CAUSE FOR SHOPPING IN BEVERLY HILLS

I was recently in Beverly Hills, which never disappoints!  I learned about a great reason for you to shop till you drop for a good cause on October 12th.   

I spent a few days on Rodeo Drive and the boutiques have never looked better.   The fall collections are strong and wearable and full of investment pieces.   After the economic fallout of the past year, designers have been wise to offer more value for your money in a wide range of products.   

I was at Salvatore Ferragamo, hosting a preview of the resort & pre-spring collections.   There are some amazing metallics in the collection that you will want to add to your permanent collection.    While there, I met Judith Rubins, a super stylish VIP client who was previewing the collection, and also working for her charitableJASON JOBSON & JUDITH RUBINS cause, Lupus LA.
LupusLA.org  is bringing together the hottest boutiques in Beverly Hills for a fun filled day of shopping.  Visit Fendi, Versace, Ferragamo, YSL, Bottega and so many more- where every purchase will raise money for the charity.   Judith was rocking an amazing ochre colored ostrich bag by who else- Ferragamo!  Take note of her whole outfit - that is how you wear color!

Start the day on October 12th at 10am with breakfast at Versace on Via Rodeo, there you will pick up your Passport to shop.  (passports are available all day at Versace).   10% of your purchases will help raise money to find the cure for Lupus.   Your passport will list all the boutiques participating, and where to enter drawings for prizes and gifts valued up to $5,000.00!  

At Noon Join the Mayor of Beverly Hills, Nancy Krasne at Bottega Veneta as she proclaims October 12 " Hollywood Bag Ladies Day".   The Bottega collection will have your jaw dropping  with the pale earth tones Tomas Maier dreamt up for fall!.

At 2pm - Fendi will announce the winner of a $5,000 drawing of clothing and accessories.   (entries accepted at Fendi until 2pm).

Cafe Rodeo at the Luxe Hotel is a great place to grab lunch to recharge your batteries and plot the rest of your shopping scrimmage!   The cafe will also donate a portion of your bill to LupusLA.org.

Don't forget to end your day at Italian Mega Brand - Ferragamo.  Dropping off your shopping passport will enter you in a drawing for some fabulous prizes.

Call Lupus LA at 310-657-5667 or visit www.LupusLA.org to reserve your complimentary "shopping passport".

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects more than 5 million people worldwide.   The disease can attack the body in many different ways.   Skin, joints, and/ or organs can be damaged by the disease.

The disease got national attention last week with the sad passing of Lucy Vodden in England.   Lucy was the childhood friend of John Lennon's son Julian.   Julian can home from school one day at the age of 4 with a drawing.   He told his father, "that's Lucy in the sky with Diamonds".   The song that John Lennon wrote inspired by his son would become one of the most iconic Beatles songs.     Vodden died at the age of 46 from Lupus.    She had battled the chronic disease for years.KAREN SARTI & JASON JOBSON IN FERRAGAMO

Coincidentally, another VIP client in the boutique the next day is also touched by Lupus.   Karen Sarti has so much energy and such a positive attitude, it is hard to believe that she suffers from this silent but painful disease.   Karen has a great sense of style and is willing to try new things and take chances- which is always the sign of someone who has great style!    Karen was excited to hear about the Hollywood Bag Ladies shopping event for Lupus LA on October 12th!   Both karen and I were headed to LAX that night.   I was taking the red eye back to NYC and Karen was heading South to Guadalajara, Mexico.  A home away from home for Ms. Sarti.  Hope to see her again soon!  

Save the date - October 12th.   A great cause and a great way to start your week.

If you can't make it to Beverly Hills on the October 12th, save the date for November 18th for the annual Hollywood Bag Ladies Luncheon.   More information  on the website.  Click - Hollywood Bag Ladies 

RED HANDED RED CARPET

Every woman knows that one sure fire way to get noticed is to wear red.   The color of passion and blood is hard to resist and hard to deny as an eye catching entrance maker.   Red has been an alluring color for centuries, having a royal appeal and commanding respect from the red carpet royalty of Hollywood - all the way to the Vatican.   The image of the Pope wearing his ceremonial red robes are as famous as any article of clothing ever worn.   I've written about the power of wearing Red in Rome before, but it is seen in full force this as we head into  the holiday season.

BLAKE LIVELY IN VERSACEThe 2009 Emmy Awards had a stunning display of Red Gowns on the Red Carpet.   Two of the brightest stars that night were Blake Lively of Gossip Girl in Versace, and Debra Messing in Michael Kors.

DEBRA MESSING IN MICHAEL KORSWhen you think of Red and Fashion, you should think of two fashion empires.   Valentino Garavani made red his color of choice for the ultimate gown several decades ago.   Every collection in his 50+ years career was certain to have at least 1 stunning red finale gown.    The luxury fashion house of Salvatore Ferragamo has been hand crafting the finest artisinal quality designs for over 80 years.  FERRAGAMO FALL 2009 Salvatore himself loved red shoes and was known among the leading ladies of Hollywood as the source for shoes that were dyed to match any fashion creation your costume designer had dreamt up.    For fall there are gorgeous red and burgundy knits in the Ferragamo collection that are a must have for travel!     Ferragamo also uses red as it's signature color for packaging.   Men and Women all over the world know that if they receive that deep red box - something absolutely beautiful is soon to be theirs!

DR. POZZI AT HOME - JOHN SINGER SARGENT The most controversial red fashion item of the 19th century was an anonymous design.   The famous portait artist John Singer Sargent took the bold move to paint his subject - Dr. Pozzi in his home wearing a bright red dressing gown.   Shocking at the time, as any person of a certain social standing would be painted in their most formal attire.   Adding to the controversy was the fact that Dr. Pozzi was the father of French Gynecology and a renowned ladies man.   Dr. Pozzi was the the most famous French doctor of his time and he toured Europe, South America, and the United States lecturing on his 400+  published journals.  Sargent's portrait of the Dr.  sent many pulses racing.   The portrait became one of JSS's most famous works and is in the permanent collection of my favorite museum in the the United States- The Hammer Museum.    The next time you are in L.A., make a trip to the Hammer Museum in Westwood Village and fall in love for yourself.   The Hammer is an intimate experience and any exhibit there is a treat.  Part of the UCLA endowment,  the museum is a must see.  Westwood Village is a charming community that is best known as the home to the UCLA campus. JASON - SELF PORTRAIT AT THE HAMMER   There are a ton of casual restaurants, cafes, and  of course students teaming through the area and giving it a unique pulse.   The neighborhood is also home to several vintage movie theaters that are used by the major movie studios for premiere events.   

I have stayed at the nearby W hotel many times and it is a great place to relax and feel tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood or Beverly Hills.   One of the coolest concierges in LA is at the W.   Erica Blumfield is as pleasant and personable as can be!  Erica always has great tips on shopping, eating, and the hottest thing to do at night!   During my last visit Ms. Blumfield kept me well informed by holding a NY Post for me every morning as I stumbled out to get my Starbucks fix!    Click W for Westwood reservations.  

Get out and find your red, hot item to rock your wardrobe for fall!!

Madonna to be Monogrammed by Louis Vuitton?

Rumors are swirling that Madonna is set to be the latest face in the yet to be seen campaign for French mega brand Louis Vuitton.   It would be the first major collaboration between Madonna and LV.   Creative director Marc Jacobs must be enamored by the fashion icon.  Madonna, of course no stranger to fashion has worked with major houses for 20 years.    Most notably on stage were the costumes Jean Paul Gaultier created for her Blond Ambition tour.   Remember - cone bras and garter belts!   

Lately, Madonna has been seen in quite a bit of Gucci - also another long standing relationship.   Tom Ford actually credits miss M for starting the buzz around his phenomenal rebirth of the brand in the 90's!     There was also the trippy campaign shot in Miami for Versace.   That was shot by Steven Meisel, the man rumored to be snapping Madonna once again for Louis Vuitton.

This summer Madonna made quite an entrance into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame induction ceremony wearing a sheer, hand embroidered Chanel dress.   This was a departure as Madonna and Karl Lagerfeld have never had anything other than a "polite" relationship.   

All hail Madonna, at 50 she is more in demand to designers than starlets in their 20's!!