IWC keeps a watch on the Galapagos

Swiss watch brand IWC showed its support Wednesday night of the Charles Darwin Foundation’s mission to conserve the Galapagos Islands, with a celeb-studded evening showcasing the photography of Michael Muller.  Large images of the Galapagos and the animals that inhabit the islands were projected on the stark white walls of a hangar at Milk Studios in Hollywood.

Eric Dane and Jason Bateman donned IWC watches while taking in the projected photographs. When IWC North America President Benoit de Clerck announced that the gift bags contained keys -- one of which will open a box with an IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos at the IWC Beverly Hills boutique --   guests' focus immediately shifted from sea turtles to swag bags to claim their chance for a winning key. 

That’s an early holiday gift for whoever scored the lucky key.

--Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: From left, Benoit de Clerck, Jason Bateman, Federick Martel and Michael Muller. Credit: IWC

Back in time: Betsy Bloomingdale and Titanic fashion exhibits Nov. 14 [Updated]

Pasadena’s Friends of the Gamble House is sponsoring two fashion-history events on Nov. 14 to kick off the group’s seasonal lecture tour. [Updated 3:55 p.m. Oct. 20: An earlier version of this post incorrectly implied that the events would be held at the Gamble House.]

First is "adDRESSING Titanic: Appearance and identity in 1912," in which Kevin Jones, curator of the museum at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, will break down the sartorial hierarchy aboard the tragically doomed Titanic.

In addition to dissecting the various social subsets that were present on the ship (first, second and third class, along with crew and steerage), Jones will also highlight the many Titanic passengers involved in the fashion world and trend-making high-society circles. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design.

That same day, historical haute couture pieces that fashion maven Betsy Bloomingdale gave to the FIDM Museum will be on display at the downtown Los Angeles site, 919 S. Grand Ave.  "High Style: Betsy Bloomingdale and the Haute Couture" exhibit, which will be on display at FIDM from Wednesday through Dec. 13, features 60 pieces. [Updated: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said 125 pieces.]  

Bloomingdale is the widow of Alfred P. Bloomingdale and an heir to the department store fortune. She was a devotee of French haute couture from 1961 to 1996, and on display will be vintage pieces designed by Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent, among others. The heiress' personal style and sensibilities will also be explored. The display opens at 1 p.m.

Both events will be sponsored by Friends of the Gamble House. To purchase tickets -- $15 for students and $25 for the general public -- call 626-793-3334 Ext. 52 or visit www.gamblehouse.org.

-- Emili Vesilind

Follow the Image section on Twitter

Photo: Betsy Bloomingdale, pictured in 1969. Credit: Courtesy of Mrs. Alfred Bloomingdale, FIDM Museum

Alice + Olivia invites you to a 'girls night out' shopping party

On Thursday, the New York-based contemporary clothing line Alice + Olivia and Jillian Barberie-Reynolds of "Good Day L.A." will host a "girls night out" shopping event.

The party happens at Alice + Olivia’s boutique on Robertson Boulevard. A portion of proceeds from sales will benefit Much Love Animal Rescue. Champagne will be served.

Alice + Olivia fall styles range in price from $49.99 for designer Stacey Bendet-Eisner’s shoe collaboration with Payless to $396 for the Eon boyfriend blazer.

134 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. 5 to 7 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

Photo: Alice + Olivia flower tank, $198, and sequin panel leggings. $297. Credit: Alice + Olivia

Burton's pro snowboarding team fetes the brand's new film, 'The B'

Some of the world's most famous snowboarders packed into Burton's Melrose Avenue store Thursday night for a soiree celebrating the action sports brand's newest snowboarding video, "The B," which features Burton's snowboarding team getting gnarly on slopes all over the globe (decked out in the brand's fall collection, of course).

Beijing photographer Quentin Shih's Christian Dior exhibit at South Coast Plaza

Hold on to your flared New Look skirts. O.C. uber-mall South Coast Plaza is set to host an exhibition of photographs by renowned Beijing-based shooter Quentin Shih commissioned by Christian Dior.

On view Oct. 14 through Nov. 7, "Christian Dior Presents Photographs by Quentin Shih," is part of a larger bicoastal festival on Chinese culture, "Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture," organized by Carnegie Hall, presented by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and primarily happening at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. (The festival will be reprised in New York from Oct. 21 to Nov. 10 at Carnegie Hall.)

Shopping weekend update: Zachary's Smile, WeSC

Sales

Tonight, Taylor De Cordoba art gallery hosts Clare Vivier & Dream Collective Sample Sale, featuring handbags and costume jewelry. Bags and jewelry will start at $50 and top out around $250.

2660 S La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 559-9156. 7 to 9 p.m. taylordecordoba.com

Friday through Sunday, Zachary’s Smile, a New York-based contemporary women’s line, is taking an additional 30% off summer and vintage looks in its Silver Lake boutique.

4014 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 668-1900. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday. zacharyssmile.com

Events

Today, artists Vanessa Prager and Lizzy Waronker take over the WeSC flagship and convert it into a terrarium, called Little Dream. Also come to check out the action sport-rooted brand's fall collection. Beverages and DJ provided.

To attend RSVP to RSVPLA@WeSC.com.

WeSC Concept Store, 144 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. www.wesc.com

-- Max Padilla

Follow the Image section on Twitter

Photo: Clare Vivier Work Tote. Photo credit: Clare Vivier

Shopping: Teen Vogue Haute Spot's closing weekend

This closing weekend features an appearance from "Teen Vogue" Editor in Chief Amy Astley and Britney Spears Circus Fantasy big top.

Events: 'Gossip Girl' fashion guru Eric Daman hosts a dinner with Charlotte Russe

"Gossip Girl" costume designer Eric Daman co-hosted an intimate dinner last night with teen retailer Charlotte Russe in West Hollywood. The occasion? Introduce the local fashion press to the retailer's increasingly fashion-forward assortment of clothes and accessories.

When guests entered the private dining room at the Gordon Ramsey restaurant at the London Hotel, they found themselves face-to-face with mannequins dolled up in chic, sequined party looks -- Daman-styled ensembles used in the company's holiday campaign -- and tables festooned with a huge array of glittering, colorful costume jewelry.

Even the most "over it" style writers found themselves cooing over the "Dynasty"-worthy earrings, long, messy strands of pearls, chunky, silver-toned chains, studded leather-like cuffs and over-the-top cocktail rings. "The jewelry is ridiculous," noted Daman, "and the price is, like, two-for-$8. No zeros in it."

The costumer designer and stylist, who worked under queen bee costumer Patricia Field on "Sex and the City" (he even won an Emmy for his efforts), has been a style consultant with the San Diego-based company for the last year -- a collaboration he finds especially fitting because "I grew up in the mall culture [in rural Michigan], and I understand seeing things on TV and other places that were unattainable," he said, adding: "The fashion on 'Gossip Girl' was getting a lot of publicity, and I kept putting it out there that I thought it was important that people at home be able to dress like this. And Charlotte Russe heard me in interviews and thought it sounded perfect for them. They were trying to up their fashion."

Mission accomplished.

--Emili Vesilind

Photo: An item from the Charlotte Russe collection. Credit: Charlotte Russe

Events: Eliza Dushku hosts Fashion for the Cure on Thursday

Help stop breast cancer and look good while doing it. On Thursday night, “Dollhouse” actress Eliza Dushku and the Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure request your presence at their eighth annual Fashion for the Cure fundraiser.

While there will be a silent auction offering goodies such as Katey Brunini Jewels, Hudson Jeans, food blog-worthy dinners and hotels perfect for mini-breaks, the highlight of the evening is a runway show featuring breast cancer advocates, local survivors and models who have been touched by the disease strutting Diane von Furstenberg’s 2009-10 Cruise/Pre-Spring Collection. Tickets for the event range from $100 per person for general admission to $350 for a VIP pass that includes prime seating for the runway show, access to a VIP cocktail lounge during the silent auction, a gift bag and a ticket to the after party. Make reservations at http://www.fashionforthecurela.org.

Eighth annual Los Angeles County Affiliate Susan G. Komen Fashion for the Cure Benefit, featuring Diane von Furstenberg Collection. Cocktails and silent auction at 6 p.m. and fashion show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Smashbox Studios, 1011 N. Fuller Ave., West Hollywood. http://www.fashionforthecurela.org

-- Whitney Friedlander

Follow the Image section on Twitter

Photo credit: Los Angeles County Affiliate Susan G. Komen

The Ting Tings paint Hollywood neon for Adidas

On Saturday night, the Ting Tings painted the town day-glo at a private party hosted by Adidas.

The British duo whose catchy pop anthems “That's Not My Name" and "Shut Up and Let Me Go," performed at a secret venue behind the Fredericks of Hollywood flagship.

In a bid for collectible cover art for the band's single "Great DJ," partygoers, many of whom had entered a contest to win admission, were given squeeze bottles of neon paint and proceeded to squirt them on the walls and all over each other. Luckily, Adidas was handing out black tracksuits to use as a roving canvas.

The random splattering and fumes caused some targets, including Perez Hilton, to quickly run outside for cover, but the paint-splattered twentysomethings merrily raved on until the band's finale.

Artwork from the event will be displayed at the Adidas Original store on Melrose. 8009 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. (323) 658-6091. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

-- Max Padilla

Follow the Image section on Twitter

Photo: Christopher Polk / Getty Images