Rachel Pally in the house
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L.A. designer Rachel Pally makes the kind of sexy yet comfortable jersey pieces that are the building blocks of a wardrobe. I’ve worn her skirts, long cardigans, and I love her caftan dresses with sandals and a Missoni scarf in the summer. But who knew that Dita Von Teese was a fan? I usually think of the burlesque babe in structured, retro looking suits -- or in nothing at all.
Apparently, Von Teese ‘lives in’ Pally’s clothes when she travels. So after she met the designer six months ago, she offered to host a luncheon in her honor at the Chateau Marmont on Thursday.
I must say, if you look at the photo above, Von Teese wears jersey like nobody else. It must be the corset, or maybe it’s just the bod. Angelina Jolie is also a fan and not even she looks that great. Jolie’s stylist Jennifer Rade was at the lunch, along with Amy Smart, Kristen Bell, Sophia Bush and Jewel, each putting her own spin on Pally’s dresses and skirts.
Von Teese arrived fashionably late with her all-female entourage -- let’s call them the power pinup posse -- including her interior decorator Stacia Dunnam in retro sunglasses and a pal from her Orange County days named Ava Garter, who was wearing an hourglass shaped cream dress. Currently, Garter is developing a burlesque class to help boost women’s self-confidence, rather than just teaching them how to hook a man.
Pally was a great host, regaling us all with tales of her recent trip to Guatemala. Recession or not, she said her business is going gangbusters, especially her new plus-size collection. In the gift bag was a preview of what’s coming for fall -- a black jersey turban. How very Norma Desmond. I’ve been wearing mine around the house all day.
If you want to check out some of Pally’s easy pieces for yourself, she’s having a sample sale this weekend at 2301 E. 7th St., Suite C100, Los Angeles, CA 90023. That’s east of Santa Fe Avenue at Anderson Street. Pieces are 50% to 80% off retail prices, and cash, credit and debit are accepted. Hours: Today 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.rachelpally.com.
--Booth Moore
