Fashion Forward 02-24-2012

February 2012

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

- Judy Garland

February 24, 2012 | Page A

LETTER FROM THE FASHION DIRECTOR

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here's one word that captures the essence of February in Los Angeles; and that's GLAMOROUS. With the buzz of award season in full swing, the stores are chock-full of curve-hugging, shimmering, graceful creations reminiscent of the truly glamorous days of old Hollywood. We're seeing designers like Armani, Chuiri and Piccioli of Valentino, and Donetella Versace cast their magic and bring updated interpretations of golden era designs worn by such iconic beauties a Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth and Judy Garland. A true celebration of the feminine body, and empowerment of the woman within.

Judy Garland will always be known to the world for her contralto voice and award winning acting, but only her

inner circle of friends enjoyed her creative talents as a writer and poet. The poem “My Love Is Lost” is one of the many treasures she bestowed to upon her friends in a small book she wrote and featured on this month’s cover.

In keeping with our glamorous theme, we take a look at some trend-setting, nostalgic silhou-

ettes, featuring an abundance of pleats and drapes in fabrics that say “touch me.” Dare to be more creative with your accessories. Try wearing a bracelet or brooch in your hair, let the top of your silk stocking show and by all means, wear those sexy stilettos.

This season is all about embracing various sides of your personality and no collection exemplifies that spirit better than Lanvin. Once again, Alber Elbaz has given us earthly goddesses the styles we've been looking for. So go ahead and dare to be adventurous.

On The Cover: Dress - Chloe, Neiman Marcus, Beverly Hills; Earrings - Vhernier, Vhernier Boutique Beverly Hills; Ring - Solange Azagury-Partridge, Solange Azagury-Partridge Boutique, Beverly Hills Necklace - Azure of St. Tropez, www.azuresttropez.com Headband - Louise Green, Louise Green Millinery Co., Los Angeles

BEVERLY HILLS

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il Covo

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It's All About The Details.

ords to live by? Seemingly veteran restaurateur Sean MacPherson believed so when he bought and restored a 1920's Mediterranean former four-plex apartment on 3rd Street, then slowly and lovingly reinterpreted the building to create an inviting, intimate Southern Italian home and garden. That is il Covo. MacPherson sees the restaurant as an extension of his own abode and designed it as such, filling it with treasures he's collected from around the globe.

After two years of painstakingly perfecting all

Luxuriously plush horseshoe shaped booths set amidst a roaring antique fireplace are designed to invite cozy and intimate tété a tétés. Stacks of wine bottles are tucked “just so” into corner niches and a scattering of 1960's Italian Bitossi lamps impart the perfect mood lighting. The restaurant's beautiful long bar with its delicate hand-carved cherub accents and row of mohair seated stools is the ideal locale to enjoy a pre-dinner martini, and the enclosed al fresco patio features salvaged terracotta tiles, marble tables and a

aspects of the operation; from the careful renovation to the precise placement of his eclectic collection of objects and bounty of art, this true labor of love is enjoying a bustling trade collective of power lunchers, intimate dinner gatherings and a hip late-night supper crowd.

myriad of vintage treasures. “We put a lot of work in creating every new detail of this space,” states MacPherson, “but the concept for il Covo has always been to produce a restaurant that would be perceived as a place that has been around for decades.”

“If the devil is in the details” - then perhaps it's not surprising to learn that il Covo translated means “den of thieves.” The dark mahogany wainscoted walls were finished and refinished repeatedly to achieve the perfect lived-in patina. The coffered wood ceiling was hand painted by international artisans.

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As you'd expect, the cuisine at il Covo is superb. Milanese-born Chef Roberto Maggioni has executed a menu that offers delicious dishes, all prepared with exceptional ingredients and designed to satisfy the straightforward lunchtime diner or inspire a slow, languid dinner. Night owls can also enjoy a bevy of supper items.

MacPherson and his partners have earned a reputation for creating many of the city’s most influential hotspots, all renowned for their unique style, quality and probably most impressively - longevity. His portfolio features a long hit parade of successful eateries, including Olive, the legendary 90's hotspot on Fairfax; Swingers Diner, Jones, Good Luck Bar, El Carmen, Swingers Santa Monica, Bar Lubitsch, and The Roger Room. Enjoying bicoastal success, he also operates several restaurants, hotels and bars in New York and

Montauk, equally reputed for their excellence and creative flair.

Perhaps his magic formula “is” in the details.

MacPherson doesn't hire designers.

Preferring instead to dedicate his time and talented eye to personally oversee the construction and design himself, and thus creating surroundings known for their combination of delightful style and comfort supreme.

il Covo 8700 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles (310) 858 0020 • (www.ilcovo.com)

RENDEZVOUS A NIGHT OF SEDUCTION

PHOTOGRAPHS BY:

TRACEYMORRIS.COM STYLED BY:

ARTURO D’CRUZ STYLIST: ARTURO DE CHAVEZ

MANICURIST: BETH FRICKE OF ABTP

MODEL: CHELSEA OF PHOTOGENICS AGENCY

DIGITAL TECH: ROBERT MORRIS

HAIR: RANDI PETERSEN OF ABTP MAKE UP: MARINA GRAVANI OF ABTP

CAMERA/LIGHTING ASSISTANT: DANIEL KINTZ CAMERA/LIGHTING ASSISTANT: CHRISTIAN SHENOUDA

February 24, 2012 | Page E

Dress - Azzedine Alaia, Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills Fur - Edward Lowell, Beverly Hills Shoes - Jimmy Choo, Jimmy Choo Boutique Beverly Hills Necklace - Giuseppe Zanotti, Giuseppe Zanotti Boutique, Beverly Hills Ring - ISTA Jewelry, www.istajewelry.com Bracelet - Vhernier, Vhernier Boutique Beverly Hills Previous Page: Dress & Cardigan -J Mendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills; Necklace - (shown in hair) Philip Press, www.platinumrings.com Ring - Daniel Gibbings of Montecito, www.danielgibbingsjewelry.com Shoes - Dana Davis, Bloomingdales or www.danadavis.com

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Bracelets - DeLatori, www.delatori.com Diamond cuff - Peace & Love by Nancy Davis, www.peaceandlovejewelry.com Shoe - Jimmy Choo, Jimmy Choo Boutique, Beverly Hills Stockings - Wolford, www.wolford.com February 24, 2012 | Page G

Dress - Pamella Roland, www.pamellaroland.com Broach - (shown in hair) Erica Courtney,www.ericacourtney.com Earrings - Lance Fisher, www.lanceďŹ sher.com Bracelet -Harry Winston, www.harrywinston.com Ring - Asprey of London, www.asprey.com

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Dress - Dolce & Gabbana, Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills Necklace - Charriol, www.charriolusa.com Ring - Lance Fisher, www.lancefisher.com Broach (shown in hair) - Furlong Jewels Inc., Los Angeles Stockings - Wolford, www.wolford.com Shoes - Giuseppe Zanotti, Giuseppe Zanotti Boutique, Beverly Hills February 24, 2012 | Page I

PROFILE

ANGELS IN HELL A E LBER

LBAZ AND HIS HIGHLY ACCLAIMED COLLECTION

By Joanne Galey

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“

ncredible, sensational, sultry, edgy, exciting”.

Adjectives and accolades that tumbled from the open-mouthed “fortunate ones” sitting in the front rows of the Parisian runway when the 2012 Spring ready to wear collection from the house of Lanvin was unveiled. Reportedly lead designer; Alber Elbaz sought his inspiration from the heavens above and Dante’s burning inferno far, far below.

His highly acclaimed "Angels in Hell" collection is made up of opposing elements; that in the hands of this genius and powerhouse of talent, work incredibly well. Elbaz has combined hard and soft textiles, joining sleek, minimalist silhouettes and metal and leather accents with soft, flowing fabrics to create a look that, according to Fashion Etc., can be described as “angelically elegant and demonically chic.” This exciting detour from the normally well-behaved, perfectly polished aesthetic enjoyed in Lanvin’s past collections, shakes things up rather nicely, giving us more than a hint of dark

BEVERLY HILLS

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LANVIN

SPRING/ SUMMER 2012

attitude, gads of architectural tailoring, sublime detailing, and a good measure of plain and simple sexiness. A dark, sultry wantonness courses through the veins of the entire collection that give the pieces a raw energy and a sense of urgency and spontaneity. An exposed arm defines the sexy appeal to a romantic blouson, drapey silken trousers are ventilated by slashed seams, hip hugging jet pencil skirts are rucked up and peek-a-boo gashed, and “nothing to hide” vulnerably sheer goddess dresses are cinched, twisted and draped over second-skin bodysuits.

If you let your mind indulge itself you can recognize Alber's inspirations as they take on significance in the form of the strong shoulders - perhaps representing the vestiges of angels wings? Or the writhing pythons appliquéd in a dress or coiled around a pant

leg are a menacing taunt issued forth from a fiery hell?

The 47-year old Moroccan born designer who calls Tel Aviv home, earned his stripes

My designs are all about creating an emotion.

-Alber Elbaz by assisting Geoffrey Beene. “He was amazing”, says Albers of his mentor. “When he died, people asked, “Did he leave you anything?" I said, “He didn’t leave me any money, but he left me my profession. He taught me my work. Everything I know comes from him.” Alber’s genuine adoration of

women and classical sensibilities also come heavily into play in his creative process. “I love and respect women” he told our fashion director, Tawny Sanders during his recent trip to Beverly Hills.

“I work mostly with women and you know, our logo for Lanvin is a mother and a daughter. I’ve always said, ‘It’s not a lion, and it’s not a horse. It’s a mother and a daughter.’ I find the logo very emotional. For me, almost everything we do has to be like a dress that your mother wore and that you are going to wear. This is how we bring the emotion into it.” In keeping with Lanvin’s mother/daughter designs, Alber has created his first line of children's clothing for his “Petite Fille” clients which are now available in the Beverly Hills and Malibu boutiques.

February 24, 2012 | Page K