Stephen Webster brings work of illustrator Alan Aldridge to Beverly Hills boutique
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The second floor of Stephen Webster’s Beverly Hills boutique was transformed into a multicolored time warp Wednesday night during a private event celebrating the opening of a gallery display of 1960s and ’70s art from famed illustrator Alan Aldridge.
Some of Aldridge’s most famous works, including his racy film poster for Andy Warhol’s “Chelsea Girls” and his Beatles-inspired illustrations, were explored by art lovers sipping pseudo psychedelic drinks such as the Grey Goose Kaleidoscope.
The works will be on display in the British jewelry designer’s boutique until April 17. “We wanted to stay with our U.K. theme in choosing our artist, and Stephen is very much into music,” said Webster’s general manager Matthew Stephenson. “Since Aldridge worked with some of the biggest [musical] artists in the ’60s and ’70s it was a great fit.”
Aldridge had two reasons to celebrate the evening. Apart from his gallery display, he just launched a set of tailored beach shorts imprinted with his work for Orlebar Brown. The shorts can be perused and purchased at mrporter.com.
When asked what his work had in common with that of Webster -- who is known for, among other things, a series of rings inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins -- Aldridge replied, “My work’s a little kinkier.”
Aldridge was thrilled to have his art on display in Beverly Hills, where he moved from the U.K. in 1976. “I came here with Elton John back then. I did the ‘Captain Fantastic’ album cover, and I developed Captain Fantastic into a movie,” he said. “They put me up at the Beverly Wilshire, right across the street actually, while the film was being made. My suite was next to Warren Beatty’s. It was a tremendous first impression.” The impression stuck and he settled in Los Angeles.
Aldridge’s displayed works are for sale and can be purchased from the Mr. Musichead Gallery, (323) 876-0042, or by visiting the Stephen Webster store at 202 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.
-- Raha Lewis