‘TIS THE SEASON
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And for fashionistas that doesn’t mean chestnuts, Jack Frost and carolers; it means champagne, celebrities and shopping. And nobody puts those three together better than Divine Design and Project Angel Food.
This year’s A-list shop-a-thon took place at the old Robinson’s- May in Bev Hills. Angel Food elves were scrambling right up to the final moments in their face masks, overalls and safety goggles, doing last minute demo work and trying to get the fire marshal to sign off on the bash. These angels must have had help from above because with just minutes to spare, the dry wall was cleaned up, the heavy equipment cleared and the carpet vacuumed for a night of high-end brand-name bargain hunting.
Soon, the bartenders were back in action with nary so much as a melted cube.
DJs were mixing it up with REM and Blondie while servers made the rounds with fresh crab cakes and spicy spring rolls. But who needs party food when there are racks of Monique L’huillier, Dolce and Gabanna, and Moschino waiting to be had-all of it half-off? There were dazzling beaded Sue Wong gowns worthy of any red carpet for just $180. A dreamy YSL lemon chiffon top was snatched up for $500, and $100 Michael Kors cashmere sweaters came in every color of the rainbow. The designer showcase was one of the best in years, offering $6 million worth of merchandize from A.B.S., Armani, Diane Von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren, Tracey Reese and Vera Wang. Saavy holiday shoppers snagged snazzy Salvatore Ferragamo ties for their guys and fully accessorized Barbie Dolls for their girls.
“This is the most fabulous event ever,” said “Queer Eye’s” Carson Kressley. “Because the proceeds go to Project Angel Food, you can justify everything you buy.”
After working up an appetite, we headed to an outdoor tent and tucked into a retro dinner of comfort food.
Christopher Radko, who has raised millions through the sale of his whimsical Christmas decorations, was honored as this year’s Divine Philanthropist. Catherine Malandrino was lauded as the organization’s Divine Designer. And “Desperate Housewives'” Teri Hatcher was named the 2006 Woman of Style.
Executive Director John Gile thanked his well-clad guests saying, “You are a beautiful crowd because of what you are wearing, but also because of what you are feeling.”
Soon, the shoppers were back in force plunking down their plastic. After more than a decade, DD remains one of Malibu Seen’s favorite flings. Besides, how can you feel bad doing so much damage to your credit card when you’re doing so much good for others?
HOT WHEELS
While fashion-loving locals checked out Trina Turk evening bags, auto buffs like Slash and Bob Brunson were checking out clutches of a different kind. They zoomed down to the convention center to check out the latest dream cars and road rockets at a special VIP preview of the LA Auto show. Party planners pulled out all the stops for the show’s 100th anniversary. Car fans sipped champagne and chowed down on canapés before hitting the convention center halls where there were shiny chrome wheels, perfect paint jobs and monster engines as far as the eye could see.
By switching the date of the annual auto extravaganza to December, LA no longer has to compete with action in Motown and is finally revving up an auto buzz all its own.