Beverly Hills...Louis Vuitton & Ermenegildo Zegna for that special man!

 

In spite of the torrential rains, the tony elite were out Sunday afternoon on Rodeo Drive in droves, in search of a gift or two for that someone special in their love-life over the Yuletide Season.

I was bowled over by the eclectic mix of elegant menswear ensembles screaming out at me on the racks at Louis Vuitton, for starters.

The latest fall/winter collection features a dazzling array of butter-soft leather jackets - cut high on-the-waist for a stylish zesty look - or lower on the hip for those who prefer a garment to hug the body politic and keep out the winter chill.

In addition to the casual offerings, there were a bevy of finely-tailored suits sculpted in sleek silhouettes, fashioned in either jet black or monochromatic hues popular this season.

The sweaters were elegant, and sported luxurious collars with nifty fashion flourishes, capable of singling out the man-about-town with the pizazz to pull the look off.

Slacks, though lean-and-mean (for the most part) were sparked up with leather inserts at the waist and buckle-down flaps on deep full pockets.

Over-the-top?

Never.

A handful of the Vuitton pull-overs and fabric jackets - just right for out-of-doors treks - were dreamy, too.

Shoes, though elegant, were pricey.

 $645.00!

Meanwhile, across the street at Ermenegildo Zegna, a yellow cashmere sweater - weaved with a delicious V-neck - was heaven to run my fingers over.

The full topcoats in rich fabrics - were so perfectly crafted - that they appeared to be hand-made by the fashion Maestro himself.

As for the tailored suits, well, the finery on display was difficult to match elsewhere in the upscale trendy hood.

A gentleman with a taste for the finer things in life (or a discerning male or female shopping for one) a trek down to David Yurman (on Rodeo) may be a worthwhile one.

There - male bracelets, jazzy cuff-links, and a choice selection of designer watches - will tempt the tightest budget-minded shopper.

What the heck, it's Christmas.

Splurge a little, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Rodeo Drive...PETA protestors in Santa outfits picket fur retailers!

 

'Tis the season to be wary, if you're decked out in top-of-the-line designer duds trimmed or fashioned totally in animal fur (endangered species or not).

No Sir, the argument that minks were raised specifically for the fur trade, doen't hold up with die-hard animal activists.

Today, a Merry band of dedicated protestors from PETA - adorned in Santa outfits - paraded across the street from the oh-so-trendy Fendi retail outlet waving acccusing placards and pointing fingers.

Years ago, during an actor's Union strike, I accepted an assignment as a model for Fendi cologne.

But, in today's political and social-savvy climate, it is doubtful I would sign on for the job.

The gang on Rodeo Drive was quite adamant that the use of fur from slaughtered animals was a definite fashion no-no.

They chanted HO HO FAUX and handed out flyers to passers-by with an urgent query emblazoned on its face.

"Do you have skeletons in your closet?"

The informative pamphlets ranted about the ugly truth of the fur industry and included timely quotes from a handful of high-profile celebrities in support of the cause.

"I don't wear any leather or fur or feathers or any animal products," Natalie Portman - currently starrring in "The Black Swan" - boasted.

Pink was quick to criticize the industry outright with no bones about it.

"Sadly, like any other industry that uses animals, the wool trade uses methods so sadistic that it makes you consider clearing your closet of any animal products. There are lots of clothes to buy for a look that kills without killing anything," she quipped.

Eva Mendes inferred that any fashionista who wore fur products lacked intelligence.

"Personally, I think wearing a baby chinchilla says, 'I'm ignorant'," she concluded.

It was difficult to read the literature on the issue, too, so disturbing were the images!

"Animals on animal farms spend their entire lives confined to crowded filthy wire cages."

"Killing methods include suffocation, gassing, electrocution, and poisoning."

"Animals caught in the wild sometimes remain in traps for days before the trappers return to stomp on their chests or beat them to death."

"Most furs come from China, where millions of animals - including cats and dogs - are skinned alive."

Heard enough?

Shortly after I arrived on the scene in chic Beverly Hills, a small crowd gathered, egging the protestors on.

Bless those upstarts for they know what they do in the name of Nature's defenseless creatures.

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Heidi Klum...binging & purging? Top Model still sizzling hot!

A couple of the kids on TMZ attempted to quiz Heidi Klum about her thoughts on the Health Insurance Reform Bill on Rodeo Drive but she wasn't biting.

Well, not on that tidbit.

But, the shapely top Model has no qualms about diving into  crusty cheese-laden piece of sizzling hot pizza as the paparazzi gaze on hungrily.

In fact, it appears that Heidi is inclined to cram all manner of nasty junk foods in her yap without batting a pretty eyelash or worrying about the consequences.

How does she do it?

The top model doesn't struggle with weight gain problems.

That's a given!

Here's the insider scoop straight from the chauffeur's mouth.

Shortly after Heidi strolls by the paparazzi (chowing down with abandon on a mouth-watering piece of chocolate or what-have-you) she slips into the plush back seat of the limo purring at the curb and spits the high-calorie cud into a silver champagne bucket.

No kidding!

Unless, it's done with mirrors.

Inquiring minds want to know!

In addition to swimsuits, Heidi stunning in designer threads, too!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Beverly Hills...street musicians put shoppers in holiday mood!

Four days 'til Christmas and many last-minute shoppers are scurrying about to catch up before Christmas eve descends on Thursday!

In Beverly Hills, street musicians play out a roster of old-time favourie Christmas Carols, sure to put 'em in the right yuletide mood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqUUfCv9bT0

Happy Holidays!

Barack Obama...female model mirror-image of Barack in Ralph Lauren ad! Presidential look for women?

Did you catch those full page ads for Ralph Lauren in the weekend editions of the two major dailies in New York and Los Angeles?

The pricey blurbs featured a female model - who just happened to be a mirror-image of Barack Obama - with close-cropped hair, dark looks, and a snobbish air of smug satisfaction about her.

Through Lauren's eyes, women appear to be pining to slip in to Barack's pants, in a manner-of-speaking.

Is the Presidential "look" in style this spring for the - um - discerning woman-about-town?

Unfortunately, the stylist who created the eye-catching image for the print media, wasn't a top-notch professional.

Sadly, there were a number of faux pas, which boggled my fashion sensibilities.

The pant leg on the two piece suit, for example, was "indecisive".

The cuff should have fallen at the ankle or more confidently on the gam farther up (pedal-pusher-style) - but in this instant fashion disaster - the style meter was decidedly in the "missed-the-mark" zone.

When I was a kid, if my pants rode a tad above the ankle, my grandmother would scold me.

"You look like a China-man."

Notwithstanding, the fabric pinched and pulled in an unflattering way in the most-awkward of places - at the crotch, in the arm - and even at a lone buttonhole where an over sized button screamed out "tacky".

A botched knot in the tie, and a collar that failed to frame the neckline properly, added to the misery.

There was nothing comfortable-looking about the gal's stance, either.

The grimace on the model's face said it all:

"These heels are killin' me."

Overall, Ralph's entry was a distinctive B & B look.

Beige & Boring!

In contrast, there's been a role reversal, with men going peacock!

Spring 2009

http://www.julianayrs.com

Bernard K. Passman...exquisite black coral sculptures! Dazzling pieces a stand-out in Beverly Hills...

After the lighting ceremony on Rodeo Drive the other evening, I was invited into the sumptuous Bernard K. Passman gallery for a glass of champagne to toast in the Yuletide Season.

As I wafted through the artfully-crafted display cases, I was dazzled by the exquisite one-of-a-kind pieces designed by Mr. Passman.

His particular forte is Black Coral jewellery, coveted by the tony elite, with widespread evocative appeal.

Passman began his career as an artist in World War II.

Over the years, he nurtured a growing client base, which kept the artisan busy in his studio crafting the priceless gems.

Eventually, his unique renderings caught the eye of the high and mighty, too.


For instance, he created a twenty-one foot art piece for a president in the White House.

Passman's eye-catching sculpture was the first-ever to be created for the Republican and Democratic Conventions.

His idea for flowing light sculptures was so innovative in concept that he acquired a US Patent for the method which is recognized as the sole invention of a genius mind.

At 90, Passman continues to create and design sculptures for dignitaries, world leaders, celebrities, you name it.

A number of discerning collectors have snapped up his work, in addition to savvy museum curators who have prominently housed the artworks in historical collections, as well.

His success is undoubtedly rooted in and attributed to his basic artistic approach.

"Beauty is simplicity with a dash of the daring."

Beverly Hills 213...slick glossy features & side-splitting "Brain Optional"

Each week, a newspaper carrier zips around ritzy Beverly Hills and tosses the latest cellophane-wrapped edition of Beverly Hills (213) on the front doorsteps of the tony elite in the ritzy enclave.

The splashy weekly is probably one of the last hold-outs - in extravagant wide-broadsheet format, anyway - with class written all over it.

Thin yes, but packed with eye-catching publicity shots of the latest designer fashions and accessories to grace the expensive racks on Rodeo Drive, and elsewhere.

A couple of known columnists grace the pages inside - James Bacon (who often wistfully reflects on the golden days of Hollywood and - likewise - a handful of old drinking cronies) and Rex Reed (who's inclined to chat over the latest little celluloid offering that has either revved up a delightful fanciful experience or prompted a hateful diatribe about the misguided musings of a hack writer).

To add a touch of clubiness to the publication. the editors usually reserve a page or two for the express purpose of featuring flattering stills of the town's upper echelon out-on-the-town at glitzy red-carpet premieres and charity functions - sure to spread good will - and keep hefty donations flowing into the coffers.

Recently, I was thumbing through the publication over lunch at Whole Foods when I stumbled across a funny entertaining feature.

"Brain Optional" managed to breathe some fresh air into a staid old-guard attitude that normally prevails between the covers.

The feature is a weekly collection of hilarious quotes lifted from the tongues of the famous - and not-so-famous - that tend to tickle the funny bone.


In the studio days, Sam Goldwyn was known for putting his foot in his mouth with side-splitting results. His off-the-wall remarks were either a simple misuse of language - or quite frankly - a calculated effort on his part to drum up publicity for his thriving business.

Some allege that Pete Smith - his publicity agent - collected a handful of the witticisms and distributed them to the newspaper and radio columnists to fan the flames and set Goldwyn apart from the competition.

His odd-ball comments became were known as "Goldwynisms".

Here's an example:

One evening, a friend of Mr. Goldwyn's was casually sipping on a cocktail, when he noticed a new abstract painting hanging on a prominent place on the wall.

"Where did you get the beautiful Picasso?"

Goldwyn peered at it for a moment, then responded:

"I don't remember. I think it was in Paris. Somewhere over there on the Left Wing."

On another occasion, when he wasn't feeling too well, he sighed to a friend,

"I've been laid up with intentional flu."

"He treats me like the dirt under my feet" is a favorite of mine; probably because I imagine it was a quip he made about an actor.

Another zinger - "I would be sticking my head in a moose" - was obviously inspired by that old circus trick where the "Master of Ceremonies" wows the audience by placing his head inside the open jaws of a powerful lion.

Two famous ones attributed to Goldwyn are:

"An oral contract isn't worth the paper it's written on."

And, "Gentlemen, include me out."

And a show biz favorite I often use in film reviews:

"They stayed away in droves."

"Brain Optional" featured a handful of outrageously funny "Goldwynisms" in a recent issue which are attributed to various individuals in the public arena.

"It's no exaggeration to say that the undecideds could go one way or the other."
George Bush

"Things are more like they are now than they ever were before."
Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
Yogi Berra

"The Streets are safe in Philadelphia. It's the people that make them unsafe."
Frank Rizzo

"Sure, its going to kill people. But, they may be dying of something else anyway."
Othal Brand
Texas Pesticide Review Board

"I haven't committed a crime. I failed to comply with the law."
David Dinkins
New York City Mayor
(Tax evasion issue)

"We have only one person to blame and that's each other."
Barry Beck
New York Ranger
(fight with player)

The above quote may starting popping up in conversations around California in the near future when gays start filing for divorces, I expect.

As the say at MGM, that's it folks!