GEORGE CHRISTY
George Christy 2
Rodeo Drive, which he envisioned would become the “street of streets” in his golden city of Beverly Hills. With a nod to his adopted homeland of sunny California, he designed yellow-and-white striped awnings and fragrance boxes and stationary. Author Danielle Steel found the shopping irresistible, and would fly here from San Francisco to choose those elegant creations from Paris or Milan. European-born Danielle has an incomparable eye for fashion.
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Celebrty Photo/Scott Downie and Alex J. Berliner/ABImages
red’s fragrances from Giorgio’s to Red became international blockbusters, and he’s since sold his successful companies. Rodeo Drive committee chair Tom Blumenthal of Geary’s hailed Fred’s pioneering, as Armani’s Wanda 3 did McDaniel, remembering that she bought her Chloe gown from Giorgio’s for her wedding to The Godfather producer Al Ruddy.
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il Cates invited Fred to come aboard as his fashion consultant when Gil produced the Academy Awards. He presented Fred with the Walk of Style award, which is fashioned after “the torso” of the nude woman sculpted by 4 Robert Graham for the southern end of Beverly Hills’ “street Fred Hayman, photographed with Fawn and Giorgio in 1999 by of streets.” A month ago, we Bob Frame for Harper’s Bazaar. Fred was honored this week welcomed cousins from with the 15th Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award at Two Rodeo Baltimore, Athena Stem and Plaza. 1) Betty Endo (Mrs. Fred Hayman). 2) Author Rose mom Mary Monios, who were Apodaka with husband Andy Griffith and daughter Nina. 3) Fred visiting for the first time. We Hayman with son Robert. 4) Armani’s Wanda McDaniel suggested they lodge at the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive, e had a good thing peaking of “we huswhich they enjoyed for its comgoing. We husbands and our bands, our wives, and Fred fort and housekeeping, and wives and Fred Hayman. Hayman,” George was referwere grateful to the hotel’s Lynn Very nice it was, and not what encing Fred’s iconic Giorgio’s Noble for taking the best care you’re thinking,” smiled pro- boutique on Rodeo Drive, of them. Day after day, they ducer George Schlatter dur- where Louis Vuitton stands walked Rodeo Drive, and ing the morning reception at today. When it opened nearly remained wide-eyed with the Two Rodeo for Fred Hayman, half a century ago, Giorgio’s fabulous shopping, agreeing who received the fifteenth exploded into the fashionista with designer Valentino’s obserRodeo Drive Walk of Style scene for the Who and the vation that “Rodeo Drive is the Award. Other recipients Who. “Fred flew to Paris and most famous fashion street in being Giorgio Armani, James Milan twice a year for the the world.” Galanos, Valentino, Tom designer collections, and Ford, Manolo Blahnik, returned with selections eart the entrance of Fred’s Salvatore Ferragamo, Gianni marked for his loyal ladies, Walk of Style induction cereand Donatella Versace. such as my beloved Jolene. On mony, author Rose Apodaka our wives’ birthdays or at displayed her coffee table r. Schlatter, we must Christmas time or for special tome, Fred Hayman: The add, knows where more events, we husbands would go Extraordinary Difference, Tinsel Town bodies are buried to Giorgio’s, shoot a game of weighing in at seven pounds. than at Forest Lawn. Not only pool – yes, a pool table sat Not only has she written the did he produce Laugh-In, smack in the middle of the “only authorized biography of which created stardom for store. We’d order a drink or Fred,” she’s published it with Goldie Hawn and Rowan and espresso coffee. Guys aren’t husband Andy Griffith, a forMartin, he, in his earlier much for shopping, so we’d ask mer film editor and design Hollywood days, managed Fred what our wives would maven, under their a+r imprint. Ciro’s on the Sunset Strip. like, and he’d suggest this or We’ve enjoyed following Rose’s Regulars recall Ciro’s as the that. What we didn’t know reportage when she was most glamorous nightclub that our wives preceded us WWD’s bureau chief in Los where that we-had-faces-then secretly, and had already choAngeles and as creator of the crowd hung out (as Sunset sen what they wanted. Now Image section in the Times. Boulevard’s Gloria Swanson you know why we had a good described her silver screen thing going. Not one to bypass ’ve read every word,” confreres), and where Lana an opportunity, Fred opened a says Jay Weston, who praises Turner, dancing with Gary men’s wear division that took Rose’s “warts and all” research, Cooper, sighed, “I’d rather off overnight.” with Katy Sweet adding that rhumba than read.” more than 300 photographs are retailing and marketing included. While Rose was architect, Zurich-born Fred receiving compliments from became the Grand Seigneur of friends, husband Andy introPage 6 | June 3, 2011 1
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duced their beautiful adopted baby Nina from Argentina, who’s of Mexican, African and Irish heritage.
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e chatted with Prince Frederic von Anhalt, who mentioned that wife Zsa Zsa Gabor will be released from the hospital this week. We recalled those “bottomless caviar, bottomless Dom Perignon” dinners with Zsa Zsa at Fred Hayman’s, remarking that she never returns diamonds from lovers. “I keep them all, but when you’re making love they scratch.”
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n the garden of her BelAir aerie, arts benefactor Joan Hotchkis, whose gorgeous legs should be insured, and philanthropist and entrepreneur extraordinaire David Bohnett hosted a kick-off drinks party to welcome the dinner committee for L.A Philharmonic’s opening night gala on September 17th at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Several days later, David arrived at his Southampton estate to welcome his weekend houseguests, Vice-President Joe Biden and wife Dr. Jill Biden.
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he gala will feature an all-Gershwin program conducted by Gustavo Dudamel with pianist Herbie Hancock performing George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, An American In Paris and Rhapsody In Blue, which were composed at Gershwin’s residence on Roxbury Drive. Considered “the street of stars,” Roxbury Drive residents have included Ira Gershwin, Jack Benny, Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball, Peter Falk, Rosemary Clooney, Polly Bergen, Oscar Levant who coined the word Tinseltown, Jeanne Crain, Mia Farrow, Agnes
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ustavo and wife Eloisa planned to stop by, but baby Martin (born April 1st) needed them at home. L.A. Phil’s president and CEO Deborah Borda revealed that Gustavo and Eloisa love Los Angeles, as did Esa-Pekka Salonen, who enjoyed shopping. “We’d be in Paris or wherever, and he insisted we check out the best shops, unusual for a guy … actually, this Sonia Rykell suit that I’m wearing I bought at Eka’s insistence. He had great taste.”
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n the subject of fashion, Carla Sands told Kimberly Emerson that during her and husband Fred Sands’ visits to Shanghai, Vuitton shops outnumber Starbucks cafes “by far.”
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.A Phil’s Lisa White reminded that the opening night benefit at the Hollywood Bowl on June 17th will feature Hall of Fame inductees Harry Connick, Jr. and Gloria Estafan. Helen Mirren is hosting the evening that’ll include a sneak preview of Cirque du Soleil’s IRIS – A Journey Through The World Of Cinema. Online at www.bhcourier.com/georgechristy.cfm
Bernie Greenberg with L.A. Phil’s Lisa White
Carla Sands and Kimberly Emerson
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Lennie Greenberg with Laura-Lee Woods
Michael and Jane Eisner flank co-host Joan Hotchkis
Silvia Mautner
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Moorehead, Nelson Eddy, Spencer Tracy and others.
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Movie memorabilia collector Tom Gregory in head-to-toe Dolce and Gabana
L.A. Phil’s Gala chairman David Bohnett with L.A. Phil’s president Deborah Borda during the kickoff party for the Gala’s dinner commitee at Joan and John Hotchkis’ garden in Bel Air
BEVERLY HILLS