Oscars 2009: Brad Pitt + Other Boys (some with girls)

So I don't even know who a couple of the young bucks in my pictorial even are, but almost everyone was strutting basic black tie. Except for sir Mickey Rourke, who looks more than a little bit worse for the wear, but who also had a pretty cool suit on. I read it was Jean Paul Gaultier and he wore it well, especially in contrast to the spandex he squeezed into for his nominated role in The Wrestler.

Oscars Fashion: Regular, Unfamous Women

Amidst the celebs were hundreds of regular people, all traipsing down the red carpet. Here are three examples of such private citizens, donning their Sunday best...or worst?

On top you will note the lady with the oven mitts for sleeves. Or perhaps she's a modern-day Alice in Wonderland. Actually, she looked quite nice, it was just those sleeves that I couldn't turn away from, like a car accident.

I'm not sure who the girl in the next two photos was, she was obviously there working for someone, but I noticed that she looked better than all the other laypeople on the carpet. I really liked her dress, twas my kind of get-up. I wonder who she was wearing.

Then, for the grand finale, the final three photos of the lady with the dress of unknown description. Like an 80's collage umbrella...and that's all I have to say about that.

Oscars 2009: Ladies

So it pretty much seemed like a night of white(ish) and red dresses, with a few silver and purplish thrown in. I kind of miss Cher...or Bjork.

Actually the best and the worst dresses (according to me) weren't worn by the stars...those tomorrow!

Oscars 2009: Branjelina

Just because...Yes, I took this photo! More on the Oscars this week...(I just got back!). xoxox

The London West Hollywood

I had the great good fortune to stay in The London West Hollywood last week. If I could stay there indefinitely I might not dread my tri-yearly Los Angeles day job trips.

Between the decor throughout the lobby (metallic gold leather couches!) and the rooms (3' deep bathtubs! Balcony!) and the restaurant (Gordon Ramsay), this is a spot to be seen, desired and devoured. And, compared to NYC prices, it's practically a steal! I think my room averaged about $265 a night, and the prix fixe lunch at the restaurant was around $27 for two courses and $35 for three.

I highly recommend it!

Yotam Solomon: Vulcan?

OK, sometimes all publicity is not good publicity. This might be one of those times...

I received some information about Yotam Solomon,
a Los Angeles-based designer who graduated from California’s Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in 2008.

They tell me, that as a native of Israel and a former violin prodigy in Austria, the designer was influenced by his family’s European roots.

My perception? (keep in mind I have not seen this stuff in person, however I did look through his Web site) -- Mr. Solomon is actually a native of Vulcan. Just look at the photos and I think you'll agree. There is some Star Trek action going on here.

And what's up with that "YS" logo? Just chuck an "L" on the end of that and suddenly you have...Yves Saint Laurent?? Please.

Good news is that Mr. Solomon (or is it...SPOCK?!!) is young. I implore him to keep on trying to go where no man has gone before.

LeSportcac Sale This Week (April 24)

I don't know if you were like me, but back in the early 80s LeSportsac was IT. For all of you who follow this blog, you know I have an adversarial relationship with the almighty PURSE, but there was nothing quite like the turquoise SportSac I had back in 6th/7th grade. So! This leads me to news about a sale going on now at LeSportsac(s). I may have to check it out, for nostalgia's sake, if nothing else...

One-week sale at all LeSportsac boutiques and lesportsac.com, starting Thursday April 24th, 2008: LeSportsac Madison Avenue, 1065 Madison Avenue; LeSportsac SoHo, 176 Spring Street ; LeSportsac Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd., #750, Los Angeles

Spend $100 and receive 20% off your purchase
Spend $300 and receive 30% off your purchase

(Sale subject to product availability and applies to all merchandise. Promotion can not be combined with another promotion or discount. Maximum discount is 30%. )

Los Angeles: An Insider's View

I really do not like LA. But I try to make the most of it whenever I go. This year I had the great good fortune to see it through the life experience of my friend who lives downtown and works for a certain late night talk show host.

At least three good things came out of my experience:

1. I got to see one of the cool new lofts they are remodeling all over downtown. My friend now lives in one and it is a huge, real (i.e. real kitchen appliances - look at the size of that refrigerator!), two-bathroom apartment that would cost $3,600 easy in New York. See photos. Cat not included. The biggest drawback that I could see is that it only has one small closet. They have enough space to trick out a walk-in closet, and they should! But it merely gave her an excuse to...

2. Take me to a private furniture sale that was amazing. And if I lived in LA, I would have bought the place up and been done with my decorating for years. "Sweet Smiling Home" on Palmetto Street is open to the public a couple weekends a year and offers tons of cool middle eastern/Asian-style furniture and lighting (and handbags?) at 30% - 90% off retail.

3. She also took me to see one of rock-n-roll's fashion icons du jour - Marilyn Manson. The get-ups on the people in the crowd are now rivaling Marilyn himself. The biggest drawback on this experience was that it took place in the Wiltern, which we both agreed sucks. It shouldn't be surprising though, seeing how it's a "Live Nation" venue, which is secret for Clear Channel...

OH! I almost forgot! She also took me to Fred Segal - my first time there, believe it or not. I did buy a little make up a la Laura Mercier, but overall I was underwhelmed. I liked the venue though - it sort of reminded me of a small department store that could have existed in the mid-west in the 50s or 60s - or an upscale Florence Shop (does anyone remember that joint in Bergenfield, NJ?). But I think the goods were way too trendy and girly for me.

Yes I Went to the Oscars (again)

I didn't get to see too much famous fashion up close this year, but it's always fun to people watch the "normal" folk too.

So this year I wore the brown side of my Kifka Heller custom dress, with the necklace I bought ages ago at Les Nanas, Kenneth Cole shoes, Estee Lauder makeup and a bag loaned to me by Scott Stargardt (the designing man behind K+H).

Hopefully I will be getting a real full length shot of myself with Oscar from the kind people at the Academy, but until then, here's a DIY shot my camera took of me in my hotel room (the Omni on Olive St. downtown - swift service, but kind of a middle management experience overall. What do you expect for $152/night?)

I MET A FASHION GOD

Sure, I went to the Oscars. But the real excitement happened before I even stepped foot outside of LAX on Friday! I was awaiting my suitcase at the baggage carousel when I looked over my left shoulder to see TIM GUNN standing 2 people away! How much better of a sighting than this could a Guerilla Shopper get?

So while I didn't want to bug him, I knew that I would simply have to say something or I'd be kicking myself for eternity. I quickly saw my way in-- the guy I was sitting next to on the plane was now right next to the FASHION GOD. I would have to use him to reach my destination. Here's how the whole exchange went:

Me to guy I sat next to: Bye, have a good time seeing Bette Midler in Vegas.
Guy: Oh thanks.
Me (now standing perpendicular to Tim Gunn) to Tim Gunn [touching the sleeve of his impeccable suit]: "It's my favorite show."
TIM GUNN: "Oh why thank you so much. It's a GREAT season, isn't it?"
Me (realize I am wearing glasses and have my hair in two ponytails, by the way): "The BEST!!"
TIM GUNN: "Yes, it's great it's a lot of fun."

So I could have basically turned around and gone home right then and there. He was the real deal - his Project Runway persona is...him!

Carry on...