Is it really possible to do something new with the T-shirt? Something new in Southern California where a new T-shirt line seems to be born every hour? Cotton Citizen is one of those new lines and it emphasizes sophisticated dye and distress techniques usually associated only with premium denim. Late last year, a small selection of tees and tanks were “soft launched” at Ron Robinson at Fred Segal, and now the full collection is rolling out. Offerings include bamboo zip hoodies, maxi-dresses and a bevy of tee silhouettes. Prices range from $60 to $200. Cotton Citizen’s Adam Vanunu spent two years toying with high-end fabric, chemical and color combinations (percentages of red, yellow and blue) until satisfied. Read more about Cotton Citizen in Sunday's Image section.
Many spas swear by it, and candle-store owners have embraced it. The medical establishment and the FDA question its usefulness. What about the rest of us? For the average consumer, aromatherapy is something to encounter in a mall or in the halls of a swank hotel -- pleasant, soothing, temporarily uplifting.
There are those converts, of course, who swear by the healing properties of aromatherapy. As with all believers, they have formed associations: The Alliance of International Aromatherapists, the National Assn. of Holistic Aromatherapists, the Natural Assn. for Holistic Aromatherapy.
And they have started businesses and product lines. Among the most recent is 21 Drops, which launched in November. Founders Cary Caster and Amy Ilyse Rosenthal recently explained their products and philosophy on the patio outside Fred Segal:
Aromatherapy, said Caster (who is a licensed massage therapist and an advanced clinically certified aromatherapist) "is the practice of using essential oils for their curative properties." Caster's and Rosenthal's oils are distilled from plants, mixed in various formulas and combined into 21 different products (hence the "21 Drops") with names such as "Calm," "Decongest," "Sleep," and "Hangover." They are meant to be inhaled or applied topically. Each formula is packaged in a roller-top glass bottle that sits in a sturdy case, which is, in turn, nestled in an individually designed box with a "batch card" that lists and explains the ingredients.
A few notable happenings for a more stylish week...
West Third Street's annual holiday block partyThursday: Shop West Third Street's annual block party, where stores including Petro Zillia and Hillary Rush are discounting merchandise and offering cocktails and holiday cheer.
West Third Street, between Fairfax Avenue and La Cienega Blvd. 6 to 9 p.m.
Whitney Port event Thursday: Reality star-turned-designer Whitney Port will be offering styling tips and giving an exclusive look at her new collection, Seamless, at this in-store shopping event, featuring discounted fall looks from Port's other collection, Whitney Eve.
Hillary Rush Boutique, 8222 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. 6 to 9 p.m.
Babakul shop-in-shop grand opening party Thursday: California lifestyle brand Babakul (founded by True Religion co-founder Kym Gold) has debuted a shop-in-shop inside Fred Segal Santa Monica and is inviting you to the grand opening party. Nibble on hors d'voueres and sip cocktails while checking out the cool new space and the brand's latest collections. RSVP to rsvp@genevieveproductions.com.
Fred Segal Santa Monica, 500 Broadway, Santa Monica. 5 to 8 p.m.
What Goes Around Comes Around holiday party Thursday: L.A. vintage purveyors What Goes Around Comes Around (which also designs the vintage-inspired WGACA collection ) is throwing a holiday bash at its Space15Twenty digs hosted by model-turned-actress Jamie King and Donovan Leitch, and you're invited. Leitch will be DJing, Moonshine bevvies will be served and the WGACA Fall collection will be discounted up to 60% off. RSVP to WGACALA@peoplesrevolution.com.
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 to 10 p.m.
Retailer's Therapy at Bar NoirOngoing: Take a break from the feverish holiday shopping this season with cocktails at Maison 140's Bar Noir. Mention "Retailer's Therapy" at the bar and nab two cocktails for the price of one — from Dec. 1 to Dec. 30. Score!
140 S. Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills. 9 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday only.
A few notable happenings for a more stylish weekend:
EVENTS
Archipelago "Pink Party"Saturday: Swanky candle and fragrance company Archipelago is sponsoring a special "Pink Party" at the Fred Segal store in Santa Monica in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. The daylong event will highlight pink products throughout the store, all being offered to raise money for cancer research and treatment. Archipelago is also donating 100% of proceeds from the sale of its "Ribbons of Love" candle.
420 and 500 Broadway, Santa Monica. (310) 394-9814. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Roopal Patel appearanceSaturday:Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island hosts a trend presentation and meet-and-greet with its own women's fashion accessory senior market editor, Roopal Patel.
601 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach. For time and more information, call (949) 759-1900.
SALE
L.A. Eyeworks sale Friday through Sunday: Local specs brand L.A. Eyeworks throws one of its legendary mega-sales, discounting hundreds of frames by up to 80%. Get there early.
7407 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
OPENING
Camper: The quirky family-owned shoe company has opened a space at the Grove shopping center that stocks the entire eclectic collection.
Farmer's Market NEC Fairfax Ave. Third St., Space E12, Los Angeles. (323) 634-0360. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
F.Y.I.
Lancome Genes DayFriday: Lancome is joining forces with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to celebrate "the beauty of scientific research." The beauty company will donate $7 from each bottle of its latest skin-care product, Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate, purchased Friday to the hospital.
A few notable happenings for a more stylish weekend:
OPENING
The Spectacle at Fred Segal: This new high-end eyewear nook is tucked inside Fred Segal Santa Monica and boasts an array of chic glasses and sunnies from brands including Barton Perreira, Salt, Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, Moscot and Anne et Valentin. Best of all, it's a full-service eyewear boutique -- so you can buy frames and get them filled with your prescription right at the shop. Eyewear runs from $230 to $490; lenses range from $75 to $900.
500 Broadway, Santa Monica, (310) 394-2075. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
SALE
Junior Drake Warehouse Sale Friday through Sunday: Slouchy handbag brand Junior Drake (sold at Nordstrom, among other stores) is holding a warehouse sale downtown — featuring past-season small leather goods and bags that typically retail for upwards of $250, marked down to as low as $25. Spend $150 and get a free reversible tote; shop Friday or Saturday and receive an extra 10% off on Sunday.
740 E. 60th St., Los Angeles. 10 a.m to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
EVENT
Space 15 Twenty flea marketSunday: The Hollywood specialty boutique will host its monthly flea market, featuring "goodies we've picked up from our recent travels and some various clothing, shoes, and accessories from our group of fabulous flea market vendors." Stop by the Hollywood Farmer's Market around the corner.
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 465-9202. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the store's courtyard.
Funeral services were held Saturday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Stockton for Elisa Rishwain, a longtime resident of Los Angeles who designed luxury shoes under the Elisa Ferare nameplate. Rishwain passed away at home in Los Angeles on April 25 at the age of 65 after a three-year-battle with cancer.
Elisa Ann Rishwain was born in Stockton on Oct. 28, 1944, the daughter of Italian immigrants Stefano and Jennie Ferrari. She graduated from Stagg High School in 1962 and married Dr. Anthony Rishwain of Stockton in 1963.
In addition to raising three children, Rishwain opened the Giovanna Ferrrari women's clothing boutique in Stockton. In 1988, after her divorce, she and her children relocated to Los Angeles, where she engaged in a range of vocations that included interior design, an antique furniture store, a clothing and jewelry boutique, and acting.
Rishwain often took her store-bought shoes to a local Los Angeles cobbler to have the silhouettes, fabrics and hardware tweaked to fit her personal taste, often using the sort of luxe fabrics and trims more common to the world of interior design.
In 2003, she parlayed this penchant for customized footwear into the Elisa Ferare line of handmade-in-America footwear that would routinely juxtapose fabrics like crushed velvet, python, suede and vintage
animal prints and go on to be carried by a range of high-end retail accounts including Maxfield, Madison and Fred Segal Santa Monica locally, Jeffrey in New York and Neiman Marcus.
Rishwain is survived by three children, Brian Rishwain, Benjamin Rishwain and Jennifer Gheur, and six grandchildren, all of Los Angeles, and a brother, Joseph Ferrari, of Stockton.
According to the family, a celebration of her life will take place in
the Los Angeles area at a later date.
-- Adam Tschorn
Photo: At top, an undated photo of Elisa Ann Rishwain, who in 2003 turned her penchant for customizing store-bought shoes into a line of handmade high-end high heels under the Los Angeles-based Elisa Ferare label, passed away April 25, 2010, after a three-year battle with cancer. At bottom, the Tycoon style from the fall 2009 Elisa Ferare footwear collection Credit: Rishwain family (top); Elisaferare.com (bottom)
FarFetch.com, a Britain-based online retailer featuring 40 select independent designer boutiques in London, Milan, Paris and Copenhagen, is now adding Los Angeles and New York stores.
FarFetch.com has teamed up with the company behind Revolveclothing.com, headed by Michael Mente and Michael Karanikolas, to expand the portal’s offerings in the U.S. to include Manhattan indies Assembly New York and Bblessing, along with locals Fred Segal Man and host American Rag.
On Thursday, FarFetch.com is throwing a launch party at American Rag featuring recording artist Angel Taylor. Want to attend, RSVP from here. Attendees will be entered to win a pair of Eskuche headphones and Warrior of Radness shoes. Umami Burger lovers can enter at the event for a drawing for a $50 gift certificate.
Her idol is Coco Chanel. She has a taste for vintage fabrics. She has her sights set on the runways of Paris. And she's 10.
While other children were reading "Cinderella" and watching "Dora the Explorer," Cecilia Cassini was polishing her reading skills by flipping through Lucky and Vogue, and preparing a third-grade book report on "The Devil Wears Prada." And now, what started with a birthday gift of a sewing machine has blossomed into a fledgling fashion business with the help of manager Pilar DeMann, the woman who plotted the Kardashians' path from C-level obscurity to branding juggernaut.
Cecilia, a spunky fifth-grader from Encino, is selling her collection of one-of-a-kind girls' dresses at Lifesize at Fred Segal Santa Monica, where she will have a trunk show Saturday.
Her look is homespun but sassy, with simple dresses constructed from a skirt in one fabric and a bodice — strapless or tank-style — in another. The pieces are quirky cute with sequin, fabric rosette or bow details.
Billed as "the youngest fashion designer in the country," she has already been a guest at New York Fashion Week (trailed by a German TV crew), launched a slick e-commerce site and garnered corporate sponsors and interest from several TV producers.
Thursday (April 8), Warriors of Radness host a spring 2010 surf-theme launch party at Reserve with an exposition of Grant Rohloff's vintage surf photos, a screening of “Scattered Archive” by Kyle Mac Lennan and a performance by Gantez Warrior. Complimentary Primo beer will be on hand.
420 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 651-0131. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Heading to Coachella or want to win tickets to the festival? Ron Robinson at Fred Segal on Melrose on Friday (Apil. 9) and Santa Monica on Saturday (April 10) launches the Empire Polo Club-branded T-shirts and knits, named for the music showcase's stomping grounds. If you pick an Empire Polo Club shirt during the two-day event, you’ll be eligible to win two VIP tickets to Coachella. Complimentary beer and drinks.
8118 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 651-1935. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
500 Broadway, Santa Monica. (310) 394-1271. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Aspire to spin like Samantha Ronson? This Saturday (April 10) accessory brand Kipling brings its Color Jam Tour to Macy’s at Westfield Santa Anita. Catch a live performance by one of the country’s top mixmasters, while learning how to mix like a pro with the Scratch DJ Academy. If you spend $50 or more on a Kipling bag or carryall, you’ll get the Cimio Mixtape 2.0 DJ software ($29.95 value). Mini-manicures and makeovers provided, plus Kiptini cocktails. You can also win Kipling coin cases, passport holders, wristlets or a Macy’s gift card.
400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Actress Taryn Manning will be spinning the turntable at Yana K’s spring mixer, also on Saturday (April 10). Check out Yana K’s spring collection, and a portion of purchase proceeds will go to Used Pets, which encourages pet adoption. Complimentary beverages and cocktails provided. RSVP to therealtarajane@gmail.com.
1327 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (213) 308-4886. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
-- Max Padilla
Photo: A current look from Warriors of Radness. Credit: Courtesy of Warriors of Radness.
Tonight, Coco de Mer hosts “An Evening of Delightful Sins” to unveil Chanteuse lingerie. Cupcakes and champagne will be served while burlesque performer Leila Bazzani entertains. RSVP to chanteusecollection@gmail.com
8618 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 652-0311. 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Tonight, Tavin boutique in Echo Park will preview lingerie from the 1930s and 1940s. Champagne and chocolate will be served, while music and slide shows entertain. There will be a 10% discount that evening only.
1543 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 482-5832. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ongoing through Sunday, Ron Robinson at Fred Segal Melrose hosts daily events leading up to Valentine’s Day. Today (Feb. 11), preview the Body Conscience skin-care line. On Friday (Feb. 12), check Bonnie Star jewelry, Sjal skincare and the Marquise informal modeling trunk show. On Saturday, try Osea massage oil, Alford & Hoff fragrance and W311 People organic makeup (book an appointment through Sunday and receive a gift with purchase).
8118 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 651-1935. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
On Sunday at Fred Segal Santa Monica, Ron Robinson's Lifesize kids presents the Emily Grace collection inspired by Emily Grace Reaves of the “Noie & Ems Show,” introduced on the Miley Cyrus fall tour. Free gift with Ooh! La La! Couture purchase (one dress donated to K.I.D.S. -- Kids in Distressed Situations -- for every dress sold along with $6 hair tinseling. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
500 Broadway, Santa Monica. (310) 458-1160. 1p.m. to 3 p.m.
On Friday, Gail Jewelers at Corona del Mar Plaza (MacArthur and PCH) celebrates its grand opening with Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille tropical drinks and special prices on trinkets. RSVP to rsvp@gailjewelers.com.
844 Avocado Ave., Corona del Mar. (714) 979-1631. 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Spa
Ongoing through Sunday, Equinox Century City is offering Valentine’s Day promotions via gift card that can be redeemed at any time. Buy a $99 gift card for 50-minute treatments, including the Knead your Love deep-pressure massage or Solstice facial. Other specials include $290 gift packs of three treatments of either 50-minute massages (Truly, Madly, Deeply) or 50-minute facials (Love Triangle) or the Double Date featuring both a 50-minute facial and 50-minute massage ($190).
10220 Constellation Blvd. Century City. (310) 552-0420.
