Fall/Winter 2017 - West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine by Mia Dinelly

DISPLAY UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2018

• www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com •

VOL. 3 ISSUE 4

Behind the scenes at NYFW - designer Jeremy Scott, Photo: Jeffrey Grossman

CONTENTS 22

BEAUTY Wellness + More Beauty

DESIGN New Arrivals: The Jeremy on Sunset

PORTFOLIO Naked Talent: Brian Bowen Smith

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COVER Gigi Hadid for Designer Jeremy Scott

FASHION Joseph Abboud, John Varvatos + Moncler

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VOL. 3 ISSUE 4

Behind the scenes at NYFW - designer John Varvatos, Photo: Jeffrey Grossman

CONTENTS 60

PROFILES The Kaplan Twins + Take Me to CHURCH

FEAST The Fire of Peru at Rosaliné + Michael Voltaggio: Shifts Focus to ink.well

MUST HAVES

VINTAGE Sunset’s Piazza del Sol

SPOTLIGHT WeHo Standard Time: Artes y Artistas

HOTELS West Hollywood’s Top 15

TRAVEL Southern Charm: Nashville, TN

OUT + ABOUT Events Around Town

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY PETER LINDBERGH MOJAVE DESERT, CALIFORNIA Amber Valletta wears the MP-2, Jac wears the Rockmore

8947 SANTA MONICA BLVD. | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069

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| 310.271.1313

Publisher Mia Dinelly

Editor

Carole Dixon

Creative Director Jenny Bondi

Copy Editor Lynne Simon

Contributing Writers Richard Bence Leigh Beecham Kelly Carson Shana Nys Dambrot Carole Dixon Carly Lancaster Mary Saunders Marlee Sherwin

Contributing Photographers

Phar AH Malachi Banales (Getty/ Wire Images) Billy Bennight Manny Chagolla Carla Choy Elizabeth Daniels Jeffrey Grossman Stevie Murrell

Cover

--Photography by Jeffrey Grossman Model: Gigi Hadid

DISPLAY UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2018

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The opinions expressed here are those of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the publishers or management of West Hollywood Lifestyle. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Publication of the name or photo of any person or organization in West Hollywood Lifestyle should not be construed as an indication of that person’s expressed opinion or sexual orientation. Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content in their advertisement in West Hollywood Lifestyle. Photographers work that is published in any advertising or editorial content within West Hollywood Lifestyle agrees to indemnify and save harmless the publishers from all liability, loss and expense due to a photographer’s failure to gain a model release.

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY PETER LINDBERGH MOJAVE DESERT, CALIFORNIA Levi Dylan wears the MP-2, Alex Lundqvist wears the MP-3 30 TH , Amber Valletta wears the Rockmore, Jac wears the Doré

8947 SANTA MONICA BLVD. | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069

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| 310.271.1313

CONTRIBUTORS

For Richard Bence, West Hollywood is both muse and home to the British-born culture journalist. Bence’s mission is to chronicle and unearth the hidden stories of Los Angeles with a special focus on travel, art and style—and his credits include Monocle, Rhapsody and The Guardian. He has a passion for preservation, loves all things midcentury and enjoys getting close to nature on canyon hikes or lapping up the architectural riches of the city he calls home. For this issue, Bence reports on photographer Brian Bowen Smith.

Jenny Bondi has worked with Advertising Agencies, Non-Profit, and Businesses both individual and corporate. A few well-known brands she has designed for include: Abbott Laboratories, Chicago Transit Authority, Tastee Freeze, University of Chicago, Wienerschnitzel and Yogurtland. Bondi has designed for a variety of markets including restaurant and hospitality, pharmaceuticals, health and fitness, real estate and theatrical industries. Bondi is currently the creative director for West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine.

Kelly Carson thinks it’s always nice to have a little bling around for when the conversation goes stale. In this issue, she covers the iconic boutique CHURCH. Carson’s work has been seen in Malibu Magazine, and she has been a regular contributor to West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine both as a model and as a writer.

Native Californian Carla Choy has been a photographer specializing in elevating restaurant, lifestyle and consumer brands for more than 10 years. She’s a graduate of the Brooks Institute of Photography and got her start in wedding photography before moving on the delicious world of food and branded content. A frequent traveler, she can often be found in the Bay Area and Lima, Peru, but the City of Angels will always be home. Choy captures the mouthwatering food at Rosaliné for this issue.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Elizabeth Daniels is a photographer who loves shooting in her native Los Angeles. Her subjects have included everything from The Broad Museum to Tommy Hilfiger, and her photos have appeared in many publications including The New York Times, GQ, Elle, Vanity Fair Italy, Travel & Leisure, Conde Naste Traveler, Architectural Digest, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, LA Confidential, the L.A. Times and C magazine—among others. For this issue Daniels shoots the latest nightclub by the h.wood Group, Poppy.

Shana Nys Dambrot is an art critic, curator and author based in Los Angeles. She is currently L.A. editor for Whitehot Magazine, arts editor for Vs. magazine, contributing editor to art ltd. and a contributor to L.A. Weekly, Flaunt, Huffington Post, Palm Springs Life, and KCET’s Artbound. She studied art history at Vassar College, curates one or two exhibitions a year and speaks in public with alarming frequency. In this issue, Dambrot reports on Pacific: Standard Time: LA/Latin America.

Jeffrey Grossman is a photographer of many nuances. One of his specialties is fashion. Originally from Los Angeles now based in New York and traveling back and forth for many photography projects, Grossman has his own vision, and a beautiful one at that. He has created a name for himself shooting Fashion Week in New York in addition to editorial and specialty projects that take him places beyond both cities. In this issue, Grossman shoots our fashion cover Jeremy Scott: Killing Chaos with Coolness in addition to our 15 pages of fashion.

Marlee Sherwin is a Chicago-born, Los Angeles-based writer with a background in multinational luxury retail buying, logistics and production. Enamored with art, design, fashion and music, Sherwin is vehement in her quest to research and highlight intersections between creative culture, business practices and social impact. With a degree in merchandise marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Sherwin has written for a variety of organizations: Women’s Wear Daily, The Doneger Group, Atom Factory, OPI and Crate and Barrel, to name a few. For this issue, Sherwin interviews The Kaplan Twins and covers our fashion feature on Jeremy Scott.

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER “Fall’s Sycamores are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.” Yes, I am a lover of all seasons, but this year I am ready for the fall and winter months. As I write this we are just five days away from it officially being fall. I am currently sitting on the rooftop at Restoration Hardware on Melrose in a light sweater sipping a cup of tea as I welcome you to our Fashion and Art issue. In addition, this marks our 12th issue and our three-year anniversary. I would like to thank you, our readers and advertisers, for your continued support and enthusiasm. I would also like to thank the talented team of editors, writers, designers and photographers who I have the joy of getting to work with each and every issue. This issue is chock-full of fall and winter fashion. We sent photographer Jeffrey Grossman to New York Fashion Week to capture fall fashion and winter fashion up close and personal on the runways of some our favorite designers and models. For this issue, I wanted Gigi Hadid for the cover as she walked for designer Jeremy Scott, whose collection is so current. Marlee Sherman, who wrote our cover story, describes how Scott made a statement with his fall/winter 2017 ready-to-wear collection, confronting American democracy, killing chaos with coolness. Other designers who brought great 2017 collections that we chose to feature among our 15 pages of fashion are Joseph Abboud, John Varvatos and Montcler. On the art front, we profile celebrity photographer Brian Bowen Smith who returns to his fine-art roots with photos from his Wildlife collection. This is his study in black–and-white of the nude female form—in a very unique way. I strongly encourage you to check this out, I am certain you won’t miss it!! That being, said it’s simply genius and gorgeous. From a traveling public sculpture to landmark surveys of queer Latinx artists, this fall, the city of West Hollywood’s WeHo Artes engages along with the Getty’s sprawling Pacific Standard Time: Latin America | Los Angeles initiative, staging eclectic and important visual arts in venues within and beyond WeHo city limits, you can read more about this in our spotlight section. Also, I want to point out that this issue of West Hollywood Lifestyle is our fall/winter issue. In the past, we have not merged these two issues together since we are a quarterly, but we have some big surprises in store for our readers and our community over the next few months. These new happenings will be in addition to the magazine, but as they say, “related.” West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine will resume in March with our spring Design issue! Enjoy the issue!

Mia Dinelly Publisher

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR As we say goodbye to the heat wave and prepare for crisper weather, the biggest news in town is The Jeremy hotel is finally open on Sunset Boulevard. After many delays—a story worthy of a Dynasty-style development saga—we are happy to see at least one tower open and fully functional, and we are certain that its new JOÃO bar and lounge is going to be a top watering hole during the upcoming party and awards season. Read more about the logistics, current offerings and what’s to come in our design section. And, it wouldn’t be a new issue without another nightlife venue opening by the h.wood Group and designer John Sofio. Seriously, when do these guys sleep? Poppy is the latest clubby spot, but the team has much more on the immediate agenda including a creative dining concept next door. In keeping with the red-hot West Hollywood dining scene, Ricardo Zarate’s Rosaliné is going strong on Melrose with Peruvian paella that is a must-have fall/winter dish. We couldn’t be happier that this humble chef is back on the scene in a big way. We covered Top Chef Michael Voltaggio in our third issue of the magazine, so it’s fitting that it’s our three-year anniversary, and great timing, that he just opened his new concept, ink.well, on La Cienega. While we loved his former ink. eatery on Melrose, this is his best venture by far for approachable food that you can eat several nights a week as well as a larger more welcoming bar space to hang out and contemplate what dish on the menu to tackle next. While we keep expanding dining coverage beyond the environs of WeHo to keep you informed on the latest and greatest around town, we went a little farther for one of our most satisfying foodie trips. We didn’t go to New York, London or Paris … we hit Nashville, Tenn. Read all about the new culinary offerings and our stay at the Kimpton hotel in our travel section. Kimpton is also opening a branch this fall in West Hollywood on La Peer Drive. It has been an incredible experience covering and profiling all the chefs, designers, artists, hotels, beauty gurus, culture, talent, parties and personalities in this diverse city for the last three years. Thank you to all the writers, photographers, designers and partners who have supported us along the journey. We’ve been fortunate to work with some of the best. Looking forward to the next chapter!

Carole Dixon Editor

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B E A U T Y 22

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BEAUT Y By Carly Lancaster

CAPITOL DRUGS In a world of impersonal service and long lines at the local drugstore, pharmacist Raja Sannidhi has maintained a wellness haven in West Hollywood with Capitol Drugs. The institution was originally conceived in the 1980s by the late Lloyd Tittle, a man who was ahead of his time sourcing holistic alternative healing products before it was a popular lifestyle choice. Tittle was also an early adopter of sports nutrition, so the pharmacy also owns and operates the PowerZone, which is right next door and connected to the original building. Lloyd’s sister, Ruth Tittle, was running the diversified business up until a few years ago. Sannidhi took over Capitol Drugs in 2015 and has kept the level of personalized service and commitment to the community intact and thriving. Employee longevity is also alive and well with many of the staff members working there for more than 20 years. According to Sannidhi, “The most important service we provide is time. We take the time to answer questions, research, walk customers through newly discovered health options as well as supporting the pharmacy itself for those who are more traditionally bound to health care.” Having built a stellar reputation on being the type of pharmacy “where alternative and traditional therapies unite,” you can expect to have a typical prescription filled or find the latest aromatherapy, herbs or homeopathy products at your disposal whether you’re dealing with weight management, sleep difficulties or chronic pain issues. Just consult one of the holistic practitioners on staff. “The alternative medicine approach has been growing for some time now so we are always happy to explore new trends and research new approaches to daily health,” says Sannidhi. “In the new style of medicine physicians are incorporating alternative medicine with traditional medicine to help combat certain conditions. This has been proven to be a vital approach for treatment.” Sannidhi finds that customers are also drawn to a whole array of daily supplements for maintenance such as omegas, multivitamins, probiotics, and carry a line that is dedicated to charcoal-based ingredients for toothpaste. “This trend is growing as this formula is found to be very successful in maintaining all-around hygiene. We also carry lines that doctors recommend that cannot be found in regular retail stores, so this is a specialized option for our customers,” he says. Examples include Standard Process, Apex and Metagenics to name a few. One thing is for certain, after a visit to this compassionate, welcoming and well-informed pharmacy, you’ll never wait in line at your local drug store again. www.capitoldrugs.com

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Can Can Parleur Organic Hand and Foot Spa

VIVE L A FRANCE at CAN CAN PARLEUR The Can Can Parleur’s Hand & Foot Spa is not only a 100 percent nontoxic environment, everything from the wallpaper and furniture to the polish is chemical free. However, this is not the typical sterile and cold environment. The vibe is decidedly La Belle Époque, when peace and prosperity in Paris allowed the arts to flourish and creative expression to blossom with decadent and inspired abandon. This spot certainly feels like a sexy French lady opened a cozy secret place where you can socialize with family, friends and neighbors while relaxing on chintz cushions surrounded by antiques. So, perhaps the express mani & pedi option—the “Can Can Quickie”—is for you. If you have time, try the more indulgent “Champagne et Roses” that offers a luxurious soak of roses and essential oils, followed by a hot stone massage, keratin treatment, and lathering of an organic honey, milk and rose lotion. While you are sipping bubbly or tea and enjoying the décor, your esthetician will be using all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free products on your fingers and toes. They proudly use the Be Silky callus softener line of noncorrosive products—the only one certified on the market. And, Can Can is also the only nail spa in Los Angeles licensed to do Bio Seaweed Gel nails— an organic chemical-free gel polish. From a wellness and environmental perspective, there is also zero water used in the treatments. According to the owner, Carolann Shapiro, water makes the nails flexible and is not good overall for the condition or cleanliness of the treatment. What you will find are tea tree-based cleaners, an anti-inflammatory milk bath and an Edith Piaf song wafting through the salon. www.cancanparleur.com

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NATURAL GLOW by SPENCER BARNES As a former actor, photographer and effects artist, Spencer Barnes knows a thing or two about great beauty. The seasoned West Hollywood-based makeup artist can tell you how to get Kim Kardashian’s radiant tan or Julianne Hough’s wedding day glow. “As beauty experts, we recommend not only products or trends, but we also break down looks from actual red carpet experiences,” says Barnes, when speaking about his new collaborative site greatbeauty.com. The site features world-renowned, organic and cult-favorite beauty products, and Barnes’ favorite glow tools, from Koh Gen Do Illuminator to Lord & Berry Luminizer. After his first year in the business, he was working with Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton on The Simple Life, Lindsay Lohan during her tumultuous years and a then-unknown Taylor Swift. “I was suddenly thrown into all these major Hollywood entourages,” he recalls. But that was only the beginning. During his 15-year career, he has also worked with Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Jodie Foster, Olivia Wilde and Cindy Crawford. On the heels of the recent website launch, Barnes is launching a new makeup product this fall that is skin-based. That Love Glow by Spencer Barnes is a glow serum that works make-up artist Spencer Barnes

with your natural hormones and draws out a natural radiance, along with a finishing glow mist that seals in your makeup with a beautiful luminous finish.

Along the way, Madonna and Lady Gaga were big inspirations, as was the late makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin. “He helped people claim their own voices and tell their own stories, and beauty was the tool,” says Barnes. “Makeup might not change your life, but it might make you change the way you see yourself and the way that others see you. It reminds people that we are more connected than we are different.” For future trends, Barnes would like to see more individuality in makeup. “Find ways to claim your uniqueness with beauty. It’s so empowering and makes our world a better place. It creates greater compassion for difference and less of a need to try and fit in.” As for a timeless trend: beautiful, radiant and glowing healthy skin. “Make the skin look like skin—not covered or ‘made-up’ but fresh faces.”

Dr. John Diaz - Reception

Dr. John Diaz, photo: Katharine Hauschka

GLOW ON THE GO Some of us need a little more help in the natural glow department but are short on time. Enter plastic surgeon and skin health expert Dr. John Diaz. His express On The Glow treatment with the Honor MD medical-grade skin care application has become a lunchtime must before any major event or red carpet appearance. In about 15 to 20 minutes, you’ll experience a three-pronged approach: first red LED Lights to stimulate collagen and cell turn-over, followed by a gentle glycolic facial peel to remove dead skin cells and finally a vitamin B12 injection (i.e. a gentle shot in the arm) to boost the metabolism and put a spring in your step. This combination will leave you with smoother, younger-looking, more radiant skin like you just got back from a monthlong vacation at a spa. The price is around $250, but you can get a monthly membership (minimum three months) for only $99. This includes 10 percent discounts on a variety of treatments including: injectables, CoolSculpting, Clear + Brilliant Laser, the Honor MD skincare line and more. www.drjohndiaz.com

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D E S I G N 30

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The Jeremy Hotel on Sunset - JOÃO bar

NEW ARRIVALS

The JEREMY on SUNSET

By Leigh Beecham

After many delays, new owners and a rebrand, The Jeremy hotel on Sunset is finally ready for its close up. Years of menacing traffic construction on the corner of LaCienega and Sunset, have finally produced a chic new hotel project by designers Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The Jeremy encompasses 50 suites and two penthouse suites amid the 286-room layout. Connecting the two building towers is an LED-lit ethereal Dream Catcher installation by Walter Barry, which just might distract from the rooftop views that span from downtown to Santa Monica. But it wasn’t so easy building the latest luxury hotel in West Hollywood– one that has not graced this area in years. The project, which started out as a Chicago and New York transplant, The James, was in a state of flux for many months before the Starwood Capital Group’s acquisition swooped in and took over to save the development, and to finally get the hotel up and running, renaming it The Jeremy in the process. “Jeremy” is a fictional character fashioned after a cool guy who has his pulse on the best of what the city has to offer and can get anything you desire–even a mood–enhancing latte in the afternoon when you need a pick me up. Actually, that cup of Joe will be coming from celebrity roaster J. Gursey Coffee (Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise are fans). The artisan program will feature fair-trade coffee and teas from around the world and signature drinks exclusive to the hotel such as a cherry blossom latte and Nitro draft coffee on tap made in-house. SBE was originally in charge of the on-site restaurant, and Zack Patterson, from Melrose Umbrella Company, was building out the bar program, but now the polished concrete lobby floor is a sprawling maze of mid-century modern lounging vignettes with white sofas, and pale woods leading to the casual all-day Etcho Café that serves veggie egg-white wraps, salads and sandwiches. In the glamorous JOÃO bar, you’ll find retro libations by Christian Weisson (last seen at Westbound downtown), signature bao buns with duck confit, a mushroom quinoa burger or a grilled rib-eye. For in-room dining, guests can experience a personalized lunchbox ordered via text. Actually, you can pretty much request any hospitality request via your smart phone, such as your favorite bourbon drink, waiting in your room upon arrival. Executive Chef Chang Sivilay is a native-born Laotian who grew up in San Diego and has an impressive California pedigree that includes The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, The Standard Hotel in downtown L.A. and the Mondrian just a few doors down the street on Sunset Boulevard. But the hotel is not done with culinary concepts. There is still an unnamed restaurant going into the adjacent ground-floor space, and while you can throw a private bash on the top floor bar lounge and take advantage of the sweeping views for now, that venue will also have a new restaurant operator-partner launching in the coming months. For one of the property’s first big parties, the hotel featured a pop-up celebrity Gibson Guitar lobby installation created in collaboration with the VH1 Save the Music charity. The guitars were designed with visual artists and musicians such as Miley Cyrus, Patti Smith, Slash, The Roots and Wyclef Jean. The tradition will continue with other rotating art installations throughout the hotel, and it’s a good thing we are not getting too attached. As the progression of the property continues, alas, “Jeremy” is also only a pop-up hotel for one year before it heads off to start another brand in another city. Over the course of the next year, The Jeremy will be transformed into the 1 West Hollywood, operated by the SH Group, and will become the fourth property in Starwood Capital’s award-winning eco-conscious and sustainable luxury brand. Looks like the sprawling 10,000-square-feet of meeting and event space will finally be coming in handy for the city once both towers are fully opened and functioning. We will miss The Jeremy but can’t wait for what this ever-evolving unique hospitality brand has in-store for West Hollywood. www.jeremyhotel.com or (800) 301-0171

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The Jeremy - Reception

The Jeremy - Etcho Café

The Jeremy - Rooftop Pool

• www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com • The Jeremy - Canyon Penthouse Suite

The Jeremy - Skybox Penthouse Suite

Poppy - Lounge photos: Elizabeth Daniels Photography

POPPY on La CIENEGA Another design marvel has opened in town but closer to Melrose on La Cienega. The old STK has been completely overhauled and reimagined by designer John Sofio of Built, Inc. along with John Terzian and Brian Toll of the h.wood Group. This nightlife dream team has brought many hot spots to the city of West Hollywood including The Nice Guy, Bootsy Bellows, Delilah and The Peppermint Club, among others. This time, the ethereal concept was inspired by a Gucci ad and has plenty of atrium-style garden greenery, floral cushions, wallcovering and drapery in one room, while the other main area looks more like a library/den in a clubbing scene from the future with large banquettes which will more than likely be danced on by stilettos. No matter where you decide to imbibe, you will be stepping into a baroque fashion fantasy world of peacock poppies and role-playing hostesses—some holding small animals—or as Terzian describes the space, “a live version of a surrealism painting.” In another interesting twist, the club will only be open on Thursdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., but that might change once the restaurant concept Petite Taqueria opens in the adjacent space (once occupied by Bagatelle). www.hwoodgroup.com/poppy

• www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com • Poppy - Outdoor Patio

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PORTFOLIO 36

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BRIAN BOWEN SMITH

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37 Horses

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39 Bunny

Naked Talent

BRIAN BOWEN SMITH By Richard Bence

Celebrity photographer Brian Bowen Smith returns to his fine-art roots. “When you put on a mask, you can be anyone you want,” says photographer and former Herb Ritts protégé Brian Bowen Smith. He’s talking about Wildlife, his study in black–and-white of the nude female form, which first made its debut in 2014. The concept came about because the women Smith knew wanted to be in a fine-art picture but didn’t necessarily want to show their faces. Each photo features a nude woman, or group of nude women, wearing children’s animal masks. The identity of each subject is kept secret, a concept that freed Smith’s subjects to drop their inhibitions. “The mystery of that is part of the image,” says Smith. “You can be dirty, more open and [not embarrassed],” he says. An established commercial photographer who has shot multiple advertising and entertainment campaigns, fashion spreads and magazine covers, Smith began by working alongside Ritts as an assistant before starting his own star-snapping career. Today, he is among the first names mentioned when the likes of Miley Cyrus, Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Demi Moore or Carolyn Murphy want to create an iconic image. Inspired by the great masters of photography, including Helmut Newton, Sam Haskins and Richard Avedon, Smith is humble enough to admit he’s not reinventing the wheel but says that it was important to establish his own unique style that wasn’t just an echo of his famous mentor. “I know who I am. I know I’m not Herb Ritts. We already had a Herb; we don’t need two. So, I have to trust my instincts and do everything my way. That’s how I became me.” One thing that his forebears didn’t have to grapple with was the democratization and demystification of photography through social media. With Instagram, we’re all image-makers now. Of course, not everyone has Miley calling them up and saying, “Can you come to the beach right now” to do an impromptu shoot. “In this industry, you’re only as good as the people you get to shoot and the jobs you get,” says Smith. But he is keen to point out that expensive equipment isn’t what makes a great image: “I could shoot a picture of Miley Cyrus with my iPhone, and it would be just as good.” While there are plenty of huge photographers all vying for the same jobs, what distinguishes Smith is his passion for the art form. “I talk about photography more than I talk about sex. When I meet someone who’s into it, I wanna pick their brain and love hearing their advice,” says Smith. That thirst for knowledge, along with raw talent, is a winning combination. “I’m learning every day. I still feel as if I’m a student. I try to do everything in the fine-art world on my own so it’s mine. It makes me feel like an artist when I’m doing it. It makes it exciting.” His advice for young photographers wanting to break into the industry: “You wanna be a baseball player, go and practice hitting balls. There are some who can hit it a mile and some who just can’t hit it. I’m good at people and being simple and fast. No bullshit. That’s what sets me apart in the industry. That’s my thing. And I’m pretty genuine: What you see is what you get.” Right there is his secret ingredient. In an industry built on mythmaking, the truth shines through when the subject trusts the person behind the lens, especially when being shot naked wearing a mask. www.bowensmith.com

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Photographer - Brian Bowen Smith

• www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com • Sheep

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C O V E R 44

JEREMY SCOTT

Killing Chaos with Coolness By Marlee Sherwin Photography by Jeffrey Grossman

New Americana is ruled by the rejects, the ones your parents warned you about, the kids who talk back. We simply will not stand for oppressive old systems and ineffective ideas. We celebrate singularity. We renounce social regression. Technology is our greatest tool. We mobilize by the millions, and our impact crosses continents. The power of the people is greater than ever previously possible. Our lives are exponentially more connected, creative and collaborative. We keep up in real time. We can’t help but see when the wool is being pulled over our eyes. We the people want a more progressive world—at least that’s what is popular. In February, we sent West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine photographer Jeffrey Grossman to New York Fashion Week, which fell just a month after a certain virtuous TV personality took public office. Politics were front of mind for everyone, and designer Jeremy Scott has never been one to sacrifice self-expression or societal satire in the name of acceptance or opportunity. Scott made a statement with his fall/winter 2017 ready-to-wear collection, confronting American democracy, killing chaos with coolness. The sentiment was subtle, masqueraded in metaphors. The Internet’s favorite models looked genuinely sanguine on Jeremy Scott’s runway as well as at home with each other backstage. The designer knew his guests’ and models’ social media would add to the exposure and conversation. The collection itself is an ironic hodgepodge of ensembles, each with a mix of elements from various cultures and eras. The whimsical overtones sent the overlying message. The show did not feel overtly accusatory, but Jeremy Scott’s Instagram account at that time helped fans and editors understand his message. Gigi Hadid was first to walk. She hit the runway wearing hot-rod blue-and-orange bell-bottoms that have Christ himself on either thigh, a brocade-like fabric on the backside. Along with a mixed cheetah print and metallic leather moto jacket, she gripped a retro red lunch box. The back of her jacket features Christ again, this time between Western-inspired shoulder fringe and other tassels. Later, she wore a studded, embroidered leather suit, same bell-bottom–style pants and soft beach waves as seen on our cover. The show was a saturated symphony of prints, sequins, fishnets and fur, even feather boas. The Christ motif continued, expanding to include the Virgin Mary and other religious symbols. In juxtaposition, “Like A Virgin”-era Madonna made an appearance on a few pieces. The style went from flapper-girl to classic Western, miniskirt mod to military-like utilitarianism. Hippie patchwork was also in the mix, plus a little punk. Looked at in its entirety, Scott’s references to America, celebrity idolization, religious worship and consumerism was clear. Scott’s playful aesthetic has always been a tongue-in-cheek take on a world so bourgeoisie, making him a disruptive force in the fashion industry for the last 20 years. The outspoken designer recognizes his relevancy and uses it to inform and

activate his followers, who range from fashion fanatics to hip-hop heads. A proud outsider who is intriguingly unique, Jeremy • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com Scott •epitomizes the spirit of our millennium mindset.

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Designer - Jeremy Scott, Model - Gigi Hadid

Designer - Jeremy Scott

Designer - Jeremy Scott, Model - Gigi Hadid

Photography by Jeffrey Grossman

F A S H I O N

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JOSEPH ABBOUD • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com •

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Designer - Joseph Abboud

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Designer - Joseph Abboud

JOHN VARVATOS 52

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Designer - John Varvatos

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Designer - John Varvatos

MONCLER 56

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Designer - Moncler

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P R O F I L E S 60

THE KAPLAN TWINS By Marlee Sherwin

The work of an era encapsulates and reverberates the mood of that moment through both its intended message and what it fails to say. From Renaissance and neoclassicism to modern and today’s contemporary, art is the study of politics and social progression. It is history written in real time, or as Andy Warhol described it, “Art is what you can get away with.” Today’s artists can get away with just about anything. This digitized reality has empowered their craft, providing new forms of mixed media plus connective, collaborative social platforms. Technology has initiated an unmistakably unique evolution of contemporary art. The power is in the persona, as the Internet offers an everyday solo exhibition to gain interest and exposure. Que the Kaplan Twins, a delightfully raunchy duo making a name for themselves as both painters and New Age entertainers. The twins, also (but not frequently) known as Allie and Lexi, are stingingly sweet, insanely petite and impossibly identical. This synchronicity carries over into their affinity for salacious subject matter. Smut is their signature. The Kaplan Twins provocatively explore sexuality, celebrity, self-assurance and feminism, juxtaposing sensitive imagery with traditional styles of art. Both girls have degrees in studio art from NYU and, between the two of them, have a resume that includes the Paul Kasmin Gallery, Christie’s and The New Museum. They understand the fine art industry and its institutions, but they’re ’90s babies with a shameless appreciation of pop culture. This duality allows their work to resonate with a new set of art buyers. Allie and Lexi’s pornographically inclined aesthetic all started with oil-style paintings of Kim Kardashian West. The sisters used stills from a certain compromising video— the one that “made her a superstar all from a home movie.” This series work quickly gained Internet attention and grew to include paintings of other celebrity leaks. Social media is a means of performance art for the girls, a chance to interact and experiment with their audience. The latest insta-exhibition is their #SatOnYourFace series, where the sisters paint each other’s bare behinds before each pressing painted cheeks on the art of a famous male face. For them, art is all about having fun and feeling free. The stuffy barriers of fine art just don’t feel right, and like their idol, Andy Warhol, they don’t care to conform. What is it about women’s figures, especially shown in highly scandalized leaked content, that interests you? Allie: We were always getting back to the topic of Instagram and how people are just obsessed with looking at each other’s private moments. People just put it all out there! But certain moments aren’t intended to be leaked—yet once they are, there’s controversy and shame. Lexi: We wanted to change the context of nude photos, the obsession and oppression of women’s bodies online, and reinterpret it an art context. Allie first said it would be funny and interested to do that, generate conversation. And moving to Los Angeles had to influence it. It works, because sexuality and celebrity are part of entertainment, part of L.A. culture. How are nudity and social media contributing to the forward movement of feminism? Lexi: Feminism to us is doing whatever makes you happy. If a woman wants to show her tits for attention… whatever. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all share photos from our vacations or meals for gratification. And it’s OK to do stuff like that. If you’re feeling confident, there’s nothing wrong with taking a sexy photo. We summed it up in our Beautycon installation as, “Express yourself, undress yourself, just do it for yourself.” Allie: The fine line for us is that, obviously, we didn’t get permission from the people whose leaked photos we’re painting. They were just out there. So, we pick women whose views on feminism resemble ours, the ones who have outwardly responded as body positive in the media and are proud of who they are.

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The Kaplan Twins - Boobies

I see so many comparisons between yourselves and major feminist artists of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Who are some of your influences? Allie: In that era, Warhol, Basquiat, Linda Bagla, Cindy Sherman.. Lexi: Barbara Krueger, Tracy Emin. But also like Miley Cyrus. Any crazy cool performance artists, visual artists, creative people who don’t just identify with one thing, like Kanye West, Kaws, Murakami. You’ve gone from college grads to the pages of Playboy and W magazine. You’re even represented by Creative Artists Agency. How does it feel to now be personally exposed? Is it ever strange to be painting one another nude, or exposing yourselves nude together? Allie: It’s all just really exciting. What we’re doing is pushing boundaries. We’re 24, and we’re hustling, and it’s actually happening. The more we can express our ideas, get people to feel comfortable and confident—that’s what’s important to us. Lexi: Our family has always allowed us to be open and comfortable, and we’re best friends. So, it’s not weird. As part of this conversation, we feel we need to include ourselves. We need to be on display. We even talked about leaking our actual nude selfies! Allie: I look at her on a set and think, “She looks good!” which gives me a confident boost. Lexi: And we do paint everything together, including each other. There are moments when we say “I’m painting this area” or argue over one person wanting to paint over the other’s work. When Allie painted my eyebrows, I had to say “I love you, but I’m repainting.” So what’s in the works next? You just incorporated Donald Trump into your #SatOnYourFace series, do you have ambitions to explore other social and political themes in a bigger way? Lexi: For now, we’re reflecting on this time we’re growing up in and all these things around us. We’ll continue to do that as we grow and the world grows. Allie: I don’t think there’s one specific route we want to go, but we know we like talking about media and pop culture whether or not we’re making a certain social or political statement. Lexi: Our next series has less nudity and female focus. It reflects on Instagrammable moments, that you’re not really living for yourself or your experiences but so other people can see what you’re doing. Allie: We’re fine artists but we want to do a little bit of everything. We’re collaborating with Juicy Couture right now on a capsule collection and designing sneakers for Tretorn, which Andre 3000 is the face of. This idea of self-sexualization as an expression of feminism has long been feuded over. Yet since at least the 1960s, women have divulged and denounced the realities of gender oppression and sexual degradation by ironically flaunting the very thing they want men to see them as more than. We’ve seen the same naked statues of men for centuries, so why can’t we desensitize the inherent sexuality in women’s figures? Through seemingly phallocentric paintings, the Kaplan Twins are doing just that. www.thekaplantwins.com • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com •

Take Me to

CHURCH By Kelly Carson

Hidden behind the creeping fig vines at 7277 Santa Monica Blvd. is CHURCH, a rare and unusual retail store created by longtime friends Rodney Burns and David Malvaney. Inside this eclectic congregation of clothing (some of them dangling from the ceiling rafters like apparitions in the night and elegantly draped over industrial workbenches) and art, fine jewelry, sculpture, objets d’art and home décor, are things that go beyond the imagination: an ornate, metal collar made from multiple joined zippers by Autumnlin; a white, mixed-media sweater dress with cowl neck made of cotton and leather; a shredded, ribbed-cotton train by Resurrection; and a black crocodile vintage bicycle with a Dapping fixed-gear frame and 1960 Ideale saddle by DLEE. Burns and Malvaney have been at the same West Hollywood location for nine years. They started Church after Burns left Maxfield, a West Hollywood fashion mecca famous for outfitting the 1 percent. He worked there for 17 years and built a copious “crazy clientele” until it was time for him to move on. The beginning of CHURCH wasn’t easy, however. “Initially,” says Burns, “it was very difficult because of my big association with Maxfield. I was synonymous with ‘Rodney from Maxfield,’ so it was interesting to see who of my former affiliations were receptive to the new vision that Rodney and David created; who was going to follow me and see what I was up to?” But as things fell into place and revealed themselves (like that “for lease” sign jutting out of the roof atop the 7277 building), Burns and Malvaney found that the majority of old patrons had followed them. “Stay positive” is their motto. CHURCH clients are the busy kind; they are well-traveled types, people who separate themselves from the herd looking for clothes that will reflect their style. “When they come here,” Burns says, “the objective is to give them an experience and create a space and vision—all represented here under the roof—that is a complete picture of ‘all their likings.’” And their likings are rare and exotic. One of the reasons this store is thriving is that the company strives to find independent and cutting-edge designers who don’t have a big representation in Los Angeles. This makes CHURCH’s stock as sought-after as the true cross, keeping that cutting edge razor sharp. It’s interesting to note that Burns doesn’t operate within traditional fashion seasons. He has a rotation of men’s and women’s fashion and all things avant-garde coming in based strictly on mood—so the seasons never dictate the curated beauty of the store. When most shops are putting on sales, CHURCH has a whole new inventory. “This puts us in a whole different category,” says Burns, “and always makes us viable for stylists and fashion hounds.” The boutique’s name signifies a community of like-minded individuals, housed under one roof for a common purpose: in this case, the love of fashion. It’s a mustsee—and a must-shop. www.churchboutique.com

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Rodney Burns + David Malvaney, Photos: Manny Chagolla

CHURCH on Santa Monica Blvd • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com •

MUST HAV E S

New York State of Mind in LA Futuristic Swiss watchmaker Urwerk is marking its 20th anniversary in business with the launch this fall of a timepiece that pays homage to New York City. The UR-105 CT Streamliner features art deco design cues found in the Big Apple’s skyscrapers. Beneath a sliding-case top resides a new wandering hour movement, where four “satellites” carry the numerals for the hours around the dial, sweeping past the minutes scale at the bottom. Available in titanium and polished steel, or titanium and black PVD-coated steel, the automatic timepiece is priced at $69,000. Available at: Westime Beverly Hills 216 North Rodeo Dr. Beverly Hills • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com • (310) 888-8880

12.9‑inch iPad Pro BEZALEL’s car vent mount OMNIA This device charges your iPhone wirelessly. Drive safely with this gadget that works with the top-selling Latitude case for iPhones. Price: $99.99 10 percent off code: WHL10 Available at: bit.ly/OmniaCharger

The new iPad Pro is everything you’ve been waiting for. It offers far more power than most PC laptops yet is delightfully simple to use. The redesigned Retina display is as stunning to look at as it is to touch. And it all comes together with iOS, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system. Available in space gray, gold and silver. Price: from $799 up Available at: The Beverly Center Apple Store 8500 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles (424) 239-3880 or www.apple.com

Lehmann Design Haus Candle Lehmann Design Haus believes in designing your home with fragrance because design is something to be experienced with more than just our eyes. We couldn’t agree more after getting a whiff of the Oak + Tobacco candle. Price $35 Available at: www.lehmanndesignhaus.com

Cold Bruer Bruer celebrates the ritual of coffee through design and knowledge, and its Cold Bruer produces a less acidic and less bitter cup, highlighting the smooth natural sweetness of the coffee. It creates the best slow-drip cold brew for the home or office. We love this well-made product, but we really love the cold brew it delivers. It produces up to 20 fl. oz. of coffee in as few as four hours. Price $64 Available at: Demitasse 8700 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood

DAVIDOFF Unisex Shoulder Bag Davidoff Flat Postino Unisex Shoulder Bag from ShopWorn in dark brown calf leather with large exterior pocket, zip closure is one gorgeous accessory. Made in Italy, the bag is 30 x 34 x 1 cm (11.8 x 13.4 x 0.4 in) Price: $195 Available at: www.ShopWorn.com • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com •

SPOTLIGHT 66

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Manuel “Sad Boy” Rodrigues - Red Cortez, 2016 - 24 x 16 in. - 35mm C-print

WeHo Standard Time:

ARTES y ARTISTAS By Shana Nys Dambrot

From a traveling public sculpture to landmark surveys of queer Latinx artists, this fall, the city of West Hollywood’s WeHo Artes engages the Getty’s sprawling Pacific Standard Time: Latin America | Los Angeles initiative, staging eclectic and important visual arts in venues within and beyond WeHo city limits. The history of art in Los Angeles is deeply intertwined with Latino culture—not only the richness of the region’s Mexican and Chicano heritage but the dynamic global diaspora from Europe and North, Central and South America. A follow-up edition to its citywide initiative of a decade ago highlighting the accomplishments of regional artists from 1945 to 1980, The Getty Foundation’s new PST:LA|LA undertakes a deliberate, focused approach to scholarship of the Latino presence and influence in all its myriad forms and mediums. With literally hundreds of galleries and institutions offering thematic programs from September 2017 and into 2018, PST is covering every township and surrounding county that could possibly be considered part of Greater Los Angeles, and communities are encouraged to see themselves reflected in the programs they host. To that end, the robust WeHo Arts organization created WeHo Artes, a slate encompassing both official PST exhibitions as well as additional original projects distributed between the Public Library, the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives Gallery, MOCA at the Pacific Design Center, LAXART, MAK Center for Art and Architecture, Great Hall/Long Hall in Plummer Park and Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND) in West Hollywood Park. The scores of artists represented practice video, painting, sculpture, photography, performance, installation and more; their work speaks to art and cultural historicism and the avant-garde, the intersection of LGBTQ and ethnic experiences and identities, public culture, politics, immigration, class, race, gender, the environment and even the origin story of the Disney empire. Already on view at the Public Library is a collaborative exhibition featuring works by Ramiro Gomez and David Feldman, occupying several spaces throughout the building. The centerpiece is a monumental and majestic new acrylic and cardboard on canvas painting by Gomez called West Hollywood Park, which Gomez created for the site. Gomez’s work is known for merging aesthetic references of SoCal modernism with political commentary about the social invisibility of L.A.’s majority-Latino working class. Well, for a work about invisibility, you can’t miss it. At 84-by-156 inches, it occupies a rather operatic perch in the wide sunny stairwell, combining his trademark cardboard-cutout technique with his skills as a painter to depict a scene in which the Latino caretakers are seen, and not seen, attending their wards in the neighboring park. A common sight, never seen. More intimate works by Gomez are installed along with a series of photographs by his life and art partner, David Feldman, documenting witty placements of Gomez’s lifesize cut-out figures throughout the city. The exhibition is on view through March 15, 2018; with a November 15, 2017, screening of Los Olvidados, a short film the pair made with David Hockney, a major influence and frequent muse for Gomez as well as a close friend. Meanwhile just outside the library, in the very park Gomez was inspired to paint, anyone can experience the moveable sculptural feast titled Sense of Place by Guadalajara-based artist Jose Dávila. Organized by the nonprofit public art foundation LAND, this abstract modular sculpture is reconfigurable and mobile. It’s in the park now, but there are plans for a tour of multiple sites around L.A.’s urban landscape—the better to highlight and contrast varieties of the Angeleno experience. The angular square structure will be on view until November, when its first decampment begins. It will move and reorganize its shape again in January 2018 and then again in March before returning to WeHo in April and May. Functional and inventive, this is Dávila’s largest public undertaking to date and his first major exhibition in Los Angeles. One of the most anticipated events of the PST: LA|LA moment is Queer Califas, a curatorial project by Queer Biennial founder Ruben Esparza, opening in early November at Long Hall. A group exhibition featuring a diverse selection of interdisciplinary and multigenerational LGBTQ Latinx artists, Queer Califas includes paintings, drawings, photography, experimental media, soft sculpture and performance—all from the queer Latinx perspective. Queer Califas will open at Great Hall/Long Hall in Plummer Park with a reception on November 4 and continue through December 9. Axis Mundo: Queer Networks in Chicano L.A. is organized by the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives and will expand to occupy the MOCA at PDC annex as well as its home at the ONE Gallery through December 31. Its mission is to “map the intersections and collaborations among a network of queer Chicano artists and their collaborators from the late 1960s to the early 1990s,” with a focal point being the late artist Edmundo “Mundo” Meza (1955–1985), who worked with many of the more than 40 featured artists.

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Pável Aguilar, Retransmisión (Retransmission), 2011. Color video. Courtesy Pável Aguilar

Alberto Ibañez, Adentro-Afuera, 1999. Acrylic, assemblage and wax crayon on canvas, 120 • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com • x 140 cm

Ramiro Gomez, West Hollywood Park, 2017. Acrylic and cardboard on canvas. 84 x 156 in. Courtesy of the artist and Charlie James Gallery, Los Angeles. Photo: Michael Underwood.

One of the most scholarly offerings has to be the weighty Video Art in Latin America presented by LAXART. The survey—really more of a video festival—takes as its starting point the earliest experiments of several decades ago in South America as video became an important medium for expressing dissent during a time of violence, corruption, frustration and widespread social injustice. It goes on to explore hotspots of artistic activism throughout Latin America, including engagement with the thorny issues of labor, ecology, migration, borders and resources. How to Read El Pato Pascual: Disney’s Latin America and Latin America’s Disney, presented by Arturo Herrera/MAK Center for Art and Architecture (and with a whole second part at the Luckman Fine Arts Gallery at Cal State Los Angeles) looks at more than 150 works by nearly 50 Latin-American artists responding to a century of love, hate and mutual influence between Latin America and the Walt Disney Company. The exhibit includes painting, photography, illustration, drawing, sculpture, video and ephemera. Its curators, filmmaker/ writer Jesse Lerner and artist Rubén Ortiz-Torres, assert that “there are no clean boundaries between art, culture and geography,” and are not shying away from the contested ground this continuum occupies. This is not only the most unexpected highlight of the WeHo Artes program but probably the funniest. Yet, in a way, it ties the whole undertaking together. It’s got everything—action and adventure, innocence and industry, influence and appropriation, export and exploitation– speaking the universal language of youth and merchandise through a filter of socially engaged community.

LAND’s “Sense of Place” by Jose Dávila

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T R A V E L 72

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NASHVILLE, TN

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Photo: Nashville Convention + Visitors Corp.

SOUTHERN CHARM Nashville, TN By Carole Dixon

From honky-tonks to hot chicken, Nashville has become a top destination for West Coast travelers—and some never leave. On a recent trip to this steamy Southern city, dubbed “Music City,” word on the street was that entertainment and music industry folks from L.A. were moving here at a rate of 100 per day—the same fate fell upon Austin, which last year claimed 300 California residents per day were calling the Texas city home. There are obvious similarities between the two, from live music venues, a booming hotel scene and Michelin-worthy chefs moving to the suburbs. Now the industrial lofts of the urban landscape are beginning to look more like a fancy big city that’s ripe for a Soho House rather than its down-home Grand Ole Opry roots. In addition to the art friendly 21c Museum Hotel, which just opened downtown, there’s the hip Thompson in The Gulch area, the rugged Urban Cowboy B&B from Brooklyn in the East, and a Dream hotel concept from Rockwell that is on the way. The Kimpton Aertson aims to give midtown and Music Row that same coolness that prevails in other recent outposts of the city, with a mixed-use development designed by Gensler. The 180-room Kimpton hotel features industrial-sized rooms with exposed concrete ceilings, original art work and stitched leather headboards. As you enter the lobby, the Nashville playlist by the hotel’s music director, Lauren Bucherie, wafts through the air setting the tone. All of the international art for the property was commissioned by Boston-based Cynthia-Reeves contemporary gallery. Near the elevator, a stunningly intricate art installation of hot pink and orange Egyptian cotton threads, titled Redberry, by Anne Lindberg, takes over a corner ceiling while defying gravity. Add to the mix James Beard award-winning chef RJ Cooper at Henley—the flagship restaurant that serves American comfort fare with a Southern twist—and a hot spot is born. The bar is raised to new heights with a cornbread-dusted agnolotti with buttery Alabama crab or the low-and-slow simmered green beans with bacon fat. Breakfast bakery goods include duck fat beignets overseen by pastry chef Matt Clement. The bar with Bette Davis eyes as a backdrop takes center stage—led by Jon Howard—with fashionable locals sipping on a “Lovely Bunch of Coconuts,” playful tiki cocktails or hand-selected whiskies. Next door, marketplace-style eatery Caviar & Bananas is part deli counter, bakery, artisan grocery shop and wine bar. Originally from Charleston, S.C., the place is packed already for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Grab a Tennessee trio sandwich (stuffed with three kinds of meat including pork belly) if you’re in a hurry, then take a stroll through the leafy grounds of the Vanderbilt University campus across the street. You can descend upon the wine social hour every day (even weekends) from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. before heading out to dinner or up to the rooftop pool with views overlooking the teeming party scene gearing up on Broadway. Just like Vegas, Nashville is now one of most sought-after bachelor and bachelorette party destinations in the country, and when you spot a tractor being driven by a cowboy-clad hunk pulling a mobile dance party full of screaming women in a trailer down the road—complete with a DJ and bar—you won’t disagree. But people don’t just come here to party. The Kimpton is in close proximity to other sought-after reservations such as the much-lauded Catbird Seat restaurant with 22 seats and a hard-to-book tasting menu. On the flip side of fine dining, you can also stroll to Hattie B’s Hot Chicken for a modern version of the city’s favorite dish, but be prepared for a line no matter what time of day. You will actually come to expect lines at most of the popular places and even become suspicious if there isn’t one—even at a fast-food concept. If you want to add a sporting event to your eating and drinking outing, Pinewood Social (closer to downtown) combines a bowling alley with a bar, restaurant and lounge that would fit right in perfectly in Hollywood. While this is all fine and dandy, be sure to visit the historic Capitol Grille for fried green tomatoes, deviled eggs and the Friday catfish sandwich special. The restaurant has its own cattle farm, garden and even makes its own chardonnay. For more superb dining, hit Husk for the shrimp and grits; Henrietta Red in Germantown for a fried oyster sandwich at the bar; or a bowl of pasta at Rolf & Daughters.

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Henley - Bar

Henley - Dining Room

Henley Restaurant and Bar - Photos: Andrea Behrends Henley - Short Ribs

Henley - Bar

Caviar & Bananas - Tennessee Trio

• www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com • Caviar & Bananas

Caviar & Bananas

Kimpton Aertson - Hotel Lobby

Kimpton Aertson - Hotel Suite

Kimpton Aertson - Hotel Bathroom

With every trendy new place that warrants a crowded entryway spilling out into the street, such as Biscuit Love, there are classic spots that have been around before The Gulch was hopping. Two fine examples are the buzzy tavern-style Peg Leg Porker, with its tender pulled-pork sandwiches and Memphis dry-rub ribs, and the down-home Arnold’s Country Kitchen, offering a meat-and-three-veg option that’s a heaping plate of everything from catfish to cornbread. Locals and transplants have remained exceptionally friendly even with the glut of tourists clogging Broadway in downtown hoping to catch a new act or glimpse of a country-western star. For refuge, duck into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash Museum or the Goo-Goo Cluster gift shop (the addictive locally made confection of peanuts, caramel and chocolate) for a pick-me-up. This fall, more culinary talent will descend on Nashville with the Food + Wine Festival, with high-profile national chefs including L.A.’s very own Susan Feniger of Border Grill, along with other headliners such as Andrew Zimmern, Marcus Samuelsson and John Besh (who recently opened the Marsh House in the Thompson Hotel). Let’s just hope all the ruckus and rising rents don’t tarnish the flavor or dim the new spotlight of this charming small town meets a glamorous big city.

• www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com • Kimpton Aertson Hotel - Rooftop Pool

Kimpton Aertson Hotel - Patterson Ballroom

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T S A E F 80

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Rosaline - Bar, Photo: Carla Choy

The Fire of Peru at

ROSALINÉ By Carole Dixon

Los Angeles first fell in love with Ricardo Zarate, the humble South American chef from Lima, Peru, when he was occupying a tiny stall at the Mercado la Paloma, called Mo-Chica, near the garment district downtown. He moved up quickly to open a larger version of his first eatery (where Ray Garcia’s B.S. Taqueria currently resides) and the ambitious Picca project on Pico (now closed) with a stunningly modern design serving cantina-style causas (think sushi with potato), tapas and pisco cocktails from his homeland that quickly dubbed him “the Godfather of Peruvian cuisine.” Then everything went quiet for a minute, but Zarate was not taking a break. “I was traveling a lot and spending more quality time with my family and my kids,” he says. “During that time, I had also just released my cookbook, Fire of Peru, so I was working really hard on that campaign as well.” The chef also hit the road back to Peru for a little recharging and inspiration, while also visiting Columbia, Japan, Taiwan and Europe. “Any time I travel, I look for inspiration, for new produce, new techniques that I can use.” And use them he did. Early this year, he opened the fast-casual concept Mamacita (as a result of a temporary test kitchen put in place to prep for his new restaurant in WeHo) in the Hollywood & Highland complex. While not an obvious location, the food is simple and satisfying with BBQ wraps, rice bowls and ceviche. “I don’t think I have ever felt the need to step away from cooking. It’s my passion. It’s what I love to do. I have literally been cooking as long as I can remember, since I was about 8 years old. For me, it’s a way to relax,” says the chef. Still not one to boast about his past or present successes, Zarate has resurfaced big time with Rosaliné (named after Zarate’s mother) in the old Comme Ça space on Melrose. In another chic build-out by Culinary Lab and Kevin Tsai Architecture, the sunny and wood-based décor is the perfect backdrop for serving a mix of traditional Peruvian dishes with authentic street food that’s heavily influenced by Southern California culture and produce. This was a personal journey for the chef, who is fully embracing the next phase of his career with food that was inspired by his family. “I’ve lived in Los Angeles for eight years, and every day I blend my culture with this one,” says Zarate. “Now Rosaliné, a tribute to my mother, will give my cuisine to the community again. I wanted to have a hand in every detail, down to the handmade flatware. I have no limitations or boundaries—it’s just me. If I want to use a dish one day that I created for Mo-Chica, I can do it—whatever I want to do. I wanted Rosaliné to be a concept I’ve put my mark on, a space that people enjoy and one my mother would be proud of. I think we have accomplished that.” The results have been astounding. You still can’t land an unreserved table even months after its opening, and it’s also hard to score a seat at the buzzy bar even on a week night. “When I was looking in Los Angeles for a place to open Rosaliné, I had a few offers to open in Abbot Kinney, which was very tempting because I like that area, but when the space on Melrose and La Cienega became open, I knew I wanted it. West Hollywood is so full of life, and it’s so close to everything, to downtown and to people who love Peruvian cuisine,” confirms the chef. Plan ahead, and try to sit on the “patio,” which, thanks to skylight panels and plenty of greenery, gives off the effect of sitting outside. The menu offers Zarate’s childhood favorites that are also featured in his book. Some of the tools to help this cuisine come to fruition include a traditional Josper oven with an open charcoal grill that infuses ingredients with smoky, rich, earthy flavors and spices. And this wouldn’t be a Zarate restaurant without a ceviche bar. The freshly caught fish is sourced from the Santa Monica Farmers Market and sold by the ounce.

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Rosaliné - Chaufa Paella, Photo: Carla Choy

The nuts and bolts of the table menu is split into abrebocas/quick snacks; la familia/family style BBQ; mamaqucha/from the sea; allpa/from the soil; and pachamama/from the land. Surprisingly, the most popular “small plate” item on the menu would be the corazon anticucho—beef heart skewers with rustic rocoto pepper, feta cheese and walnut sauce, which you can soak up with an order of pan andino quinoa bread. The hands-down menu hit is the “family style BBQ” item chaufa paella, a Peruvian fried rice made paella-style with pancetta, la chang sausage, bagoong and prawns served in a large skillet that sizzles long after it’s on the table, and it’s perfect for sharing with a group. “I knew it was going to be a big hit but not as much as it actually is because it’s actually not a paella; it’s more of an arroz chaufa,” claims Zarate. Other crowd pleasers come in the form of the “pescado parrillero,” a charcoal quick-dried grilled branzino and the “anticucho bife ancho,” a 28-day dried ribeye steak with sesame huacatay sauce. “Sudado de choritos” is an authentic Peruvian dish made with black mussels, sudado fish stew and aji Amarillo chili lime broth. And the veggies are like nothing you’ve never seen at any restaurant in town: beets three ways with ricotta spread, burrata, candied pecans, a blood orange vinaigrette and a brightly flavored English pea concoction with goat cheese, choclo corn and avocado rocoto dressing. Also, key to this collaboration: Jeremy Lake is behind the cocktails, which are naturally Peruvian-inspired but also utilizing unique items found throughout the menu such as house-made plum jarabe (syrup), and hand-smoked pisco that turns up in a traditional pisco sour with egg white and cinnamon dusting but served in a handmade ceramic glass that says “Pachamama”—referring to a goddess revered by the indigenous people of the Andes for her contributions to fertility, planting and harvesting the earth. 8479 Melrose Avenue, (323) 297-9500 www.rosalinela.com

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MICHAEL VOLTAGGIO Shif ts Focus to ink.well

ink.well - Bar, photos: Keilen Photography

The former ink. on Melrose is no more, but celebrated owner-chef Michael Voltaggio has brought fans a new concept on La Cienega called ink.well. The austere black-and-white dining room, also designed by the Top Chef, is somehow simultaneously cozy with plenty of natural woods behind the bar and a quiet side room with a fireplace. The food is stunning, mixing the uniqueness and creative cutting-edge dishes that made ink. one of the most highly acclaimed venues in town for six years, but this time the food is much more approachable—dare we say bordering on comfort food? There is even a massive dry-aged burger on the menu topped with beef bacon, aerated cheddar and dill fermented cucumbers. (While not exactly In-N-Out, it’s a burger nonetheless). Thankfully, the seaweed mashed potato puree and charcoal potatoes made the move from Melrose. Other new favorites so far include chicken thighs with sunflower seed risotto hidden under a giant collard leaf; Dungeness crab-stuffed rigatoni; gnocchi with zucchini basil broth; and celery root remoulade with anchovy emulsion and Petrossian caviar. The location and décor might have changed, but the concentrated genius in the kitchen and at the bar remains. 826 N. La Cienega Blvd., (310)358-9058 www.mvink.com

ink.well - Bar

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ink.well - Private Dining

New + Exciting Updates Around Town One of our all-time favorite chefs, Vic Casanova, has moved his wildly popular Gusto Italian restaurant on 3rd Street into a larger space down the block that occupied his other eatery, Pistola, and was also the original home of AOC. Now there is more room to dine, along with an upstairs patio, and you can have a drink at the bar conceived by mixologist extraordinaire Devon Espinosa. Expect the classic black fusilli and bucatini carbonara but also new dishes such as pappardelle with oxtail ragu and cavoletti with kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, hazelnuts, cherries, goat cheese and mustard vinaigrette; crispy squash blossoms; Mediterranean octopus with cannellini beans, tomato and harissa; or American wagyu flat iron steak. Over at Estrella on Sunset, Dakota Weiss has left to focus on her Sweetfin Poke venture. But Mirko Paderno (last seen at Culina) has come in to take over the kitchen. The cozy patio is now serving everything from crudo to calamari and plenty of delicious pasta including truffle risotto; potato gnocchi; chestnut pappardelle with beef cheecks simmering in a four-hour ragu; and a 14-day dry-age New York bone-in. Chef Jason Fullilove and his Southern eatery Barbara Jean are no longer just a pop-up but a permanent fixture behind Zach Patterson’s Melrose Umbrella Company, and the chef has even created a bar-friendly menu for his new neighbor. Meanwhile, Patterson has been splitting his time at his fabulous new tiki inspired-lounge on Hollywood Boulevard called Lono. Also new to the area, Soul has finally opened after a decade in the making. The 24-hour brined fried chicken and homemade hot sauce is deep soul food from owner-chef Yealang Smith’s North Carolina roots. Biscuits pop fresh right out of the oven, and the mac ’n’ cheese has a to-die-for béchamel sauce topped with heaps of crispy bacon. The cocktails include a Mardi Gras margarita tequila concoction with blackberry mule liquor that marries beautifully with the rich Southernfried dishes. For a unique twist on an L.A. favorite dish, Japanese transplant E.A.K. Ramen on Melrose is not just any old ramen but Iekei, which is a marriage between tonkotso style from the west (Kyushu) and shoyu style from the east (Tokyo). It is a thick broth, which is a mixture of chicken and pork, with spinach topping instead of green onions. The noodles are thick and straight as opposed to the typical thin ramen style. There are vegetarian and vegan options to boot as well as sake or soju cocktails. While we are waiting for The Tasting Kitchen crew to open at the Kimpton La Peer this fall, you can head to the Kimpton Everly in Hollywood for the pizza over at Jane Q or the Ever Bar lounge, where you can play pool and order a duck confit bone broth cocktail. (No joke!) Also coming in November, restaurateur Bill Chait is bringing Tesse to the 8500 Sunset building. At the helm will be acclaimed chefs Raphael Francois (Le Cirque) and Sally Camacho (Wolfgang Puck Group). Tesse is a play on délicatesse, which in French, means delicious or tasty, and will feature Francois’ modern French cuisine. The restaurant will be designed by Alexis Readinger of Preen Inc. and will be located in the same mixed-used project as the new Fred Segal Sunset, and hopefully, Tartine Bakery. Chait’s other project will see April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman, of Michelin-starred Spotted Pig in New York, taking over the old Cat & Fiddle on Sunset Boulevard to bring The Hearth & Hound gastro pub this November. Our neighbors in Beverly Hills welcomed the multi-Michelin-starred chef Jean-George Vongerichten at the stunning new Waldorf Astoria with a killer patio-view dining option and a glamorous lobby-level dining room, where grilled cheese topped with caviar or avocado pizza are not out of place. Over at The Montage, Georgie, has a new French chef Wilfrid Hocquet—with a pedigree—has brought steamed maigre fish with saffron sauce; potato croquette with black truffle; and lobster ravioli consumé to the world-class new menu. Thankfully, the martini cart remains. For those mourning the loss of STK on La Cienega—which is now Poppy by the h.wood Group—the W Los Angeles has flipped the outdoor pool area into The Hideout by STK for brunch, lunch, happy hour and dinner. Expect the same great quality to carry over to everything from the dry-aged Angus beef burgers to duck confit chilaquiles. The ever-evolving Hayden Tract in Culver City has added even more coolness to the beloved Tom Dixon store by adding an adjacent wine shop and seafood, veggie-centric café led by Ari Kolender called what else? Hayden Cafe. The sleek spot is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you can shop the counter for gourmet tinned sardines and sandwiches to go along with that bottle of vino. • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com •

V I N T A G E

Sunset’s

PIAZ Z A DEL SOL By Mary Saunders

Piazza del Sol on Sunset Blvd

Situated along the busy corridor of Sunset Boulevard, at the gateway between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, is Piazza del Sol—a registered historic landmark that today is a unique and beautiful commercial property housing the offices of several production companies. Reminiscent of a classic Italian villa, the Piazza del Sol was originally constructed in 1927 as a luxury apartment complex and prestigious address for many of Hollywood’s entertainment industry elite. Like all good building history in West Hollywood, prior to becoming the Piazza del Sol, the property had its share of name changes, stories and dramas. Before Piazza del Sol, the property was known as The Hacienda Arms Apartments and the Coronet Apartments. Rumor has it that, in the 1930s, it became known as House of Francis—the “most famous brothel in California.” We have been told that many referred to it as “the classiest brothel on the Sunset Strip.” The building declined in prestige in the 1950s and 1960s, and was purchased by rock star Rod Stewart in the late 1970s. Stewart’s plans to redevelop the building as a luxury hotel ended in a legal dispute (which he won). In April 1982, the story goes, Rod Stewart was held up at gunpoint. Not long after the incident, he left the building with his daughter and secretary in tow and went back to England. In 1983, when it was the Coronet Apartments, it was struck by fire and nearly destroyed. However, before the fire, San Francisco-based Westcap Financial Group had agreed to purchase the building and move forward with the acquisition in spite of the damage. At the same time, the Los Angeles Conservancy was leading an effort to have the building designated as a historic site. Westcap converted the space into 40,000-square-feet of luxury office space and changed the building’s name. Since 1986, it has been known as the Piazza del Sol, and that same year the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce graced the newly remodeled building with an architectural award.

WEST HOLLYWOOD HOTELS

Andaz West Hollywood / Rooftop Pool

Andaz West Hollywood

Chamberlain West Hollywood

8401 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

1000 Westmount Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90069

800.233.1234 | 323.656.1234 www.westhollywood.andaz.com

800.201.9652 | 310.657.7400 | www.chamberlainwesthollywood.com

An iconic L.A. hotel once referred to colloquially as the Riot House for its

Located on a residential tree-lined street in West Hollywood amid the exciting

rock ’n’ roll parties hosted by the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Who and the

Sunset Strip and bustling Santa Monica Boulevard, this eclectic boutique

Rolling Stones, Andaz West Hollywood has evolved into a sexy urban oasis

hotel offers the perfect combination of style, comfort and impeccable service.

with a touch of vintage glamour. The modern boutique hotel is nestled

Step into the glamourous 1980s with avant-garde décor complete with

between the Hollywood Hills and the world-famous Sunset Strip, and features

intricate brass detailing, cool hues with rich gold and chocolate accents,

complimentary amenities such as a glass of wine at check-in, free Wi-Fi, non-

and a retro chic feel. __________________________________________________________________

alcoholic minibar and complimentary morning coffee and wine tasting each evening. The hotel boasts the highest rooftop pool in L.A. __________________________________________________________________

The Charlie Hotel

Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza

323.988.9000 | www.thecharliehotel.com

8400 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

The Charlie consists of 14 private bungalows and is available for both overnight

800.421.3652 | 323.654.0750 | www.bestwestern.com/sunsetplazahotel

and extended stays. The landmark upon which The Charlie resides today was

Luxurious yet affordable, the Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza is ideally

first built and established in 1924, and was owned for many years by Charlie

located amid famous clubs and attractions on the Sunset Strip, and it’s just

Chaplin. Movie star legends such as Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable called

minutes from trendy areas like the Melrose and Robertson shopping avenues.

the grounds home at one point or another. Threatened by redevelopment, the

Hotel amenities include a complimentary hot breakfast and an outdoor

landmark was acquired and underwent a multi-million dollar renovation that

heated pool.

preserved the historical details while incorporating modern technology and

819 North Sweetzer Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069

standards of comfort. The lushly landscaped grounds have been designed for maximum privacy and resemble an English countryside. __________________________________________________________________ The Grafton on Sunset 8462 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 800.821.3660 | 323.654.4600 | www.graftononsunset.com Fueled by the electricity of the legendary Sunset Strip, The Grafton on Sunset is in the heart of the city’s perpetual buzz. The central location enables guests to take advantage of the numerous music venues and tourist attractions in the Pool at the Grafton on Sunset

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area. Or take a break from it all in the Mediterranean garden, the saltwater pool, the four-star Oliver’s Prime steakhouse or the new lobby lounge.

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WEST HOLLYWOOD HOTELS

Vivian Westwood Penthouse at The London West Hollywood

Le Montrose Suite Hotel

Mondrian

900 Hammond Street, West Hollywood, CA 90069

8440 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

800.776.0666 | 310.855.1115 | www.lemontrose.com

800.525.8029 | 323.650.8999 | www.mondrianhotel.com

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood just steps away from the constant motion of

Mondrian L.A. is a parallel universe of perpetual possibility. Rejuvenated

the famous Sunset Strip, Le Montrose Suite Hotel is designed with privacy

by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, this luxury boutique hotel in the heart of West

and comfort in mind. From the exclusive Privato Lounge and rooftop pool with

Hollywood captures everything the Sunset Strip stands for — excitement,

panoramic views to the stylish studio and one-bedroom suites, each element

invincibility and glamour. With its newly opened Herringbone restaurant,

of this hotel is beautifully detailed. __________________________________________________________________

the legendary Skybar, and its fabled Sunset Boulevard address, Mondrian

Le Parc Suite Hotel

experience.

is a sophisticated, modern urban resort that totally reinvents the hotel

733 N. West Knoll Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90069 800.578.4837 | 310.855.8888 | www.leparcsuites.com Le Parc Suite Hotel is a true boutique hotel with its own unique character, style and the highest levels of personal service. Amenities include the intimate and charming Knoll restaurant, the rooftop Skydeck with its heated swimming pool, cabanas, hot tub and tennis court, and complimentary house car service within a three-mile radius. __________________________________________________________________ The London West Hollywood 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 800.996.3426 | 310.854.1111 | www.thelondonwesthollywood.com Orchestrated by famed interior designer David Collins, The London West Hollywood’s richly appointed and spacious suites set a new standard in modern comfort. In Collins’ unique, imaginative and refined style, English country flirts with California sun and dances with Hollywood’s golden age. Feel welcome at every turn with unpretentious, seductive style. From the whimsical Boxwood restaurant to the garden-inspired pool deck and private terraces, each element of this hotel invites guests to experience Southern California’s ideal climate.

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Poolview Suite at the Mondrian on Sunset

WEST HOLLYWOOD HOTELS The Standard, Hollywood 8300 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 323.650.9090 | 323.650.2820 | www.standardhotel.com The first of André Balazs’ Standard Hotels, the Standard Hollywood is a true original. The hotel caters to a young, spirited clientele that appreciates the hotel’s “timeless modern” design and offbeat sensibility. Hotel features include an iconic floor-to-ceiling shag-carpeted lobby lounge, a live DJ at the front desk, a poolside dessert café, an ongoing video art exhibition and live performance art. The pool deck, covered in cobalt blue Astroturf, is the quintessential Hollywood destination, renowned for its Ping-Pong, power lunches, sun bathers, pool parties and the best people-watching this side of the 101. The Standard Hollywood is anything but standard. __________________________________________________________________ Sunset Marquis Hotel 1200 N. Alta Loma Road, West Hollywood, CA 90069 800.858.9758 | 310.657.1333 | www.sunsetmarquishotel.com The semi-official private sanctuary of Hollywood’s A-list and the epicenter of Pool Deck at The Standard on Sunset

Palihouse West Hollywood 8465 Holloway Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90069 323.327.9702 | 323.656.4100 | www.palihouse.com Palihouse is a luxury, extended-stay property that celebrates the best of home and hospitality. Discriminating tastemakers and world travelers are empowered to experience residential-style dwelling without having to compromise on location, style, amenities or service. The hotel features Palihouse Courtyard

rock ’n’ roll history, the Sunset Marquis has served as a safe refuge for the famous, the infamous and the nearly so. Set in almost 5 acres of verdant, peaceful gardens containing 4,000 plants and trees, it is more akin to a visit to a private tropical estate. The villas and suites at the Sunset Marquis are one of the world’s best-kept secret havens — which is quite remarkable considering that this garden oasis is a mere champagne bottle’s throw from the excitement of the world-famous Sunset Strip. With two heated outdoor pools, the finedining Cavatina restaurant, the iconic lobby bar and a full-service spa, you may never want to leave.

Brasserie and a luxurious lobby lounge, which brings guests, residents and neighbors together for signature cocktails, food and more. The new Sunset Lounge offers sweeping panoramic views from the rooftop. __________________________________________________________________ Petit Ermitage 8822 Cynthia Street, West Hollywood, CA 90069 800.835.7997 | 310.854.1114 | www.petitermitage.com Nestled in the foothills of West Hollywood and protected by sculpted evergreen walls of fragrant jasmine and ligustrum, Petit Ermitage is an entirely new genre of hotel that is wildly eclectic and absolutely unpredictable. An homage to the haute French bohemian retreats of the 18th century, the hotel’s dramatic

Villa Poolside at the Sunset Marquis Hotel

color pallet and Provence bohemian furnishing inspired by Renaissance art is revolutionary and reinvented for the 21st century. The rooftop saltwater pool and garden is not to be missed. __________________________________________________________________

The Sunset Tower Hotel 8358 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 800.225.2637 | 323.654.7100 | www.sunsettowerhotel.com

Ramada Plaza Hotel

Recently renovated, this landmark 15-story building was designed by architect

8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Leland Bryant in 1929 and has served as a residence for everyone from

800.845.8585 | 310.652.6400 | www.ramadaweho.com

Errol Flynn, Claudette Colbert, John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra,

Sitting near the end of famous Route 66, the Ramada Plaza Hotel sits on the site

Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes. With its chic restaurant, fabulous spa

of the former Tropicana Hotel and Motor Lodge on Santa Monica Boulevard.

and unrivaled views of West Hollywood, the exceptional environment of

The famed rock ’n’ roll refuge with the black-tiled swimming pool, “The Trip”

the Sunset Tower Hotel offers its guest every comfort and amenity. Rooms

was where Jim Morrison and Tom Waits both lived, where Andy Warhol filmed

range from standard rooms, spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, to

Heat, where Janis Joplin partied. Given its provenance, it’s understandable

spectacular penthouses with separate living and boudoir areas, wraparound

why the Ramada Plaza still draws the music and entertainment industry.

terraces and deep-soaking tubs. • www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com •

OU T + ABOU T

WHL Summer Launch Party We kicked off the summer at West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine with a launch party on La Jolla at another stunning listing by The Sunset Team. The modern home featured an open-air groundfloor living area leading out to a pool, alfresco bar and cabana lounge where Dimes Mvsic entertained the crowd. Our cover girl, SIMON, joined friends and fans in celebrating the issue by sipping Spa Girl cocktails and enjoying delicious bites by Smoked Fusion Catering.

Photographer Vika Petlakh

Stanley Hudson, Eva Chimento + Shana

935 La Jolla, West Hollywood

Karen Haines, founder Spa Girl

Andrea Costa Lima

Georgii Speakman, Publisher Mia Dinelly, Mina Azami + guest

Recording artist SYMON

Designer Jenny Bondi + Publisher Mia Dinelly

Nick Trotochaud + Chris Andrews

Maddy Braddy, Victoria Cassinova + Jamie Sterle

Maddy Braddy, Scott Brodley, Nick Trotochaud, Njomza Vitia + Bryan Jarette

Guests

Blaire Buckley, Hayden Buckley + Mikaela Sprauve

Talya Boz & SYMON

â&#x20AC;˘ www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com â&#x20AC;˘

Editor Carole Dixon

Alana Roshay + Katrina Vinson

Publisher Mia Dinelly, Phenomenal Mark + Vika Petlakh

Michelle Valrey + Mark Gross Photos: Stevie Murrell

FAME 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert The Troubadour hosted a one-night-only celebration of the music and memories that made the ’80s television series Fame a worldwide phenomenon. The landmark reunion concert marked the first U.S. appearance by the original cast since 1985. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event went to The Actors Fund’s programs and services. The series’ stars—Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Billy Hufsey, Carlo Imperato, Valerie

Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsberg, Carlo Imperato, PR Paul, Billy Hufsey, Debbie Allen + Jesse Borrego

Landsburg and P.R. Paul—headlined the show.

Jesse Borrego + Keith McNutt

Louie Anchondo, Keith McNutt, Erica Gimpel, Debbie Allen + Meg Thomas

Luke Yankee, Erica Gimpel + Don Hill

Lee Curreri

Scott Appel, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsberg, Carlo Imperato, PR Paul, Billy Hufsey, Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego + Luke Yankee

Billy Hufsey + Yvette Nicole Brown

Louie Anchondo, Scott Appel, , Erica Gimpel

PR Paul Carlo Imperato

Valerie Landsberg + Cynthia Gibb

Photos: Scott Appel

Audi Emmy Kick-off at Dream Hotel The 69th annual Emmy awards weekend started with an Audi automotive-sponsored bash, on the roof of The Highlight Room at the Dream Hollywood hotel. The 2018 Audi R8 also made a special red carpet appearance, which led the stars up an exclusive elevator to the alfresco bash overlooking the city, where DJ Zen Freeman was entertaining the industry crowd. Mini-burgers, tofu tacos and plenty of Champagne was flowing for the guests including nominees Milo Ventimiglia, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Kate Dennis, Kathryn Hahn and Jean-Marc Vallée.

Dana Brunetti + DJ Zen Freeman

Tom Payne

Cat Deeley

Marsai Martin

Jessica Szohr

Ricky Whittle

Angela Lewis

Matt Smith + Vanessa Kirby

Chrishell Stause + Justin Hartley

Marcus Scribner, Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez + Caleb McLaughlin

Janina Gavankar

Amanda Brugel + Madeline Brewer

Jeri Ward, Milo Ventimiglia + Director of Communications at Audi of America Miranda Harper

Natalia Dyer + Joe Keery

Tessa Thompson + Ingrid Bolsø Berdal

Alexandra Pakzad + Dana Brunetti

Rachel McCord

Omar Benson Miller Photos: Getty Images for Audi

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OUT

TASTE WHL Party Taste Melrose and West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine came together for a lovely evening to showcase the restaurants summer late night menu. The night took place on the private patio/restaurant in back while guests listened to DJ Dimes Mvsic spins house beats for the crowd. In addition, guests enjoyed cocktails by Titos, lite bites from the menu, a photo booth, along with the video and single release at midnight, by recording artist SYMON who was in the house that evening.

West Hollywood Lifestyle Publisher Mia Dinelly, recording artist SYMON + friends

Guests enjoying the Taste + West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine party

Guests enjoying the Taste + WHL magazine party

Elisa Schwartz + Billie Lee

Guest enjoying Taste + West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine party

Matt Pylant, Richard Hill + guest

John Sessa, CEO Vanderpump Dogs + recording artist SYMON Michelle Honc + Shane Michael Rasmussen

â&#x20AC;˘ www.westhollywoodlifestyle.com â&#x20AC;˘

Lisa Argenta + Alana Roshay

Photos: Phar AH

Karina Smirnoff & LASplash Launch World renowned dancer, Karina Smirnoff celebrated the launch of her new makeup line, Karina Collection, at the Sofitel hotel. At the exclusive event, produced by Pop Your Shop & Just Leverage, guests were introduced to the collection, created in partnership with LA Splash Cosmetics, at the Peroni Nastro Azzurro Suite. The main event, which followed, was held at Le Jardin, where guests enjoyed makeup applications, lipstick card readings and nails by Nail Garden while selecting their favorite Karina Collection lip color and posing at the special kissing photo booth.

Karina Smirnoff

LA Splash Cosmetics - Karina Collection

Karina Smirnoff + Edyta Śliwińska Joanna Krupa

Guests enjoying Karina Collection Launch

Photos: Malachi Banales (Getty/ Wire Images)

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OUT Teen Choice Awards GBK and YouTube star Jake Paul hosted a carnival-themed celebrity gifting suite for the Teen Choice Awards nominees and presenters as well as other celebrities and their families at the infamous Houdini Estate. Actress Christina Milian, Isabela Moner (Transformers), Leroy Sanchez (musician), Amanda Stanton (Bachelor, BIP), Emma Kenney (Shameless), Georgie Flores and Carter Jenkin (Famous in Love), Kathryn Dennis (Southern Charm), Jack Griffo (The Thundermans), Erika Costell (host Jake Paul’s girlfriend), Dr. Paul Nassif (Botched) and many others strolled the fun-filled grounds for the event.

Cristina Milian with FriXion Erasable Pilot Pens

The “Cuda” from ‘The Fast and the Furious’

Amanda Stanton + Pilot Pens

Kathryn Dennis + her Custom Cali’flour Pizza

Jack Griffo + Dallas Hart

Paul Nassif + Pariah undies

Joyce Giraud + son

Isabela Moner at the Cali’flour Pizza Bar

DJ James Kennedy

Scheana Marie and a new pair of comfy jeans by My Rebellious Roses

Rob Valletta, Jeremy Madix + Tom Sandoval

Jimmy Jean Louis + family

Georgie Flores + Carter Jenkin

Leroy Sanchez

Erika Costell creating with Pilot Pens

Asia Monet Ray with an ICEE

Amanda Stanton + guest

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Photos: GBK Productions

Greatest Hits: Martini Ranch Legendary photographer Chris Cuffaro wrapped up his new exhibit Greatest Hits: Martini Ranch, featuring intimate behindthe-scenes photographs celebrating the 30th anniversary of director James Cameron’s music video REACH at Mr Musichead Gallery in West Hollywood. The video featured Cameron’s good friend, late actor Bill Paxton and Andrew Todd Rosenthal from progressive new wave band Martini Ranch. Cameron wrote

Chris Cuffaro

the exhibit foreward and remastered the video in honor of the anniversary, and Cuffaro shared more than 80 prints while the guests sipped martinis.

Gallery Guest

Sky Renee

Chris Pierce

Tara Buck

Gallery Guest, Tom Huckabee, James Cameron + Chris Cuffaro

Vince Wilburn, Jr., Sam Milgrom, Nik West + Nikoloz Kandelaki

James Cameron

Vince Wilburn, Jr. + producer Chris Kobin Photos: Billy Bennight

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Back Cover ad

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