Introducing Alexis, who moved to Palm Springs one week ago from New York. Stalked Approached her last Sunday at the once-a-month Palm Springs Vintage Market. My friend and I couldn’t help but notice her put together from head-to-toe unique look. Had to talk to her.
Photo: d. king
Alexis told us she’s starting her own line here in Palm Springs. More on that later. She previously was assistant to designer Stacey Bendet of Alice & Olivia – a New York City-based contemporary clothing company which I happen to like very much. The global brand launched at Barneys in 2002, and is now sold in over fifty countries.
Photo: d. king
It’s no secret I Love Hats. Among her personal line will be hats (she makes them herself) with interesting interior linings such as this. Hidden surprises are always nice. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with. Until then….
Those five words best describe this upscale boutique with locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. And let’s just say that caftans are back and kimonos are on the rise in a big way. I’m seeing them everywhere. Okay; only at the vintage markets and a handful of boutiques around here. They seem to suit the laid back by-the-pool resort style with mimosa in hand don’t you think? If only…
Though Helen Rose may not be a household name like her contemporary Edith Head, she was a costume design legend in her own right.
Lena Horne, Cyd Charisse, Deborah Kerr, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall , Esther Williams, Lana Turner, Judy Garland – They all loved to be dressed by Helen Rose.
She Made Them Beautiful
Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MARGARET HERRICK LIBRARY, ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES, WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.Photo: Tammy Preast. Elizabeth Taylor’s dress in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”
Palm Springs Life presented a runway production of the Palm Springs Historical Society’s Helen Rose Collectiondonated by Barbara Marx (Mrs. Frank Sinatra) on Monday, February 25th.
I was among those who were lucky enough to have a ticket to her glamorous sold-out show. Held behind the gates of the stunning private Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, we sipped on champagne and ate a delicious lunch while waiting for her creations from classic films to come to life on the runway.
A brief history – La Vie en Rose:
A resident of Palm Springs, Rose won two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design, for The Bad and the Beautiful in 1952 and for I’ll Cry Tomorrow in 1955. She was nominated a further eight times and was also very well known for designing famous wedding dresses of the era. She designed the famous wedding dress for Grace Kelly when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. She also designed clothing for Elizabeth Taylor in the movies Father of the Bride and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as well as Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding dress when she married Conrad “Nicky” Hilton. The show did not disappoint. Susan Stein, fashion editor for Palm Springs Life Magazine, did a wonderful job as MC for this event. The models were as gorgeous as the gowns and outfits. Simply stunning afternoon.
Photo: d. king – Carol Channing’s dress and mink stole from Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.Photo: d. king – Grace Kelly dress
Rose stepped in to do Lena Horne’s hair on set of the 1943 film Stormy Weather when the studio hairdresser refused to work on a black woman, and the star became her lifelong friend thereafter.
Photo: d. king – Audrey Hepburn’s dress from My Fair Lady.Photo: Tammy Preast. Black strapless: Lana Turner’s ensemble from The Merry WidowPhoto: Kathy Wright
Photo: Kathy WrightPhotos: d. king
These images are just a sampling of some of my favorites. I met some very interesting women in that room. Some I will see again for sure. In the meantime…
FASHION WEEK
takes place March 16-23rd – held at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. Tickets are on sale now https://fashionweekelpaseo.com/
MC Susan Stein, fashion editor of Palm Springs Life Magazine. Photo: Tammy PreastFriend Tammy Preast. Dress by London designer, Karen Mullen. Shoes, Vince CamutoMe with friend Kathy Wright
“I would like to be a one-man multinational fashion phenomenon,” he once said.
Karl Lagerfeld, the most prolific designer of the 20th and 21st centuries and a man whose career formed the prototype of the modern luxury fashion industry, died on Tuesday in Paris.
He was extraordinary. We would expect nothing less from a man who once said: “When I was four I asked my mother for a valet for my birthday.”
Mr. Lagerfeld in New York in 2002, when he received a lifetime achievement award at the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s 40th awards gala.Credit: Bill Cunningham/The New York Times
Vanessa Friedman for The New York Times wrote:
Though his birth year was a matter of some dispute, Mr. Lagerfeld, who lived in Paris, was generally thought to be 85. His death was announced by Chanel, with which he had long been associated.
“More than anyone I know, he represents the soul of fashion: restless, forward-looking and voraciously attentive to our changing culture,” Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue, said of Mr. Lagerfeld when presenting him with the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards in 2015.
Creative director of Chanel since 1983 and Fendi since 1965, and founder of his own line, Mr. Lagerfeld was the definition of a fashion polyglot, able to speak the language of many different brands at the same time (not to mention many languages themselves: He read in English, French, German and Italian).
In his 80s, when most of his peers were retiring to their yachts or country estates, he was designing an average of 14 new collections a year, ranging from couture to the high street — and not counting collaborations and special projects. “Ideas come to you when you work,” he said backstage before a Fendi show at age 83.
His signature combinations of “high fashion and high camp” attracted admirers like Rihanna; Princess Caroline of Monaco; Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund; and Julianne Moore.
Mr. Lagerfeld with the singer Rihanna at a Fendi dinner in New York in 2015.Credit: Danny Kim for The New York Times
Mr. Lagerfeld was also a photographer, whose work was exhibited at the Pinacothèque de Paris; a publisher, having founded his own imprint for Steidl, Edition 7L; and the author of a popular 2002 diet book, “The Karl Lagerfeld Diet,” about how he had lost 92 pounds.
His greatest calling, however, was as the orchestrator of his own myth.
A self-identified “caricature,” with his dark glasses, powdered ponytail, black jeans, fingerless gloves, starched collars, Chrome Hearts jewelry and obsessive Diet Coke consumption, he achieved such a level of global fame — and controversy — that a $200 Karl Barbie doll, created in collaboration with the toymaker Mattel, sold out in less than an hour in 2014.
He was variously referred to as a “genius,” the “kaiser” and “overrated.” His contribution to fashion was not in creating a new silhouette, as designers like Cristobal Balenciaga, Christian Dior and Coco Chanel herself did. Rather, he created a new kind of designer: the shape-shifter.
That is to say, he was the creative force who lands at the top of a heritage brand and reinvents it by identifying its sartorial semiology and then pulls it into the present with a healthy dose of disrespect and a dollop of pop culture.
Not that he put it that way exactly. What he said was: “Chanel is an institution, and you have to treat an institution like a whore — and then you get something out of her.”
“I don’t want to be real in other people’s lives. I want to be an apparition.”
In a perfect world I would live only in Garbe Luxe
But life is never perfect…although it’s getting there because I’ve recently added a few more GL pieces to my wardrobe. And I must say it’s not only because Natalia, the designer behind the brand is a good friend of mine. She is the best advertisement though…with or without even realizing it.
On a recent visit to Palm Springs we put on an impromptu mini fashion show in a hotel room with another friend and my sister. And because the product is so well made (in Los Angeles no less; a rarity), and the fit is just right along with comfy quality fabric it’s a no-brainer…we of course wanted it all…even stuff that wasn’t for sale (like from Nat’s own wardrobe from last season) and a few items still in progress. Didn’t matter – we still wanted it.
There’s always been a fine line to what is popularly coined “athleisure” as to whether you can wear it to places other than to and from the gym or running errands. But with this brand I would wear it for casual day wear any time. It’s the missing link. The replacement for jeans + a t-shirt for daytime for walking the dogs, meeting a friend for lunch, shopping, dropping kids to school (providing you have kids), here and there….also for the gym. Some images from the Holiday Lookbook:
DANIELGUTZMANN is a remarkable man of many talents.
Not only does he create unique works of art, he makes the most delicious peanut butter power bars. And he has an extensive and beautiful shoe collection. You might say I’m a little envious. I can go on and on.
I met Daniel and his partner Karl for the first time last year when we were invited to dinner at a mutual friend’s home in the Palm Springs area. After dinner they showed me around their incredible home which happens to be situated on a golf course and which they gutted and re-designed themselves. That’s another thing; this power couple is licensed to re-design and re-decorate homes. Yes; there are some people who can do all that. They have excellent taste but they work according to the aesthetic of each individual, so it’s continually different but always discerning. At their place there were so many things to take in because the attention to detail is astounding. And then there is the ART which obviously caught my eye. Like anyone could ignore it? Art created by Daniel .
Recently we had dinner again at the same friend’s house and I asked if I could come photograph some of their paintings for my website. So here are some images taken by me of Daniel’s artwork with a little bio about him.
The art hides a flatscreen TV
Daniel Gutzmann began his career as an artist and designer in 1989. His passion, vision and talent in taking something ordinary and making it extraordinary has allowed him contracts with high end corporate and private clients throughout the years.
He began his career with painting public transit coaches across the country into rolling works of art. These hand painted show stoppers have visually delighted such major clients as Pepsi, Mutual of Omaha, Coca Cola, Sony, Mercury, Elktra Records and Disney. He has painted murals and pieces of art for numerous community foundations, public and private clients which included homes, zoos, museums, schools, churches, public libraries and banks. His brilliant large canvas art is designed for high end clients, especially those with large homes and commercial spaces wanting to display beautiful art. With this, he has earned the prestigious Addy Award for outstanding design. Daniel continues to exceed his client expectations in providing stunning artwork that celebrates the atmosphere in which they are placed. He has participated in Rancho Mirage Art Affaire and has attended numerous art shows throughout the country, Palm Springs and the surrounding areas. Most recently, was awarded “Best of Show”in oil painting at the Indian Wells Arts Festival.
Daniel creates his near photo realistic paintings on canvas wrapped panels utilizing all triple pigmented oils with a flat finish glaze. These pieces of art are created with his vision of taking a beautiful object and painting its most unique aspects which sometimes may be abstract. His 3D multi-media modern works of art are created on wood panels utilizing MDO and Oxboard plywood, pvc & metal pipes, wall papers, venetian plaster, drywall joint compound, oil and acrylic paints.
If you are interested in any of his works please contact Debbie@girlwhowouldbeking.com
b+w – mother’s bedroomPart of their outdoor livingon a wall outside
It’s been a while since I’ve had some serious Style Inspirationbut this goes beyond. This is global fashion culture. I’m talking about the first Canadian exhibition devoted to the work of Guo Pei, China’s preeminent couturière, and the first fashion exhibition ever presented at the Vancouver Art Gallery. In collaboration with SCAD FASH MUSEUM OF FASHION + FILM. On until January 20, 2019. Simply Superb!
Photos: d. king
Featuring more than forty complete looks from Pei’s most iconic runway shows from 2006 to 2017. Theatrical, extravagant (no kidding) creations combining contemporary aesthetics, production methods and materials with ancient tradition, evoking Chinese history and mythology in her technique with fabric selection and imagery. These photos do not do her justice.
Photos: d. king Rhianna wore this gown to the Met Gala. It is made of silk & fox fur.Photos: d. king
If you get the chance I highly recommend checking it out. To date it is definitely the most magnificent display I’ve ever come across in fashion.
Talking about one of the decades most coveted IT bags. THE Dior Saddle Bag.
Getty Images – Harpers BazaarImaxtreeHBO – Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City
The thing about vintage collector bags is that they never really go out of style. Personally if I’ve spent a lot on a bag I don’t intend to wear it for only one season. I intend to keep it forever. The Dior saddle bag in all of its many reiterations was an iconic accessory of the early 2000’s and the fashion house brought it back to the runway for the Fall 2018 show.
Carried by everyone from Paris Hilton to Carrie Bradshaw and beyond, Dior’s ubiquitous saddle bag cemented its status as one of the key looks of the era. Though most often done in Dior’s signature logo print, the It bag was offered in a wide array of styles, patterns and colors in its prime.
Vintage styles of the Dior saddle bag have been quickly selling out on luxury resale sites like Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal for the past few months. The bag has been spotted on models like Bella Hadid along with a rising number of fashion bloggers on Instagram.
Ha. And I’ve been wearing my non-flashy tan leather saddle bag off and on since I first bought it in Los Angeles many years ago. And I’ve never gotten tired of it.
Which style is your preference- Plain, Logo, or Printed?
Mixing Art with Fashion: There are Dresses and then there are DRESSES
Azzedine Alaïa, thefamous Tunisian-born couturier and shoe designer who passed away last November left a lasting legacy to the world of fashion.Je Suis Couturier, an exhibition of 41 dresses by Alaïa, will be a chance for the admiring fashion crowd to pay their respects. Especially since he never wanted a memorial.
With signature elegance and masterful cutting, Alaïa knew how to highlight the body’s curves like no other. Poignantly, the couturier himself selected the 60 pieces for inclusion.
In response to a couture career spanning 35 years, new and architectural pieces have been commissioned for the show, allowing artists and designers to pay tribute to a designer who was truly enamored with his craft.
“Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier” runs until October 7, 2018, at the Design Museum, London. www.designmuseum.org
Naomi Campbell Photo Credit: Josh Olins for British Vogue– ALAIA GALLERIA BORGHESE
Here’s a Sneak Peek:
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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