilight Saga” project.
Kilo Kish and Bai Ling
Fuschia Kate Sumner
Ashley Madekwe
Lynn Hirschberg and Cameron Silver
Ruby Rose and Yael Stone
Chris Hardwick and Lydia Hearst
Michael B. Jordan
Aurora Perrineau
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NOT TO BE MISSED EVENTS • HAPPENINGS • PROMOTIONS
SOMEDAY IS NOW: THE ART OF CORITA KENT Through November 1, the Pasadena Museum of California Art presents the first full-scale exhibition surveying the career of artist and designer Corita Kent (1918–1986), whose work combines faith, activism, and teaching. Alexandra Grant and Steve Roden: “These Carnations Defy Language” also on view. 490 East Union Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 626.568.3665 pmcaonline.org
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Kelly and Marie Gray, the mother-daughter duo behind St. John Knits, will open a pop-up boutique for their latest lifestyle brand, Grayse. Opening in October at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, the boutique will feature luxury women’s apparel such as handcrafted leather jackets, high-end embellishments and striking position prints. Grayse will be located next to Traditional Jewelers, near Bloomingdale’s.
Celebrating 75 years as Hollywood elite’s favorite getaway, the iconic Two Bunch Palms is enjoying a renaissance with recent renovations of its famous hot mineral springs grotto, soulful rooms and farmto-table Essense restaurant. A solar farm makes this award-winning destination spa resort the first carbon-neutral one in North America.
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TELE-PATH[ET]IC Long-form teLevision is not for the LoneLy-hearted. by sam wasson
160 la-confidential-magazine.com
Now that we are a nation of long-form television watchers, this leaves us—the unmarried population—quite vulnerable whenever the subject of television arises, which it always does when we’re out with couples, which we always are. “What are you guys watching?” “We love Veep!” I really, really want to see Veep. And Gary does too. I can feel it. One night, a few drinks in, I got up the nerve. “Gary,” I said, touching his shoulder, “what if we just… did it?” He held up a hand. “Sam, you know you’re a great guy—” “Thank you, Gary.” “But I can’t….” He trailed off. “What? Say it.” “I can’t watch 14 hours of Julia Louis-Dreyfus… with another guy.” “Sorry.” I fake laughed. “I’ve had a lot to drink—” “It’s fine.” “You know, I don’t even have HBO,” I lied. I haven’t seen Gary in six weeks. LAC
ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL O’LEARY
I have friends. I love them. My single friends are very interesting. Their conversation and personal enthusiasms are as varied and individual as the books in a vast library. My coupled friends talk about television. Yes, they’ll go in for a little news or food chat, but when they diverge from their sweet spot, “What We’re Watching,” I note in their eyes the deadness of disinterest, a silent plea to return the conversation, posthaste, to Matthew Weiner. This is new. I can actually remember when the opposite was true: when the single folk stayed at home with the tube, and couples saw the world. But this is no longer possible. In our current age of long-form viewing, when you have to watch every mother-loving episode to know what’s going on and therefore have to make some kind of commitment to being home, alone, just you and Peter Dinklage, every week, it begins to dawn on the unmarried American, over the many hours of appointment solitude—I am speaking hypothetically here—that he’s entered a really sad and unattractive Grey Gardens realm, is gaining weight, and is fast becoming a character for which Philip Seymour Hoffman would have won an Oscar. I know what you’re thinking, and, no, it doesn’t work. You can’t watch television, regularly, with a friend and feel good about it. It’s unnatural. You call up a friend to go to a movie or to dinner. “Gary,” you say, “how about dinner on Thursday?” You do not say, “Gary, how about watching an hour of television with me every Sunday for the next six months?” No one does that. Because that’s a relationship.
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