Hollywood

Our agency has worked in various ways in Hollywood for our clients – from leveraging film partnerships to promoting sponsorships. We did a diamond suite for 5 years at The Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hill the week leading up to The Academy Awards. It was both a total blast and a totally freaky experience, clients paying hundreds of thousands of dollars hoping to get some red carpet action and NO GUARANTEES. I spent many sleepless nights worrying about media coverage. In all those years, though, we always scored.

Funniest story? We held a celeb party in our suite one year and Julian McMahon from Nip/Tuck attended. He was gifted a tiepin by one of our jewelry clients and after a few drinks he pierced his own ear with the not-so-sharp point on the pin. Blood everywhere, and a surgeon no less. Very silly…

Best memory? Typing up media alerts with my brilliant associate in The Four Seasons listening to Green Day’s “American Idiot” playing as loud as the Bose would go… We needed some distraction, tough client.

But this isn’t about Oscar, but about Emmy. True, TV doesn’t have all the glamour of film, especially when it is frequented by very human reality stars, but don’t we LOVE TV? Of course we do. There is a gutsiness about Emmy, she’s going to take her place in the sun, no matter what. We’ve done a lot of work around this award show, participated in some very high level sponsorships, and I was always pleasantly surprised, and relieved, by the friendliness of the proceedings. Who doesn’t love the BAFTA tea party and the Governor’s Ball? A great group of people in the Academy, parties that are actually fun – think HBO. I love Emmy, she's a good girl to have on your side. We salute you this week, may it be filled with excellent surprises!

Our agency often leverages Hollywood on behalf of our clients. Diamonds and gowns on the red carpet plus great press coverage can go a long way toward putting a brand on the map and keeping them there. Of course, to use this platform you have to work the "system" and let me tell you that can be no fun. In fact, on most days it can be the opposite of fun—what's that word? Work.

Hollywood is fickle, capricious and a downright moody lady. One day she loves you, the next she's totally forgotten your name. Just when you think you're in, you're out. A yes is most often a no, but you won't know that until it's too late.

Here are a few simple rules we've found helpful when navigating Hollywood's turbulent waters:

1) Never push, you look desperate. It's better to let something go than ruin your fragile reputation.

2) If it seems too good to be true it most certainly is, no exceptions...

3) Keep those relationships alive—graft works!

4) If they want what you have you'll know it because (drum roll) they want it! You'll see the difference when you're trying to pawn off something they don't want...

5) Everything takes a LOT longer than you think it will, so buckle up it's going to be long, bumpy ride...

Ok, just some thoughts, use them wisely!

December 8th marks the auction of a Hollywood icon’s personal effects to benefit charity: Audrey Hepburn. What a lady. She started her career as a ballerina and ended it doing good, charitable work for the world. Of all the actresses in Hollywood she has to be one of the top inspirations for fashion designers. She had a model figure after all and had that lost, faraway look in her eyes. She could wear clothes like a hanger, in a good way. And she was always obliging, especially for her favorite designer Hubert de Givenchy, from his gorgeous dresses to his fabulous hats. Her measurements? 32-22-34 (gosh!) Someone has suggested an upscale department store do a line of apparel inspired by her. I think the only one that could do it and do it right would be Bergdorf Goodman, but don’t quote me. Audrey always said her look was attainable and I suppose it was. Simple black dress, dungarees with a crisp white button down—this was the epitome of her style. Definitely attainable, though without her remarkable figure the look may not translate. 50 percent of the proceeds of the sale will benefit UNICEF, her charity of choice. Perhaps the most intriguing items to be posted for auction are a collection of her personal letters. Sigh, wish I could bid…

You can now own a legendary piece of Hollywood glam that nobody else will have. Film Biz Recycling opened PROPS to the public as a means of recycling TV, film and commercial props. PROPS is a not-for-profit boutique and the entire inventory is donated. Most of what you will find is brand new and has been worn or used by celebrities on set. Rare gems include a collection of mirrors, lamps, clothing, jewelry, etc.  VIP status is not needed to shop. Everything in the house of PROPS is negotiable, no price tags included. New pieces are donated and delivered twice a week. At this rate, you can decorate your home or apartment in half the time at half the price.

Location: 43-26 12th St, second floor, Long Island City, Queens.

Though I am sporting flip-flops today in my office, I am not an advocate of flats, flip-flops or sneakers.  I can barely walk in flat shoes, and took a massive (and embarrassing) spill on 5^th avenue a few weeks back in flats and I am now forced to wear flip flops while waiting for my knee to recover!  Barring extreme injuries, my mantra is high heels at all times –snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night will prevent me from wearing my skyscrapers.  It might be my California upbringing (spending half my day in a car, and parking directly in front of my destination) that has made me such a fan of stilettos, not to mention those fantastic 80’s music videos glamorizing beautiful models in sky high pumps—think Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love.  Nothing can dress up a t-shirt dress, or jeans and a t-shirt like heels and bold lipcolor!

Today, sneakers are THE  look to go for in Hollywood as well as in Washington.  From Michelle Obama, to Cameron Diaz, even Gossip Girl Leighton Meester has signed on as the new face of a sneaker line.  Generic Surplus, Supra and DC Admiral collaborations now rival Alexander McQueen and Miu Miu in price and fan following.  Full sites are dedicated to the most underground and hard to acquire kicks.  Even I, the queen of stilettos, have a pair of solid gold snakeskin tennis shoes designed by Patricia Fields (which I will probably never wear but will definitely admire)!

Which do you prefer—comfort or the challenge of a 5” heel?

Source: www.whowhatwear.com, www.thestilettoeffect.blogspot.com