Robert Graham Reintroduces Womenswear

I love Robert Graham’s seaside Venice flagship boutique – set in two turn of the century bungalows on the breezy corner of Abbot Kinney and Andalusia Avenue, the clothing and lifestyle boutique is one you won’t want to leave. So when I found out that designer Robert Stock finally debuted womenswear, I headed straight there!

Robert Graham’s Venice Flagship

Inspired by exquisite fabrics, vibrant colors, and unique details, his spring collection is filled with feminine florals and plenty of prints that adorn signature pieces from shirtdresses and peasant tops, to button-down blazers and blouses. Although not sold in the flagship store, you can find the women’s collection at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and specialty boutiques nationwide.

Robert Graham’s Venice flagship, inside and out

Prior to launching the Robert Graham  collection in 2001, Stock had already accomplished a great deal in the fashion world, working personally with Ralph Lauren and helping to design and build the Chaps collection to its highest level of success. Set forth by his personal vision: “Expressing yourself without reservation, without explanation, just feeling confident. Enjoying a life well lived, “ he was able to create his own successful line of eclectic Americana looks inspired by vintage textiles and global prints. Graham was created on the premise of introducing eclectic men’s fashions to the market as an American company. With the collaboration of Graham Fowler, an award-winning British Textile designer, it has resulted in the popular brand we know and love today.

Look ahead to July, when Robert Graham will showcase his Fall 2011 collection in house with “sexier and more youthful” looks consisting of a large assortment of sweaters and separates.

Robert Graham
1326 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA  90291
310.396.1100

Visit: Robert Graham to learn more.

Roxy Manning Chats With Hilary Duff

It isn’t often that you meet an extremely down to earth, well mannered, genuinely sweet Hollywood starlet on a red carpet, but that was exactly the case when I interviewed Hilary Duff at the Beauty Detox Solution launch. She not only shared with me her beauty regime, but also her least favorite part of her body (arms), and she is not one to shy away from paying compliments to her fellow actresses. Here is an excerpt of our refreshingly honest conversation.

Image via Getty

On how she keeps her skin looking radiant:

“I think sticking on a skin care program every morning and night is so important to keeping clear skin….I exfoliate so much, people would probably say I shouldn’t. But I feel like it works for me. And I have this Amore Pacific spray that I use on my face…..before I put my foundation on, and after, and throughout the day. And I put a little shimmer in it and shake it up so it kind of makes your face glow. That’s a big trick! I just made my sister (Hayley) one of those and she coveted it!”

On why she tunes in to American Idol:

“I think J Lo is my favorite part of the show. What she’s wearing and how she looks. She’s just so gorgeous!”

On why she changed her hair color from brown to blonde:

“I was bored and I wanted to dye my hair really, really blonde…..And I haven’t been this blonde and my sister was calling me Lizzie (Maguire), which is so funny!”

Click here to view our chat in its entirety. See you on the red carpet!

Tommy Hilfiger and Nancy Davis at the 18th Annual Rock & Royalty to Erase MS

Forget whatever royals are getting married; we’ve got our eye on American royalty, Tommy Hilfiger and Nancy Davis. Join the King of American sportswear and MS survivor and Philanthropist Nancy Davis as they present the 18^th Annual Rock & Royalty to Erase MS. The annual gala and celeb-spotting spectacular will raise funds for research to find the cause and ultimate cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

Mark Ballas, Garcelle Beauvais, Ed Begley Jr., Nicky and Paris Hilton, Bill Maher, Cheryl Burke, Heather Locklear, Sugar Ray Leonard and way, way more headlining names will be coming out to add to the $35 million already raised by the charity.

The evening includes live performances by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Clay Walker, and other surprise performers, with a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions hosted by celeb auctioneers Shaun Robinson and Mark Curry (will someone bid on the 10-day Kenya Safari for two coming from Ker & Downey please?) and gala dinner.

Clockwise: Nathaniel Hoho and the Click Clack Boom, Clay Walker, Joan Jett, Nancy Davis, Andy and Tommy Hilfiger

Adding to the Rock & Roll Royalty theme, Andy Hilfiger will showcase a fashion show featuring a sneak preview of his new line Andrew Charles.  I can’t wait to see Andy’s never-ending quest to merge the worlds of fashion, music and entertainment portrayed in rock star ready duds.  Since I ran into Hilfiger himself at the SXSW festival in Austin this year, with the band The Click Clack Boom, I’ve been anticipating the debut line, which will be carried by Macy’s.  The lead singer Nathaniel Hoho will be adding some qualified rocker edge by walking in the fashion show along with numerous other celebs.

The evening will also be honoring Katie Mattingly Brass and William O. “Bill” Perkins, this year’s “Medal of Hope” awards recipients.

When: Friday, April 29; cocktails and silent auction at 6:30 pm; dinner and live entertainment at 8:30 pm

Where: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, 2025 Ave of the Stars

Visit Erase MS for more information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities.

Alternative Opens First Flagship on Earth Day

Alternative Apparel, a long time go-to for beautifully made basics, has finally opened its first freestanding flagship retail store, and it’s right here in Venice, California. The lifestyle apparel brand decided to open its doors on Earth Day, going well out of its way to be eco-conscious.

Alternative’s Venice store

Fans of Alternative such as Shenae Grimes, Brittany Snow and Joy Bryant joined founder and chief creative office Greg Alterman for an evening fueled by eco-friendly cocktails courtesy of VeeV, as well as local fare by Venice Ice House. Add eco-conscious accoutrements and an outdoor bicycle valet, and the brand’s carbon footprint was reduced to a stylish minimum.

Brittany Snow, Shenae Grimes, Greg Alterman, Joy Bryant

Visit: Alternative Apparel

Be a Part of the Sole Society

If you fellow shoes addicts, connoisseurs, aficionados, lovers, or whatever else you call yourselves, have not heard of or experienced Sole Society you need to, STAT!

It is an online shoe club dedicated to matching their members’ styles, likes, and wants with their ever-changing trendy, fabulous footwear. And here is the best part….ready…….ALL styles will set you back only $49.99! Yes, you heard me right. Each and every pair of Sole Society’s designer-quality shoes cost under $50! Now that is a steal!

No wonder Whitney Port and Jenna Dewan could hardly tear themselves away from the Sole Society Boutique at Lucky Shops LA. I had the same problem! Sign up as a Sole Society member (it’s free and easy) and be on your way to fantastic, fun footwear.

See you on the Red Carpet!

Polo Play in Support of the Kids

And there off…It’s that time of year for the 4th Annual Polo Fundraiser, benefitting orphans, foster and homeless children. Join polo goers, celebrities, and the Will Rogers Polo Foundation for a game of kings! Enjoy a leisurely Saturday afternoon indulging in savory bites by Taste at the Palisades and a wine tasting with Napa’s very own Fotinos Brothers Winery, featuring their gold medal winning 2006 Carneros Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sport your best polo attire and revel in a little divot stomping with the Silbar Family as they lend their donor support for Safety Harbor Kids. Safety Harbor Kids is a nonprofit organization formed in 2007 for the purpose of enriching the lives of orphans, foster and homeless children in Los Angeles. Their goal is to build a college, career and an arts education center as a place to call home. With volunteers and generous donations these at-risk children living in group homes and shelters are able to enrich their lives and accomplish their dream!


When: Saturday May 7th 

1:00 pm- Red Carpet and Goodwill Ambassador Awards Ceremony

2:00 pm- Polo Match, Dining & Wine Tasting by Fotinos Brothers Winery

Where: Will Rogers State Historic Park

1501 Will Rogers State Park Road

Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Visit: Safety Harbor Kids to attend or sponsor a child; by phone 1-800-277-0497

Sol Angeles Collection Launch Party Rocks LA

You know a party is exclusive when even the venue is kept secret, and for Sol Angeles’ LA launch, everyone’s lips were sealed. Eli and Lindsey Myers, the husband-and-wife design duo behind Fortunate Sun T-shirts threw a party to celebrate their latest foray into higher-end casual wear.

Designers Eli and Lindsey Myers (left), Joyce Kraines, Lindsey Kraines and Kris Jenner (right)

Kevin Mobley and girlfriend with Eli Myers

Stylist Kimmy Erin and Pop Sugar West Coast Editor Melody Nazarian

Guests such as Kris Jenner (do you think it’s a sign that the Kardashian girls will soon be sporting Sol Angeles?) enjoyed drinks a plenty, courtesy of Xante, Heineken Beer and Peligroso Tequila; mugged the cameras in the mugshotphotobooth; nibbled on bites by the Empanada Factory; played Ping Pong; and danced the night away to the musical stylings of DJ Ana Calderon, with an additional DJ set by Garcia.

Actress Nathalia Ramos with a friend (left), stylist Erica Cloud with a friend (right)

DJ Ana Calderon

Fashionable Pretty Young Things at the Sol Angeles launch

The Los Angeles-based men’s and women’s clothing brand also hosted a fashion presentation featuring 3 male and 3 female models in an Argentina-inspired installation. They were styled with artfully weathered looks, including henleys, utility jackets, cut-out shirts, rib moto jackets, knits and more – all made strictly in LA. Don’t believe me? Just have a gander at the super-cool video ‘Making of Sol Angeles’ that was screened at the soiree. Rob Powell of WE /ARE / Portal shot, edited and directed the short film to give us a glimpse of the work and effort that goes into making Sol Angeles garments wholly in LA.

Visit: Sol Angeles and check out their cool Tumblr.

Photos courtesy of Rick Rodney

Kate Moss Seduces a Rabbit Man

When Kate Moss got drunk and seduced a teddy bear for Comic Relief last month, we couldn’t stop replaying the video (HERE) and giggling. Now, the top model is proving once again that she may be the most fun cover girl out there by putting the moves on a rabbit.

In a video for Basement, a Chilean fashion brand, Moss goes on a date by a tap-dancing man in a suit and rabbit head to the tune of Brenda Lee’s “Sweet Nothin’s.” Some sexy dance moves and a bouquet of carrots later, nothing’s left but Miss Moss and dozens of baby bunnies. Cute, silly and a little bit confusing, the video proves once again that Kate Moss loves a good laugh.

Kanye West Wears Celine at Coachella

Everyone’s having a field day with the who-wore-what’s of Coachella fashion – after all, the California desert has its own distinct style, so why wouldn’t the world watch.

Our favorite style statement by far was made by Kanye West, who took to the stage at the 2011 Coachella Music and Arts Festival wearing a long sleeved blue silk Emerald Foulard blouse from Celine’s spring womenswear collection – as he rapped about the designer Phoebe Philo! He drops the designers name on the first rack of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  He didn’t opt for the matching silk pants, instead pairing the top with a pair of Balmain jeans (it has been reported that West tapped Balmain to design the costumes for his upcoming tour as well).

Nice to see high fashion looks out in the desert!

Watch his performance here:

Stars Glow at the Beauty Detox Solution Book Event

Talk about a star-studded event! Health-conscious celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Fergie, Hilary Duff, Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, and David Spade all gathered at the London West Hollywood for the launch of Kimberly Snyder‘s book, “The Beauty Detox Solution.” Now I know how these Hollywood hotties achieve that glowy skin/rocking bod double punch!

Kimberly’s tome takes the best beauty secrets and nutritional discoveries from her worldly travels (compiled over 3 years of globe trotting) and assembles them into this go-to-guide to obtaining desired health and beauty-both on the inside and out. Her advice: Eat closest to nature-no processed foods. Next, drink her Glowing Green Smoothie (recipe on the bottom of the page) because it is full of nutrients and minerals. Lastly, don’t drink so much liquid during the meal, because it dilutes the hydrochloric acid and enzymes preventing optimal digestion of food. Rather, hydrate in between meals. * Disclaimer-this is Kimberly Snyder’s advice, not mine.

And so, while in the company of all of these gorgeous gals, I had to know: what is your top beauty secret? Fergie revealed to me, “Hydration and juicing-getting those key vegetables into your diet.” Meanwhile Duff relies upon a more cosmetic approach, “I believe in having a serious skin care regiment both morning and night to achieve clear skin. And I exfoliate a lot!” And Barrymore had a more emotional response, “No question-happiness!” she stated with a HUGE smile on her face. Could it be her new rumored boyfriend, Will Kopelman that is keeping her full of joy? Nonetheless, it shows!

See you on the red carpet!

Kimberly’s Glowing Green Smoothie recipe:

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water

1 head organic romaine lettuce, chopped

3-4 stalks organic celery

1/2 head of a large bunch or 3/4 of a small bunch of spinach

1 organic apple, cored and chopped

1 organic pear, cored and chopped

1 organic banana

Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon

optional:
1/3 bunch organic cilantro (stems okay)

1/3 bunch organic parsley (stems okay)

Directions:
Add the water and chopped head of romaine to the blender. Starting the blender at low speed, mix until smoothi. Gradually moving to higher speeds, add the celery, apple and pear. Add the cilantro and parsley, if you are choosing to add them. Add the banana and lemon juice last.