Category: Celebrities

Red Carpet Moments at The 70th Golden Globes Awards

Helen Mirren, Dress by Badgley Mischka.
Photo:Jason Merritt/Getty Images via New York Magazine

“You Wear It Well”

Perhaps the chilly weather in Los Angeles yesterday left many scrambling for a second choice of outfit for the Golden Globes because the fashion was overall pretty awful. Even some of Hollywood’s best dressed were left looking like they didn’t bother to look at a full-length mirror. But amidst all of that, they were those who weathered the fashion storm and came out on top. This list comprised of a charming group of celebrities who were on my “fashion radar” during the Golden Globes’ red carpet moments. Who did you favor?

Gabrielle Douglas
Photo:Andreas Branch/Patrick McMullan, via New York Magazine
Naomi Watts, Dress by Zac Posen, clutch by Salvatore Ferragamo, shoes by Casadei.
Photo:Jason Merritt/Getty Images via New York Magazine
Bradley Cooper
John Shearer / Invision / AP /via Los Angeles Times
Lucy Liu, Dress by Carolina Herrera, jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz.
Photo:Jason Merritt/2013 Getty Images, via New York Magazine
Jessica Chastain, Dress by Calvin Klein Collection
Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP via Los Angeles Times
Julianna Moore, Dress by Tom Ford.
Photo:Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Photo via New York Magazine
Julianne Hough
Jason Merritt / Getty Images via Los Angeles Press
THE BADLY DRESSED
Lena Dunham, Dress by Zac Posen
Photo:Jason Merritt/Getty Images, via New York Magazine
Halle Berry, Dress by Atelier Versace
Jason Merritt / Getty Images via Los Angeles Times
Katharine McPhee
Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP / January 13, 2013 via Los Angeles Times
Mayim Bialik
Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP via Los Angeles Times
Kerry Washington, dress by Miu Miu
Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP via Los Angeles Times
Eva Longoria, Dress by Emilio Pucci.
Photo:Jason Merritt/Getty Images via New York Magazine
Kaley Cuoco
Jason Merritt/Getty Images via Los Angeles Times
Kristen Bell
John Shearer / Invision / AP via Los Angeles Times
Jennifer Lopez, Dress by Zuhair Murad, clutch by Jimmy Choo.
Photo:Jason Merritt/Getty Images via New York Magazine

High Fashion from Downton Abbey

Ralph Lauren, Downton Abbey Inspired Outfit from the 2012 Fall/Winter Collection
Photo via Ralph Lauren
“The best pleasure is the creativity.”
Ralph Lauren
Prolific fashion icon, astute businessman, museum-quality automobiles collector, recipient of the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur award, and according to an article in 2012 from Forbes magazine, Ralph Lauren’s net worth has placed him as the 122nd richest person in the world. And so now, the wildly popular British hit TV show Downton Abbey had caught the designer’s eye, and he has since produced a whole line of dazzling garments, inspired by the show. We loyal fans are ever so grateful. And by the way, did you happen to catch his advertisement at the end of Downtown Abbey on Sunday night? One word: Breathtaking.
Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 2012 Collection
Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 2012 Collection
Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 2012 Collection
Above Images: Ralph Lauren models at the Skylight Studio in the Soho district wearing a total of 57 outfits inspired by the British Drama Downton Abbey to mind.
Photo via Ralph Lauren
Photo via Ralph Lauren
Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley) poses in a stunning fashion spread for Harper’s Bazaar. During the fashion shoot, Michelle wore several elegant gowns from Ralph Lauren, Alberta Ferretti and Tom Ford, which depicted the life and spirit of the addictive popular TV series.
Love the Art Deco carpet, don’t you?
Photo via Ralph Lauren
Edwardian inspired outfits worn by the cast in the 3rd series of Downton Abbey which is set in 1920 England. Photo via DailyMail.co.uk
High Drama: Academy Award® and Golden Globe® winner Shirley MacLaine joined the Downton Abbey cast as Martha Levinson, the mother of Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern).
Photo via InsideTrack.com
Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 2012 Collection inspired by Downton Abbey during New York Fashion Week. 
Image courtesy Carlo Allegri/Reuters, via www.timeslive.co/za
Ralph Lauren
On the runway with Ralph Lauren, Fall/Winter 2012 Collection
Image courtesy Carlo Allegri/Reuters, via www.timeslive.co/za

High End Weekly’s Year on Art, Design, and Fashion

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn tops our Number 10 List this year as the most popular post. No surprise there. She was the face of grace and elegance, and everything stylish. And eventhough she exited the world’s stage in 1993, she remains an inspiration and role model for millions of women all over the world.

Other memorable stories were my Q&A with furniture designer John Lyle, my series on the awesome works of Fernand Léger, The Kips Bay Decoration Showhouse, and more.


No. 2
Higher Grounds: Twiggy with Richard Avedon

What strikes me the most about Twiggy is that she has remained strong and confident throughout her career, and her popularity hasn’t waned as seasons passed. This is quite a feat considering that most models and actors usually do not experience this outcome.

No. 3
A pretty pair of pink wing chairs from Leah Antiques, as well as painting of Joan Collins from the early 1960’s take center stage in this exceedingly lively room. 
No wonder Joan Collins chose John Lyle to design her New York City apartment, as she got ready to sell it through Core Real Estate. He is so intuitive, plus it doesn’t hurt to have a marvelous eye for great design.
No. 4
Fernand Léger
Fernand Léger’s work in the 1920s made his international reputation. They combined that certain quality of surrealism and the strong characteristic of the plain forms which he came to be known for.
No. 5
Eileen Gray Transat Chair
As an architect, Eileen Gray designed and furnished herself a new home, Tempe à Pailla, outside Menton, France. That building is an icon of Modernist architecture, and the design was an awesome example of form meets function.
No. 6
Composition, 1940 – 1942, oil on canvas – Fernand Léger
Image via 1artclub
With all the glory that later came as being a blue chip artist, Fernand Léger’s career spaned from early investigations of painting as a means of capturing modern sensations in abstract and near abstract dynamic compositions to heroic images of common life.

No. 7
Furniture trends tend to follow not just changing tastes, but changing needs as the ways in which we live our lives alter over time.
No. 8
Custom made red Zig Zag table stands as a tribute to the late designer Albert Hadley
Raji Radhakrishman’s Le Bureau Privé
The Curator’s Office
No. 9
Metal Boy Cabinet
Most Americans would agree that the kitchen is one of the most important room in a house, and should be treated as such. And de Giulio is happy to prove that point by providing them with some of the most inspiring kitchens to “live with”.

No. 10
Christian Deydier, Corice Arman, Xavier Samson
A global group of esteemed guests both from the US and France, gathered at the French Consulate in March 2012 to celebrate the official announcement of the Biennale des Antiquaires which took place on September 14 through the 23rd.

Is Daniel Day-Lewis The World’s Greatest Actor?

Academy award actor, Daniel Day-Lewis
There’s been more than 15K books written about Abraham Lincoln. Yet to the general public, Lincoln remains an enigma, the man himself dubbed his persona as “strange”. I wouldn’t pretend to be an expert on Lincoln, but I will say that I know a lot about Daniel Day-Lewis (over the years, I’ve accumulated countless of scrap books about the actor’s personal life, and career). Daniel has been an inspiration, and I’ve admired his acting skills since I was 18 years old. Although I do not have a razor sharp memory of each and every single moments of his earlier films, I found his performances in My Left Foot, The Last of The Mohicans, There Will Be Blood – unforgettable. Even his less known films left a tremendous impact on my view of him. When I look back at his one-liner, tornado force introduction in Gandhi, I knew even then that he was destined for greatness.
And so decades, Daniel Day-Lewis has been called to the world’s stage to show, once again, his immense power as this generation greatest actor (I’m all in agreement with Time Magazine). It makes sense that he went out of his way to pursue the lead role in a film that delves into the portrayal of a president that was revered, and will so far be remembered as the greatest president of all time.
Left: The official movie poster of Lincoln. Right: DDL on the cover of Time Magazine
A Room with A View (Daniel Day-Lewis shaking hands with Helena Bonham Carter)
Daniel Day-Lewis
The Age of Innocence: Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daniel Day-Lewis


Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood

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A New Chapter for Le Cirque

What makes a restaurant legendary in a city that has seen its fair share of great restaurants come and go through the revolving door? Let me offer a suggestion. Perhaps the formula for success should be a restaurant with a combination between Italian cuisine alongside the french classics? If that is the case, than Le Cirque, celebrated for its fine dining and frequent celebrity spotting, has managed to achieve this coveted feat since 1974.

So this evening, when I head out to the book launch of A Table at Le Cirque, I know that it will be a charming occasion to mingle with my friends, and perhaps chat with the seductive Sirio Maccioni, who most famously, created a buzzing social club for titans and tastemakers from all walks of life, from every U.S. president since Nixon, kings and Hollywood royalty; café society and business magnates.

Above photos property of Le Cirque
All rights reserved
As I’m writing this post, I’m also glancing over the pages of A Table at Le Cirque… It is the first book to chronicle the fascinating stories, fabled history, the glitz and glamour, and the iconic recipes from the restaurant that is synonymous with luxury. The first half of the book recounts Maccioni’s journey from Montecatini to Manhattan and Le Cirque’s rise to glory. There are hundreds of photographs and drawings, and they all represent a visual history of the world inside the tent (some of them captured by The New York Times society photographer Bill Cunningham who posted himself, in rain or shine, in front of the entrance to capture the comings and goings. I see fashion titans Oscar de La Renta and Carolina Herrera; moguls Donald Trump and Swifty Lazar; socialites Blaine Trump and Nan Kempner; media mavens Barbara Walters and Liz Smith; music legends Mick Jagger, Frank Sinatra, and Diana Ross; celebrities Woody Allen and Sophia Loren, to name a few. I also get to go inside the kitchens of each tenured chef from Jean Vergnes to Olivier Reginensi, each of whom brought something amazing to the table, as well as witness the reinvention of Le Cirque at the three Manhattan locations the restaurant has occupied in its storied history. 
My favorite Chocolate Soufflé at Sirio Maccioni’s Le Cirque
The second part of the book shares the recipes that have kept everyone coming back for four decades. Le Cirque has been credited with inventing a cornucopia of plates that have become legendary: Jean Vergnes’s Dover Sole Le Cirque and Spaghetti Primavera, Alain Sailhac’s Fettuccine with White Truffles, Daniel Boulud’s Lobster Salad, Pierre Schaedelin’s deconstructed Caesar Salad, Jacques Torres’s Bombolini, and Sottha Khunn’s update on Chicken Diable. Enticing isn’t it? Now even you can try these delicious dishes at home by obtaining this movable feast at their online store. What are you waiting for?

Nigel Barker’s West Village Apartment

Former host of America’s Top Model, and famed fashion photographer Nigel Barker, sat down with The New York Post last Thursday to talk about life after the show, his beloved family, and his eclectic collection of art, artifacts, photos and family mementos. High End Weekly™ was fortunate enough to obtain  permission to republish the interview, and naturally, we’re excited to share it with you on this glorious Monday morning in New York City.

Pictured: Photo by Michael Edwards




New York Post: On his treasure-filled home: 
Nigel Barker: “It’s colorful, and it’s real. It has a heartbeat. Everything means something.” 
Wife Crissy, who describes their apartment as a “souk” adds: “It’s like those little outdoor market places in Morocco, with knickknacks and collections.” 
NYP: On a treasured portrait of his mother:
NB: “This…is my mama. Crissy said whenever she’s in the kitchen she feels like my mom’s staring at her.” The painting used to hang in the bedroom. “But she got put in the hall, which is far more appropriate,” says Crissy.


NYP: On being axed by Tyra Banks:
NB: “I know it was tough on [Tyra] as well. It’s never easy to fire someone, least of all, of course, a friend. At the same time, this is business, and things change. She’s a good girl, a strong woman, and she’s done a lot with her life. I take my hat off to her, to be honest with you.” 
NYP: On his relationships with former fellow judges André Leon Talley,Twiggy, Miss J and Mr. Jay, and Paulina Porizkova: 
NB: “We became good friends. André came to one of my[documentary] screenings the other day in shorts and a T-shirt. That’s the real André.”

NYP: On his new gig, host of Oxygen’s new model reality competition project The Face: 
NB: “It’s a whole new take on the genre. Some people have been comparing it to The Voice in that there will be teams. I’m very excited. It’s going to be a great show.” 
Nigel Barker, former judge on America’s Next Top Model
Photos courtesy NYP/Michael Edwards
Check out the entire interview with Nigel Barker and exclusive photos of his home and family today at http://www.nypost.com/pagesixmag.
Interview conducted by Page Six Magazine writer Alison Prato.

Memorable Actors: Lucy Liu as Dr. Watson!

Hey Ya! In addition to being one hell of an actress, Lucy Liu is also a producer and singer. And now she is set to star as Dr. Watson on the upcoming CBS Television series of Sherlock Holmes. How forward thinking! Admittedly, my husband is more apt to watch Sherlock Holmes then I am, but I tell you this, I’ll be tuning in for her. No doubt that CBS is thinking of their ratings (as we all are), and is betting that by taking this iconic franchise to a radical new direction, will give them some much needed boost.
Lucy Liu

I’m in tremendous favor of the new twist on this high brow plot. For this time around, most of the rules, as well as the landscape have been changed. Instead of its traditional London town, Sherlock Holmes will be making the world a little bit safer – right here in our beloved New York City.

 The Asian-American actress looks lovely in this haute couture gown by Chanel
Lucy Liu in London
 Ready for her close up
On the set of her latest project, CBS’ Modern Day Sherlock Holmes
Classical and Magical
 
Red Hot
On and off the red carpet
Lucy Liu

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The Weekender: A Girl’s Best Friend

Vacheron Constantin and the American Friends of the Louvre Host a Gala Dinner in Los Angeles
On May 17th, Vacheron Constantin, the oldest Swiss watchmaker in continuous activity, partnered with the American Friends of the Louvre to host an exclusive gala dinner at the private LA residence of Larry Gagosian, in recognition of the Louvre Museum’s Contemporary Art Programs.

Kalla Haute Couture À Pampilles and Lady Kalla Flame

Hugues de Pins, president of Vacheron Constantin North America, spearheaded the event, along with Christopher Forbes, Chairman of the American Friends of the Louvre and board members Becca Cason Thrash and Sabrina Kay.

Henri Loyrette, Sharon Stone, Hugues de Pins
 Henri Loyrette, president and director of the Louvre Museum, was the honored special guest. Among the guests were Sharon Stone, Michael Mann and his wife Summer.
Andrew Rhoda, Deborah McCleod, Ben Bourgeois

Guests gathered around the scintillating outdoor pool for cocktails while freely moving through the home to view Mr. Gagosian’s private art collection. They then moved to the garden for a three-course, sit-down dinner. Fitting in perfectly with the surroundings, beautiful Vacheron Constantin timepieces were on display for the distinguished guests who were clearly drawn to the magnificent pieces from the brand’s Métier’s d’Art Collection, La Symbolique des Laques Maki-e Collection and the Kalla Haute Couture À Pampilles and Lady Kalla Flame.
It was a fantastic and elegant affair which raised approximately $200,000 in support of the mission of the American Friends of the Louvre, including its efforts to promote the Louvre Museum’s contemporary art programs.
Cocktail Atmosphere
Becca Cason Thrash
Christopher Kip Forbes
Eduardo Moises and Amber Arbucci
Hugues de Pins
Karen Pulaski, Eugenio Lopez, Sharon Stone
Karen Pulaski, Harry and Valerie Cooper
Sabrina Kay
L-R_Sabina Kay, Quinn Ezralow, Lina Kay, Mira Lee, Brian Ezralow, Brian Lee, Andrew Gross, Mimi Song
Photos courtesy Vacheron Constantin
All Right Reserved

Out and About: Dienst + Dotter Antikviteter

The Dienst + Dotter showroom located at 411 Lafayette Street (next door to the sophisticated celebrity-driven night club, Butter) is one of those showrooms in New York that stands out from the rest. Especially given its location. 

Jack Lenor Larsen, Thomas Woltz

They’ve been able to retained their loyal following from their original days in Sag Harbor, New York. Last night, the Scandinavian antique dealers hosted a kick off reception for the New York School of Interior Design’s Annual Spring Benefit which will honor visionary, scholar, world traveler, and authority on traditional and contemporary crafts, Jack Lenor Larsen and Thomas Woltz. 

The benefit will take place Wednesday, April 18 at the Metropolitan Club. I was horrendously busy this week, so it was a relief to be at this elegant, yet laid-back event which was so well attended by some of New York’s top design talents, editors, and socialites. Even the doyenne of lifestyle television, Martha Stewart, was in attendance. The 70 year old business magnate looked fabulous in a very tasteful and chic black leather pants, while she sauntered around the room in her high heel black suede boots. Nothing seemed to escape her notice, as she came prepared with her digital camera, and even took time to smell the showroom’s roses. This was my first time at Dienst + Dotter and I can tell you that I plan on visiting them soon. They have an outstanding collection of furniture that ranges from $500 to $50,000. When you get there, make sure you visit their bathroom as well. Yes. Take note of their 17th century letter which is cocooned inside this breathtaking antique frame, located right above the toilet seat. The bathroom is inviting and is in itself a haven of peace. I’ve always had a penchant for gorgeous and practical bathrooms, and this one is certainly an inspiration for my future designs.

Martha Stewart
Emma Dienst, Jill Dienst
Photos courtesy Annie Watt
 Martha Stewart

Atmosphere
Vyna St Phard, with Mario Buatto
Susan Zises Green, Juan Montoya
Polly Guerin
Laura Rothfuss, David J Stocker
Photos courtesy High End Weekly™
 Marilyn White
Photo courtesy Annie Watt 
Penny-farthing, American Star Bicycle from 1885
Photos courtesy High End Weekly™
 Dienst + Dotter
Photo courtesy Richard Perry for The New York Times

2012 Oscars Red Carpet: The Hits and Misses

THE HITS

As soon as Michelle Williams hit the red carpet, I thought who on earth could top a dress with such beauty? The Louis Vuitton gown she wore had everything – glamor, elegance, grace, and real star power. Her ultimate choice managed to chock me a bit, because quite frankly I wasn’t expecting much from her. But oh, how delightful it was that she exceeded all of our expectations.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton
(Best dressed on the red carpet)









Gwyneth Paltrow was a close second. She looked positively regal, and beautiful. I’m thrilled about Meryl Streep winning her third best actress awards, but did she have to look like the female Oscars, while doing so? At this stage, Ms. Streep is solid gold, untouchable. She has broken all the best actress records in Hollywood, and I can’t help but wonder, who in my lifetime, will top such an extraordinary talent. Too bad her fashion sense lacks the luster and vigor that her acting does.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford
Stacy Keibler in Marchesa
Cameron Diaz in Gucci
Louise Roe in Black Halo
Tina Fey in custom Carolina Herrera
AND MISSES

Glenn Close in custom Zac Posen
Judy Greer in Monique Lhuillier
Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli Couture
Rooney Mara in Givenchy
(Worst dressed)
Meryl Streep in Lanvin
 
Maya Rudolph in Johanna Johnson

Photos by Getty Images, via MTV
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