EXPOSED: Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware opened their lavish doors for the ultimate party Thursday night, launching their spring 2012 Collection, the store hosted and toasted a night of décor, drinks and design.

Milla Jovovich & Elizabeth Banks.

CEO and Chairman Gary Friedman invited the tastemakers of Tinsel town to the debut of the new collection at The Gallery on Beverly Boulevard.  The style house was lit up by glowing candles as waiters buzzed about serving patrons the Cipriani Bellini cocktail and light bites.  Co-hosts Malin Akerman and Elizabeth Banks talked shop while actors Abbie Cornish and Milla Jovovich perused the two-story design hub.

Abbie Cornish & Malin Akerman.

Malin Akerman, Milla Jovovich & Elizabeth Banks.

Stylehaus Presents Coachella Chic Fashion Show

Last week, I headed to the Mondrian LA for Stylehaus Coachella themed fashion show—getting festival attendees ready to rock the desert! There were so many fun looks, from maxi dresses to high-waisted shorts, and combat boots—and layers were key. I chatted with Stylehaus owner, Marina Monroe, about dressing for the festival and how to look cute without a lot of fuss!

A look from Stylehaus’ Coachella themed fashion show at the Mondrian LA

RM: What style trends do you think will be the big at Coachella this year?

MM: High-waisted shorts and a bikini top covered with a crocheted top are basically the standard Coachella uniform. I see a lot of girls adding accessories like hair feathers, headbands, and stacks of bracelets, necklaces, and rings to make the look their own. I would expect to see a lot of flowing maxi dresses, as they are absolutely huge in terms of fashion this season. Finally, I’m predicting a lot of color this year because color is huge in fashion right now. I’m thinking colored denim with bright tops, and even crazy hair colors will be everywhere!

RM: What fashion/beauty item should Coachella attendees not leave home without?

MM: Sunscreen! It gets super hot out there, and trust me—you WILL burn! Hair and makeup at Coachella tends to look pretty natural, so the only beauty items you’ll really need are a little bronzer to highlight the tan, and you will most definitely need chapstick, and mascara. A good hairspray helps hold your hairstyle for a day or two, since you probably won’t want to deal with re-styling your hair anymore than you need to. A hat would be really helpful, as well. During the day, it will shield your face from the sun, and at night, it will help keep you warm. My favorite hats for Coachella are the wide-brim, floppy hats. I always recommend that girls not wear sandals if they are planning on trying to get anywhere near the stage. Instead, pack a pair of fun, distressed combat boots, motorcycle boots, or cowboy boots to protect your feet from out of control dancers (not to mention all the dirt!).

RM: What celebrities have you seen wearing these looks and how did they achieve them?

MM: Kate Bosworth always looks amazing at Coachella. She wears easy basics and always looks comfortable and cute at the same time. I’m also always excited to see what Alessandra Ambrosio wears to the festival. She tends to dress very Coachella-esque in her daily life, so I always like to see what she comes up with for the actual event itself.

RM: What is the key to dressing appropriately for Coachella?

MM: If you are the type of person that commits to staying at the festival all day you MUST wear layers (especially if you’re not camping, if you are then it’s super easy to go back to the campsite and change as the weather does). For example, high-waisted cut-offs, a bikini top, and a light, long-sleeved shirt that you can tie around your waist during the day (‘90s revival, people!) with a pair of combat boots, will keep you cool during the day, and then you can throw the shirt on at night to stay warm (you can always borrow a flannel from a nearby boy if need be as well—the Coachella spirit is all about sharing!).

See you on the red carpet!

Starry Night Inspires Much More Than Art With Delicious Van Gogh Vodka Cocktails

The legendary artist Vincent Van Gogh is best known for his work like the Sunflowers, Cafe Terrace at Night, and Starry Night, for some, he was best known for cutting off his own ear…proving every genius is a wild spark. This art and spark is captured by every delicious and unique bottle of Van Gogh Vodka. With flavors ranging from Dark Chocolate, Double Espresso and Dutch Caramel to Black Cherry, Banana and Wild Apple, the vodka is triple distilled in small batches and infused for 6-8 years. With all natural ingredients, to create their intense, genuine flavors each flavor offers a spirited way to pay tribute to this artistic and creative genius.

March 30th marks the birthday of Van Gogh, and what would have been his 159th year. His artistic influence and impressionistic style has influenced everything from art to design, to film and music for decades. To mark the celebration consider mixing up a Starry Night cocktail made with vibrant sparkling Brut Rose, like Segura Viudas Brut Rose Cava from Spain, mixed simply with a touch of Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka. Light and airy with lots of bubbles, just like the sky in the painting.

STARRY NIGHT

4 oz Sparkling Rosé

1 oz Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka

Pour chilled Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry vodka into a flute, then top with sparkling rosé wine and garnish with a starfruit.

Roxy Manning Talks Shoes with Adrienne Maloof

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Adrienne Maloof is a woman of many….shoes. Almost 400, to be more specific! But don’t let the number fool you. This hardworking mom of three is hardly sitting around eating bon-bons on her hit reality show. In addition to being a reality star, she runs a multi-million dollar business empire with her brothers, and also designs a line of shoes-her favorite accessory. And I caught up with her this week to discuss the many facets of her busy life.

Muse, Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson, and designer, Adrienne Maloof, at Fashion Group International’s Meet the Designer & the Muse Event

RM: You have done a really great job with your shoe collection with Charles Jourdan.

AM: Thanks. I am really proud of it. It’s my first collection. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a very young girl. So dreams do come true!

RM: How has it been realizing your dream?

AM: Obviously, Bravo has given me the opportunity to have a platform to do something I have dreamed of my whole life. And it’s been amazing. It’s a lot of hard work, which I am used to, but overall it is so rewarding. I think I have put out a beautiful collection and I look forward to moving on to my own line.

RM: Why have you decided to go out on your own for your next collection?

AM: I realized that my fans loved my collection, but most of them couldn’t afford that price point. So what I want to do is have an affordable price point shoe line for my fans because they want that Beverly Hills lifestyle. I want to give them something beautiful that is made of quality and is luxurious, but has an affordable price point.

RM: Tell me about the Fall 2012 collection. What is the inspiration?

AM: My life is so diversified. I’m a mom, a reality star, a businesswoman. I have to go to black tie events, cocktail events, school events. So, I made shoes for the on-the-go mom to the big city fashionista. You’ll see flat boots, riding boots, ballerina flats, wedges, and of course, what I am known for, the stilettos. Can’t forget those! The everyday woman is my inspiration.

If you would like to read more about my chat with Adrienne about her favorite beauty buys, her closet fashion staple, and RHOBH dish, click here. And you can shop Adrienne Maloof by Charles Jourdan here.

See you on the red carpet!

British Invasion to Smashbox Studios

Last night kicked off the second international showcase this year for the British Fashion Council with the debut of London Show Rooms LA, a project launched to introduce British up and coming designers and their latest style trends to the LA market.

Jordana Brewster.

Ashley Madekwe.

Tastemakers and fashionistas flocked to the ultimate party hub, Smashbox Studios, in order to catch their first glimpse of fall 2012. Celebs such as Jordana Brewster and Ashley Madekwe sipped on champagne and snacked on canapés as they talked with designers like Jonathan Saunders, who displayed their latest creations on models and muses like Emma Roberts.

Designers featured by London Show Rooms LA crossed the pond for the ultimate opportunity to work with the crème de la crème of Tinsel town.

Jonathan Saunders & Emma Roberts.

Gourmet and Golf Festival at Punta Mita

Sunshine, tasty tequila, outstanding food, legendary gold, celebrity chefs, luxurious resorts and so much more await in the stunning, secluded and sophisticated town of Punta Mita, Mexico, for the second annual Gourmet and Golf Classic, featuring all of these things and so much more.

Occurring April 12 – 15 at The Four Seasons Punta Mita and the St. Regis Punta Mita the festival welcomes celebrity chefs, tequila masters, winemakers and Sommeliers from around the world to taste, create and enjoy the flavors of Mexico, while soaking up the sun in one of the most relaxed yet refined places in the world, just a short plane ride away.

Punta Mita has become synonymous with quality, enhanced only with the five star accommodations and amenities of The Four Seasons and St. Regis Hotel. Plus, add a golf tournament at two of the finest golf courses in the world, the Jack Nicklaus designed Signature courses Pacifico and Bahía.

St. Regis Punta Mita GM Carl Emberson, Four Seasons Punta Mita Chef Claudia Fossa, Chef.

Sylvain Desbois of Carolina at The St. Regis, and The Four Seasons Punta Mita GM Michele Grosso.

Not a golfer, no worries, relax with a massage as the spa of either hotel before taking part in cooking demonstrations, tequila tastings, wine seminars and more offered throughout the festival, leading up to grand tastings and dinners featuring chefs Michael Mina, Richard Sandoval, Patricia Quintana, Kaz (Kazuhiro) Okochi and many more including Los Angeles area chefs Brendan Collins, Celestino Drago and Ian Gresik. Additional details and reservations available here.

Did You Know Emmy Rossum is Green?

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with environmentally conscious starlet, Emmy Rossum, at the Global Green pre-Oscars party in Hollywood. Not only was she wearing a gorgeous canary yellow dress made out of recyclable materials, but Emmy also let me know how she maintains a green lifestyle, as well as her summer beauty routine and her favorite Oscars look of all time.

On her green lifestyle: “I try to make my life as green as possible, which can be tricky, but with driving a hybrid car which doesn’t seem as obvious, you can make a bigger impact. Like turning off the lights when I leave the house, not running the heat, and not watering the lawn when it has been super dry.”

Her summer beauty routine: “Exfoliate. I get dry in the summer.”

Her Oscar plans? “I am going on vacation, so I am playing hooky!”

The movie that she was rooting for at the Oscars: “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”

Her favorite Oscar look of all time: “Gwyneth Paltrow in the pink Ralph Lauren dress.”

For more details on the interview, see you on the Red Carpet!

Edun’s Beverly Hills Rooftop Runway Show

Edun, Ali Hewson and Bono’s organic fashion label, went bi-coastal this weekend. After a successful show during New York Fashion Week, the duo jetted off to Beverly Hills, where they celebrated their launch at Neiman Marcus with a rooftop runway show.

Bono, Quincy Jones and Akon

Years of hard work and passion paid off for the eco friendly couple, who eventually hope to expand their line into accessories. Friends Colin Farrell, Gela Nash-Taylor, John Taylor, Akon and Quincy Jones celebrated with champagne and dessert inside the store.

Since the birth of Edun in 2005, Hewson and Bono have remained steadfast in their goal to encourage trade in Africa. In 2010 they posed for the Louis Vuitton Core Values campaign. All proceeds from the advertised limited-edition bag and the shoot itself were donated to African agencies.

Edun Show Colin Farrell, Claudine Farrell, Bono and Ali Hewson

Designed by Sharon Wauchob, Edun brings Africa to its audiences – playing with tribal prints, black leather and electric hues. A big toast to all designers who use fashion as a catalyst for raising awareness!

CREDIT: Brandon Clark/ABImages

Maxim Oscar After Party

Maxim Magazine & Ford Mustang wrapped up the 84th annual Academy Awards Oscar night with an epic late-night party in the hills for Hollywood’s leading A-listers.

After customizing their own Ford Mustangs, “Extra’s” Mario Lopez, Wilmer Valderrama, Jeremy Piven, “Jersey Shore” star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Daniel Sunjata and Scott Disick made their way into the exclusive multilevel soiree for Stoli cocktails, delightful bites from striking Runway Waiters, and a spectacular private performance by Ludacris.

Wilmer Valderrama.

Mario Lopez steals a bite from Runway Waiters.

The always gorgeous Karina Smirnoff arrived at the after party just minutes before her ex fiancé Maks Chmerkovskiy, alongside an admirable Jaime Presley, “Glee’s” Chord Overstreet, a stunning Tia Carrere, FX’s Daniel Sunjata, Nick Hogan, Larenz Tate, Olivia Munn, Natasha Henstridge, Leilani Dowding, Quinton Aaron, Josh Henderson, Sebastian Bach, Deryck Whibley, Darius Campbell, Kerri Kasem, Breckin Meyer, and Kyle Massey.

Karina Smirnoff.

 

 

Chic Shades For Spring

Now that spring is just around the corner, it is imperative that we get ready…from head to toe!  Lucky for all of you trendsetters, top designers everywhere have got something truly special in store!  As per usual Chanel is paving the way for what’s très chic this season in sunglasses.

Chanel: The Carbon Fiber Collection.

Chanel has just introduced its new spring/summer line, The Carbon Fiber Collection.  With a new take on shades, Chanel is using carbon fiber in order to make each piece lighter and more resistant.  With the same material that is used in aerospace and motorsports, the shades definitely offer a bit of an edge to them.  And let’s not forget that these sunnies in true Chanel fashion have the classic white CC branded on them, to offer the perfect finishing touches for the stylish girl on the go.

House of Harlow 1960: Rachel and Robyn.

If you’re a little more rock and roll, we have a couple of options that might suit you.  The House of Harlow 1960 is wowing us with their new shades!  Nicole Richie helps us channel our inner femme fatale with her latest collection, featuring snakeskin prints, seasonal yellows, and her signature over-sized rims—Nicole Richie is always up to speed with what’s hip.

House of Harlow 1960: Nicole.

Fellow trendsetters, Miu Miu and Versace have also made their recent spring debut for sunglasses, with actors like Leighton Meester, Diane Kruger, and Mia Wasikowska who have been some of the few ingénues to get their hands on these effortlessly chic shades.  Don’t miss out!