Barbara Tfank trunk show to feature Liz Taylor-inspired line

With the Elizabeth Taylor auction just weeks away at Christie's New York (Dec. 13-17),  La Liz fashion fever is in high gear. Which is why it's the perfect time to swing by Neiman Marcus and check out the trunk show of the spring 2012 collection by Los Angeles designer Barbara Tfank. She was inspired by the legendary screen siren who died in March, to create a dazzling range of hip-hugging sheaths with slashed necklines, taffeta cocktail dresses with lace-trimmed decolletes and dramatic palazzo pants.

Tfank got her start in Hollywood and has always been a film buff. (Her husband, Peter Markham, heads the directing department at the American Film Institute Conservatory). Lately, she's been rewatching lots of Taylor films, listing "Butterfield 8" and "A Place in the Sun" as favorites.

"When you look at Elizabeth Taylor in the 1950s and 60s, there's no question she was one of the most beautiful women to ever live," Tfank says. "Beauty has been given such a bad rap lately, with this need for everything to be perversely beautiful or screwed up. But the way she was dressed by [costume designers] Edith Head and Helen Rose brings to mind the pleasure you can get from seeing someone so well and appropriately dressed."

Tfank has been on the road doing trunk shows, and says she's been hearing the same thing from customers everywhere she goes: Yhey are craving femininity and beauty. "We're living in such a troubled world," the designer says. "And it's this idea of beauty as comfort."

Tfank started her eponymous label in 2001. Her clothes, all made from exquisitely designed textiles, have been worn by Michelle Obama, Angelina Jolie and Adele, just to name a few.

Barbara Tfank trunk show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Neiman Marcus 2nd Floor, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 550-5900.

RELATED:

New York Fashion Week: Barbara Tfank

The fashion equation of Barbara Tfank plus Henry Duarte 

Theadora Van Runkle, Hollywood costume designer, dies at 83 

Top photo: Elizabeth Taylor and her third husband, producer and showman Michael Todd, react after he receives a best picture Oscar for "Around the World in 80 Days." The photo appears in the Los Angeles Times book, "High Exposure: Hollywood Lives -- Found Photos from the Archives of the Los Angeles Times."

Bottom photo: Looks from the Barbara Tfank spring 2012 runway collection shown during New York Fashion Week. Credit: Bryce Pincham

Last-minute Mother's Day gifts: Hollywood at Home's 'Dressed to Kill' trunk show

On Friday and Saturday, drop by Hollywood at Home for a “Dressed to Kill” trunk show hosted by Brooke Davenport and Katie Leede featuring Irving & Fine tunics, Jennifer Creel sunglasses, Kotur handbags and Denis Colomb shawls. Pieces are ready to take home. Hollywood at Home also carries last-minute Mother’s Day gifts such as Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s collection of candles and home fragrances. Take mom with you and enjoy English tea sandwiches from Paddington and treats from Plaisir. Tea, lemonade, wine and light cocktails.

724 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

RELATED:

Events: Mother's Day at Juicy Couture, Trina Turk plus salon and spa specials

Relax: Here are some spa treatment ideas for Mother's Day

Cheap 'n chic gifts for Mother's Day

Follow All the Rage on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo: Irving & Fine tunic. Credit: Hollywood at Home

Canadian designer Jeremy Laing hosts a trunk show at Zainab

Jeremy Laing, the Canadian designer who trained under Alexander McQueen, hosted a trunk show at the Zainab boutique on Thursday night, featuring pieces from his spring and fall 2010 collections.

The 30-year-old Toronto resident had already planned to be in town for the Coachella festival when boutique owner Zainab Sumu asked him to show at her store.

"I like that L.A. has multiple nuclei," noted the bespectacled Laing, who stayed at the Avalon Hotel and hit up the Getty Museum before leaving town Friday morning. "And I love the weather ... though strangely it's warmer in Toronto right now."

Laing's stunning silk-heavy collections marry bold shapes -- think waist-length, strong-shouldered jackets -- with major fluidity, in the form of clever drapery and tailoring (one draped shirt boasted side sections of fabric that dropped nearly to the knee). The overall impact is edgy, but never forced. "There are a lot of easy things," said Laing while showing the collection. "Things you can just throw on."

-- Emili Vesilind

Follow All the Rage on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo: Jeremy Laing with L.A. designer Jasmine Shokrian (middle) and Zainab Sumu (right). Credit: Emili Vesilind

Weekend Update: Rachel Pally and Yana K sample sales, Freedman's acoustic event at AmRag, Douglas Hannant does bridal at Saks

Sample Sales

Beginning Friday and running through May 2, Rachel Pally -- the queen of cotton jersey separates -- is throwing a sample sale featuring 2010 resort looks and last season styles at up to 80% off retail prices. Tops run for about $40, and dresses range from $80 to $120. Major credit cards accepted.

2310 E. 7th St., Suite C100, Los Angeles. (818) 512-9575. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 

On Saturday and Sunday, Yana K headlines the Pop Lock & SHOP IT! sample sale extravaganza at the London Hotel. Prices start at $50 to $100. A percentage of sale proceeds benefit the Abolish Slavery Coalition, which fights human trafficking. Cash only.

1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Zachary’s Smile's sample sale is on Sunday, featuring its signature White collection along with Mabel, and Zane Leslie Designs. Prices range from $10 to $50. Complimentary vino poured for shoppers inside the Silver Lake boutique.

4014 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 668-1900. Noon to 6 p.m.

Weekend Events: Jenny Dayco trunk shows, West Hollywood Art & Design walk, Treesje at Saks

Thursday night, Foley + Corinna hosts a showing of L.A. designer Jenny Dayco’s affordable jewelry collection, which starts at $25 for leaf earrings to $80 for chunky statement pieces. Attendees will receive a gift certificate worth up to $50 and will be entered to win a Jenny Dayco piece. Champagne will be poured and listening enjoyment provided.

8117 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 944-0169. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

West Hollywood celebrates its 13th annual Art & Design Walk Saturday, featuring neighborhood boutiques, salons and design studios offering special discounts, events or complimentary cocktails. Look for complimentary hair consultations at Marco Pelusi Hair Studio, a one-hour free makeup lesson at Makeup Mandy and a Dr. Seuss birthday celebration at Alpha. On Saturday, all parking restrictions -- including meters -- will be lifted from noon to 6 p.m. Check here for a schedule, maps and participating locations.

Melrose, Robertson and Beverly Boulevards, West Hollywood. (310) 289-2534.

On Saturday, meet Treesje designers Sheila Nazarian and Laura Darrah at Saks Fifth Avenue and check out their spring collection of bags, including leather totes, hobos and satchels, in bold hues with Treesje’s signature hardware ($315 to $670) Shoppers take home a Sweet Little Goodies leather cosmetic case as a gift with purchase.

9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 275-4211. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

OTHER SHOPPING NEWS:

Erin Wasson jewelry trunk show on Saturday

Follow All the Rage on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo: A Treesje bag style. Courtesy: Treesje

Events: Halston’s spring collection trunk show this week at Elyse Walker

Elyse Walker hosts a Halston trunk show Tuesday and Wednesday, featuring designer Mario Schwab’s take on the American ready-to-wear pioneer designs. Expect to see flowy strapless dresses in Roy Halston’s signature red shade.

15306 Antioch St., Pacific Palisades. (310) 230-8882. Noon to 6 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

Follow All the Rage on Facebook and Twitter.

New York designer Brian Reyes hosts an elegant trunk show in Beverly Hills

New York-based designer Brian Reyes, a former protege of Oscar de la Renta's, flew into town to host a trunk show for his fall 2010 collection at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills on Friday.

The easygoing, Colombian-born designer greeted shoppers and members of the fashion media in front of rolling racks bearing the vibrant collection, which takes inspiration from trees and burning wood.

"Spring was all about science and technology," Reyes said. "So I wanted fall to be a bit more natural -- in a forest, surrounded by trees."

The line is full of earthy references, including an architectural jacket rendered in a gorgeous birch-inspired print (see above, right), cocktail dresses peppered with the colors of fire -- deep orange, purple and blue -- and a gauzy cream tunic that, from afar, looks like a tiger print but is actually a tiny graphic of silhouetted birds and people.

Reyes, who was hanging out with friend and fellow designer Magda Berliner at the event, said the L.A. customer differs from his New York clientele because, "You do have seasons here, but they don't change that much. And people embrace colors here. There's a certain ease to people in L.A. In New York, it's really lots of black."

-- Emili Vesilind

Photo: Brian Reyes at his trunk show in Beverly Hills. Credit: Emili Vesilind

Weekend Update: Temperley Bridal, Privé Salon, Club Monaco, William Rast

On Friday and Saturday, Temperley London hosts a 2010 bridal trunk show for brides-to-be and prospective wedding planners.
Meet with luxury vendors from Frédéric Fekkai, Moët & Chandon, Sweet Lady Jane cakes, Patina Catering, Me & Ro Jewelers, Sepal Floral Design and Ceci New York Stationery. A $2,000 Bridal Bliss Kit filled with gift cards and a Champagne magnum will be raffled off.
The first 20 guests who mention “All the Rage” at the door will receive a complimentary Temperley candle and an extra ticket for the Bridal Bliss Kit raffle. RSVP to John Zimmerman, (323) 782-8000 or Johnz@Temperleylondon.com.

8452 Melrose Place, West Hollywood. (323) 782-8000. Noon to 5 p.m.

Salon

Feed Your Hair Drive at Privé ongoing through Nov. 30: Get your locks done and help the L.A. Mission feed hungry people this holiday season. Make a hair appointment at Privé then bring two canned edibles to the salon and receive a complimentary house Vert Eclat conditioning treatment (value $45).

7373 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-5559. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Offers

Club Monaco: Through Monday, Nov. 9: Get a jump on holiday shopping: Spend $50 at Club Monaco area stores and receive a free gift (gifts range from leather goods, gloves and bracelets).
401 N Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (714) 957-3080. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa (714) 556-0611. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Events

Real Style for REAL Women at Coldwater Creek Saturday: Stylist Sam Saboura, who has worked with Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Aniston, gives tips on revamping your look without breaking the bank. Saboura will dole out tips on finding the perfect fit for any shape, incorporate this season’s trends into your outfits and pick those pieces that can layer up or down plus learn how to “shop” your closet. RSVP to kpoelma@muchandhousepr.com
12191 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach. (310) 927-8660. Noon to 3 p.m.

Opening

William Rast Outlet: Contemporary clothing line, helmed by Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala, opens a William Rast outlet at Desert Hills this week. Expect to find denim, knits, woven shirts and outerwear for men and women priced at below retail. 

48400 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. (951) 849-6641. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.

-- Max Padilla

Photo Temperley Sophie dress ($6,450). Credit: Temperley.
 

Jacquie Aiche trunk show on Friday

Madison's 3rd Street flagship Jacquie Aiche hosts a trunk show Friday featuring Aiche's handcrafted fine jewelry. Pick up the eye-catching $155 two-tone beaded bracelet, $265 14-carat diamond waist ring or a $488 pyramid "stacker" ring.

8745 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. (310) 275-1930. Noon to 6 p.m. www.madisonlosangeles.com

-- Max Padilla

More sales and events

Follow the Image section on Twitter

Chris Benz trunk show Wednesday at Beckley in West Hollywood

Designer Chris Benz is having a trunk show for his Fall 2009 collection onWednesday at Beckley in West Hollywood.

Sip Champagne, nibble hors d’oeuvres and mingle with the designer.

Chris Benz trunk show
Wednesday, July 22 6-8 p.m.
Beckley, 8620 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood

Happy shopping.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Upcoming sales and events

Follow the Image section on Twitter

Photo: A look from the Chris Benz Fall 2009 collection. Photo credit: Chris Benz