Make Gloves, Not War: Perrin Paris

If you are looking for something new and fresh, not oversold or cliche, then you need to go to Perrin Paris.  Since 1893, Perrin Paris has been making the most exquisite leather goods, specializing in glove making.  The house has evolved with every year, and currently Perrin Paris creates the most beautiful handbags, clutches, totes, sunglasses, and, of course, gloves.

I recently visited the Beverly Hills store over the weekend and came out with a few treasures.  I found the perfect guest gift for a dinner party I'm hosting on Friday night, a special Christmas gift for a friend, and a little something for myself: the incomparable Ball Bag.

One of my fave people: Clo Perrin modeling the gold Ball Bag

Croc Sunglasses: the ultimate in chic.  Forget those CC glasses that everyone has!

Quelle Heure Est-il? glove: any watch will do

I also was able to have a sighting of the beautiful and talented, Sally Perrin, a friend and Creative Director of Perrin Paris.  She is always a delight and introduced me to my first Perrin bag with the Capitale Clutch as a gift.  With her husband, Michele, they have pushed this design house into the future with their curious designs, impeccable craftsmanship and avant garde visions.

Sally and Michele Perrin: classically wonderful

Giving my best Perrin: Capitale Clutch

Three boutiques adorn the world in Beverly Hills, Paris and New York.  I highly suggest that you visit a boutique and see for yourself how special all of their pieces are.  And if you're still looking for a unique and elegant gift, look no further!

Manhattan's Guggenheim in Black and White

If you've never walked through the Guggeheim Museum, now is the time to do it.  Currently through January 23, the museum is showcasing an exquisite Pablo Picasso show: "Picasso Black and White".  With over 100 works spanning the decades of 1904 to 1971 in either sculpture, painting or studies, this body of work is what Picasso is all about.  The exhibit tells the story of his life in black and white, early times of love, days in Provence, love betrayals and muses, French occupation in the 1940s, reconstruction of the 1950s, and old age after.

Bust of a Woman (Marie-Therese, 1931)

What is striking is how much his muses affected his work.  Marie-Therese seems to be the highlight of this show as you watch her evolve from young girl without any power or control into a woman who took his work on a detoured path.  I enjoyed reading about the collaborations Picasso had with musicians, choreographers etc in the 1920s and early 30s.  

Two Women (1907-08)

Olga in a Fur Collar (1920)

Milliners Workshop (1926)

The period of Holocaust is striking and terrifying to see.  Death and destruction consume and dictate a somber mood in the work that is widely overlooked.   And it seems as you walk through the exhibit that perhaps Picasso never gets over what he'd seen in France, the Spanish Civil War Guernica and visions of the Holocaust victims from the Nazi genocide.

The Charnel House (1944)

Cat and Rooster (1953)

Sylvette (1954)

But going to the Guggenheim is more than what is housed inside.  Sometimes beauty does conquer all.  Sometimes you can tell a book by its cover.  Sometimes the outside can be more important than what's on the inside.  Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1943, the Guggenheim is one of the world's most revered museums, but it also is recognized as a work of art in and of itself.  Wright was not able to see the completion of the building before his death.  

The ongoing question when you visit the Guggenheim is whether to start at the bottom and walk up or start at the top and walk down.  This show moves chronologically from the bottom up.  I would love to re-visit and start at the top.  Would it be more uplifting to see a young man's love of beauty as you head out the door into the beautiful and breezy Manhattan?

Shop and Press On for a Cure

I can't imagine a better way to spend money right now than shopping the Stella & Dot CURE Charity Trunk Show for Press On.  Stella & Dot is graciously donating 50% of the proceeds to Press On, an organization started by dear friends, Tara and Turner Simkins after their middle child was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.  

And with Christmas right around the corner, Stella & Dot has some super cute accessories that would be perfect stocking stuffers or sweet girlfriend gifts.  Or maybe just pick something up for yourself to wear to a fun holiday party.  

I love the Renegade Cluster Bracelet in gold.  It would look amazing with three of them stacked on one arm.  Worn with a simple shift dress, these bracelets could give you that added punch of punk that you need. And the bracelet is $59!  That's almost $30 to Press On right there...

I also like the Olivia Bib Necklace for $118.  Over a simple T or pop of color on a little black dress, this necklace can be worn lots and lots of ways.  And the color can go all year long - perfection.

It's too bad this Limited Edition Fox Ring is sold out.  But it sure is cool.  And there's many different cocktail rings to choose from instead.  I also like the idea of wearing a few of the stacked rings with something funky on another finger.  Pile it on!

Adore this Bryant Park Scarf for $59.  This leopard print goes with ANYTHING.  I would use it as a neutral and wear with T shirt and jeans, with a navy peacoat, knotted up with a red sweater.  Endless!!  Tres chic.

And Tara pointed out the delicately sweet Hope Bracelet in Rose Gold for $32.  After all, that is what CURE and Press On are all about - hope.  Not to mention it's what Christmas is all about too.  So, here's to Hope and a CURE!

Go shopping!!!

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Dior: Dior Christmas Windows

Leave it to Dior to create a Christmas utopia in the windows of the formidable Printemps department store in Paris.

2 blocks of windows are filled with the delicate creations of Dior from the 1940s to Raf Simons' newest cruise collection and first Haute Couture F/W 2012 collection.  The twist is how beautifully they are shown: on tiny marionettes who live in the dream world of Dior.

In 1947 Haute Couture

These tiny creatures ice skate, eat cotton candy, ride in a hot air balloon, and dance at a ball.  Music box type music plays as you stroll along, entranced by the delightful scenes.  Their faces are the perfect Dior, Parisian lady with arched brows and red lips.  Precious Dior handbags hang from their arms like little treasures.

1997 Haute Couture

2012 Haute Couture

2013 Resort

2010 Haute Couture

Every now and then a window displays mannequins wearing pieces as well, reminding us that we too could be just like the little dolls.

Step inside the doors of Printemps and find more  Dior fantasy.  Beside the tallest Christmas tree is a spiral staircase with mannequins stepping in clothes from the collection.  Are they coming down from heaven?

What a great way to start the holiday season.  I wish everyone a Dior Christmas!

Ooh LA LA LACMA

What a night!  Since moving to Los Angeles, I've become accustomed to seeing celebrities here and there.  But Saturday night at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) was something else.

The LACMA  Art + Film gala is now in its second year running.  Started by the incredible duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow, this event is causing quite a buzz around Los Angeles that makes the museum stand out in the eyes of all.  This year, the honorees were artist Ed Ruscha and film-maker Stanley Kubrick. And what another outstanding duo they made (though Kubrick wasn't there in body, he most surely was in spirit).

The party started off with red carpet entry and cocktails.  I waited in line for the red carpet moment while Tom Hanks stood patiently behind me.  During the cocktail hour, after squeezing past Sean Penn to grab a glass of champagne, I had a great spot close to the New Orleans jazz band where Evan Rachel Wood took the stage to sing.  She has a great voice and a sultry persona on stage.  It was a nice segue to exiting and heading to dinner.

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We packed into the large space for dinner for 550 guests, with long rectangular tables filling the space.  I rather liked that the decor was to a minimum.  All glassed in, the space gave views of the incredible campus that is LACMA - and I always like when guests are almost forced to remember why they are there.  Raising money for a County museum that provides programming to countless visitors and students each year. The table decor was very simple, with small floral arrangements mimicking the stage background of flowers, a la Christian Dior's wall of flowers at the SS 2013 Couture show in Paris.

Ruscha's "The Back of the Hollywood Sign" 1977

"The Standard" 1966

After a short film showcasing the works of Ed Ruscha, the artist came and gave thanks to the audience. I felt at home with his Oklahoma accent explaining how he came to be and some of the inspirations for his most well-known works.  Transforming what some may think as the mundane, he creates interesting, thought-provoking pieces that have become more than pop art.

Tom Hanks took the stage next, introducing the great Steven Spielberg.  Hanks was funny and comfortable, and he was able to relax the audience even more.  And of course Spielberg was just exquisite as he spoke about the great Stanley Kubrick, telling stories of their early days together as directors.  I felt as if I had entered the secret Hollywood club that I should never be allowed into.  Spielberg's admiration for Kubrick was apparent, and he seemed to really glow while talking about his relationship with Kubrick.  The night just got even more powerful when Kubrick's widow, Christiane Kubrick, spoke about his process of film and its simplistic genius.  To be within twenty feet of all of these artists was an honor and something not to be forgotten.

Florence, on stage with the Dior-esque back drop

Florence + The Machine.  Florence came out from nowhere like a Greek Goddess coming down to visit.  Her voice was beyond haunting, and she embodied pop artistry at its best.

With Monique Lhullier and hubby Tom Bugbee, both of us in Lhullier

Can't forget our Feathered Friend, Cameron Silver: best looking table there!

Steps to the courtyard

Dessert, champagne, scotch and cognac outside in the courtyard

Seeing the exhibition was the main attraction.  Walking through the courtyard and into the main building, I made my way to see film clips, costumes from films, set designs, Kubrick's personal chess set, cameras and more.  Beautifully displayed in a modern way, LACMA married the concept of 'film is art', which is what the evening was really about as the museum is adding a film wing to the museum.  The show has been traveling around the globe, so if you get a chance to see it, I highly recommend that you do.  What a special experience I had, to hear stories from Kubrick's friends and actors, including Jack Nicholson, before eyeballing the final piece de resistance.  What a night.

I left with the DVD Collection of Kubrick.  First on the list: Barry Lyndon that I've never seen...

Ruscha, "The End" acrylic on canvas 1991