SURE THINGS

You know that go-to outfit you can always rely on to get noticed, no matter what? It is like solid gold! Here are my favorite "Sure Things" for getting attention when I go out.

Most Complimented Clothing & Accessories:
1) DVF dresses. This woman is GOOD. I have NEVER gone out wearing a Diane von Furstenberg wrap and NOT gotten compliments. It’s a sure thing. I have a friend named Lo-Lo who is trying to get a DVF in every color and I don’t blame her!
2) D&G heels. Shoes may not come readily to mind when Dolce and Gabbana are mentioned, but the Italian designing due really has a knack for constructing unique and sexy slingbacks and peep toes that get everyone’s attention. The secondary line is amazing as well. Get a pedicure. Go to the store in SOHO and try some on. {And as long as you’re in the neighborhood, nip into Té Casan – the amazing new footwear Mecca to which celebs and mere mortals alike are flocking}
3) Ultra-long boot-cut jeans. The best ones are Rock & Republic. They fit like a charm and have the longest inseams. Girls, don’t shy away from the 34-26” inseam, even if you are short: you can get some fab platforms and make you and your legs look a mile long. Better too long than too short, I always say. One caveat: don’t let your pants pool around your feet. You want to have a small break, and avoid letting the rear hem scrape along the sidewalk. Nothing looks sloppier than a muddy cuff. Skinny jeans are great, too . . . if you are skinny (see Stella McCartney's, courtesy Net-a-Porter).
4) Hair Extensions. Don’t scoff! These are an easy and fun way to play dress-up, and people are sure to notice your gorgeous locks, but they’ll never know that the extra length is faux as long as you match your color correctly. Err on the dark side, because the lower layers of your hair naturally have deeper tones. Ask your colorist if you’re not sure. [Btw, the best colorist in nyc is Hubert Cartier at Frederic Fekkai in Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue. Well worth the hundreds of dollars he charges for double process color.] Back to extensions: Jessica Simpson really does have a wonderful line. Her “Hair Do” clip-ins are phenomenal and affordable. Go to extensions.com. They have periodic sales and you can get everything 20% off. Also, they say that the extensions can only be worn a few times but I’ve had mine for over a year and worn them to nearly a dozen events and they are still going strong. Have fun with it! The hardest part is not blurting out:”They’re extensions!!” when people comment on how amazing your hair looks tonight.

Shulman Book Signing AT DWR Friday

I'm a huge fan of Julius Shulman and have previously mentioned him in my posts about Neutra's Kaufmann House auction, beautiful Calendars for 2008 and the 2008 Photo LA exposition.

Well, for all you fans out there in the Los Angeles area, he will be doing a book signing at Design Within Reach on Beverly Blvd. Friday, February 29, 6–8pm, and today is the last day to RSVP! Read on for details.


Above: Shulman is seen here in his Hollywood Hills home.
photo: John Ellis for Metropolis

The photographer’s new three-volume set is drawn from his extensive archive, which contains more than 260,000 images.


Above: Julius Shulman, Modernism Rediscovered, 3 Vols.
Shulman, Julius / Drohojowska-Philp, Hunter / Edwards, Owen / Shulman, Julius / Ethington, Philip J. / Loughrey, Peter Hardcover, 3 vol. in a slipcase 11.4 x 14.5 in., 1008 pages, ISBN 978-3-8228-4287-4
$ 300.00


DWR is pleased to welcome photographer Julius Shulman. The legendary architecture photographer will join us in the Studio for a book signing and retrospective of his prolific work behind the lens. Shulman is responsible for some of the most sought-after architectural photography to date, with an emphasis on images of Southern California modernism. The photographer will be joined by author Michael Stern who will discuss his recently penned “Julius Shulman: Palm Springs.” Inside you will find striking images of many celebrated Palm Springs addresses from Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann House to the Raymond Loewy House and John Lautner’s design for Bob Hope.

Book Soup will be selling copies of this freshly published photo essay and Shulman and Stern will be signing copies. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP to beverlyblvd@dwr.com by February 27.


Above: Julius Shulman's photo of the 1960 FRANK GEHRY Steeves Residence


Above: Shulman's photo of the 1960 PIERRE KOENIG Stahl Residence

About the artist:
A resident of Los Angeles since 1920, Julius Shulman has been documenting modernist architecture in Southern California and across the globe for nearly eight decades. His images of Pierre Koenig's Case Study House No. 22 (1960) in Los Angeles and Richard J. Neutra's Kaufmann House (1947) in Palm Springs are among the most recognizable and iconic architectural photographs of the 20th century. Shulman's interest in photography developed into a career when he photographed Neutra's Kun Residence in Los Angeles with his Kodak Vestpocket camera in 1936. Neutra admired young Shulman's images and continued to commission his work. Other leading architects of the time followed suit, as did hundreds of magazines, newspapers, and book publishers. Shulman's numerous awards include the Architectural Photography Medal from the American Institute of Architects (1969), a lifetime achievement award from the International Center of Photography in New York (1998), and honorary doctorates from various academic institutions.

The book is also available for purchase online from Taschen here.

MUST HAVES FOR FALL 2008

Fellow Fashionistas, I am well aware that it is not yet March, and I have just listed the must-haves for Spring 2008 (see below), but I have just viewed a lion's share of the runway shows from Milan, London, Paris and New York [if you are so inclined, newyorkmagazine.com has excellent coverage of the tents in Bryant Park and other fashion meccas], and I feel compelled to begin my shopping list. Not only can we keep an eye out for end-of-season deals that fit the bill, but we can assess our closets and determine what to pull out of cold storage (hi, leg warmers!) and what to buy.

> Winter White, particularly in layers. You can even throw in some nudes here. Sweater dressing is definitely still IN. See interpretations by Blugirl, Tuleh & Verrier, above. Note that beige, light blue and white look SO chic together!

> Anything plaid. And don’t be afraid to mix & match. See photo at left of the D&G show, where tartan tights were paired with a dress of similar checks in different colors. Brazen, unabashed, commendable.

> A textured or furry dress, preferably cinched with a wide belt. There are amazing contributions here by Burberry Prorsum, inter alia

> A floor-length coat or some other interesting topper. See Aquascutum's full-skirted version, left.

> Crazy patterned tights. They are cheaper and thinner than pants, and they allow you the freedom to wear ridiculously short minidresses with wild abandon. I am absolutely in love with stockingirl.com. The site is delicious and the selection is incredible. Pucci-esque and Versace-inspired sheers and opaques, even thigh-highs, in over 50 patterns. Wow!

> An interesting, possible outre, hat. Practically every designer sent at least one gamine gal down the runway with a gorgeous cloche or woolen cap of some sort.

> A gorgeous blouse. Something complex and/or sheer fits the bill. See, for example, Temperley and Balenciaga, below.

> More Florals! Yes, the flower has staying power. Flora dominated the runway for Spring, and it is carrying over into the Fall Collections, particularly in Paris. Check out Christian Dior's plantings...

Conde Nast's Point Of Passion Ad Campaign.

Point of Passion is a an ad campaign launched by magazine publishing company Condé Nast Publications. Although it debuted a few years ago, and had two flights of ads, many of them have not been seen in common publications, so I wanted to show them to you.

An art director and photographer's dream project, it features people/celebrities from all walks of life (actors, designers, wedding planners, supermodels) who capture the spirit of each of their 27 print and online magazines.

With a simple headline and a caption describing the reader shown, they initially budgeted 3.5 million for creative and 40 million for media. I do not know if that's what the effort cost in actuality.

The effort comprises 12 flights of eight-page magazine inserts targeting advertisers and agency media buyers. Conceived by San Francisco ad agency Heat (formerly Black Rocket) and photographed by Jonas Karlsson, the campaign also includes online ads, e-mails and billboards through year's end.



read more about the campaign here.


Above: Golfer Greg Norman (Golf World)

Above: CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz (Golf Digest)

Above: fashion designer Marc Jacobs (style.com)

Above: architect Richard Meier (Architectural Digest)

Above: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Traveler)

Above: designer André Balazs (Concierge.com)

Above: Jimmy Wakes (wired.com)

Above: media entrepreneur Strauss Zelnick (portfolio.com)

Above: Chef Jamie Oliver (epicurious.com)

Above: Eva Longoria (Glamour)

Above: Preston Bailey (Bride's)

Above: Richard Branson (Wired)

Above: Kelly Wearstler (House & Garden)

Above: actress Christina Ricci (W)

Above: actor Hugh Jackman (Men’s Vogue)

Above: actor Patrick Dempsey (Details)

Above: chef Giada De Laurentiis (Bon Appetit)

Above: singer Sheryl Crow (Self)

Above: actor Terrence Howard (GQ)

Above: actress Kyra Sedgwick (Allure)

Above: designer Vera Wang (Brides)

Above: interior designer Albert Hadley (domino)

Above: designer Monique L'huillier (Elegant Bride)

Above: actress Sharon Stone (Golf)

Above: actor Stanley Tucci and dog, Lily (Gourmet)

Above: actress Molly Sims (Lucky)

Above: wedding planner Colin Cowie (Modern Bride)

Above:actress Mary-Louise Parker (The New Yorker)

Above: fashionistas Zoe Kravitz and Lorraine Nicholson (Teen Vogue)

Above: designer Diane Von Furstenberg (Vanity Fair)

Above: Ubermodel Natalia Vodianova with son Viktor(Vogue)

Oscar Fashion Review

The best & worst of Oscar 2008:

I jotted these observations down last night as I watched the show. I was shocked that the interviewers didn’t ask many people that oh-so-popular-question, “Who are you wearing?” So in most cases I have not specified a designer. I will go back and modify as more information becomes available. I just wanted to put my two cents in before US Weekly and Stacy London trash all my favorite outfits!

THE GOOD:
Flawless as usual:
1) Penelope Cruz, in a gorgeous feathered strapless gown, I am guessing by Chanel Couture? And I absolutely adored the half-up hair, cascading down her back.
2) Cameron Diaz – I loved her bustle back peach strapless dress.
3) Heidi Klum – delish! The bold-shouldered red gown really suited her. She was the superstar of the red carpet.
4) Nicole Kidman. Incredible, and loved the multi-strand necklace.

Nice Surprises:
1) Miley Cyrus – red cap sleeve, maybe a little grown up but she looked happy and exuded confidence and often, that can make all the difference!
2) Amy Adams – a bit safe with the black strapless, but the sweetheart neckline of this gown was just stunning!

THE BAD:
1) Fortunately, RED was the color of the evening. Unfortunately, two lovely actresses wore nearly identical dresses. First, there is Anne Hathaway, who wore a one-shoulder red gown with what looked like a misplaced lei across her chest. It She was eclipsed by Katherine Heigl, who wore an even better asymmetrical crimson number. It fit better, was more flattering to her shape, and furthermore, she looked more confident wearing it. I’m not saying these women looked bad, just that it’s a shame they were dressed like twins.
2) More support for my thesis that RACHEL ZOE IS EVIL. Previously, I hated her for her bobble head and overrated talent as a stylist. Now I dislike for a real reason: she is a total hypocrite! After telling of the New York Times, “I would never put a girl in black on the red carpet. . .
She brazenly made poor Jennifer Garner (who admittedly cannot dress herself and actually gave credit to the little vole Zoe on the red carpet for selecting her gown) wear, you guessed it: a black dress. The gown was strapless, and textured with ruching, so it wasn’t run-of-the-mill. But Zoe made a fool of Garner. I hope she is eating her words today (because we know she won’t be eating anything else). I’m sorry if this sounds harsh, but if your JOB is to dress people, and you are extremely overpaid to do it, don’t make blanket statements or act like you are too good for everyone’s favorite color. I have heard that WOMAN is the new black, but I don’t think that’s a reference to garments.
3) Keri Russell. Oh No! The dress might have worked if it had fit better and been in a bolder color. As it was, the nude strapless gown was swimming on her in the bust, and just accentuated the fact that the girl needs a sandwich. Is no one going to comment on how scary skinny her arms are? I would rather have her chubby with a bad haircut, a la Felicity circa 1999.
4) Rebecca Miller, Daniel Day-Lewis’s wife. I mean, I know you wanted him to shine and all, but did you have to get dressed in the dark? Too many layers! Strange jewels!
5) Ellen Page. I guess she is hoping for career longevity, and one of those “How Far She’s Come” spreads in Elle Magazine in 10 years. I am hoping that this matronly frock was a self-conscious error. And who told you that you could wear a third grade ponytail on the red carpet? Brazen disregard for all that is holy on Academy Awards night.
6) Kelly Preston. Orange not a good shade for her. As my ex-boyfriend once told me: “That color flatters a tan.”
7) Jennifer Hudson. She just can’t get it right, the poor thing. I don’t think André Leon Talley was responsible for this disaster, at least. She looked inflated. Literally. And since when are plump girls allowed to wear white? I know I must sound like the heartless Jone Rivers, but please!
8) Hilary Swank. I know the one-shoulder thing is all the rage right now, and I think Ms. Swank has a gorgeous body, but this Versace gown simply doesn’t flatter a muscular build. She looked a bit Me Tarzan, You Jane for my liking.

THE UGLY:
Tilda Swinton. Velvet BAD. Velvet drapes VERY BAD. How could anyone who cares about this woman let her into the limo looking like that? When you have a nice figure, I want to see more of it that just your forearm. Welcome to L.A., my darling. Show some skin, Best Supporting Actress!

So these are my thoughts, unaided by outside information and influences. What do you think?

An Oscar Wrap Up As Opposed To Write-Up.

Of course there are Oscar reviews all over the web. Some critique the fashion, like my friends over at styledash and ...even npr! , some the speeches and some, even the ads.

Now, in my personal opinion, there just isn't that much to write about. The show seems to get increasingly respectable, making it more boring every year. A year of brilliant films, there really weren't any shockers or big disappointments when it came to the winners.

See the list of nominees and winners here.

There were some truly sweet and sincerely shocked acceptance speeches, including one in Spanish by Javier Bardem (you know, the guy who had the Prince Valiant haircut in No Country For Old Men). But really, nothing to write home about. So, in lieu of writing about what may have been ignored or sadly passed over, let's talk briefly about the rest -you know, the shallow stuff.

The Host:
I still believe that Jon Stewart is nothing short (sorry about the choice of words.. .. Mr. Stewart is only 5' 6.5" tall) of brilliant.



The Music
The music? Ugh. Thankfully the 3 songs from Enchanted were passed over for the oscar. Frankly, I'd be happy to never hear another Alan Menken/Stephen Schwartz song again.

The Set Design
This is the 19th time that Roy Christopher has designed the Oscar set.
Guess what folks? Time for Roy Christopher to retire.

Above: Roy Christopher with his set design for the 2008 Oscars. He said he was going for "glamour"

I don't know why the giant Oscar Statuettes onstage were in enclosed frosted columns but it was so eighties sci-fi/ Coma-cum-cryogenic to me.

The Motion Graphics
I could not find who did the actual motion graphics for the categories and they ought to be thankful. What was with those motion graphics? They were soooo K-Tel, circa 1986.

The Dresses
Is our economy such that women can't afford enough fabric to make 2 sleeves?
It was a night of shoulder-baring fashion. Kind of a Farewell to Arm, if you will. Over 20 women sported the one-armed dress.


Above left : The dress as it ought to have been worn.
Above right: Hilary Swank, having altered the original design to join the ubiquitous one shoulder trend .


Above: Alien imposter and brilliant actress Tilda Swinton unconsciously reaching for her missing sleeve.

The Color Choices:
Way too much funereal black (Ellen Page, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Garner, Laura Linney in very dark navy, Hilary Swank, Penélope Cruz and Kristen Chenoweth).

And there was this odd kind of traffic light theme to me:

Above left to right: Katherine Heigl as Stop, Kelly Preston as Slow and Amy Adams as Go.

Deep greens (Saoirse Ronan and Amy Adams, clearly inpired by Keira Knightley's green dress in Atonement). Blazing Reds (Katherine Heigl, Helen Mirren, Miley Cyrus, Ruby Dee, Anne Hathaway and Heidi Klum) and bright yellow (Kelly Preston ).

Most Blasé.

Above: Kerri Russell, Cameron Diaz and Renee Zellweger, all looked bizarrely washed out in their band-aid colored dresses.

Most Interesting Dress:


Above: The custom Jean Paul Gaultier (corrected for me by a reader, I intially credited John Galliano) fish scale gown donned by Best Actress winner Marion Cotillard

Most interesting dress on least interesting person:

Above: George Clooney's Vegas waitress girlfriend, Sara Larson.

The men? Hardly even worth talking about.
Looking appropriately arty? Daniel Day Lewis and Johnny Depp didn't disappoint. Looking more like Cary Grant every day, George Clooney still sets my heart palpitating.

But Viggo? Lose the beard...unless you're playing Moses. It adds an unnecessary 20 years to your face..


The Hair


Above: I guess Cameron, Jennifer, Ellen and Renee's hair stylists took the night off.

Miscellaneous Observations

It's enough that hilarious and lovable Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill look like one another, but have you seen how much their dates look alike?
Now this is creepy:

Above: funnymen Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill clearly have the same taste in everything, including women.

An overly-botoxed Nicole Kidman whose upper lip hardly moved:


Get your fill of fabulous press shots by clicking here.