A three-stop tour of this year's Golden Globes gifting suites proved that companies -- OPI as well as Fancy Feast -- are still dying to get their products in the hands of celebrities.

And by "celebrities" we mean a slew of B-listers and a couple of bona fide stars.

But this year, there was more variation in the types of suites being hosted.

On our tour of three suites this weekend -- Access Hollywood's annual Stuff You Must suite, Smashbox and Amika's professional suite and InStyle's Beauty Lounge -- nary a celebrity was in sight, unless you count "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Adrienne Maloof, whom we spotted stuffing bags of free loot into the trunk of her Bentley outside the Access Hollywood lounge. (Does one of the richest women in L.A. really need a free carton of Nerds and beauty products from the CVS/pharmacy Beauty Club kiosk.* )

Granted, the no-nonsense Smashbox and Amika suite, held at the Mondrian Hotel, was erected to gift hairstylists and makeup artists -- a fresh and fun idea -- and lured Black Eyed Peas groomer-hairdresser Jason Medina; groomer Helen Robertson, who works with Clive Owen; and Alison Gladieux, George Lopez's groomer.

At the Access Hollywood suite, we missed Jennifer Love Hewitt by a hair but saw the proof in photo form. The actress obligingly posed for a picture with a Slim Fast bar. "It was so funny, she posed with it on her butt," said Micah Jesse, the chatty spokesman manning the booth.

Despite the relative emptiness of the gifting room inside the Sofitel Hotel Friday while I was there,* a public-relations representative for the Access Hollywood suite told us the following day that companies were only giving  free  products  to invited "talent."

"You only get gifted if you are walking through with an official escort," she added. "But anyone who comes in as talent and is invited as talent gets the same gifts." 

Jeremy Renner, Jane Lynch, Gabourey Sidibe, Ian McShane and Julie Benz were among the celebs who turned up over the two-day event.

Things felt decidedly more upscale at the Instyle Beauty Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, where OPI, L'Oreal and Damone Roberts Beverly Hills sponsored a pretty, tented outdoor area where glam techs offered manicures, hairdressing and eyebrow shaping.

Melissa Joan Hart, Aimee Teegarden from "Friday Night Lights" and Carrie Preston from "True Blood" were among the starlets to get primped at the event. Inside, a true sofa-and-chair lounge awaited, featuring tiny pink-and-white cupcakes and Champagne — which we crowned the best gift going.

-- Emili Vesilind

[*Updated at 1/20/2011. An earlier version of this post misnamed the CVS/pharmacy Beauty Club as the CVS lounge and incorrectly said samples were given out when full-size products were distributed. The post also implied that the Access Hollywood suite was relatively empty all day Friday, rather than just during the reporter's visit.]

Photos, from top: The InStyle Beauty Lounge; a table of hair products from Amika at the Samshbox/Amika lounge for artists.

 

 
 
Anyone who has tried to break into the fashion industry or attempt to create and launch a clothing line knows how daunting the process can be. A fashion industry forum coming to Los Angeles on Saturday will attempt to assuage a lot of that anxiety, tapping industry experts such as Michael Segal, chief executive of Fred Segal; Cameron Silver, vintage guru and owner of Decades and Decades Denim; and footwear designer LD Tuttle to speak on various panels and inform attendees who are looking for a little guidance and perhaps an opportunity to network.

Afingo.com, a social-networking website for the fashion community is holding the forum, called "Behind the Seams," at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. The event comes on the heels of an event held in New York, where industry notables such as retailer Steven Alan and Huffington Post style editor Lesley M.M. Blume addressed attendees at FIT in October.

"The fashion industry really does exist on both coasts," said Liza Deyrmenjian, co-founder of Afingo. "A lot of times, I feel the West Coast gets left out or isn't given enough credit for the thousands of people in and interested in fashion. L.A. has been a natural extension for "Behind the Seams" and really is the one central place on the West Coast that makes the most sense to hold the event."

Anyone who registers to attend Saturday's event can expect four seminars covering marketing, trend forecasting, sustainability in fashion and launching a line. Ticket prices range from $195 for an all-day pass to $49 for each seminar.

Visit www.afingo.com to register.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: The trend-forecasting panelists from the New York "Behind the Seams" event, left to right: Jennifer Mankins, owner of Bird; Steven Allen, founder of Steven Allen; Sharon Graubard of Stylesight; Lesley M.M. Blume, style editor of the Huffington Post; Sally Lohan of WGSN; and Syl Tang, chief executive of HipGuide/Afingo. Credit: Nick Wolfe

 

Shoe guru Manolo Blahnik made an appearance at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills Thursday afternoon to sign copies of his second coffee table tome, "Manolo's New Shoes," which will be released Oct. 12.

Fans of the designer, who became a household name by way of shoe-obsessed Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City," politely lined up in the store's spacious shoe department to have their books signed and exchange a few words with the always gracious Blahnik.

"It was not my idea at all to do another book," said Blahnik, who was clad in a dapper lavender suit, bow tie and pair of self-designed fuchsia slip-on shoes adorned with wide grosgrain-ribbon bows. "It was the publisher -- they did so well with the first one."

He added with a wink, "I didn't know it was going to be such a pain -- we had to look at all the archives and everything. The drawings are easy because I have them...but it's not easy to do a book. But some people got a kick out of the first one, so why not another?"

Blahnik, who was born in the Canary Islands and speaks with a charming Spanish-cum-British accent, added that he loves meeting his public. "It's not what people say, like 'Ah, how tiring.' I get a kick out of these [events]. My work is very lonely, in the sense that it's the manufacturer and me. So I never meet people."

-- Emili Vesilind

Photo: Manolo Blahnik signing a shoe at Neiman Marcus. Credit: Neiman Marcus

 

A few notable happenings for a more stylish weekend:

EVENTS

John Varvatos opening event Saturday: Rock 'n' roll-obsessed designer John Varvatos opens a shop-in-shop at the new Bloomies in Santa Monica, and legendary music photographer Mick Rock will be on hand to take portraits of customers who spend $250 or more on John Varvatos, John Varvatos USA, or Converse by John Varvatos merch (see some famous Rock shots at right).

Bloomingdale’s Santa Monica, The Men’s Store, Level 1, 315 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica. (310)-985-6400. 2 to 5 p.m.

MAC Venomous Villains exhibit Friday through Sunday: MAC Cosmetics unveils its new Venomous Villains collection for the first time in North America — a collaboration with Disney that features looks inspired by four of Disney’s most famous villains: Cruella de Vil, Evil Queen, Maleficent and Dr. Facilier. Come for the complimentary makeup applications, costume styling, live DJs and photo souvenirs.

South Coast Plaza, Jewel Court, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (714) 546-9555. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. www.southcoastplaza.com

Sam Edelman appearance Saturday: Trendy footwear designer Sam Edelman will meet and greet his fans (and sign shoes) at Bloomingdale's at Santa Monica Place.

Bloomingdale's, shoe department, 315 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica. (310)-985-6400. 3 to 5 p.m. www.samedelman.com

OPENING

Splendid: Luxury T-shirt brand Splendid opened its third standalone store last week at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, featuring all of the line's super-soft collections — Splendid, Splendid Mills (for men), Splendid Girl and Splendid Littles (for babies).
 
225 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 759-1743. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Frday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m Sunday. www.splendid.com

Gather: Katie Kay, former co-designer for leathery L.A. brand Skingraft, has opened a downtown boutique to "sell off treasures and do the dirty work for my amazing designer friends who hate the business side of this world," she said. There are unique housewares, Kay's own redesigned/repurposed furniture and mixed merch from local apparel and jewelry lines.

630 S. Main St., Los Angeles. (213) 623-5449. Call for store hours.

--Emili Vesilind 

Photo: Four legendary photos taken by Mick Rock, who will appear at the John Varvatos opening. Credit: Mick Rock.

Everybody still loves Edie.

Recently, a packed house at Cinefamily watched Andy Warhol’s doomed muse, Edie Sedgwick, bat those famous heavily mascaraed eyelashes one more time, in the semiautobiographical 1970 feature, "Ciao! Manhattan."

Shot in fits and starts over the course of five years, the film is both Edie in her sparkle-and-shine prime and Edie floating lost. With "Ciao!" the California-born ranchland heiress was still struggling to find redemption -- this time in hyper-fiction -- a gorgeously shot, vaguely psychedelic, cult film version of her own real-life downfall.

Within a year of "Ciao’s" completion, Edie would be dead of a drug overdose at 28.  But dying young and looking good have made her a martyr and a myth.

“Edie personifies the fundamental human urge for self exploration and artistic expression of an exceptional life of character with fearless, reckless abandon,” explains David Weisman, the co-director, producer and creative force behind "Ciao! Manhattan."

Venerated Italian brand Ermenegildo Zegna celebrated its centennial birthday with actors and environmentalists Ted Danson and Ed Begley Jr. at its Rodeo Drive store Tuesday night.

The evening benefited the oceans advocacy organization Oceana, with 10% of sales from the Beverly Hills store during Sept. 12-18 donated to the nonprofit.

"Zegna has always had an eye for sustainability," said Begley, who jokingly referred to himself as "the poor man's Ted Danson" in an impromptu speech. "They have been good stewards of the land and also never wanted to poison the Earth with harmful dyes."

In fact, Ermenegildo Zegna planted 500,000 trees in his day, near Trivero, Italy, where the brand was founded.

Though long gone, the founder's visage was omnipresent at the event through historical photographs mounted throughout the boutique. The images were a part of the brand's formal centennial celebration, which took place in June in Milan (read about all things Zegna in Adam Tschorn's recent article on the brand).

The sepia-hued photos — along with some amazingly chic mid-century ads for the brand — also appear in a new coffee table book,"Ermenegildo Zegna: An Enduring Passion for Fabrics, Innovation, Quality and Style," chronicling the history of the man and the brand.

Ermenegildo's granddaughter, brand image director Anna Zegna, summed up the company's credo: "Quality, for us, is not only the product but the relationship with our customers and our environment."

Danson, who looked elegant in a black Zegna suit and heavy-framed glasses, noted that events matching  charities with brands are often "far-fetched," adding, "but Zegna has supported ... cleaning up the ocean for over 15 years."

During a speech, the actor encouraged guests to support Zegna, remarking with a glint in his eye, "It's very important to be well-dressed — we don't want to look like shabby environmentalists."

--Emili Vesilind

Photos, from top: Anna Zegna and Ted Danson; Ed Begley Jr. Credit: Lester Cohen / Getty Images.

 
It may have been only 10:30 this morning, but L.A’s most subtly stylish residents came to a breakfast and screening at Vanessa Bruno’s Melrose Avenue dressed in a way that would make the Sartorialist’s head spin and camera click non-stop. Shiva Rose, Michelle Hicks and Jessie Kamm were among the guests who flipped through Bruno’s fall pre-collection and complimented one another’s quirky ensembles. Rose wore a flowy chiffon dress paired with boots and a vintage belt while Hicks opted for something more structured; a 1920s-style hat, pea coat and black, high-waisted, wide-leg trousers.

Though guests were undeniably chic, it was Bruno’s collection that captivated most people’s attention. Faux fur coats, angora sweaters and romantic dresses and blouses with lace inserts were being picked up, tried on and some even purchased.

And when they weren’t oohing and aahing at the collection, the ladies sat down to watch the premiere of a film Bruno collaborated on with her longtime muse Lou Doillon, who starred in and sang in the four-minute-long piece. Directed by Stephanie Di Giusto, it's Bruno’s third consecutive film showcasing a collection. This one, called “Day for Night” had Doillon dressed in a printed chiffon dress, layered with a shirt underneath, though it’s her signature wavy hair, heavy bangs and effortless attitude that seem to self-style whatever she puts on.

This event is just one of several celebrating Bruno’s only American store (though she has over 50 worldwide). Bruno will be in L.A at the end of October to host the official grand opening of her U.S. flagship location.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Interior of Vanessa Bruno's Los Angeles store/Melissa Magsaysay, Los Angeles Times

Splendid, the high-end, L.A.-based casual wear brand, is co-hosting an artsy weekend getaway for families this fall.

Crafting Community, a hands-on retreat where families are guided through various arts and crafts workshops, will take place Oct. 8 to Oct. 10 at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs. Co-hosted — and founded by — children's art company Kimmel Kids, the annual event offers interactive workshops, with a focus on reusing and repurposing natural materials in art.

Workshops will include Sew Splendid, a "pop-up studio" where families customize their own Splendid branded gear. Kids and parents will select their own fabric and design their own personalized label before modeling their one-of-a-kind creations in a family portrait session shot by a professional photographer.

There will also be workshops in stenciling, underwater photography, felting, succulent gardens, airbrushing, dioramas, pottery, creative cookies and macramé — taught by event founder Karen Kimmel and fellow artists Clare Crespo, Cathy Callahan, Richard Mulder, Tanya Agiuñiga, Cheryl Cambras, Kate Burger, Steven Visneau of Small Magazine and musical duo Nikki & Rich.

In between all the crafting will be lengthy pockets of rest and relaxation time. And for those interested, Kid Concierge — an L.A.-based company that hooks parents up with kid-friendly activities — will organize group activities including morning yoga, skateboarding 101, music and storytelling around a campfire and (the camp standard) s’mores under the stars.

There's also the lure of the Ace Hotel's huge, heavenly pool, with its shallow kid-friendly section and — for those crafted-out adults — fully stocked bar.

The retreat will set you back $695 — a package built for a family of three  — which includes two nights lodging (in a standard king or double room) at the Ace Hotel, two days of art instruction and supplies, a Friday night taco dinner, fireside s’mores and games, two continental breakfasts, the Splendid-styled family portraits and a Kimmel Kids tote filled with goodies. Families over three people can attend for an additional "crafting fee."

Organizers ask that you reserve your family's spot by Sept. 24 by calling the Ace Hotel (760-325-9900) and referencing the promo code "Kimmel Kids Crafting." For more info, visit kimmelkids.com/crafting.

--Emili Vesilind

Photo: Scenes from 2009's Crafting Community event. Credit: Kimmel Kids.

Sales

A. Kinney Court in Venice is holding a Courtyard Session sale on Friday and Sept. 3. Eyewear will be marked down as much as 70% off retail, including makes by Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, Mosley Tribes, Thierry Lasry, Mykita, KBL and Rare Vinatge. Session music will be provided by DJs Mathieu Schreyer and Osamu, and complimentary wine and beer will be served to over 21s with ID.

1423 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. (310) 392-3400. 6 to 10 p.m.

Jenny Dayco is having an end-of-summer sale Friday and Saturday  featuring her eponymous jewelry collection at 60% to 70% below retail, with prices starting at $10.

7428 Hollywood Blvd., #305, Los Angeles. (310) 621-0680. Noon to 7 p.m. 

Sample Sales

L.A. designers Kristinit and Anita Arze host a one-day sample sale Sunday at Being in L.A. Spa, with a percentage of sale proceeds donated to Oceana, an oceans advocacy nonprofit. Locally manufactured brand Kristinit was picked as a women’s collection to watch by Lucky Magazine. Choose from the designers’ tops, sweaters, dresses and jumpsuits, priced from $50 to $95 (regular prices $225-$450). Perfumer Sanae Barber will be selling her custom scents, while Being in L.A. is offering spa services such as facials and massages. RSVP to kristina@kristinit.com.

2016 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles. (323) 428-3221. 2 to 8 p.m.

Events

On Saturday,  J Brand, Vogue editor Anna Wintour's favorite blues,  is having a fall fashion preview at the new Santa Monica Place Bloomingdales, Meet Jeff Rudes, the JBrand CEO, who is bringing a denim team to help shoppers find the perfect jean. Buy a J Brand pair and receive a gift with purchase. A drawing will be held for a $1,000 JBrand fashion wardrobe (no purchase necessary to enter).

315 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica. 2 to 4 p.m.

Also on Saturday, Happy LA   is having a third anniversary sale and trunk show featuring brand Paige Premium Denim, Christy’s of London and Bordeaux. Buy three items at the anniversary sale and receive 30% off.

542 1/1 Palisades Dr., Pacific Palisades. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Salon

On Sunday: Frederic Fekkai  wants you to have the red carpet experience if you’re attending the Emmys on Sunday or not. Book three signature services -- blow-out, polish change and makeup – for $75 ($170 value). Clients also get complimentary glasses of champagne.

8457 Melrose Place, Los Angeles. (323) 655-7800. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

Photo: A. Kinney Court interior. Courtesy of A. Kinney Court

Sample Sales

Society for Rational Dress, an L.A.-based contemporary collection, is having a one-day sample sale Saturday at its downtown atelier. Summer 2010 and last season fashions will be up to 75% off, encompassing $30 T-shirts and belts, $75 dresses and shoes and $80 leather skirts.

255 S. Santa Fe Avenue, #100, Los Angeles; (213) 613-0757; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sales

Friday beginning at 9 a.m., Gilt Groupe is hosting a special online preview sale on upcoming Target fall collabs with Mulberry, Tucker and John Derian. The Mulberry for Target handbags, including a quilted denim bag ($14.99), which doesn’t hit stores until October, will surely be hot seller. If you’re not a Gilt Groupe member, you can sign up here.

Seaton & Jill Roberts is having a final blowout Saturday featuring spring and last season fashions at up to 90% off, as it closes that location. Sale items range from $49 denim from makers J.Brand, Current/Elliott and Goldsign. Other already discounted -- from 40 to 70% -- fashions with have an additional 25% lopped off lines ranging from 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rag & Bone, Golden Goose boots, Seaton pom-pom tunics and more.

8920 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; (310) 550-1232; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also on Saturday and Sunday, Scout is having a weekend inventory-clearing sale taking 20% to 50% off all vintage plus 10% off new Vessels collection pieces.

1646 N. Cherokee Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 658-8684; Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Events

Fashion and food might not naturally go together but Saks believes so. On Saturday, Saks is having a Fashion & Food party at South Coast Plaza featuring a Kogi truck and informal fashion shows. The store also has a Guitar Hero station, live steel drum band, photo booth, live DJ plus champagne service.

3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; (714) 540-3233; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Saturday, take the kids to 1969 GapKids on Robertson Boulevard for the Garden Theater’s magical bug world along with puppet show featuring Sid Snail and Lucy Ladybug from the Mother Company. There will also be balloon art, toy theater and treats, plus 1969 jeans are buy one, get one for $10.

107 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

-- Max Padilla

Photo: Mulberry for Target denim quilted bag, $14.99. Courtesy: Target

Events

Gap 1969 Kids and the Mother Company are hosting a casting call for kids 3-8 for a new “Ruby’s Studio!” episode on Saturday, with treats, art activities and a sneak-peek screening. Gap 1969 jeans are on special: Buy one, get one for $10.

107 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

New York-based jewelry designer Michael Spirito is having a trunk show at the new Santa Monica Place Bloomingdales on Saturday and Sunday. Check out his pretty gothy handcrafted earrings made in the USA.

Bloomingdales, 315 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica. (310) 985-6400. Noon to 5 p.m.

Sales

Ongoing at Sunset Junction, Zachary’s Smile promises only in-season merchandise on sale -- no sweaters -- through Aug. 31. The ZS summer collection is 35% to 75% off, including the Wilhelmina ($48, regular price $128), Kiki ($118, regular price $158) and Maria dresses  ($128, regular price $168). Vintage is 25% off, including 1970s caftans ($43, regular price $58) and huarache sandals ($36, regular price $48). 

4014 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Sample sales

On Saturday and Sunday, the Avalon Beverly HIlls hosts a sample sale for Tucker, All for the Mountain, Two Gems and Panyc. Tucker by Gaby Basora is a contemporary women’s collection of blouses, dresses, jackets and knits. All for the Mountain and Two Gems feature handmade jewelry, while Panyc has leather bags.

9400 W. Olympic Blvd. Beverly Hills. Noon to 5 p.m.

Friday through Monday, the Runway Outlet is having a sale on brands Myne, Literature Noir, Leyendecker, Bouleem, Pi Organic and Daughter of the Revolution, with items for $25 or five for $100.

2395 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 522-6192. Noon to 7 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

Photo: Tiiu Kuik in the Zachary's Smile Wilhelmina dress. Credit: Zachary's Smile

First there was Alice + Olivia styling southern belles out of a renovated Airstream. Next came Cynthia Rowley, who refashioned an old shipping truck into a mobile boutique (pulling into Fashion Island this weekend!)

Now designers Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos of Shipley & Halmos are hitting the road — touring Barneys Co-op locations around the country in search of "the quintessential Shipley & Halmos customer" on a sojourn they're calling the Fill in the Blank Photo Tour.

In each city, the former SoCal boys (who co-founded Trovata before parting ways with current owner John Whitledge in 2007) will meet with customers and snap their pictures in a photo booth set up to capture a range of personalities that the designers hope will eventually comprise a complex portrait of their customer base.

The pair plan to publish a book of the photos, available this fall at — you guessed it — Barneys Co-op.

While they won't be riding in a renovated armored truck or a refurbished VW van (they will be jetting and driving to the various locales), the designers will definitely be packing in plenty of stops.

Beginning at the Barneys Co-op on Madison Avenue in New York on Thursday, Shipley and Halmos will journey to Boston; Chevy Chase, Md.; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Austin, Texas; Houston; Dallas; Beverly Hills (Aug. 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.); Santa Monica (Aug. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.); Costa Mesa (Aug. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.); San Diego; and, finally, Seattle on Aug. 26.

While on the road, the dapper duo will keep an online diary of their travels through their Facebook and Twitter pages.

-- Emili Vesilind

Photo: Jeff Halmos, left, and Sam Shipley of Shipley & Halmos. Credit: Shipley & Halmos