Partying it up at Sophomore’s Scorpio Rising pop-up at Space 15 Twenty
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‘Chrissie draws in all the twinkling stars in her path,” gushed eminent astrologer Susan Miller at Hollywood’s Space 15 Twenty Saturday night. The proud mama spoke both cosmically and literally about her eldest daughter, NYC-based designer Christiane “Chrissie” Miller, who mingled easily at the launch of her first L.A. temporary pop-up shop for the buzzed-about line Sophomore.
As DJ and artist Leo Fitzpatrick (“Telly” from Larry Clark’s iconic 1995 flick “Kids” and Miller’s boyfriend) spun tunes, a “hepcat” crowd milled about the boutique and open-air courtyard, shopping and sipping new Bear Flag wine (from two female Modesto winemakers). Fleeting by definition, Miller’s pop-up is open for a month, offering early access to the fall collection.
The designer herself curated the space, so among Sophomore’s memorable new pieces (like a to-die-for lace-up leather mini and some ultra low dipping, otherwise-classic, tanks) and some from Scorpio Rising (Miller’s lower priced line for Urban Outfitters, named for younger sis Diana’s astrological aspect) are creations by gifted pals: vintage bags, denim and hologram necklaces by Circa Now, the Virgins’ CDs, Aaron Bonderoff tees, Lesley Arfin’s book “Dear Diary” and deeply covetable Madison Harding studded, buckled and laced-up boots (soon to be stocked at Intermix) named for mostly ‘80s rockers such as Joan Jett and Lita Ford.
Miller, who was recently featured in Elle and is currently collaborating with Keds, attracts a creative crowd like this fête’s hosts, “Sopranos” actress Drea de Matteo and rocker hubby Shooter Jennings, as well as Sophomore look book models like Bijou Phillips and members of cool-kid band the Virgins. Here, the slim, blond designer chatted up pals in her distinctive throaty voice and did justice to her own collection, rocking a wine-colored tank corset dress with black lacing up the sides.
Naturally, Madison Harding founders Hilary Rosenman and Barri Budin loyally sported Sophomore too. Budin raved about her classic white tank (“I wear one basically every day!”), and Rosenman showed off leather shorts (and some leg) paired with Madison Harding heels.
Rosenman and Budin scrutinized the displayed shoes (this was their first time up-close-and-personal with their fall creations since production). But mid-evening, Miller coaxed them instead into adjoining Gallery Space’s Polaroid exhibit, where she purchased a piece by Cass Bird (who coincidentally photographed Sophomore’s look books).
Meanwhile, as the party wrapped up, I got starry-eyed over at Susan Miller’s book-signing table, begging for a quick reading. “An amazing career cycle is starting for Scorpios in October,” raved Ms. Miller. Then she confided, “I told Chrissie to hold the event after the positive new moon in Leo on Aug. 20th. Leo is the sign of design, creativity, new beginnings and also entertainment. Very L.A.”
-- Nora Zelevansky
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Top photo: Designer Chrissie Miller (right) and her mom Susan. Bottom photo: Musician Shooter Jennings and wife Drea de Matteo. Credits: Space 15 Twenty