Jewelry with Heart: AMOREphosis
Camille Grammer and girlfriends launch a naturally gorgeous jewelry line that gives back.
March 22, 2012
AMOREphosis, a new jewelry line founded by four influential LA women, is now available at Fred Segal and Stylehaus.. Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsstar Camille Grammer, along with friends Tricia Stabile, Nina Segal, and Julie Martin, created AMOREphosis, a play on the idea that “Love Transforms,” to inspire women through words of encouragement. Designed as three collections of bold cuffs, charm necklaces, and delicate earrings, the pieces are made with stones such as aquamarine and labradorite and are inscribed with motivational phrases. Most endearing is the line’s commitment to charity: a portion of sales proceeds benefit Blessings in a Backpack and the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund.
Bistro Bagatelle Opens in West Hollywood
New York’s most debaucherous supper club comes to town.
March 21, 2012
Bagatelle, the New York-based French bistro known for its boozy, DJ-fueled Champagne brunches and Euro-diners, has landed in LA. Nestled along La Cienega’s restaurant row, the newly remodeled space is in stark contrast to its predecessor, Coco de Ville. What was once a dark, boudoir-themed nightclub is now an elegant, whitewashed hotspot with crystal chandeliers, famous artwork, and lush greenery.
Taking advantage of the LA sunshine, the restaurant also incorporates an intimate outdoor patio, and sliding glass panels to welcome the mellifluous spring breeze. Although the famous Champagne brunch, synonymous with jeroboams and table- and chair-top dancing, will not debut until summer, the cuisine is sure to draw crowds well before then.
Executive chef Scott Quinn’s (formerly of Bouchon) warm and cold appetizers, such as red wine-poached pear salad, yellowfin tuna tartare, and pickled pork belly with sauce moutarde beautifully compliment entrées like day-boat scallops with toasted quinoa, Marcho Farms veal delmonico, and whole truffled roasted chicken for two.
Refreshing cocktails and decadent desserts (the banana cheesecake in a jar is a must) round out the menu. A DJ keeps the party going until the wee hours on Wednesdays through Saturdays—giving a taste of the dayclub atmosphere to come when weekend brunch starts up. 755 North La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-659-3900
Le Métier de Beauté’s Cosmic Color Wheel
The brand’s latest collection harnesses hues from the night sky.
March 21, 2012
Luxury beauty brand Le Métier de Beauté looked to the skies for its spring color inspiration. The new Northern Lights collection captures the magical hues resulting from the Aurora Borealis, a atmospheric collision of naturally charged atomic particles that brightens the night sky with greens, purples, and blues. The line’s Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in aurora ($95, ABOVE) captures the essence of the phenomenon with four shades (ionic, sky, magnetic and equinox) that are perfect for layering. Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
Kate Spade Celebrates Brad Goreski
The brand held an intimate, star-studded dinner party in honor of the stylist’s new book.
March 19, 2012
Last week, Kate Spade New York president and creative director Deborah Lloyd threw an intimate dinner party in stylist Brad Goreski’s honor. Held at the swanky Sunset Tower Hotel, the occasion celebrated Goreski’s new book, Born to be Brad: My Life and Style So Far, and was attended by the stylist’s star client, Jessica Alba, as well as a host of other fashionable friends, including Minka Kelly, Mandy Moore, and Ahna O’Reilly. Looking lovely in bright Kate Spade attire, the famous ladies weren’t the only ones attracting attention. In a nod to Goreski’s signature style, the waiters were dressed in colorful bowties, Chuck Taylors, and Hudson denim. Replicas of Goreski’s thick-framed glasses were given out as party favors. Guests also went home with a signed copy of the new book and a Kate Spade “Eat Cake for Breakfast” pouch.
photograph by Donato Sardella/gettyimages.com
New Exhibit: Snow White in Watercolor
Take a walk through the darker side of the enchanted forest.
March 19, 2012
This spring/summer, the classic Grimm fairytale of Snow White will be retold on the big screen—Mirror, Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman—and in artist Camille Rose Garcia’s new exhibit, “Snow White: The Complete Works on Paper.” Shown at Michael Kohn Gallery (through April 14), the show includes watercolor works painted by Garcia for Harper Design’s new edition of Snow White. The whimsical and gothic paintings combine the haunting elements of the original Grimm tale with the classic animation of Disney’s 1937 animated rendition. 8071 Beverly Blvd., LA, 323-658-8088
Tracy Reese Packs a Chic Picnic Basket
The designer lends one of her ladylike prints to a new Clos du Bois picnic basket.
March 16, 2012
Designer Tracy Reese and Clos du Bois Winery invites you to spend a sunny spring day with a picnic and a bottle of wine. The Clos du Bois Chic Picnique by Tracy Reese ($135) is a limited-edition wicker picnic basket that is both fashionable and functional. Lined with Reese’s summer bloom print, the basket includes napkins, wine glasses, corkscrew, bottle stopper, and a bottle of the Northern California winery’s chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. To celebrate the partnership, an elegant luncheon was held poolside at Santa Monica’s Viceroy Hotel on March 13th with Reese and friends, including Emma Roberts, Mena Suvari, Kate Mara and Busy Phillips.
Photograph courtesy of Clos du Bois/Tracy Reese
Men’s Pop-Up Shop: Shelter Half
An afternoon at the lounge-style shop can mean walking away with a pair of khakis, the perfect manly chair, or simply a cup of Joe.
March 16, 2012
Located among South La Brea’s stretch of design stores, Shelter Half is a temporary men’s marketplace full of clothing, furniture, leather goods, home accessories, and vintage books. The brainchild of Davide Berruto and Camilla Trigano, of eco-friendly Environment Furniture (environmentfurniture.com), the 4,200-square-foot space is open through May, selling goods made by American brands such as RTH, Save Khaki, and Jacob Bromwell. Reminiscent of a hip downtown loft, the shop bills itself as “part showroom, part salon” with a book nook, courtesy of Arcana, cozy couch lounging area, and coffee corner pouring lattes and like made with LA’s Handsome Coffee beans. Shop a bit, sit a spell, support American brands—we like it. 161 South La Brea Blvd., LA, 323-936-0225
Fair Trade Jewelry Pick: Same Sky
The brand brings its handmade beaded designs to Saks Fifth Avenue.
March 15, 2012
Purple Unity bracelet ($145)
Support women artisans half a world away by shopping the Same Sky jewelry trunk show at Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills on March 22. Known for its trade-not-aid initiative, Same Sky employs HIV-positive African women, many of whom are survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as artisans, teaching them to make jewelry and providing them with a platform to sell globally. In addition to Same Sky's signature hand-blown glass beaded bracelets and necklaces, of which Halley Berry and Meryl Streep are both fans, the trunk show will also introduce the brand’s new collection of fabric wrap, prosperity, and unity bracelets. The event runs from 10 AM to 7 PM, with a Champagne reception beginning at 5 PM. 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hill, 310-275-4211
Photograph courtesy of Same Sky
Style Find: Pixel Perfect Ballet Flats
Slip into spring with these modern and remarkably comfy Repetto flats.
March 14, 2012
Repetto is stepping into the digital world this spring. Known for elegantly crafted and refined flats, the French label debuted a new pixilated print to add to its iconic BB collection. The vibrantly colored ballet flats ($265) will bring stylish comfort and a bold statement to your wardrobe. net-a-porter.com
Call to Cause: The Stuart House Benefit
John Varvatos corralled celebs and musicians to the corner of Melrose and Robertson to raise $700,000 for Stuart House.
March 13, 2012
With a healthy mix of stars and rockers, such as Cindy Crawford, Steven Tyler, Rachel Zoe, Dave Matthews, and Justin Theroux, the Ninth Annual Stuart House Benefit was the place to be last Sunday. Held just steps away from the John Varvatos flagship, on the corner of Robertson Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, the day-long benefit comprised a street fair of children’s activities, live auctions, shopping, food trucks, and a rare solo performance by Matthews. (The musician and close friend of Varvatos flew down from his Seattle home just for the occasion.) The John Varvatos store was open and a portion of the day’s menswear sales were donated to Stuart House, the UCLA children’s rape treatment center. In all, a whopping $700,000 was raised for the cause.
