Category Archives: Art Exhibitions

Vintage clothes and Richard Avedon: Two reasons to visit Palm Springs in the very near future

By Erin Weinger on October 18, 2010

As if anyone ever needs a legitimate reason to weekend in Palm Springs, the desert oasis has just given us two.

First off is the just-opened Richard Avedon photography exhibit taking place through January 30, 2011 at the Palm Springs Museum of Art. Richard Avedon: Fashion, Stage, and Screen showcases 90 black and white images of notable Avedon subjects including Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan and, of course, some of the lensman’s iconic shots of Dior’s early work.

After you’ve gained sufficient visual inspiration, head down Highway 111 to Resale Therapy (one of our favorite desert shopping spots) to check out Secret Back Room, a recently-opened enclave housing vintage dealer Marc Joseph’s pristinely-curated clothing collection. Expect to find swoon-worthy pieces by Ungaro, Richard Tyler, Mr. Blackwell, Bill Blass, YSL and James Galanos from the ’30s to the late 1980s, plus a pretty insane offering of accessories.

We found a very now pair of never worn, 1950s wingtips for $59.99 as well as an extensive selection of hats from the ’40s and beyond in the $100-$150 range. Not to mention a forest green beaded couture gown once worn by a desert socialite, now for sale at just over $300.

Joseph, who at one time owned a vintage boutique on Beverly Boulevard here in town, transformed Resale Therapy’s storage room into his own personal closet (the owner is of the space is a close friend). And best part of all is that you have to walk through Resale Therapy’s 75 percent off area to get to Joseph’s vintage treasure chest. As we made our way back over the weekend, we snagged a vintage DVF floral silk dress for $7 as well as a vintage leather and wool pant suit by Pendelton for — get ready — a penny. Apparently when you buy four pieces in the highly discounted space the fifth is a single cent. If we made enough money to hire a business manager, we assume he would be as pleased with our purchases as we are.

So yeah, you should probably go to the desert soon.

Palm Springs Museum of Art, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs. 760-322-4800. psmuseum.org

Secret Back Room at Resale Therapy, 4109 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs. 760-321-6556. marcjoseph.com

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Image: Richard Avedon, Renée, “The New Look of Dior,” Place de la Concorde, Paris, August 1947

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Meet some of L.A.’s finest designers at the Pasadena Museum of California Art next Wednesday

By Erin Weinger on October 15, 2010

I’m always so extremely fascinated by the stories of people who are really, really good at what they do (guess it’s a good thing I became a journalist). And next Wednesday, a crew of some of L.A.’s most talented designers will be sharing their behind-the-seams stories on a panel at the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

As part of the museum’s California Design Biennial, west coast designers Calleen Cordero, Gregory Parkinson, George Esquivel, Tanya Aguiñiga and Gr.Dano’s Jill Giordano and Brian Scheyer — who are each featured in the Biennial — will talk about the tailor-made style of business that they all have in common. Veteran style scribe Rose Apodaca, who curated the Biennial’s fashion portion, will host the evening.

I was lucky enough to be treated to the visual feast of the Biennial earlier this summer when it first opened. And if you have yet to go, now is the time — it only runs through October 31.

Wednesday, October 20. 5 p.m to 7 p.m. $5 for students and seniors, $7 for adults. 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. (626) 568-3665. pmcaonline.org

Photo: Calleen Cordero’s display of hand-made handy work at California Design Biennial at the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

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Is that a mannequin in your lobby or are you just happy to see me?

By Rakhee Bhatt on October 14, 2010

No, Project Runway is not filming at the W Hotel in Westwood. But by the looks of things in the lobby, they could be.

Those mannequins draped in newspaper, pictured at right, are the product of Jeffrey Sebelia’s fLuXuS clothing brand.

Through the end of the end of the year, patrons of the W Westwood will be treated to an exhibit showcasing the brand’s fall/winter 2010 collection mixed with avant garde mannequins in the Living Room area. The collection uses materials such as jersey cotton, sheer modal and burnout for their take on the everyday silhouettes.

fLuXuS at the W Hotel Westwood. 930 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles. Exhibit runs until December 31st.

Picture courtesy of fLuXuS.

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The Unmasking of LACMA’s Resnick Pavilion + Free Admission This Weekend

By Jessica Trent on September 30, 2010

An exquisite evening that was perfectly produced, last weekend LACMA unmasked their amazing $53 million dollar Renzo Piano designed Resnick Pavilion. This block of Los Angeles is truly like a time machine, from 40,000 year old bubbling tar pits and fossils at the Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits to colossal basalt heads now on view at LACMA from the Olmec civilization of Mexico, circa 1400 BC.

A wonderful mix of fashion, celebrity and contemporary art scene players were on hand to toast the museum. Inside the gala, Christina Aguilera belted out songs in a Versace gown beneath ethereal light. Later on, the party continued outdoors on the very hot and sultry evening with a beautiful serenade by The Chapin Sisters looking as though they stepped straight out of Sophia Coppola’s mind (think Virgin Suicides). Actor/artist James Franco strolled alongside contemporary art luminaries such as Chris Burden, art consultant Charlotte Eyerman, and up and coming young artists like Angel Otero (in town from NY for the PRISM gallery opening the night before). The gorgeous and bright Guinevere van Seenus was on hand as well (I love her soapy Mario Sorrenti cover and editorial in 10 Magazine).

Here are some snapshots from the party:

Gelila Asefa Puck always wears the best accessory, a beautiful smile, here pictured with the amazing John Baldessari.

Wren designer Melissa Coker in her own label, accompanied by her sweet pal Thomas Whiteside.

Nicole Richie in Marchesa.

Angel Otero with Blum & Poe’s Matt Bangser

Christina Aguilera in Versace.

Guinevere van Seenus and photographer David Mushegain.

Me in a 1960s vintage gown, Chanel corset belt, & William Lemon III hand-painted tights with Charlotte Eyerman in Lutz & a vintage Whiting & Davis bag.

A young actress with a cool style all her own, Gillian Zinser (left) of 90210 in vintage, with friends.

This Saturday and Sunday Oct. 2 and 3, LACMA is opening the Resnick Pavilion for free! Reservations are suggested.


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OohlaLA….Paris <3s L.A. Sebastien Tellier and Friends Bon Anniversaire

By Jessica Trent on September 29, 2010

sebastien tellier – look from EL NINO on Vimeo.

We know there is a strong Paris to Los Angeles connection, so naturally Parisian label Record Makers, who are renowned for nurturing electronic music favorites from the likes of Air to Sebastien Tellier, bring their 10 year celebration to Los Angeles this week. The celebratory events kick off with an art exhibition featuring work by the artists whose contributions have proved vital to the visual world of Record Makers. The exhibition opens tonight, Wednesday September 29 from 7-10 PM at Space 15 Twenty

The Parisian party continues with a concert tomorrow night at the El Rey featuring Monsieur Tellier along with Acid Washed who will be performing their modern disco for the first time in California. Their live show was visually designed by the creator of kraftwerk.com, Anthony Burrill, and is gaining critical acclaim from around the world. Turzi’s psychedelic aesthetics will be performing for the first time in L.A. as well. His show will be solo, surrounded by synchronized vintage keyboards and a mindblowing lightshow.

There is also a free iPhone app and a compilation album to keep you celebrating even if you can’t make it to these fantastic events in person.

Record Makers 10 Year Exhibition

Wednesday, Sept. 29. 7-10 p.m. Space 15 Twenty. 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles.

OohLaLA Festival/ Record Makers 10th Anniversary

Sebastian Teller with Acid Washed, Kavinsky (DJ set), and Turzi

Thursday, Sept. 30. 7 p.m. El Rey Theater. 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Doors @ 7pm | All Ages | $25-

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Friday Night Inspiration: Two Art Openings in West Hollywood

By Jessica Trent on September 24, 2010

Terence Koh The Road To The Winterland of My Discontent, I Know Not Where I Lead, 2007 Courtesy of the artist and Peres Projects MISERICORDIA opens to the public tonight at PRISM from 8-10 pm and will be on view through December 4th. The exhibition features the works of some of my favorite contemporary artists [...]

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And in more LACMA news…

By Jessica Trent on September 23, 2010

This Saturday, September 25th is the LACMA Resnick Opening Gala Avant-Garde After Party — a great combination of art and fashion with previews of the following inaugural exhibitions:

Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700–1915 (which we mentioned earlier this summer)
Eye for the Sensual: Selections from the Resnick Collection
Olmec: Colossal Masterworks of Ancient Mexico

Andre Leon Talley shot some of the costumes from the European collection for the September issue of Vogue. And adding to the fun for the evening will be a performance by The Chapin Sisters.

Co-chairs include Jenni Kayne Ehrlich and Maggie Kayne. Host committee members include one of my favorite LA fashion/art couples, stylist Jessica de Ruiter and artist Jed Lind. Other host committee members include Sabina and David Nathanson, Hilary Tisch, Chloe Sevigny, Mary Kate Olsen, Band of Outsider’ Scott Sternberg, Cameron Silver of Decades, gallerist P.C Valmorbida, and models Guinevere van Seenus and Erin Wasson.

Saturday, September 25, 2010
10 p.m.–Midnight
Tickets: $200 Avant-Garde Members | $250 Non-Members | $1,150 Introductory One-Year Avant-Garde Membership + Individual Ticket

Fore more information or to purchase tickets, click here. — Jessica Trent

Photo: A turban by Paul Poiret from 1911, on display as part of the LACMA’s Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail exhibit that opens t0 the public on October 2.

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New York gallery L&M Arts opens a second location in Venice

By Claire Butler on September 13, 2010

L&M Arts, the gallery of post-war and contemporary art located on the Upper East Side in New York, is launching a new gallery in Venice on Sept. 25 — fueling L.A.’s already steller rep as a vibrant international art hub (see W Mag’s recent story on the burgeoning scene here). The gallery will inaugurate its [...]

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LACMA’s upcoming costume exhibit proves that Europeans are all about the details

By Rakhee Bhatt on August 13, 2010

I have to hand it to the Europeans who lived in 18th and 19th centuries. I don’t know how they managed to walk around in full dresses with petticoats and corsets underneath and not faint in distress at the summer heat.

Last summer I had the good fortune to travel to France as part of a study abroad program through school. The weather was hot and humid to say the least. My daily outfits consisted of simple knee-length cotton sundresses, sandals and hair that ended up in a bun within an hour of being outside. Even this amount of attire was too much to bear on certain days, which makes me wonder how the bloody hell did the Europeans manage the high temperatures of days past…and with no modern AC to boot?

In the soon-to-be launched LACMA exhibit Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail 1700-1915, I’m hoping to have this question answered along with ogling over 500 pieces of textile and costume opulence. The exhibit will inaugurate the new Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion and will tell the tale of fashion’s technical and aesthetic development from the Age of Enlightenment to World War I. The collection, which is Major with a capital “M,” will examine the widespread changes that occurred in the world of fashion spanning a two hundred year period. Textile details, tailoring techniques, and lavish trimmings are all on the agenda, with highlights including an evening mantle with silk embroidery, glass beads, and ostrich feathers designed by Emile Pingat, the great French couturist. Pingat, who was actively designing between 1860-1896, was known for his extensively embellished outerwear that always called for lots of beads, fringe and lace.

Sharon Takeda, Senior Curator and Department Head of Costume and Textiles, said in a press release that, “We feel fortunate to have the extraordinary opportunity to acquire a collection of this quality and depth. These new additions, which will certainly make LACMA a major study center for scholars of European fashion, represent the museum’s commitment to enriching its increasingly prominent holdings in costume and textiles.”

The exhibit officially launches October 2nd and will continue until April 3rd. We’ve already started crossing out days on our calendar and you should be too. Sign up as a member of LACMA’s costume council by September 1st to receive invites to luncheons and other events in anticipation of the opening.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, (323) 857-6000. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday noon to 8 p.m.; Friday noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Closed Wednesdays. lacma.org

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Tuesday morning gorgeousness: Burberry all around

By Erin Weinger on July 13, 2010

sanggil-kim-off-line_burber

Perhaps I’m in an English check mood because I’m meeting Christopher Bailey tomorrow. But I absolutely love this photograph by Sanggil Kim, one of the artists represented in Chaotic Harmony: Contemporary Korean Photography, which opened last week at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The exhibit, which runs through September 19,  features 40 Korean photographers including Kim, whose above image shows a group of Burberry fanatics that met on the internet. Crazy, huh?

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