MTV VMAs: Fashion, boys rule

It was a gender-bending fashion story at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, beginning with Lady Gaga's male alter-ego Jo Calderone.

Calderone, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Ralph Macchio in "The Outsiders," wasn't so easy on the eyes, even in the Dior Homme jacket and Brooks Brothers pants, cigarette in hand. I found myself missing the meat dress.

PHOTOS: MTV VMA fashion photo gallery

Beyonce announced her pregnancy while walking the "black carpet" wearing the most chic maternity wear I've ever seen, a one-shouldered orange Lanvin gown. But when she took the stage, she played the garconne in a spectacular beaded Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket and pants, her blond hair swirling around her as she danced. She even opened the jacket at the end to show off her baby bump. And that is one lucky baby.

Apparently, fall's colored-jeans trend isn't just for women. Justin Bieber showed up in a pair of red jeans and a black blazer, with a YSL lapel pin and a pet snake named Johnson in his hand. As if that wasn't weird enough, he was sporting some new glasses that made him look like Rachel Maddow.

Pitbull did the colored jeans thing better. I thought his red jeans, white jacket and tasseled loafers were snappy, though someone on Twitter compared him to a Greek shipping tycoon. 

Jay Z brought back the old school Timberland boots, and Kanye West tucked an American flag bandanna in the back pocket of his jeans, Bruce Springsteen style. Bruno Mars looked like he could be the next King of Rock in a throwback sharkskin suit and spectator shoes, singing a 1950s rendition of Amy Winehouse's hit "Valerie."

Tyler, the Creator wins the award for best T-shirt of the night--so non-ironic, it was ironic--a rainbow tie-dye shirt with a cat's face on the front. And Russell Brand, that guy wears a metallic scarf like no other man (or woman) can.

Compared to the men, most of the women were a snooze. Katy Perry's outfits were just silly, especially that yellow cube hat she was wearing while hubbie Russell and the rest of us were all trying to have a serious moment to pay tribute to Winehouse. And Nicki Minaj looked like a costume shop exploded all over her. Someone could have picked up the style slack while Lady Gaga was off cross-dressing, but Minaj blew it.

Adele always keeps it classic, and her black scalloped lace dress by Barbara Tfank was lovely. And Britney Spears looked pretty cute  in a black chevron beaded Moschino jumper. A little bit sexy, a little bit sweet. Which is why we fell in love with her in the first place.

--Booth Moore

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MTV VMA fashion photo gallery

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Fashion News: Beyonce's and Gaga's style at the 2011 MTV VMAs

Top photos left to right: Lady Gaga, dressed as a man, performs "You and I" at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, Aug. 28, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni; Singer Beyonce Knowles performs onstage during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Bruno Mars performs during a tribute for Amy Winehouse. AP Photo/Matt Sayles. 

Justin Bieber holds a snake as he arrives at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images.
Bottom left to right: Singer Nicki Minaj, winner of the Best Hip-Hop Video Award for "Super Bass." Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images); Adele AP Photo/Matt Sayles: Singer Britney Spears, winner of the Video Vanguard Award and Best Pop Video Award for 'Till the World Ends." Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images);  

[Updated] Frugal Fashion: Alicia Keys gets an A-plus at BET Awards, before celebrating 10-year anniversary of 'A Minor'

Sunday's BET awards brought the usual suspects of funky music fashion to the show's green carpet at the Shrine in L.A. At the extreme end of the night's style spectrum was Cee Lo Green with his bedazzled jacket and spiky hair, Nicki Minaj in a fuchsia pink poufy dress with tights and hip-hop artist Don "Magic" Juan in a mustard yellow pimp suit with enough bling to power a small city.

PHOTOS: BET Awards best and worst dressed

But striking the perfect balance of flair and elegance was singer Alicia Keys, who on Tuesday celebrated the 10th anniversary release of her debut album "Songs in A Minor."

Before her power performance of her song "Typewriter" and a killer duet of "A Woman's Worth" with Bruno Mars, she strutted the green carpet in sporty-luxe black Dolce & Gabbana pants with suspenders, a white boyfriend blazer and über-high black and white zebra print platform pumps.

The structured look was unexpected for summer, but what I appreciate most about the outfit is that it's appropriately funky for the show but realistic enough to rock to a real party. For a similar look try a jumpsuit, not circa 1987 but something chic with some shape like the Calvin Klein cargo pocket jumpsuit for $99, the Cha Cha vente jumpsuit from Macys.com for $68.99, Bar III layered jumpsuit, also from Macys.com, for $59 or the Jegia-J jumpsuit by Diesel for $99.

Keys' black and white color combination is bold and playful. To create a base for your own primary color palette, snag a white boyfriend blazer like the White hot boyfriend blazer from Fredflare.com for $68 or the Linen Bermuda jacket from J.Crew for $69.99.

Keys' zebra print shoes pop and give her outfit a playful funky edge. For some shoes that will add a twist to any look, snag the Zebra print platform pump from TheFashionHolic.com for $45.

Happy shopping!

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? Email us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris
Twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

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Photo: Alicia Keys, shown at the BET awards in Los Angeles, just announced she'll be producing the Broadway play 'Stick Fly' slated to premiere Dec. 8. Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images.

Jumpsuit photos, from left: Calvin Klein cargo pocket jumpsuit, credit: Calvinklein.com; Cha Cha jumpsuit, credit: Macys.com; Bar III layered jumpsuit, credit: Maycs.com; Jegia-J jumpsuit by Diesel, credit: Diesel.com.

Blazer photos: White hot boyfriend blazer, credit: Fredflare.com; Linen Bermuda jacket, credit: Jcrew.com.

Shoe photo: Zebra night platform pump, credit: Fashionholic.com.

[Updated: June 30, 2011 10:30 AM. A pair of shoes was removed from this post.]

LRG hip hop clothing designer Jonas Bevacqua found dead [Updated]

Jonas Bevacqua was a college dropout and a DJ who had moved back into his parents' home when he met up with Robert Wright and created a street clothing company that resonated in Southern California and the nation. According to the Associated Press, Bevacqua and Wright "sketched out some of their earliest fashion ideas in his bedroom." The two went on to found Lifted Resesarch Group (LRG), a popular street clothing brand, in 1999, and the line enjoyed a rapid rise "as a major fashion force."

[Updated, 6:18 p.m.: A previous version of this post incorrectly identified Wright as a DJ instead of Bevacqua.]

On Tuesday,  Bevacqua, 34, was found dead in his Laguna Beach home, according to authories in Orange County.

According to the AP: "Deeply influenced by Southern California's skateboard, surfing and hip hop culture, [Bevacqua] said he and Wright began making clothes that reflected their interests but that no one else seemed to be providing."

By 2006, LRG had annual sales of $150 million.

The Twittersphere was buzzing about Bevacqua on Tuesday:

"I just learned about the passing of a revolutionary mind," one fan tweeted. "RIP to Jonas Bevacqua the Co-Founder of LRG, You brought much swag to this world, rest in peace," said another.

--Jenn Harris 

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Photo: From left, Jonas Bevacqua and Robert Wright, wearing designs from their label LRG. Credit: Michael Kelley / For The Times. 

Tommy Hilfiger teams with Universal Music Group for rock apparel

Tommy Hilfiger -- the man not the brand -- has struck a deal with Universal Music Group to develop rock 'n' roll-inspired apparel, according to an article by Alex Pham in the business section of Thursday's Los Angeles Times.

Since the dawn of the concert T-shirt, apparel has been part of the revenue stream for music labels, and the relationship between music and merchandise has only become more intertwined -- and important -- in the last decade. In 2006, concert and event promoter Live Nation bought a majority stake in Trunk Ltd. -- a maker of high-end reissued concert T-shirts -- and, as Pham pointed out in his article, Universal Music Group itself has snapped up a couple of companies (Britain-based Atmosphere Apparel and Bravado) in the music apparel and merchandise business.

You can read the entire article here (which I highly recommend; there's no need for me to rehash it in its entirety) but it got me thinking about what kind of clothes we might see given that the label's acts include the Black Eyed Peas, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

But don't expect a Lady Gaga ham halter top with the Hilfiger logo on it anytime soon. That's because although the fashion designer himself may be working with Universal, the Tommy Hilfiger brand is not. That label is owned, as Pham noted, by Phillips-Van Heusen Corp.

More music and style coverage from All The Rage

-- Adam Tschorn

Left photo: Tommy Hilfiger. Credit: Christian Charisius / EPA

Right photo: Lady Gaga. Credit: Charles Sykes / Associated Press

 

 

Frugal Fashion: Rihanna pre-'S&M' at the Billboard Music Awards

The fashion at music events can be transfixing -- more compelling, at times, than the Oscars. The attendees seem a little less stuffy; the dresses and personalities sometimes border on outrageous; and there never seems to be a shortage of moments where I find myself thinking, "What was she thinking?"

Last Sunday's Billboard Music Awards were no exception. Model Nayer draped herself in mens' neck ties, Sinbad attempted to rock a bejeweled pirate blouse, and Fergie went dominatrix in a Hervé Léger by Max Azria Atelier mini. On stage shades of pure white popped up in the form of a military trench for Mary J. Blige, a Michael Jackson-ish suit for Far East Movement frontman Kev Nish and a futuristic Tron-inspired number for Nicki Minaj.

Fire-haired songstress Rihanna, who took home awards for radio artist of the year and best female artist, stole the show in white leather lingerie for a steamy performance of "S&M."

But before Rihanna saddled up for some hip thrusting, pole dancing and a pillow fight with Britney Spears, viewers got to see a very different, much sleeker side of the artist when she walked the red carpet in a tailored men's Max Azria white suit, super-low V-cut blouse, a gold tassel necklace and nude Christian Louboutin heels.

Rihanna's menswear look is sexy and sophisticated, making her all-white attire perfect for your upcoming summer soirees. For a similar style jacket try the Linen boyfriend blazer by Armani Exchange for $130, linen blend blazer from Forever21.com for $27.80, or the Epaulet blazer by Calvin Klein for $99.

For the trousers, you'll want a pair that is high-waisted for more of a feminine touch. Armani Exchange makes a great pair of trousers called the 20th pleated trouser for $88 or try the Nic + Zoe cotton side zip pants for $88.20 on Zappos.com. This look would also work with a pair of wide-leg trousers like the Bebe sailor pant for $54.99.

Rihanna's shirt features an extremely low V-cut. This may be appropriate for an awards show but for your next outing you can go as low or as high as you want with these frugal finds: The Sheer pocket shirt from the Gap for $59.95, Bellatrix pleated blouse from Nordstrom.com for $78, or the Sparkle & Fade Dolman blouse from Urbanoutfitters.com for $29.99.

Tassels have come back in a big way this season, adding a fun and frilly touch of '70s art deco. For a silver option wear the Twisted dropped-chain necklace from Charlotte Russe for $7.50 or for gold, the mesh loop tassel necklace from Topshop.com for $30.

Happy shopping!

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? Email us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris
Twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

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Photo: Recording artist Rihanna arrives at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena May 22 in Las Vegas. Credit: Isaac Brekken / Getty Images.

Blazer photo: From left, Linen boyfriend blazer from Armani Exchange. Credit: Armani Exchange; linen blend blazer from Forever 21. Credit: Forever21.com; epaulet blazer by Calvin Klein. Credit: Calvin Klein.  

Pants photo: From left, 20th pleated trouser by Armani Exchange. Credit: Armani Exchange; Nic + Zoe cotton pants. Credit: Zappos.com; Bebe sailor pant; Credit: Bebe.

Blouse photo: From left, Sheer pocket shirt from the Gap. Credit: The Gap; Bellatrix pleated blouse from Nordstrom. Credit: Nordstrom.com; Sparkle & Fade Dolman blouse. Credit: Urbanoutfitters.com.  

Necklace photo: From left, Twister dropped-chain necklace from Charlotte Russe. Credit: Charlotterusse.com; Mesh loop tassel necklace. Credit: Topshop.com.

Style Profile: Avant-garde rocker Kristeen Young

With a four-octave voice eerily similar to Kate Bush's and onstage bravado rivaling Karen O.'s, up-and-coming music artist Kristeen Young doesn't have to dress like a walking art project — but her nervy, Gaga-lite style makes her even more interesting.

The St. Louis native and New York resident is in town for a residency at the Hotel Cafe this month to promote her new album, "V the Volcanic," which was produced by Tony Visconti, who helped shape the sounds of iconic freaks including David Bowie, Morrissey and T. Rex.

But unlike Gaga — and, well, every other pop and rock star in existence — Young designs and makes most of her onstage clothing herself, having recently picked up sewing after years of using "Scotch tape and Elmer's glue" to cobble together outfits, she said.

"First I moved up the adhesive ladder to more professional glues," said Young. "After that, I started hand sewing, but I reached a point where I realized that I had to give in and get a sewing machine because everything was taking so long."

The fruits of Young's labors range from deconstructed dresses and tops festooned with huge, clownish layered collars to a Marlene Dietrich-cum-chola striped pants suit.

Her get-ups often boast fascinator-esque hats and are always punctuated by now-trademark kooky eye makeup, defined by vibrant shadow and white slashes under her eyes.

"Fantasy with a purpose" is how she describes her onstage ensembles, which "help put me in a particular mind-set."

She added, "I also think it gives the audience a setting to understand the music more — particularly since I'm not at the level where I can have a stage set. It creates a larger creative scope. And I love having an opportunity to think visually, when I'm usually having to think aurally."

Kristeen Young plays the Hotel Cafe on May 16 at 9 p.m. and May 24 at 8 p.m.

-- Emili Vesilind

Photos: Kristeen Young in two self-made outfits. Credit: Kristeen Young.

The Hundreds X Coachella T-shirt: So many memes

Before the echoes of Coachella 2011 have faded into the ether for good, I felt compelled to revisit the dusty polo fields of Indio to share my personal favorite fashion moment of the festival -- as well as to provide a link to the "best and worst" fashion gallery our compatriots over at Brand X have compiled.

While it might seem an insurmountable task to be more memorable than anything the feather-festooned, tanned, tattooed, tweaked and neon-streaked madcap crowd was wearing, one of the T-shirts I found for sale around the side of the sprawling merchandise tent did just that.

Around the corner from the towering display of straight-forward band and festival T-shirts (a Kanye West one bore a George Condo portrait of the singer, a Coachella 2011 shirt depicted a palm tree playing a guitar) was a plywood-walled boutique that sold a selection of limited-edition artist shirts designed by the likes of Tim Biskup and Gary Baseman, where I found a black T-shirt bearing a quixotic mash-up of air-brushed images that included a penguin, a Stealth Bomber, a bald eagle, the Death Star (from "Star Wars"), a Native American wearing a war bonnet headdress and, wait for it ... a narwhal jumping over a cheeseburger.

"It looks like five of those air-brushed vans from the '70s all collided," observed my wife as I plunked down $35 for the shirt -- which had been created by Los Angeles based streetwear label The Hundreds. (Or, as my sister-in-law put it upon her first viewing: "So many memes!")

After two days of slack-jawed reactions to the shirt -- followed by many furrowed brows and the ocassional outburst of laughter, I decided to track down co-founder and creative director Bobby Kims -- who goes by Bobby Hundreds -- to get the back story.

"Last year we did a really straight-forward T-shirt," Hundreds explained. "It was a version of the original Woodstock logo but with the dove sitting on a bomb instead of a guitar neck. So this time around we decided to make something appropriate for the ultimate hipster convention."

Riffing on the kind of air-brushed nature/fantasy T-shirt designs native to souvenir shops "it took me and our graphic designer Benjie less than 15 minutes to come up with it," Hundreds said.

Oh, and they're not kidding about the limited-edition part either. According to Hundreds, only 200 to 300 were even made -- all of which were sold exclusively on the festival grounds.

"We didn't sell them in our store or online and we've been getting tons of calls and emails from people who want one."

Proof positive that it's always a good idea to strike while the irony's hot.

 -- Adam Tschorn

Photo: The design, which appeared on the front of the limited-edition the Hundreds X Coachella T-shirt sold exclusively during the April 15 to 17 festival in Indio, Calif. Credit: The Hundreds.

Photo Gallery: Jeremy Scott's Coachella party

Mulberry's foxy Coachella party

Photo Gallery: Brand X: Coachella style: The weekend's best and worst

Frugal Fashion: Material Girl Kelly Osbourne shows her spots at Coachella

Every spring, when the hot desert sun sets in Indio and the sounds of the Coachella music festival dance through the air over eager, buzzing fans I can't help but wonder one thing: What are they all wearing?

As our fashion critic Booth Moore put it in a recent article, "never mind the music." OK, of course Coachella is about the music; it's a music festival after all, but Moore couldn't be more right. The bikinis, cut-off shorts, tanks and fringe that have become festival staples hardly make a de rigueur dress code, but year after year the fashion industry takes notice of music industry big-wigs and the distinct Coachella style of their fans.

Kelly Osbourne was among the stylish festival attendees at the Empire Polo Club where the event was held. The 26-year-old former reality television star has some serious fashion chops as the co-host of E! channel's Fashion Police with Joan Rivers and the new face of Madonna's Material Girl clothing line. She wore a fun and flirty navy polka dot dress, gray and black loafers with socks and a floppy straw hat. Osbourne wears the classic print with a sense of modern glamour and her exposed socks give her look that signature Osbourne funky twist. 

To get Osbourne's spotted Coachella look go for a polka dot dress like the pleat-front polka dot dress from Delia's for $39.50 or the polka dot strapless dress, also from Delia's, for $39.50. For more about how to wear the polka dot trend check out tips from our resident stylist Melissa Magsaysay here.

 
A large floppy hat is essential when you want to have your fun in the sun and keep your skin protected. Step out of the shade in the super versatile Merona wide brim floppy hat for $12.99 from Target.com, the Elona floppy hat from Alloy.com for $19.90, or the Kinda Shady hat with bead detail from Roxy.com for $28.

The polka dot dress and hat would look great with a strappy pair of sandals or heels but Osbourne's socks and loafers are ideal if you want to mix things up. For more of a menswear look try the LifeStride woman's arbor loafers for $24.99 at Famousfootwear.com. For a softer look with a bow, Piperlime.com carries the Ciao Bella Moxie loafers for $49, and for an updated penny loafer, DSW.com carries the Rocket Dog Malinda flat for $34.95.

Happy shopping!

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? Email us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

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Photo, top: Kelly Osbourne attends Day 2 of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 16 in Indio. Credit: Christopher Polk /Getty Images.

Dress photo: Pleat-front polka dot dress and polka dot strapless dress, both from Delia's. Credit: Delias.com;

Hat photo: From left, Merona wide brim hat from Target; credit: Target.com. Elona floppy hat from Alloy.com; credit: Alloy.com. Kinda Shady hat from Roxy.com; credit: Roxy.com.

Shoe photo: LifeStride arbor loafers from Famous Footwear; credit: Famousfootwear.com. Ciao Bella Moxie loafers from Piperlime.com, credit: Piperlime.com. Rocket Dog Malinda flat; credit: DSW.com.

The Coachella crowd makes fashion a forethought -- and gets an A for effort

These days it's rare to find an event whose attendees actually put forethought and effort into their wardrobe choices. Even weddings seem to have adopted an unspoken Friday casual dress code.

Which is what made the Coachella weekend so inspiring. Whether fringed, feathered (there must not be a feather left to pluck in the Southland), or just freakish, purposeful, put-together individual style statements were being made as loudly and forcefully as the music booming across the Coachella Valley from the gargantuan sound system.

The daylight hours of the three-day festival were awash with neon angel wings, Arctic-worthy Earth  boots, brightly colored Prada stoles and enough hiked-up tube socks to fill a year's worth of American Apparel ads.
 
But some of the best specimens could be found after sunset -- long after sunset in the case of LA designer Jeremy Scott's party with Adidas which stretched into the wee hours of Sunday morning at Elvis' Honeymoon Hideaway in Palm Springs. The only casually dressed attendees to be seen were the Teddy Bears in Adidas T-shirts that served as backdrop to the photographer's step-and-repeat line.

As Scott's pal Robyn DJ'd in the same living room where Elvis once sat in as a newly married man (a black-and-white photo hangs as evidence), a Johnny Depp-as-Jack Sparrow clone swashbuckled up the stairs while partygoers sporting Kid 'n Play flat-top haircuts, matador outfits, Flintstones-style bone-in shoes and Pan Am shoulder bags milled around the pool, nibbling on peanut butter and banana sandwiches (Elvis' favorite) and sipping Kanon organic vodka cocktails. 

Scott was just one of several fashion designers we crossed paths with at the festival -- we spotted J. Lindeberg and William Rast's Johann Lindeberg from afar, and found Phillip  Lim and Trina Turk soaking up the style. (And only Dita Von Teese would show up in a Dior tropical print sarong dress and white sailor's gob hat.)

Speaking of hats, Turk mused, "The new hat is the floppy hat, the Panama hat is definitely out. And I'm amazed at the lengths people go to."

To prove her point, Turk described an eye-catching outfit she'd seen earlier in the day -- a reveler garbed in a maroon velvet cape and matching thong, whom she dubbed "porno Renaissance man."

Fodder for the next Mr. Turk collection, perhaps?

PHOTO GALLERY:

Jeremy Scott Coachella party

-- Booth Moore and Adam Tschorn

Photos, from top: Dork Dozier (in bowtie) and other members of the Think A Bit Bigger fashion and music collective strike a pose at Jeremy Scott's party at Elvis' Honeymoon Hideaway house in Palm Springs; fashion designer Phillip Lim, left, and Theo Hutchcraft of the British synthpop duo Hurts soak up the style at Coachella; Dita Von Teese. Credits: Adam Tschorn; Christopher Polk / Getty Images

Mulberry's foxy Coachella pool party

The festival atmosphere of the Coachella festival decamped to the Parker Palm Springs on Saturday, when Mulberry hosted a pool party and barbecue as part of the brand's 40th anniversary celebration.

The Gene Autry pool was bobbing with overgrown beach balls emblazoned with the fox head-motif from Mulberry's "Fastastic Mr. Fox"-themed fall collection. Not that anyone could think much about fall clothes in the 90-degree weather.

Toadstools, colorful birds and trees from the February runway show surrounded the pool area, and the brand's "VIB" (Very Important Bayswater -- a huge, gold, mylar inflatable version of the classic design) even made an appearance on the lawn outside.

The waitstaff was kitted out in humorous trompe l'oiel T-shirts printed with beige vests bearing the Mulberry logo -- long sleeve tees at that -- despite weather so hot the stunt birds painstakingly glued to the decorative trees by the Mulberry crew were melting off their branches. Everyone crowded under the shaded pagoda, while DJs Karlsson and Winnberg (of Miike Snow) and Andrew Bevan, Style Features Editor at Teen Vogue, spun old-school tunes by Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks.

Nicole Ritchie had been sporting one of Mulberry's itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny fox-print bikinis earlier in the day, but changed into a breezy Mulberry "feathered friends" print blouse, shorts and wedge sandals for the party.

Other foxy ladies spotted: Alexa Chung, Camilla Belle, Gia Coppola, Harley Viera Newton and Brit pop singer Eliza Doolittle, who had the best Mulberry bag of the day, the Taylor mini satchel in bright cabbage green.

Speaking of brights, Mulberry creative director Emma Hill was rocking the season's neon trend, wearing bright pink shorts, while her 4-year-old son Hudson Hill looked fetching in colorful Vilebrequin swim trunks, Ray-Bans and a fedora.

Partygoers munched on sliders, fries, tofu kebabs and mini-ice cream cones, and sipped berry mojitos, and reclined on loungers with Mulberry beach towels embroidered with peace signs -- a design that felt  appropriate for a festival that at times has felt like a time warp back to the fringetastic '70s. 

-- Booth Moore and Adam Tschorn

RELATED: Coachella 2011 Fashion photo gallery

Photos, from top: Partygoers at the Mulberry pool party; decor at the party included overgrown beach balls, left, plus toadstools and decorative trees, right; a member of the waitstaff, left, and a partygoer, right; Eliza Doolittle, left, and Emma Hill with son Hudson, right. Credit: Adam Tschorn / Los Angeles Times