Tod’s celebrates 'The Italian Touch' in Beverly Hills

In English, the Italian lifestyle can be summed up in three “Fs”: food, family and fashion. On Tuesday (Nov. 10), Tod’s and Vogue magazine hosted a book party for Tod's “The Italian Touch,” by inviting local celebrities and socialites to bring the kiddies for mini-pizzas, chocolate milk and cupcakes.

Guests included Debra Messing, Mandy Moore, Camila Alves, Sofia Vergara, Nicky Hilton and Angie Harmon, along with hosts Jamie Tisch, Crystal Lourd, Brooke Davenport, Alexandra Kimball and stylist Jeanne Yang.

The Beverly Hills fete was the finale for the book tour that started in the New York Tod’s flagship then hit Dallas, Chicago, Miami and South Coast Plaza. "Italian Touch" retails in the boutique for $95.

Upstairs, the Tod’s boutique was converted into a country greenhouse where Sunday-best dressed children could plant organic herbs in pots.

Famed fashion photographer Roxanne Lowit took stylized black-and-white family portraits, which were quickly printed, cropped and handed out to guests.

Debra Messing, clad in head-to-toe Alaia save for a Tod's bracelet and bag, advised that if you incorporate something Italian in your wardrobe: ”you’re raising your chic quotient 40%.” The actress added she’s jetting off to Zimbabwe on Dec. 3 for a humanitarian and training mission as an ambassador for YouthAIDS. "I’ll be out in the field," she said. (A portion of sale proceeds from the Tod's event went to YouthAIDS).

Tod’s General Manager Claudio Castiglioni said he flew in from Milan for 24 hours to promote the "Italian Touch" coffee-table tome in Beverly Hills. "The 130 families and couples in the book --- they are our clients, both aristocratic and professional people. We asked them if we could go in their home and take pictures the way they are sincerely with no makeup artist, no stylists.

"We travel around the world, especially to Asia, and talk about Italian style," he said. "When we show the pictures from the book, they understand what Tod's aspires to be with sunglasses, shoes, bags."

What about L.A. style?

 "When I come to Los Angeles, I like to see the people -- they are more casual than other cities,” said Castiglioni.

-- Max Padilla

Photo: Roxanne Lowit shooting Camila Alves and Cynthia Daniel (top); Claudio Castiglioni and Debra Messing (middle); "Italian Touch" spread.

Credit: Donato Sardella/WireImage; "The Italian Touch," both courtesy of Tod's

 

Madeleine Albright broaches Michelle Obama’s and Hillary Clinton’s style at St. John

Madeleine Albright dropped by the St. John flagship in Beverly Hills on Wednesday to chat about one of her favorite hobbies besides foreign policy -- brooches.

The former Madame Secretary has penned a book "Read My Pins: Stories From a Diplomat’s Jewel Box” (Melcher Media), in which Albright expresses her life journey as mother, public servant and diplomat through jewelry. 

Albright, who was in L.A. for Maria Shriver’s women's conference, said that when matters got heated during her tenure as President Clinton’s secretary of State, she was prone to practice retail therapy -- and her favorite prescription was pins, the more elaborate the better.

Over the years, Albright has amassed boxes and boxes of brooches from family, friends, fellow politicos and foreign dignitaries. Her collection is now part of a touring exhibition organized by New York’s Museum of Arts and Design, also called “Read My Pins.”

Albright broke the ice with the mostly ladies-who-lunch audience by telling them she had told Hillary Clinton that being secretary of State is better than being president: “Because you don’t have to deal with healthcare.” Clinton responded, “But I like heathcare.”

Albright, who was wearing a black St. John dress and a ginormous brooch that looked like a gold Maltese cross featuring an American bald eagle, sat down to chat with All the Rage.

All the Rage: Did you wear mainly St. John suits when you were secretary of State?

Madeleine Albright: I started wearing them before that.

Because they convey ...

No, because they are very practical for somebody who travels and has to look good.

Do you pack just one suit?

If it’s black [laughs].

You started collecting pins as a young girl?

A few. This is something that developed later, and it’s a lot of fun.

Which pins are your favorites -- any of those given to you while you were secretary of State?

I got a pin that I liked very much given to me by [former] British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, the British lion.

Which one are you wearing today?

This is a new pin; it’s called 'America.' It was given to me by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili -- he is a very good friend.

What do you think of First Lady Michelle Obama's style?

What she has managed to do is adapt her style to her life and vice-versa. And she gives a good image of what a young American mother and someone who is on the road a lot wears. She has her own flair. She is a great model for young American women.

Jason Wu draws a stylish crowd at Neiman Marcus

Jason Wu, the 27-year-old designer whose star has risen considerably since Michelle Obama wore one of his frothy creations during the inaugural ball, drew a very stylish crowd while showing his spring 2010 collection at Neiman Marcus last night.  

His friend and perennial fashion plate Diane Kruger hosted the event dressed in a one-shoulder-black-with-teal-polka-dots cocktail frock, accented with Roger Vivier heels and Eddie Borgo bracelets. "We met at Cannes, and we've been friends ever since," said Kruger, who certainly has carte blanche to her share of designer duds, having been the face of Chanel and Louis Vuitton but has recently favored Wu's creations. A few other starlets donned his designs, looking more grown-up and put together than their late teen years would suggest. Katie Cassidy, Jessica Stroup and Amber Heard all wore short dresses by Wu.  Heard's high blond ponytail, porcelain skin and bright red pout made her look like a dead ringer for Scarlett Johansson.

Star wattage aside, the crowd of fashion industry insiders, stylists and socialites took in the collection worn by models posing around the department store floor. Everything from a simple, solid colored emerald green dress to a pale pink and white feathered cocktail number came out during the event, perpetuating Wu's reputation for making refined and feminine clothes. But unlike his past collections, several pieces in his spring line had a few raw and rough edges -- a touch purposely put there by the designer who played around with the juxtaposition of hard and soft. "I was really inspired by [sculptor] Tara Donovan and Tim Burton," says Wu.  "It's sculptural versus stitches. I like the contrast between romantic and rough around the edges." Judging by the turnout for the Beverly Hills event and his rapidly growing celebrity following, it seems his fans will too.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo (top left): Cameron Silver, left, and Jason Wu. Credit: Melissa Magsaysay

Photo (top right): Diane Kruger and Micah Shifman. Credit: Melissa Magsaysay

Photo (above): A look from Wu's spring collection. Credit: Melissa Magsaysay

Monday is Hollywood Bag Ladies Day

Beverly Hills Mayor Nancy Krasne is poised to proclaim Monday "Hollywood Bag Ladies Day.” No, it has nothing to do with actual bag ladies, shuffling down the street and pushing shopping carts -- actually, quite the contrary.

Hollywood Bag Ladies Day is a progressive shopping event on Rodeo Drive, benefiting Lupus LA. Registered shoppers will enjoy events, refreshments and spending for a good cause at participating boutiques, including Tod’s Miu Miu, Ferragamo, Brooks Brothers and Prada. The stores are donating 10% of proceeds to Lupus LA.

Krasne will begin the festivities at Bottega Veneta. Versace will serve breakfast at 10 a.m., and Fendi will be holding a drawing for more than $5,000 in clothing and accessories. To register, visit www.lupusla.org and click on “Hollywood Bag Ladies Day,” or e-mail or call directly for further details: info@lupusla.org or (310) 657-5667.

--Melissa Magsaysay

An earlier version of this post said stores were offering 10% discounts. Actually, 10% of proceeds are being donated to Lupus LA.

Now open: Rogan pop-up shop at Apartment Number 9

Apartment Number 9, which hosts temporary shops, welcomes Rogan Gregory's fall collection.

The Rogan pop-up shop carries new women's looks including T-shirts ($79), slim jeans ($180) and a wool coat with knit sleeves ($480), plus leather bomber jacket and skirt ($456 and $482). Men can find straight-leg jeans ($196), wool cardigans ($278) and peacoats ($595).

9877 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 785-9001. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, www.apartmentnumber9.com.

-- Max Padilla

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Why get highlights, when you can have 'Twilights'?

Love Robert Pattinson’s golden glazed highlights? Or Kristen Stewart’s deep and moody auburn tresses?  Well, now you can have the hair to match those movie T-shirts with a new service the Gavert Atelier salon in Beverly Hills is offering called “Twilights.”

Gavert gave the cast of "Twilight" their hair color and strategically placed highlights for the movie and now clients who crave Edward or Bella’s look can get some “Twilights” put right into their hair.

The “Twilights” treatment involves a layering of dark and light colors away from the hair root to create the illusion of depth, without giving highlights that look grown-out and dated within a month or two. Prices range from $125-$300 depending on length of hair.

Not cheap, but justify it by wearing your new hair as part fresh fall look, part Halloween costume. 

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Gavert Atelier, 9666 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills 90210  (310) 858-7898

Photos: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Photo credit: Gavert Atelier

Store openings: Montblanc's Rodeo Drive opening ceremony is tonight

Montblanc, the maker of fine jewelry and writing instruments,unveils its new Golden Triangle flagship. The spacious boutique spotlights its Haute Joallerie collection plus the launch of the Diva collection honoring Ingrid Bergman and the 85th anniversary of the Meisterstuck fountain pen. There's also the Signature for Good charity initiative, through which 10% of the purchase price of a special Meisterstuck ($410-$690) will be donated to UNICEF. There is a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. tonight.

323 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 275-3665. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.www.montblanc.com

-- Max Padilla

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Come sale away: Deals at The Way We Wore, Alice + Olivia and more

The Way We Wore -- Through Aug. 16: The vintage clothing shop kicks off its annual summer clearance. Collectible pieces include a $150 Betsey Johnson cherry-print sundress (regular price $295) and a $225 Oscar de la Renta 1980s-era silk frock ($425). Find $75 heels from both Charles Jourdan and Sonia Rykiel. Baubles will be $10 and up; accessories start at $25. Spend more than $100 today and enter a prize drawing. Major credit cards including American Express accepted.

334 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 937-0878. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. www.thewaywewore.com

Keep -- Friday and Saturday: The casual women's and men's sneaker brand takes up to 75% off its regular prices. Sample sale deals include $30 boat shoes, $25 slip-ons and $35 hi-tops.

418 Bamboo Lane, Los Angeles. (213) 620-0148. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. www.keepcompany.com

Zachary's Smile -- Through Saturday: The cool and casual brand is taking up to 70% off summer styles, vintage pieces, footwear and accessories at its Silver Lake outpost. Current season fashions on markdown include an $88 ethnic-print strapless dress (regular price $298), a $128 strapless 1980s number with ruffle-skirt ($198) and $68 high-waist coral trousers ($168).

4014 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 668-1900. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. www.zacharyssmile.com

Alice + Olivia -- Through Saturday: Stacey Bendet's contemporary line takes 40% off spring and summer styles. On offer: warm-weather looks including $132 fringe shorts (original price $220), a $198 mini dress ($330) and a $264 beaded dress ($440).

3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. (310) 775-8375. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; 134 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 247-0120. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. www.aliceandolivia.com

-- Max Padilla

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Salon specials: Today at Christophe in Beverly Hills

Get your locks trimmed and do some good for hospitalized children as luxury salon Christophe celebrates National Lollipop Day today with a special promotion: 50% off salon services. Half of the day's proceeds will go to the Lollipop Theater Network, which brings current movies to chronically ill children and those with life-threatening illnesses in hospitals nationwide. Sample prices with discount: $80 haircuts for women ($35 for men), $40 blow dry, $100 highlights, $50 color, $20 deep conditioning. By appointment only.

348 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 858-3883 or (310) 274-0851. 1 to 7 p.m. www.cristophe.com, www.lollipoptheater.org

-- Max Padilla

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Store openings: Judith Leiber in Beverly Hills

American luxury brand Judith Leiber, nearly half a century old, unveils its West Coast flagship in Beverly Hills' Golden Triangle. Judith Leiber's signature crystal minaudière clutches, a favorite of celebrities and first ladies, will be on offer along with handbags, belts, gloves, scarves, eyewear and wraps, with prices starting around $400. Among the minaudières to be housed in a "crystal room" will be designs exclusive to the Beverly Hills location, including a clutch with a Swarovski crystal filmstrip ($3,795) and one featuring a crystal-encrusted car from Hollywood's Golden Age ($4,595).

220 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 888-8852. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.judithleiber.com

-- Max Padilla

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