Summer Swim Sensual Style by the Pool JOE LUCAS
Harbinger of Interior Design
wigging out Kim Kimble and the Art of Hair
House of blues
Music Wrapped in Art
MAY/JUNE 2015
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Where can you go to find the very best that Southern California has to offer? Follow your dreams to a city unlike any other. Where the legendary Sunset Strip meets the stylish West Hollywood Design District. Where eclectic dining meets electric nightlife. Leave everything that’s conventional, expected and mundane at home, and go big, go bold, go WeHo. visitwesthollywood.com
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C O N T E N TS ON THE INSIDE
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The life and style of interior designer Joe Lucas
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WALKING WEST HOLLYWOOD Exploring the life of the ‘Lizard King’
kim kimble
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The real world of the stylist to the stars
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Xotx-TropicO
Where butterflies and flora flourish
HOUSE OF BLUES
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The eccentric art behind (and around) the music
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SUMMER SPLASH
A stylish party at the pool
WHERE RAJA RULES
Inside Sutan Amrull’s Apartment / 62
THE ARTISTS OBSERVED
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Sidney Felsen has photographed some of the country’s leading artists
RAFAEL HERNANDEZ
The concierge of West Hollywood / 72
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FUNNY OR DIE OFFICE At the Lot’s Funny (or Die)
A DAY AWAY
18 hours in Santa Monica
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LOOKBOOK
Stylish streetwalkers
STEVEN REIGNS
‘Magic Fingers’ and great poetry / 98
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER Henry E. Scott
Art, as the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder. In West Hollywood, one can find art in all its manifestations if one just looks for it. An example is the House of Blues, which I have visited for various events. However, it wasn’t until I was taken on a tour recently by Michael Grozier, who has been with the House of Blues since 1994, that I really opened my eyes to what was around me. What I had seen as a music venue I now know as an incredible museum of American folk and Indian spiritual art—a museum that, sadly, West Hollywood soon will lose. Then there is Sidney Felsen’s Gemini G.E.L., an artists’ workshop and publisher of limited edition prints and sculpture on Melrose Avenue. Gemini G.E.L. is home to an amazing collection of work by worldfamous artists. Those artists, who are Felsen’s clients, include the likes of John Baldessari, Vija Celmins, David Hockney, Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein, Bruce Nauman, Claes Oldenburg, Ken Price, Robert Rauschenberg, Man Ray, Ed Ruscha, Richard Serra and Frank Stella.
House of Blues
Eye of the Beholder: In West Hollywood, Art is Everywhere
In this issue you’ll also find art in Xotx-Tropico, Leon Massoth’s nursery on Fairfax Avenue, where most of the plants are not only beautiful but also have their own story. And there is Sutan Amrull’s apartment, decorated by him in a way that reflects the sense of style that has helped make him famous as Raja, the exotically costumed drag performer with a worldwide following. And we hope you’ll see art in the amazing work of Kim Kimble, the woman who brings smiles to the faces of Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and Mary J. Blige, to name just a few of her better-known clients. “If you can’t grow it, sew it,” says Kimble, explaining her creative approach to hairstyle. “If you can’t achieve it, weave it!” So remember to keep your eyes open in West Hollywood, whose reputation as the Creative City is constantly burnished by the creative people in a wide range of professions who live and work among us.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKE ALLEN & STEFFANIE WALK
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The art of the House of Blues, pg. 32
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O U R CO N TRI B U TOR S MIKE ALLEN
Mike Allen is a Los Angeles-based abstract artist and photographer specializing in shooting portraits. He draws inspiration from old cinema, analog processes and interior design. His work can be seen at mikeallenphoto.com.
MARIA BERTRAND
Instagram @iammikeallen
Maria, a Montreal native living in California, is a freelance and screenplay writer excited to bring a little je ne sais quoi to the page and screen. Always in search of fascinating people to make her stories come to life, Los Angeles is her perfect palette of inspiration.
GREG FIRLOTTE
MICHAEL CLIFFORD
Firlotte’s West Hollywood design career began in 1981 as an editor of Designers West magazine. He’s gone on to have his work featured in Architectural Digest, Veranda and West Hollywood magazines, interviewing such luminaries as Helmut Newton, Ed Ruscha and Richard Meier. Firlotte also served as marketing director for J. Robert Scott and Phyllis Morris, and has served on various local boards.
Instagram @she_wrote_that
Michael was born in San Francisco and attended Chapman University where he received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. After moving to LA, Michael studied at the L.A. Center for Photography focusing on fashion and editorial photography. He has shot editorially for Fantastics, Glassbook, Cake, Indie Magazine, and Schön online. Instagram @spiffycliffy
IAN MORRISON
juliette mutzke-felippelli
Instagram @imorrison
Instagram @jfelippelli
Cassandra Plavoukos
CHRISTOS PREVEZANOS
Ian became interested in photography during high school in suburban Seattle. His passion is shooting portraits of people, be they models, neighborhood regulars or inhabitants of places he visits. Morrison lives in Los Angeles, where he regularly shoots for designer Thomas Wylde and Flaunt magazine.
Cassandra is an L.A.-based photographer with a lifelong passion for the visual and performing arts. Her study of the formal, athletic and whimsical nature of movement is integral to her commercial work and portraiture. Instagram @cplavoukosphotog
Juliette is a Los Angeles-based interior designer who has been writing about design, art and electronic music for six years. Juliette finds inspiration in the bold colors and concepts of contemporary French designers and in the wild urban landscapes of her favorite destinations like Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok.
Christos began his design career in the fashion industry, producing runway shows for avantgarde designers in New York. Translating creative direction to interiors, Prevezanos headed west and trained with influential designers Brad Dunning, Ruthie Sommers and Kelly Wearstler. Prevezanos practices interior design at his L.A.based Studio Preveza. Instagram @cpreveza
Roy Rogers Oldenkamp
Roy started his interest in architecture by creating sprawling room-sized floor plans of entire cities in the family basement. World travels as an army brat stoked the interest further. An overwhelming interest in art started a painting career, and he now curates the Silver Lake Neutra Gallery + Museum. A Hollywood history buff and filmmaker, he also writes on WeHo history and is vice president of the West Hollywood Preservation Alliance.
Michael Tittinger
Michael is a newspaper editor and creative director serving nonprofits. Passionate about writing and traveling with purpose, he’s currently writing a book based on his walk across America in 2011. He likes to “use my superpowers for good.” After 12 years in Santa Monica, he recently moved into the woods of Topanga to commune with coyotes and frogs. He does not wear hemp or patchouli oil. Email m.tittinger@gmail.com
STEFFANIE WALK
Steffanie says her suburban upbringing in Orange County left her with a hunger for culture and diversity and an obsession with shadows, shapes and a look that can stop you in your tracks. She creates in her studio or on sets, and in her spare time captures live music and takes portraits of friends. Instagram @steffwalk
JOSHUA SPENCER
Joshua is a Los Angeles-based editorial photographer. He brings a photojournalistic approach to his editorial images by trying to catch the unconventional and unplanned moments of life. Instagram @joshuaspencerphoto
SAMANTHA WEST
Samantha was born and raised in New York City. After attending university in the UK, she returned to New York to pursue fashion and portraiture photography. Her work has been published and shown nationally and internationally. Now in L.A., she brings her unique and intimate style of photography to the West Coast. Instagram @samantha_west
NAOMI YAMADA
Naomi is a photographer and illustrator based in Los Angeles who has worked as an art historian at the Getty Museum. Her interest in photography and painting led her to build her own studio where her work emphasizes the natural beauty of life by using an analog approach or medium. Instagram @naomiyamada
TRADE SECRETS Former actor Joe Lucas spills the beans about his favorite West Hollywood haunts and what it’s like to now play the part of the dashing designer.
INTERVIEW BY CHRISTOS PREVEZANOS PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKE ALLEN Trade Secrets is West Hollywood Magazine’s look at prominent local designers and what inspires them about life here.
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Where are you from? I grew up in New Jersey just outside Manhattan. I spent my summers on the Jersey Shore in a small little preppy town called Bay Head. When did you move to L.A.? 1997, when allllll the cool kids showed up. I had been living in Seattle for two years after graduation to pursue my theatre degree. How did you get into interior design? Sort of through the back door really. I came to L.A. as an actor. I had degrees from Connecticut College in theatre and child development. I took a job working for a wonderful designer and antique dealer, Claudia Benvenuto, because I didn’t want to wait tables. I ended up managing her shop, The Fainting Couch, and working with her design clients and I got hooked. Soon after that, I was recruited by Michael Smith to work for him. Three years later I opened Lucas Studio, Inc. with my then-business partner Parrish Chilcoat. What other designers do you admire? So many. I’m not too proud to say that I look and learn from so many friends and colleagues. I’m such a huge fan of my friend Steven Gambrel’s work. When I stayed at his house in Sag Harbor the first time, he basically had to rip me from the house when it was time to leave. There were claw marks on the walls. I wouldn’t change a single thing in the house. Well, maybe the sheets. I also learned so much from Michael Smith throughout the years working for him. And I love so many of the L.A. designers, including of course you, Christos. How would you describe your aesthetic? It’s a blend of East Coast traditional and West Coast modernism. A layered mix of texture and color but always comfortable. That is key. You’ll never see a room from me that looks like an art exhibit. What’s something most people don’t know about you? I sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Bermuda to Ireland and England when I was 16 with my best friend and six other guys. Oh, and deep beneath my sarcastic nastiness, I’m a really nice guy. ;)
What changes have you seen or would you like to see in the design business? Hmmm. Tough one. All the websites that allow the end consumer to browse and purchase on their own are great in a lot of ways because they have helped educate the clients, but at the same time they make everyone think our job is so easy. I would also love to see us go back to using more antiques in our work. I’m trying to incorporate them more and educate my clients on the need. Do you notice any particular approach or aesthetic that is particularly popular in L.A.? L.A. designers have a great knack for mixing vintage and new together. Take Peter Dunham or Nickey Kehoe. They are masters at it. And I think we’re blessed with our weather and environment, so we know how to do outdoor living so well.
“ My style is a layered mix of texture and color but always comfortable. That is key. You’ll never see a room from me that looks like an art exhibit.” Is there any approach or aesthetic or furniture design, etc., that you see becoming more popular? I love everything that’s being done with texture right now. I’m a sucker for anything woven. So all the great furniture, textiles and lighting using those techniques, like Apparatus Studio and Lance Wovens, are great to see. I’m also obsessed with plaster and am so excited for a new line of French plaster lighting I am carrying at my showroom, Harbinger. What is West Hollywood’s best kept secret? I guess you’re lobbing this one up for me to say “Harbinger, of course.” Harbinger is the bestkept secret. So come shop today everyone! What is the biggest misconception about West Hollywood? That it is all gay bars and short shorts. I mean, don’t get me wrong. We do have too many short shorts. But there are so many amazing restaurants and shops that people don’t think of. Sadly, it’s hard to see through the mess that the “bridge and tunnel” crowd brings to the Boulevard.
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What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Someday I’d probably love to get back into acting. It was my first love, and maybe someday there will be that perfect role for me out there, and I’ll ditch all my clients and go live out of a star trailer. You can design it. Is there anything you wished would come back in style? Glass blocks. Just kidding. I think we do a great job of mixing every style where it is fitting. Designers are not shy. What was your first job? Scooping ice cream and teaching sailing. What do you think West Hollywood lacks? We need La Cienega Boulevard between Melrose and Santa Monica to get the business improvement development it so drastically needs. The La Cienega Design Quarter is the best design area in the state of California, and the street is desperate for trees and a median and more crosswalks. It should be a priority. What are your favorite go-to spots in West Hollywood? I am a Yabu Sushi fanatic. Alfred Coffee on Melrose Place is right down the street from my office. Sunset Tower. Connie and Ted’s for a great lobster roll. What do your doodles look like? Lots of circles and squares and connecting blocks. Of course I am NOT an artist so none of my circles are ever perfect. Where in West Hollywood do you take an out-of-town guest? Soho House is usually my go-to for outof-towners. You get the view, the celebrity sightings, the outdoor dining in the garden and the great design all in one shot. Best coffee in West Hollywood? The vanilla latte at Kings Road Cafe. It will kick your ass. Best cocktail? Hard to beat a dirty martini at the Tower Bar, munching on the trio of olives, chips and peanuts.
Looking for the “Lizard King” Exploring the Life of Jim Morrison on Foot
Before West Hollywood was West Hollywood, it was outlaw territory— unincorporated Los Angeles County, patrolled lightly by the Sheriff ’s Department and filled with outsiders, crooks, stars and bars. The Sunset Strip was the undisputed hotspot for music, and the mid-Sixties were its heyday. And no band laid claim to this hallowed turf more than The Doors. Sure, Arthur Lee and Love had a great impact, but their cultural influence diminished significantly in the ensuing decades, while Doors Mania has only grown in intensity. Never the critics’ darlings, the band’s brief run nevertheless changed American rock and roll, giving the blues popularized by British bands back to the local boys.
The Doors’ unique fusion of rock, blues and jazz styling led to international acclaim, but their shaman leader Jim Morrison always felt at home in West Hollywood, his own “small town”. With that “small town” feel in mind, here is a walking tour for dedicated fans, with a focus on the life of Jim Morrison. It’s a strenuous walk, mostly uphill with some slight downhill relief, so wear comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water and wear a fringed vest, if you’re a true Morrison fan. Oh, and bring your iPod. Our guide will give you an appropriate playlist suggestion for each stop. Jim may be long dead and Ray Manzarek recently passed on, but the stunning poetry and music of The Doors lives on.
By Roy Rogers Oldenkamp photographs by nate jensen
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Whisky a Go Go (Cue: Break On Through) Elmer Valentine heard the band at the London Fog and nabbed them for a regular run at his hot new discotheque. He was reluctant; The Doors could cuss up a storm, on and off stage. But this was a break that helped herald the band as the kings of the Sunset Strip. Oh, and grab a whisky—Jim would. 8901 Sunset Blvd.
Chateau Marmont (Cue: The Crystal Ship) A walk east down Sunset Strip leads to a true bohemian enclave, the then slightlyrun-down and seedy Chateau Marmont. The Chateau became an escape for Jim, one of several hotels where he hung his floppy leather hat. An exclusive redoubt today, it’s still possible to go inside the period lobby bar to have a cocktail and soak up the ambience. It’s still as special as ever. 8221 Sunset Blvd.
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Barney’s Beanery (Cue: Roadhouse Blues) An original Route 66 authentic roadhouse, you must do as Jim did—stop by the roadhouse and grab yourself a beer. Jim, Janis, Wildman Fischer: they all came to Barney’s, once notorious for the “Fagot Stay Out” sign above its door. The sign is long gone, but the beanery rocks on. 8447 Santa Monica Blvd.
Cherie Amour (Cue: Hello, I Love You) Home to his paramour Pamela Courson, Jim wrote much of The Doors’ best work here on his purple shag-covered throne. Cherie Wood has bought the property and offers tours of his flat (when not occupied) and will show you the original garage door where he pulled in his muscle car after a night out and scraped the garden wall so often that a palm tree was planted as a buffer. Thankfully, he walked WeHo a lot. 8214 W. Norton Ave.
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Irv’s Burgers (Cue: Soul Kitchen) One destination of Jim’s was the original Route 66 hamburger stand Irv’s Burgers, still preserved and holding its own on Santa Monica Boulevard. Take a selfie in front of one of the last remaining roadside shacks, now part of Sunset Beach. 7998 Santa Monica Blvd.
Alta Cienega Motel (Cue: Riders on the Storm) See that little room with the graffiti on the wall and window above the driveway? That’s Jim’s room. For about eighty bucks, you can rent it and soak in that crazy creative vibe. It’s said that a certain energy inhabits the room…lay back and listen to its most evocative song. Imagine a rare California rain. Sweet dreams. 1005 N. La Cienega Blvd.
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Elektra Sound Recording Studios (Cue: Cars Hiss By My Window) On always-busy La Cienega Boulevard, this was the recording studio for much of the best of The Doors music. Still there today in all its splendor, its history is legendary. It’s a private facility, so it’s best to just gaze from the street or perhaps call ahead for possible access. Heck, learn an instrument and go make a record: that might get you in the booth! 962 La Cienega Blvd.
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The Doors Studio and Offices (Cue: The Soft Parade) Sandwiched between Al & Ed’s Autosound and a coming Shake Shack, this abandoned and oft-remodeled two-story building last housed an outpost of Scorpion Bar and now sits vacant. That the closed adjacent Koo Koo Roo location will now be a Shake Shack eatery is an encouragement that this home studio and office where The Doors spent much of their time might not meet the wrecking ball like so much else in West Hollywood, at least for the time being. We’d like to stop a block away at Jim’s fave dive bar/lesbian watering hole The Palms, but that, too, has bitten the dust of history for a redevelopment project. 8512 Santa Monica Blvd.
Themis Boutique (Cue: Love Her Madly) Pamela Courson’s hip peacock feather and exotic woods fashion boutique to the rock stars was ground zero for hanging out with Jim, Jimi and assorted LA scenesters of the era. Little if anything is left of its Sixties incarnation. (Currently Gallery GO) 947 N. La Cienega Blvd.
And there you have a capsule of West Hollywood—The Doors legacy sites. You could jog up Laurel Canyon (Cue: Love Street) and gaze at Jim’s recently arson-hit but restored house by the Canyon Store, with the secret shower stall enclosed in drywall and later revealed to have Jim’s tilescrawled black marker lyrics to LA Woman (Cue: well, duh!). Or crest Mulholland Drive and park your rented muscle car to gaze over the city Jim so loved (Cue: Moonlight Drive). Drive over to Venice Beach where the band formed (Cue: People Are Strange) and even end up in Paris at Père LaChaise Cemetery for a final farewell (Cue: The End). Or, you could join me, your host for a guided walking tour (westhollywoodpreservationalliance.org). Either way, get your fix of The Doors while there are still landmarks left to see in celebration of the Lizard King. Rock On!
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The Real World of Kim Kimble in spite, so she readies herself for a fight. Naja talks nasty to Lisa, leading Ray J. to referee. Malaka gets all mouthy with a client, and Kim fires her on the spot.
The parking lot of the low-slung white building on the south side of Santa Monica Boulevard, just east of Sweetzer Avenue, is buzzing with people pushing camera and lighting equipment and the windows are draped with dark curtains.
In real life, Kim Kimble’s West Hollywood salon is a lot more peaceful. Not to say that an occasional dispute doesn’t erupt. After all, this is Hollywood (albeit West Hollywood). And this is hair.
But inside the Kim Kimble Salon, the drama is about to unfold, at least if you’re watching the WE tv’s “LA Hair” reality TV version of life there: Lisa, the new hire, takes stylist Anthony’s chair. He breaks her clippers
By Maria Bertrand PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAMANTHA WEST
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Townsend then hired her as key hair stylist on the movie B*A*P*S starring Halle Berry. While the movie bombed, the elaborate hairpieces that Kimble created got a lot of attention, which led to more work on movies such as Austin Powers’ Goldmember, Two Can Play That Game and Dreamgirls. It was through her work in film that she met Beyoncé, Brandy and Whitney Houston.
What do Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Oprah have in common? They have all had their hair styled by Kim Kimble. Kim’s work has been featured in some of the world’s biggest magazines, such as Vanity Fair, Essence, Glamour, Allure, Vogue and Elle. Her name is now a staple in the beauty and hairstyling industry.
In addition her own reality-TV show (L.A. Hair on WE tv), Kimble now has a large celebrity clientele (mostly AfricanAmerican) and a new salon in Atlanta. And her work has been featured in magazines such as Vanity Fair, Essence, Glamour, Allure, Vogue and Elle. Kim Kimble herself is now famous in the beauty and hairstyling industry.
Kim Kimble opened her Santa Monica Boulevard salon in 2012. Previously, she was based at La Cienega and Santa Monica boulevards. “I love the energy of West Hollywood,” Kimble said. “it’s high end, but more racy, edgy and colorful than other communities. You feel comfortable here. You don’t have to be overdressed to be in West Hollywood because everything is accepted here. There is so much art and culture and that’s inspiring.”
At 43, she looks back at her career and acknowledges that success takes time. “One thing I have learned is that you have to make good with what you get,” she said. “Take care of what little you have, water it, and watch it grow. It ain’t that deep, and it ain’t that hard, but it does take hard work.”
Kimble got her start at a very young age, working as a shampoo girl in a salon owned by her mother, who now works with Kimble. “My mother and my grandmother were both stylists,” Kimble said. “I learned a lot from my grandmother. She was ahead of her time. She got into nutrition and took what she learned and applied it to hair and she was great with conditioning. She could get hair to grow really long, and she was great with rowing hair.”
For all her fame and celebrity, Kimble still gets her joy from the look on her clients’ faces after she finishes her work. “I love seeing my clients’ faces as I curl the last few curls, and they say ‘I wasn’t planning on going anywhere, but now I have to because my hair looks amazing’.”
As a young woman, Kimble wanted to be a fashion designer, but then she attended the annual hair products show in Atlanta staged by the Bronner Brothers, one of the largest AfricanAmerican hair and skin care companies in the United States. “I loved seeing the hairstylists flipping their scissors, looking all cool,” Kimble recalled. “That’s when I decided that I wanted to be a hairstylist. One of the things I loved was watching people transform when they got their hair done.”
“I don’t ever get bored. I feel like I’m helping people,” she said. “Great hair equals confidence. I love making women feel great through their hair. Making them look and feel good is a mission of mine.”
‘If you can’t a c h i e v e i t, w e a v e i t,’ s ays k i m k i m b l e , st y l i st to t h e sta r s .
While working in a salon in Los Angeles, Kimble decided to explore her mother’s suggestion that she find a way into the union that represents hairstylists who work on TV shows and movies. Kimble’s big break came when she volunteered to work for actor and producer Robert Townsend, who was staging a production of The Five Heartbeats to raise money for the West Angeles Church of God in Christ.
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I NSPIRED BY TH E SUNSET. STOKED FOR TH E NIGH TLIFE.
N E VER E N D I N G WE E K E NDS R AT E S STA RT I NG AT $ 2 4 9 VAL I D SUN DAY T H RO UG H W E DNE S DAY U NT I L DE C E M B E R 3 0 2 0 1 5 CO MPL I MEN TA RY W I F I A ND T W O S K YB A R C O C K TA I L S 8 4 4 0 S U NS ET B LVD , WE ST H OLLYWOOD , CA 90069 27
XoTx-Tropico By Maria Bertrand By Maria Photographs byBertrand Samantha West PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAMANTHA WEST
Flora Exotica A Living Museum of Rare Plants “Plants communicate with you. Out of these thousands of species here it’s usually one plant that is calling to a person.” —Leon Massoth
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It was 1987 in West Hollywood, Guns ‘N Roses was playing at the Whisky a Go Go, Michael Jackson was recording his album “Bad” at Westlake studios, the famous Halloween parade made its debut, and Xotx-Tropico nursery was born on the corner of Fairfax and Willoughby. Leon Massoth said he opened the nursery “to give people access to the flora of the world. This place generates so much life. It is its own ecosystem.” Massoth would know all about that. After all, he grew up in West Hollywood. “Even before it was West Hollywood, I was here,” he said. “This is where the artistic, intellectual people live. A lot of my customers are art collectors. West Hollywood is a very artist-supported city, which is a sign of civilization.” Massoth’s nursery stands out for several reasons. For one, he is very much part of the West Hollywood community. He donated a rare tree from Madagascar to the post office on San Vicente Boulevard. He is also responsible for many of the trees that line the streets of West Hollywood. “I lived next to a street planner, and he gave me his proposal list” Massoth said. “I spent over 100 hours analyzing the list, then I made a presentation in front of City Council with my own list and they listened to me. Now when you see a beautiful flowering tree in WeHo, it likely came from my list.” Massoth also is known for his ability to create unique landscapes. “Every time I design a garden, it’s totally different,” Massoth said. “Every customer gets a very unique assemblage. One garden we did is a biogeographic span using over two hundred species, many of which I grew. It’s a garden that the customer waters not at all for six months of the year and only twice a month in the summer.” Then there is Massoth’s knowledge of the plants that surround him. Xotx-Tropico is a little jungle oasis with thousands of plant species growing everywhere. Even with a botany book on hand, one wouldn’t know where to begin. Massoth is there to help. “I made my first list of plants that I wanted when I was twelve years old,” he said. “I have studied the flora of places all over the world, and I keep studying. The idea here was to bring the plants out of the botany books to 3D life.” “In my nursery, you are surrounded by a vast collection of flora. Point at anything, and I’ll tell you the story behind it. Every plant has a story. That is an Ohi’a Lehua, famous in the lore of Hawaii. This one is a loulou palm—only five exist in the wild. That’s an aechmea tayoensis, a very rare plant from Ecuador.” Massoth pointed to a beautiful tree with light purple flowers, “Take a look at this, it’s a giant tree passion flower that is extinct in the wild.”
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LEON MASSOUTH
Then he stopped in front of a small palm tree and rubbed its leaves. “Herbie Hancock’s wife brought the seed of this plant to me. It’s from Ground Zero. It’s a parasol tree, a symbol of survival. People bring me interesting seeds from all over because they know I have the ability to nurture them. Every seed, every plant, has a little trick. The seeds have revealed many of their tricks to me throughout the years.”
Isaac Daboush
“Plants communicate with you,” Massoth said. “Out of these thousands of species here it’s usually one plant that is calling to a person.” I bent down to touch the bright red leaf of small plant tucked into a corner. The leaf wiggled and turned itself toward me. Massoth smiled. “That is a Colombian fire fern, it’s sensitive to the touch. I had one when I was a kid and then it took me forty-five years to find another one and grow it successfully.” Another distinctive feature of Xotx-Tropico are the butterflies that flutter through it, a somewhat unusual sight in a city as densely developed as West Hollywood. Massoth is worried that he will lose them because the lot on which Xotx-Tropico sits has been sold and it’s not clear that the nursery will remain. Isaac Daboush, who has been working with Leon since long before the inception of Xotx-Tropico, says: “I have been working with Leon for over 30 years, and have been here at the nursery since the beginning. We have to save this place.” “Where will all the butterflies go?” Massoth asked. “You know, three people have asked me that in the past week.” “From an ecosystemic standpoint, this nursery is very important to the community,” Massoth said. “So much life comes out of here. We are even on the Monarch butterflies’ migratory path. They stop here. There are no open lots in West Hollywood, so I have nowhere to go. The butterflies will have nowhere to go.” “Earth worship is what is going to save the world,” Massoth said. “And unconditional love. We need to save the world. And the butterflies.” 31
By Henry E. Scott Photographs by Joshua Spencer & Steffanie Walk
MUSIC WRAPPED LOOK INSIDE THE IN ART A HOUSE OF BLUES
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It’s known for having hosted the likes of Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Aerosmith and Justin Timberlake. And then there are the gospel brunches, Nashville nights and occasional Goth bands. But West Hollywood’s House of Blues is also one of the most eclectic and fascinating museums in a creative city that can claim few. Every inch of every wall, door and ceiling in the 40,000 square foot club and restaurant on Sunset Boulevard has a story, all collected by Isaac Tigrett. Tigrett is a Nashville native who got his start in the music business while living in London as what his biography describes as a “revolutionary hippie activist.” Tigrett and his business partner, Dan Akyroyd, opened the West Hollywood venue in 1994, the third of what are now 12 House of Blues clubs owned by Live Nation. It is slated to be demolished, perhaps as early as this summer, for construction of a project on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Olive Drive with 149 hotel rooms, 40 condos and a nightclub. Michael Grozier, a Live Nation executive who has worked with the House of Blues since 1994, said it hopes to conserve the massive collection of folk and Indian art inside. “I think we’re going to try to do our best to hold onto everything,” Grozier said. “We may auction some things for charity. It’s kind of a bittersweet thing to think about. The plan is to relocate in Los Angeles. We’d love to stay in West Hollywood but there’s no space.” There is a story behind everything West Hollywood will lose with the demolition of the building, including the metal-clad exterior. That corrugated metal once was wrapped around a building at the Devil’s Crossroads, the intersection of Highways 49 and 61 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It was inside that building where early blues legend Robert Johnson is said to have kneeled and offered his soul to the devil. 35
The top floor of the House of Blues building offers testament to Tigrett’s passion for Indian mysticism. It was his Indian guru, Sathya Sai Baba, who he credits for his decision to develop the House of Blues. “He told Isaac that the Hard Rock was high school. The House of Blues was college,” Grozier said. The top floor also houses the Foundation Room, a members-only restaurant and lounge whose profits support the House of Blues Foundation. The walls are covered with exotic and ancient Indian fabrics, the ceilings with sculpted material rescued from buildings hundreds of years old, and the bar railings are made from pieces from ancient Indian temples. Perhaps the most intimate of the spaces is the Ganesh room, which contains a statue of the elephant-headed Indian god for which it is named. The second floor was inspired in part by Juke Joint, photographer Birney Imes’ collection of images from black dance halls and bars in rural Mississippi. The folk art on the walls, Tigrett felt, reinforced the history of the blues and the impact of that genre on rock and other music forms that have followed. “The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits,” Grovier said, quoting blues artist Willie Dixon.
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The downstairs is dominated by a stage, over which arches the God Wall, featuring images from various religions to support the idea of unity in diversity. Nearly every part of the room is a work of folk art; for example, the bar nearby is decorated with beer lids.
The art there includes work such as Devil Fishing by Leroy Almon, the Georgia folk artist whose work centered around social and religious themes. Almon carved each work out of wood before painting it. Another artist featured on the second floor is Jimmy Lee Sudduth, also a blues musician. Sudduth lived in poverty in a shotgun house in rural Alabama and created much of his early work from pigments he made from mud mixed with house paint and motor oil. Work by Ray Ferdinand portrays life on the streets of New Orleans.
When the House of Blues opened almost twenty-four years ago, it was a catalyst for the revival of the Sunset Strip, the historic home of rock ‘n’ roll. But times change and today, the Sunset Boulevard’s nightclubs are giving way to hotels. Issac Tigrett, who left the House of Blues in 1998, now lives in Andhra Pradesh in South India, working on a mystical teaching and healing center. And one of the nation’s most eclectic collections of folk art—from both India and the American South—will soon be on the auction block or moved far from West Hollywood.
Some of the most eye-catching works in the House of Blues are the Blues Gods by Andrew Wood. The House of Blues commissioned Wood to create 118 plaster relief portraits of blues and rock musicians that now are on the ceilings of each of its venues. 43
On location: Mondrian Hotel ON CAMERON: Trainer by CHARLIE BY MATTHEW ZINK ON DYLAN: TRUNK by CHARLIE BY MATTHEW ZINK ON RANIA: Swimsuit by LA PERLA / Shoes by LOUISE ET CIE / Earrings by ISHARYA / Cuff by HELLES at ELODIE K.
Summer Splash Photographed by Michael Clifford Fashion Editor Bruno Lima
ON ELLIOTT: SWIM TRUNK by MR. TURK ON TAYLOR: Top by SASS & BIDE / Bikini bottom by L’AGENT Provocateur at BLOOMINGDALE’S BEVERLY CENTER Shoes by HARDY DESIGN WORKS / Earrings by BAR III
Foil brief by CHARLIE BY MATTHEW ZINK
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Swimsuit by LA PERLA Shoes by LOUISE ET CIE Earrings by ISHARYA Cuff by HELLES at ELODIE K.
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Dress by STELLA MCCARTNEY Heels by ZIMMERMANN Necklace by BAR III Ring by ISHARYA
Blazer by DIESEL at NORDSTROM THE GROVE Trainer by CHARLIE BY MATTHEW ZINK Necklace STYLIST’S OWN
Blazer by ZADIG & VOLTAIRE at NORDSTROM THE GROVE Bikini bottom by KARLA COLETTO Heels by SASS & BIDE Necklace & EARRINGS by STUDIO CHRISTOFLE, melrose place / sunglasses by minkpink
Bikini top by REISS Leggings by SASS & BIDE Earrings by HELLES at ELODIE K.
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Tank top by PARKE & RONEN Shorts by SANDRO at BLOOMINGDALE’S BEVERLY CENTER Hoodie by THE KOOPLES at NORDSTROM THE GROVE
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Dress by ZIMMERMANN Belt by MAJE at BLOOMINGDALE’S BEVERLY CENTER ring & Earrings by ISHARYA
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Swimsuit by L’AGENT Provocateur AT BLOOMINGDALE’S BEVERLY CENTER Sunglasses by ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON at ELODIE K.
Swimsuit by LA PERLA Shoes by LOUISE ET CIE Earrings by ISHARYA Cuff by HELLES at ELODIE K.
Top by SASS & BIDE Bikini bottom by L’AGENT Provocateur AT BLOOMINGDALE’S BEVERLY CENTER Shoes by HARDY DESIGN WORKS Earrings by BAR III
Top by MAJE AT BLOOMINGDALE’S BEVERLY CENTER Earrings by ISHARYA
Shorts by MR. TURK tank by RAF SIMONS at H. LORENZO
ON TAYLOR: Hat & bikini top by REISS / Leggings by SASS & BIDE / Earrings by HELLES at ELODIE K. ON DYLAN: Swimsuit by CHARLIE BY MATTHEW ZINK / Shirt by THE KOOPLES AT NORDSTROM THE GROVE
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SHORTS BY MICHAEL BASTIAN
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Top by TOMMY HILFIGER RUNWAY COLLECTION Earrings by HELLES at ELODIE K.
Models: Rania Bercherga & Taylor Nicole at NEXT LA Cameron Neckers & Elliott Law at DT Model Management Dylan M at Wilhelmina Models LA Hair: Candace Bossendorfer for Exclusive Artists Management using Seven Hair Care and T3 Body Waver Nicola Hamilton for Exclusive Artists Management using OCC Cosmetics and Caudalie Skincare Fashion Assistant: Sky Woroszylo
On EllioTt, this page & cover: Shorts by G-STAR / Sandals by PHILLIP LIM Sunglasses by MYKITA at H. LORENZO On Cameron: Tank by RADICAL ELEMENT / Shorts by BALDWIN Sneakers by JOHNSTON & MURPHY / Sunglasses by RAY-BAN
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SUTAN AMRULL the home where raja reigns
In this bachelor apartment, it’s all about faces (and heels, of course) PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKE ALLEN
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Who needs an interior designer when you have the sense of style that made you a winner on RuPaul’s Drag Race?
plants. The inside is lush in a way that makes one not notice the small size. No minimalism here.
Of course, it was Sutan Amrull’s acting ability (and charming real life personality) that also helped him win 2009’s season three of the famous TV competition in his drag persona of Raja. A key step along the way was his work in 2006 on America’s Next Top Model, where he caught the eye of model and producer Tyra Banks, when he appeared on camera dressed like her.
In a sense, it is all about faces—perhaps no surprise for the home of a make-up artist who also studied painting and illustration in college. There are more than a dozen paintings and sketches on one wall, all (but for one of the cat) featuring exotic faces. Even two of the cushions on the sofa carry such portraits. The rest of the apartment is covered with other exotica: a skull (a theme that also shows up in Amrull’s coffee cup and other accessories), a crown (which would be expected in the apartment of a noted drag queen), and a shelf full of high heels (most covered with glitter). And then there is the bed, long enough for his 6’3” body, which has a black backdrop festooned with sparkles that offers a sharp contrast to the patterned and predominately red quilt that covers it.
An artist and performer, Amrull’s sense of style has also been a factor in his development of a list of make-up clients who include Adam Lambert, Pamela Anderson, Tyra Banks and Iman, along with more exotic characters like Dita von Teese, Iggy Azalea and Tommy Joe Ratliff. His talent as a make-up artist is chronicled on his Sutan’s Everything YouTube channel.
Amrull, who was born in Baldwin Park, is of Dutch and Indonesian ancestry. He gives some credit for his sense of style to Indonesia, where he lived for seven years as a child in Jakarta and Bali, a haven for gay culture and art in that Islamic nation. Amrull’s apartment makes clear that drag continues to be only one of his many forms of artistic expression.
These days, his performance career also keeps him moving, with trips as far away as Mexico City and as near as DragCon, the nation’s first drag convention, held in May in downtown Los Angeles. His sense of style is evident in his apartment, a bachelor unit in a small complex on Olive Drive that is hidden from street view by a wave of
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Artists Observed AN eye for art has made SIDNEY FELSEN A LEGEND AMONG LEGENDS
By Gregory Firlotte Photographs by Ian Morrison
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When Sidney Felsen walks into a room wearing his trademark Borsalinostyle hat (of which he owns more than fifty) and a symmetrically-draped fine wool scarf about his slender but meticulously outfitted frame, you know a powerful presence has entered the space. The 90-year old Felsen is a legend in the art world—although he might be the last to consider himself as such. Legends can be hard to find in a town already filled with stars, celebrities and overnight sensations. But Felsen is the real deal, as soft-spoken, articulate and insightful as anyone could hope to find. In 1966 he, his former business partner Stanley Grinstein (who passed away in early 2014) and master printer Ken Tyler created Gemini G.E.L., an artists’ workshop and publisher of limited edition prints and sculptures on Melrose Avenue. From almost the very day they opened their doors – at a time when Los Angeles was practically considered a backwater town in the greater art world – Gemini catered to and nurtured the talents of up-and-coming artists as well as established stars in the contemporary art strata. With determination and doggedness, Felsen and his partners brought artists from both the East and West coasts to Gemini to make limited-edition lithographs, etchings, woodcuts, screenprints and sculptures that, to this day, grace the collections of worldclass museums and blue-chip art collectors.
Regarding those aforementioned stellar artists, Felsen has photographed them all during his tenure at the workshop. Reticent at first to photograph them due to his self-proclaimed lack of “professional” photo skills, Felsen became increasingly more comfortable and has now taken more than 70,000 pictures. His 2002 book The Artist Observed: Photographs by Sidney B. Felsen is a treasure trove of pictures of artists at work at Gemini, captured in the moments of creation, reflection and experimentation. And his collection of photographs is ever-expanding, having recently photographed Jonathan Borofsky, Julie Mehretu, Al Ruppersberg and Richard Tuttle while collaborating on a diverse range of projects with Gemini. And yet, with such an array of artists on the workshop’s roster and with Felsen’s groundbreaking work in bringing the L.A. art scene to the fore, Felsen remains modest about his accomplishments. “Our workshop – just like many of the artists we’ve worked with – had a humble beginning,” he said. “Together, we and the artists have worked hard and persevered, which is what it takes to make it in the art world. Gemini helped tear apart the veil that separated the East and West coast art scenes, and I’m proud that we’ve had a part in fostering that.”
“In 1965, I said to Stanley ‘wouldn’t it be fun to have an art studio just like the ones they have in Europe that show artists’ prints and sell to collectors?’,” Felsen recalled, poised on a time-worn black leather sofa in his Melrose office. The walls of that office are festooned with dozens of photos that he took of artists who collaborated with Gemini over the decades. The names are staggering: John Baldessari, Vija Celmins, David Hockney, Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein, Bruce Nauman, Claes Oldenburg, Ken Price, Robert Rauschenberg, Man Ray, Ed Ruscha, Richard Serra, Frank Stella and many, many more. That “fun” idea from 1965 became a seminal moment in L.A.’s art history that actually transformed the Southern California art scene from provincial to international in scope and reputation. “We only had one major art museum at the time and only a handful of galleries along La Cienega Boulevard, and the contemporary art scene that was exploding in the early ‘60s primarily focused on New York artists and not those in L.A.,” Felsen said. “So we wanted to help develop a following for the locals as well as entice East Coast artists to come and spend time in our workshop to experiment with their styles.” Eventually Gemini became the go-to resource for printmaking.
Another testament to Felsen’s perseverance is that he has remained at his Melrose location, whose interior and rear facade were designed by Frank Gehry, all these many decades. “Though the L.A. art scene has gone through major changes since 1966,” he noted, “this area of town has only become better with its many galleries, name-label clothing shops and world-class restaurants. You can find almost anything you want here – in fact, it’s become the cultural crossroads of Los Angeles.” And then, with a bit of nostalgia in his voice, he recalled his boyhood days growing up on nearby Crescent Heights Boulevard, “This place has always been my neighborhood, my beat.”
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“Together, we and the artists have worked hard and persevered, which is what it takes to make it in the art world...”
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He walks to work every day, waving at the shopkeepers he encounters on his path from home to the Pacific Design Center, where he mans the front desk. Many of them know Rafael Hernandez because he welcomed them to West Hollywood. “I have bought them gifts to welcome their success into the neighborhood,” Hernandez said. “They have become friends.”
the insider
Hernandez is the unofficial concierge of West Hollywood and the official concierge of the Pacific Design Center, since 1975 a major center for the interior design industry. From his station at the PDC’s Blue Building entrance on Melrose Avenue, he greets visitors from across the nation, if not the world. Dressed in a crisp suit, complete with pocket square, he steers them to one of the 130 design showrooms. And he greets many of them by name. ”I’m proud of being concierge of the PDC, and I know everyone’s names,” he said. “They like to come here, and they like to know that I know who they are. It’s nice, especially when designers come in with their clients, when I know the designer’s name. I think it makes them feel special in front of their clients. And it comes from respect; I respect the designers.”
Hernandez has worked at the design center since 1984, starting as a sample boy. “It’s an entry level position,” he explained. “From there I went to showroom assistant, which was more responsibility, handling visual displays and merchandising. Then I was showroom manager/executive assistant for two years, and then I went into sales and management. Now I am concierge and look how long I have had this career. I love my job. As a matter of fact, it’s not work to me. It’s stimulating.” Before coming to the PDC, Hernandez had worked in human resources for a bank in downtown Los Angeles. “ I woke up one day and realized that wasn’t me,” he said. “Mentally I was not where I belonged. I belonged in the creative industry, so I took three steps back to break into the design industry.”
His knowledge extends beyond the PDC. “I know a lot of people from working here and living here,” he said. “I put myself out there. Also, when new merchants come onto Santa Monica Boulevard, I go in and meet the owners.” Hernandez moved to West Hollywood from Montebello, where he grew up, in 1982. He was twenty two years old. For him, West Hollywood “was a little suburb of creativity, and I’ve seen it grow and develop and become more commercial from the bohemian village that it used to be. I still love it here. I wouldn’t think of moving anywhere else.
RaFael hernandez, the concierge of west hollywood “I love it because of the diversity, the culture and because it’s the design capital of California. The energy here is electrifying. Everything I do is in West Hollywood. I rarely go away from here. It’s weird. You can walk up and down Santa Monica and Sunset boulevards; there’s always somewhere to walk to—restaurants, cafés, art galleries.” Hernandez has immersed himself in the community in other ways. “I am in the WeHo Gay Pride parade,” he said. “It’s a celebratory city with the Halloween Carnaval extravaganza and the Gay Pride parade and festival. There are always events that bring the community together in celebration.” “West Hollywood is a place where you can just be you, especially when you have these festivals and parades, you have all cultures, ethnicities, and everyone is dancing together.” ”I have always embraced the community and it has embraced me back, more so than I could have ever imagined. And everybody is cool and respectful of each other. It’s not gay or straight, it’s people getting along. There are no labels, it’s just life. That’s what West Hollywood is all about. No judgment. Acceptance. There’s no place like West Hollywood.”
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By Maria Bertrand Photographs by Cassandra Plavoukos
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SERIOUSLY GREAT DESIGN (By Clive Wilkinson Architects)
For a Funny (or Die) Office by Juliette Mutzke-Felippelli photographS by Nico Marques / Photekt
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Known for creating viral videos starring A-list actors parodying everything from international politics to the politics of juice cleanses, Funny or Die has embedded itself into popular culture, yet still maintains “a startup mentality,” said Jana Fain-Rossen, who is director of operations, facilities and personnel. That mentality was the impetus for Funny or Die’s office design when it moved into this building in 2013. “We wanted to have a ‘kids can play here and not break anything’ feel to our office,” she said. To achieve that, they hired Clive Wilkinson Architects (CWA), a firm known for award-winning corporate office design that taps into brand expression. Since the firm’s founding in 1991, it has designed some of the world’s most innovative offices, including Google’s headquarters in Silicon Valley, 20th Century Fox’s Digital Studios, TBWA\Chiat\Day and The Barbarian Group, to name a few. Meghan Kelly, an associate and project manager at CWA and the project architect on the FOD space, said that while FOD wanted to maintain a low-key vibe for its staff, the programming for the space was not so simple.
or nearly 100 years, “The Lot” on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and North Formosa Avenue has been the studio home of some of the most popular films and television shows of all time—everything from West Side Story and Apocalypse Now to The Love Boat and The Social Network. So perhaps it’s no surprise that today The Lot is home to Funny or Die, a company pioneering digital entertainment. On the first floor of the building, the hushed yet friendly studio staff guide you to the main entrance where bright yellow industrial stairs take you to the reception area. There you are greeted by a life-size statue of a horse (named Eduardo, in case you were curious) that was a Christmas gift from actress and comedian Melissa McCarthy. On this main floor, exposed walls, pink-tinted windows in the “Big Lounge” and a “Fishbowl” where you can write on the clear glass walls while standing on Astroturf create the instant sense of mischief that reflects the productions of the Emmy-winning digital entertainment company founded by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy.
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from manufacturers including Herman Miller, BoConcept and Vitra that could be repositioned for the staff ’s needs of the day.
he first challenge was creating separate but connected spaces for Funny or Die, its founding company Gary Sanchez Productions and its sister company, Gifted Youth. The design had to reflect each company’s unique temperament while maintaining a seamless circulation between the three. CWA addressed this by locating Gary Sanchez on the west side of the building where more quiet space was needed and providing Gifted Youth with its own entrance to accommodate its studio needs.
CWA “understands how humans interact and collaborate,” Kelly said. “We have a way to bring aspects of urban design, like the buzz of a city sidewalk, into an interior setting.” As to the unfinished aesthetic of the environment, Clive Wilkinson, president of CWA, who Interior Design Magazine has inducted into its hall of fame, said “Funny or Die didn’t want anything slick or too corporate.” Fain-Rossen said that the “fun industrial look” “gives the staff more freedom to use the resources they have,” and allows workers to “put their own imprint on the office space.”
The second challenge was creating multifunctional areas for the various staff and visiting writers, producers, executives, administrators and actors. This also included addressing special Funny or Die needs like having a stage with acoustics and lighting and an office that could handle constant filming since FOD is known to film anywhere and everywhere in its office. And Funny or Die wanted to ensure that employees could work when and how they wanted. Kelly said they addressed that by first creating a hierarchical flow of privacy, starting with the reception and lounge area. This is where the majority of the “buzz” occurs as it is the entry point to the office. This flows into the semi-private areas that house the editors and then moves into the private areas that house the writers and producers. CWA also specified flexible and durable furniture
The concept has clearly clicked with the Funny or Die team as evidenced by the fact that employees have taken the liberty to dress up their own spaces. Even the men’s restroom has been tricked out with a guestbook, complimentary peppermint patties and blue ice in the toilets. But what else would you expect in the office that gave us Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis?
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Away for a Day: Santa Monica A Guide for Vegans and Carnivores, Art Lovers and Cocktailers by mike tittinger Photographs by NAOMI YAMADA
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A GOOD MORNING It’s hard to categorize Santa Monica, a city as unique as its inhabitants. Bordered by the Pacific, the Palisades and the 405, it’s somewhere between a metropolis and a suburb. In the last year alone, publications have dubbed it “The Smartest Suburb,” “The Best Dressed Small City,” “The 5th Most Exciting City” and “Hot Tub Capital” of the world. And the variety that is Santa Monica can be explored in eighteen hours.
Coffee at Milo + Olive
Start your day in good hands. Milo + Olive, from Santa Monica natives Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan (Huckleberry, Rustic Canyon), is the latest entry to the tastiest empire on the Westside. The interior is intimate and warm, perfect for a groggy weekend morning after, with gorgeous wooden rafters and an open kitchen concept. “We’d always dreamed of a place where people can come and eat a pastry and drink coffee while reading the paper and watching the kitchen staff,” says Nathan. A redesign has doubled the seating capacity and extended the fabled pastry counter. Nosh on an extended menu of Zoe’s breads or sweet cream brioche as you watch the kitchen staff roast vegetables and braise meats in preparation for the day ahead. Like their other restaurants, Milo + Olive has a laid back vibe. But get there early. Open for breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. 2723 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 90403 (310) 453-6776
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Hike Temescal Gateway Park / Temescal Canyon Trail
Sometimes you have to step back to appreciate something in full. Two miles up the Pacific Coast Highway is Temescal Gateway Park, where you can get your heart pumping with a morning hike. On a clear day, the breathtaking views encompass the entire Santa Monica Bay and stretch from Downtown L.A. to Palos Verde. With 141 acres of oak and sycamore canyons, ridge-top views and access to miles of trails in Topanga and Will Rogers State Parks, Temescal is the perfect jumping off spot for hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains. Chaparral arches over much of the trail, with frequent clearings so you can take in the views and feel the cool ocean breeze. There’s even a “waterfall,” which is really more like water trickling down some rocks, but it’s a destination. The four-mile loop is a moderate hike, with one thousand feet of elevation gain, but the payoff comes in the clearings and expansive views of your domain. Or you can just lie in a grassy patch and mull the day ahead. Either way, you won’t be alone. Park on Sunset Boulevard to sidestep the $7 parking fee. 15601 W Sunset Blvd. Pacific Palisades
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Enclave at Sunrise SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FROM THE $600s
Tailored for your lifestyle.
Farmers’ Market
Santa Monica’s farmers’ markets are among the best in the state, and one of the most charming is the Main Street Farmer’s Market. Staged every Sunday in the parking lot of The Victorian, an 1892 mansion in Heritage Square, it’s as much county fair as a place to pick kumquats. The site is also home to the Basement Tavern, a renowned speakeasy at the bottom of the mansion. In addition to thirty farmers spreading their wares, there are prepared foods from local Main Street restaurants and artisan breakfasts made with ingredients sourced from the farmers. There is live music entertainment and even pony rides for the little ones at this communityfocused market. You should bring your bike. This is Santa Monica. Beat traffic and the mind-numbing parking search with the Bike Valet service, where attendants watch your wheels for free.
Don’t miss your opportunity to own one of only 19 luxurious Mid-century Modern homes at The Enclave. Located in Palm Springs Historic Tennis Club neighborhood, these distinctive homes are a must see! •Sprawling Single-story Floorplans •Mountain Views •Cul-de-Sac Locations
2640 Main Street Santa Monica 90405 (310) 458-8712
BEAZER.COM • 760-778-2542 1576 SAVVY CT. PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262
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*Pricing, features and availability subject to change without notice. Not available with any other offer. Additional restrictions may apply. See New Home Counselor for complete details. Beazer Homes CA BRE No. 01503061 © 2015 Beazer Homes. 2/15 123047
afternoon delight
Bergamot Station
Tucked away on the east end of town in an old train depot is the art compound Bergamot Station, a campus of galleries and installations in a rudimentary structure that retains its industrial look. Originally a stop for the Red Line trolley (running from Los Angeles to the Santa Monica Pier), the city’s art hub houses two dozen galleries displaying photography, modern art, sculpture and more. Since 1994, those who appreciate art have been finding everything from Picasso and Dali to skeletons with flies taped on them inside the rustic complex. Art is in the eye of the beholder. It’s a peaceful afternoon escape, and staffers will let you be. In fact, you may even feel you’re interrupting the artists as you drift from one gallery to the next. Bergamot has come full circle. Next year, there will a stop for the Expo Line light rail just outside. Admission to all of the galleries is free. Unless you decide to bring Dali home 2525 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica 90404 (310) 453-7535
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GRAMERCY AT HOLLYWOOD SI NGLE FA MI LY HOM ES FROM $674, 990 1717 NORTH GRAMERCY PLACE LOS ANGELES, CA 90028
323-464-1093
Brentwood Country Mart
Don’t let the name fool you. The Brentwood Country Mart sits squarely in Santa Monica and is a great place to take fashion’s temperature. Opened in 1948, the red-board structure evokes early American and English country marketplaces, with shops and stalls arranged around a central courtyard. Intended as the Westside version of Los Angeles’s famed Farmer’s Market, the Brentwood Country Mart is an “all-in-one service center” offering products and services from the everyday to the exotic. Today, Mart Barbers Shop and Country Mart Shoe Repair share space with luxury lifestyle boutiques such as Calypso St. Barth, Malia Mills and Kendall Conrad. The Mart is cozy and familiar compared to the newly renovated Santa Monica Place downtown, retaining that charm of Santa Monica days long gone. Pull up a chair in one of the courtyards and people watch with dessert from Sweet Rose Creamery, the Mart’s legendary ice cream shop. 225 26th St. at San Vicente Santa Monica 90402 (310) 451-9877
In the heart of Hollywood with a pulse on contemporary style, Gramercy is close to it all. Only a few steps away from community dining and entertainment, you also have the perfect place to host guests on your 4th floor roof deck or second floor balcony. PANORAMIC VIEWS
CONVENIENT SHOPPING NEARBY
WALKING DISTANCE TO HOLLYWOOD’S BEST ATTRACTIONS
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Pricing, features and availability subject to change without notice. See New Home Counselor for complete details. Renderings are artist’s conception and may not reflect actual homesites. BRE License No. 01503061. © 2015 Beazer Homes. 2/15 123047
Belcampo Meat Company
For the carnivores (who can seem like a dying breed in Santa Monica), there is Belcampo. The 86-seat restaurant serves up both rustic and elegant, meaty California cuisine and farm-inspired cocktails prepared with ingredients from Belcampo Farms in Shasta Valley. Its bright white façade on Wilshire Boulevard evokes 1930’s deco architecture, and you enter just left of its old-fashioned butcher shop. In back is a spacious dining room with brick, rich blue tiling and cow hides on the wall, hand-painted by Santa Monica native Brit Kleinman. There is also a smaller Belcampo in downtown L.A. Belcampo CEO Anya Fernald said the Santa Monica location was opened because “we were inspired to do something bigger. Santa Monica was the natural next step. We wanted to bring our farm’s products to the table in a big way.” Belcampo’s dishes, by head chef Maiki Le (Josie Restaurant) and sous chef Mahasin Habeel (Sadie Kitchen and Lounge), emphasize organic, humanely raised meat. It even has a coding system that tracks the animals from birth to butchery to your plate. Try the BBQ Old Fashioned with Balcones Baby Blue bourbon, brown sugar cube, smoked BBQ bitters, flamed BBQ tincture and a hunk of Belcampo jerky. When your doctor says occasional red meat is good for you, this is what he meant. 1026 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 90401 (424) 744-8008
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Vermillion at Escena SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FROM THE $600s
At this gated Palm Springs community, you will relax to majestic views of the desert landscape, enjoy a short stroll to the highly acclaimed Escena Grill or test your skill at the Escena Golf Club, one of the top public courses in the state. • Mid-century Modern Architecture • Outdoor Patios with Mountain Views • Golf Course Living
LifeFood Organic
Herbivores can enjoy raw deliciousness while soaking up vitamin B at LifeFood Organic. Sharing a building with Vidiots, a funky throwback video rental store, LifeFood Organic’s outdoor patio is a Zen retreat from the bustling city just beyond. “Our vision from the start was to create a space that inspires our customers,” said general manager Viktoria Holodryha. “We do it with food, and we do it with the look of the restaurant.” Inside, the restaurant is immaculate with white brick walls and rotating art installations, including a mosaic handcrafted by owner Jean Louis Bartoli.
BEAZER.COM • 760-459-1111 1425 PASSAGE ST. PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262
“Clean, spacious, ethereal … all that we do at LifeFood comes from love of the Earth,” they say. LifeFood is celebrating its first year in Santa Monica with the opening of an outdoor yoga deck out back, all part of its vision for “collective wellbeing.” The super-friendly staff is as passionate about your health as their own. They’ll work to cure what ails you with fare such as Raw Vegan Hawaiian Kale Pizza, Mediterranean Greek salad, Mexican chipotle breakfast wrap and home-made juices. If you’re really want to feel the self-love, try the liver/gallbladder cleanse. Good vibes emanate from the walls at LifeFood Organic. So does free wi-fi. 306 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica 90405 (310) 450-9693
GET MORE IN A NEW HOME *Pricing, features and availability subject to change without notice. See New Home Counselor for complete details. Renderings are artist’s conception and may not reflect actual homesites. BRE License No. 01503061. © 2015 Beazer Homes. Additional information and disclosures regarding Escena are available at Escena.com. Escena is a registered trademark of New Valley PS LLC. 2/15 123047
AN EVENING OUT The Bungalow
For happy hour, watch the sun slip behind the Santa Monica Mountains at The Bungalow. This breezy, Baja-style 1947 cottage and its lushly landscaped gardens have become the go-to spot in Santa Monica. Take in the relaxed charm of another era at the rustic main bar, which features a wood-burning stove, solid oak herringbone floors and a soaring ceiling with wood rafters. But room to roam has always been the draw of The Bungalow, with five distinct spaces in which to find respite from hectic city life: The Study, a main bar, an outside deck, a State Room and East Garden for private dining and a game room. Each flows together seamlessly, like a private house party at a seaside mansion. The fading sunshine and atmospheric music are perfect complements to the handcrafted margaritas. The mating ritual, and line out front, starts at eight and never ends. There will be crowds at the biggest house party on the Westside. 101 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 90401 (310) 899-8530
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the Chestnut Club
Give the crowds and cool evenings the slip by stopping for a nightcap at the Chestnut Club. Don’t look for a sign around the corner from Truxton’s at 14th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard, there isn’t one. Just walk down the small flight of stairs and be transported. Exposed brick walls, rustic wood beam ceilings, tufted leather Chesterfield booths and a faux fireplace make you feel right at home. There may be a few die-hards dancing in front of the DJ, but make no mistake—this bar is for drinking. There is no food menu, but oh, look at that fabulous display of bottles behind the dimly lit bar. Classically inspired cocktails created by Pablo Moix (Black Market Liquor Bar, Scopa Italian Roots) range from aromatic Spanish style gin and tonics to the Westside cocktail and the Incorrigible Uncle Slappy. Don’t be intimidated by the mixologists with creative facial hair, suspenders and felt hats. The staff is super helpful in finding the right concoction to toast your stress-free day in Santa Monica. Open daily after 5pm 1348 14th St. Santa Monica 90404 (310) 393-1348
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One City One Pride Highlights June 5: Opening receptions WeHo@30: Art AIDS WeHo WeHo@30: Art AIDS WeHo is a collection of three exhibits and related programming taking place both during and after One City One Pride. These exhibits are: – “Art AIDS America” is hosted jointly at the West Hollywood Library and ONE Archives Gallery & Museum. This exhibit is a preview of a national touring exhibit curated by Jonathan D. Katz (founder of the Harvey Milk Institute, and first artistic director of the National Queer Arts Festival in San Francisco) and Rock Hushka (Tacoma Art Museum) which presents the first comprehensive look at the national impact of AIDS on art over three decades. (June 5-September 6) Reception 7–9pm. RSVP at weho.org/pride – The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles presents “Tongues Untied,” an exhibition titled after the landmark film by poet, activist, and artist Marlon Riggs. “Tongues Untied” presents a selection of works from the museum’s permanent collection by John Boskovich, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and others, alongside Riggs’s deeply personal and lyrical exploration of black gay identity in the United States. “Tongues Untied” is organized by The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and Curatorial Assistant Rebecca Matalon. (June 6-September 13) MOCA members’ reception 7–9pm. moca.org –Dancers We Lost is a commemorative street banner and history project which will be on display throughout West Hollywood, featuring images of dancers lost to AIDS and other causes. This project is organized by historian Glenne McElhinney. (Summer 2015)
June 6: A Day of Art and History This is the official opening day for the ‘WeHo@30: Art AIDS WeHo’ exhibits with additional events and film screenings taking place in and around the West Hollywood Library.
8:00pm LA LGBT History Screening features 3 short films ‘Some of Your Best Friends’ (A look at the early LA Gay Pride Movement featuring Don Kilhefner, Rev. Troy Perry & Morris Kight), ‘Nancy From East Side Clover’ (83 year old Butch Chicana Lesbian legend Nancy Valverde recounts her experiences being out in 1950’s L.A.) and ‘L.A. A Queer History’ (a promo short for a documentary exploring the birth of gay liberation in LA). The West Hollywood Library is located at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., and validated parking will be provided for the 5-story Public/Park Parking Structure for event attendees.
June 27: One City One Pride Day of Theatre Takes place in two venues in Plummer Park as well as throughout the park with the following programs: 2pm ALAP Gay & Lesbian Playreading Festival features readings of 6 short plays on the theme “Life at 30.” 3pm Performance artist Yozmit will perform a meditational walk through the park wearing a specially custom-made outfit that incorporates red ribbon in remembrance of those who were lost to AIDS. 4pm Hank Henderson’s HomoCentric brings together diverse voices in LGBTQ writing. 4:30pm ReEvolutionary Productions “Recognition = Life.” If “Silence = Death” then through the recognition of the talents of those who were lost too early in the AIDS epidemic or by other causes, their contributions are honored with “Recognition=Life”.
11am–2pm Stuart Timmons, co-author of “Gay LA” suffered a stroke before his West Hollywood LGBTQ Mobile Tour was completed. Now thanks to a team of helpers, the tour will launch with a colorful cast of characters from different historical eras stationed along the route on this day from 11am-2pm.
5:30pm “Flirty Thirty: The WeHo Queer History Project.” Under the guidance of performance activist Ian MacKinnon of Planet Queer, local performance artists will mine the rich 30-year history of West Hollywood’s LGBTQ community for potent stories.
3pm MOCA Screening of “Tongues Untied” and experimental video “Anthem” by Marlon Riggs in conjunction with the new exhibit of the same name at MOCA PDC.
6:50pm APT 3F hosts a variety show with artists reflecting on the wild days of WeHo.
6pm Art Talk on Art AIDS America. Exhibition co-curator Jonathan D. Katz and exhibition artists Rudy Lemcke and Joey Terrill debate the thesis of the exhibition. 7:30pm A presentation by historian Glenne McElhinney about a new street banner and historical research project called Dancers We Lost.
7:45pm REACH LA presents “Face Over 30: The Road To Ovahness” an original production based on the true stories of an African American gay young man’s plight and journey from ages 15 to 30. Plummer Park is located at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., free parking is available in both Plummer Park parking lots (please note any time restrictions).
For additional events, visit weho.org/pride
Mateusz
MICHAEL
ALEJO
JUSTIN
KAREN
@opamatthew “ Wearing clothes that make me feel comfortable and myself ”
@michaelraronwits “London edgy street-inspired”
@alejobog “ Denim flare with a splash of color here and there”
@jddratedx “Rowdy skater”
@karenrubyn “ Homeless chic”
Look Book
CHARLEY
ERICK
ZACK
ALEJANDRA
DAYNE
@charley_tii “Urban mixed with casual”
@erickstryker “Bohemian chic, colorful prints”
@zackaryxxryan “Hipster/rockabilly”
@alejandrangelc “ Casual, feminine, chic”
@daynebrett “ New York City–Brooklyn SoCal”
Styles described in ten words or less | Santa Monica Boulevard at Westmount Drive 94
SCARLET
HERALD
DOUGIE
MELODY
ERIC
@scarletinni “ Eclectic, vintage, rock ‘n’ roll”
@heraldx “ Roshe, Nike street wear and schwood glasses”
@idougahole “Eurotrash?”
@msmelodyann “Casual, comfortable, sexy edge”
@supermanforever1 “ Whatever makes me feel good that day”
WEST HOLLYWOOD
CHRISTIAN
kimani
ERICK
KATE
TOSH
@beingcj “ Casual everyday, simple and fun”
@khelonian “Always enjoy wearing black”
@erickohair “ Military casual”
@kateroxmckay “ Super awesome fun glitter rainbow”
@toshyanez “ Edgy, eccentric, colorful, boho, dark”
Photographs by Ryan Jerome 95
BEDTIME STORIES Steven Reigns, West Hollywood’s City Poet Last year he was named West Hollywood’s first “city poet,” a designation that signals the city’s interest in promoting literature as a part of local culture and a recognition of how prolific and creative Steven Reigns is. Along with over a dozen chapbooks, he has published the collections “Inheritance” (Sibling Rivalry, 2011) and “Your Dead Body is My Welcome Mat” (Burning Page Press, 2001). He edited “My Life is Poetry,” which features works by his students in the first-ever autobiographical poetry workshop for LGBT seniors. Currently, Reigns is touring “The Gay Rub,” an exhibition of rubbings from LGBT landmarks, and is at work on a new collection of poetry. Where does he read? “I usually read in bed,” Reigns said. “I can read or write anywhere but prefer to do it in a quiet environment. I’m madly in love with my bed. A guy I dated used to call it ‘the vortex.’ It is a vortex and one of my favorite places to spend time. A few years ago I installed Magic Fingers, the quarter-operated vibrating machine found in hotels in the late ’70s. It only enhanced my love of being in bed.” And what does Reigns read? “Poetry is one of the biggest loves of my life.,” he said. “It’s about the only thing I write, and it’s what I prefer to read. My time has been limited, and so I’ve been taking fewer chances on experimental or unknown work. I now tend to read poets I’m familiar with or that come highly recommended. I listen to audiobooks when commuting and those tend to be nonfiction. “I was recently in Skylight Bookstore and kept admiring their local author section, so I decided to create something similar in my home and dedicated the shelf on my nightstand to L.A. writers I enjoy and respect. Book writers are undervalued in L.A., and I wanted to make sure I didn’t do that in my home, so they are placed together in a position of prominence. David Francis, Attica Locke, John Morgan Wilson, Brendan Constantine, Eloise Klein Healy, Tim Miller, Cheryl Klein, Amy Gerstler, Janet Fitch, Noel Alumit, Wendy C. Ortiz, Rita Williams, Alistair McCartney, Kate Gale, Terry Wolverton. The list goes on and on.
“Poetry is one of the biggest loves of my life. It’s about the only thing I write, and it’s what I prefer to read.”
“I don’t own a Kindle. I enjoy the tactile nature of paper pages and book binding, however I’ve been thinking of getting a Kindle recently. I don’t believe in the trophy library, but I’m also a sentimentalist of sorts. I’m not ready to part with books altogether. However, a Kindle would be easier for reference. I wanted to read a specific Sharon Olds poem last week and found myself pulling each book off my shelf and searching the contents.”
Photograph by Mike Allen
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