HollyRod Foundation Rocks

I had the pleasure of attending the 11th Annual Design Care '09 event benefiting the HollyRod Foundation http://www.hollyrod.org/ and HollyRod 4kids. The HollyRod Foundation, created by Holly Robinson-Peete and Rodney Peete, was inspired by Holly's father who suffered from Parkinson's Disease. The incredible evening was held at the estate of Armand Marciano of the famed Guess? empire in Benedict Canyon, near Beverly Hills. My husband knows the family having been commissioned with 19 paintings by brother Georges Marciano for his Wilshire Boulevard corporate office. Mingling was fun with celebs such as Samuel Jackson, Harvey Weinstein, Magic Johnson, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ciara amongst others. Loved visiting with Natalie Cole who lived (with dad Nat King Cole) next door to my beloved aunt and uncle in the tony neighborhood of Hancock Park in Los Angeles. Enjoyed chatting with Vicki Iovine, ex-wife of Interscope Records founder, Jimmy Iovine. Vicki is an amazing author and a very cool lady. Kobe Bryant made a five minute appearance. Fun to see Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds with his girlfriend, Nicole Pattenburg, who owns a necklace from my Collection. As guest of uber publicist, Christine Peake of Peak PR Group I enjoyed being a part of the event and was pleased to see my donation of the Art Deco Diamante Steel Chain "black boxed" - a guest purchased the item at the full price of $900. and closed it out of the auction. It was awesome to see honorees, Kelly Austing of InStyle and Michael J. Fox speak about their fight and determination to end autism and parkinsons disease. The fashion show featuring formal wear by Marchesa was outstanding. The evening finished with a performance by En Vogue. Truly a night of grand proportion with a group of some of the friendliest folks I have met in Los Angeles.

Daniel, My Brother

What is more fun than spending the afternoon with one of the gay stylists of Bravo's hit show "Blow Out"?? Daniel Owens is such a nice person, so fun and seems to know everyone in Tinseltown. Daniel is part of celebrity hair stylist, Kim Vo's entourage at ultra-luxury hotel Montage Beverly Hills and Montage Laguna Beach.

Originally from Pasadena, Daniel epitomizes the "good" part of LA, furiously connecting the dots bringing like-minded people together. Looking forward to meeting his friends, Mary Brennan of Mary Brennan and Co., who has an accessories show room at the Cooper Building in downtown LA. Also a must is Jen Porter of Chic LA Living - and of course his good friend, Jeffrey with the iconic Fred Segal.

Thanks for the conversation and camaraderie, Daniel -- look forward to more fun!


www.bravotv.com
www.montagebeverlyhills.com
www.montagelagunabeach.com
www.marybrennanco.com
www.chiclivingla.com
www.fredsegal.com

Lost In WonderLAnd . . .

So, here I am in the metropolis of Los Angeles, making my way through the colour and craziness that is Melrose, Robertson, West Hollywood and Beverly Hils. I've set out with a goal, a simple goal -- find an ally who understands my vintage couture jewelry collections. My collections? They are where fashion meets art, vintage meets modern and where a woman's costume jewelry becomes more 'valuable' than a pricey diamond drop. Simply put, my collections are the New Precious. My time allotment? Two hours per day, every day. A bit of LA anthopology until I find that perfect partner. My future business beau could be hip hotels, luxe retailers, blooming boutiques or even the wedding salon that truly 'gets' the haute heirloom hipness of my white ice creations.

First stop, hotels. I chose SLS Hotel on La Cienega & Melrose, acronym'd for Souls Largely Satisfied. A stroll up the red carpet elevance, through an outdoor foyer plush with eclectic furnishings, conjures up an environ of Clockwork Orange meets Out of Africa. All astounding, but what about my jewelry? My jeweled creations blend vintage with modern elements --- yes, SLS and I could be a match!

My bewildered state forces the introduction to a superb staff that literally took my hand and gave me a tour of the hotel and its centerpiece, MOSS, a vitrine-ensconced museo landing spot, designed by Phillipe Starck, perfect for high tea and perhaps a wicked trunk show for Margaret Rowe, of course. Standing in MOSS, amid Fornasetti stoneware, Munchausenesque gadgetry and adorned in my own astonishing accessories, I feel a bit like Alice In Wonderland. This rabbit hole could be a home for my jewelry. My home for a show at least. Say no more . . . I grab a b-card for the powers that be at SLS and am sure they'll see it my way. I'm one 'yes' away.

Stay tuned. Next stop London West & The Peninsula . . . tomorrow.