"I Am the Walrus 2012"? As John R. Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations, mulls a run for the White House in 2012, are we ready to elect our first mustache-in-chief since Taft? [WSJ]

"Lagerfeld Land" Here in Southern California we have a shopping center called Fashion Island, but it looks as if Karl Lagerfeld is working on the real deal, designing his own manmade island about 12 miles off the coast of Dubai, set to be completed by 2014. We hope the passport stamp looks like the Chanel logo. [Vogue.com UK]

"Top-Notch Topnotes" On Tuesday, the city of Beverly Hills unveiled a licensed trio of fragrances bearing its name and distinctive shield logo. [All The Rage] That follows on the heels of a deal announced earlier this summer for BH-branded skincare products. [All The Rage]

"Retail Ramp-up" Our colleague Andrea Chang reports in Wednesday's L.A. Times Business section that retailers are "agressively ramping up their seasonal hiring plans." Which means it could be a Merry Christmas after all. [LAT]

-- Adam Tschorn

Photo (left): John R. Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations, in 2006. Credit: Haraz N. Ghanbari / Associated Press

Photo (right): Karl Lagerfeld at a recent party in Paris. Credit: Laurent Cipriani / Associated Press

The posh strip of Rodeo Drive retail shops from Little Santa Monica to Wilshire Boulevard was alive with people who flocked to the Beverly Hills hot spot for everything from gourmet food trucks to discounts on fashion and even a "free" ferris wheel ride Friday night.

A motley mix of patrons circled boutiques, popping in for the champagne and desserts and many actually browsing and buying. There were school-age kids with their parents at Bebe, Guess and Juicy Couture, the latter of which offered 30 percent off on purchases. DJs, drinks and stilettos at YSL and Jimmy Choo attracted well-dressed women who mingled with friends and tried on fall's latest shoes.

Celine Liu and Una Wu were visiting from Taiwan and still managed to find out about the night's festivites. They each puchased jewelry and clothes from Juicy Couture, taking advantage of the night's discount.

Jourdan Rashing, 12, strolled with her mother toward the Guess store after stopping for sustenance at the grilled cheese food truck that was serving a special "fashion" sandwich containing spare ribs, cheese and caramelized onions. When asked if she had taken a ride on the ferris wheel, she replied "no, not yet. You have to buy something and show your receipt, then you can ride it," she said. 

For those who simply wanted a festive Friday night out, live music, balloons and giveaways were everywhere. And of course it wouldn't be Beverly Hills without an ample amount of eye candy-- All the Rage saw six women dressed to look like the Kardashian sister (asymetrical-sleeve cocktail dresses and cascading brown hair extensions) standing in front of Bebe.

--Melissa Magsaysay

Fashion's Night Out: Rodeo Drive photo gallery

Photo: Shoppers stroll past the first-ever ferris wheel on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills during Fashion's Night Out September 10, 2010. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times.

The streets of Beverly Hills may not be paved in precious metals, but for at least one night they will be lined with a mother lode of gustatory gold, when the Los Angeles area's famed food trucks park along Rodeo Drive en masse for that city's Fashion's Night Out event on Sept. 10.

Among the expected purveyors of wheel food from 6 to 10 p.m. that night are the Border Grill Truck (tacos, quesadillas, ceviche and the like), Frysmith (hand-cut, high-end French fries topped with things like kimchi and Kurobuta pork belly), the Gastrobus, SprinklesMobile (cupcakes carted around in a Mercedes van kitted out by West Coast Customs) and the Grilled Cheese Truck (gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches).  There's even a charitable "Cart for a Cause" that will, appropriately enough, raise money for Meals on Wheels, by vending vittles created by some of the city's top chefs.

But our favorite has got to be the ice cream sandwich truck -- partly because earlier this summer we discovered the two-fisted portable desserts from this vehicle: slabs of ice cream sandwiched between cookies and swaddled in an edible wrapper (which is a good thing since we launched into our chocolate chip cookie and brown butter with candied bacon concoction with such zeal, half the paper was gone before we'd even read that the paper was edible).

But it's also partly because the architecturally themed food truck -- called Coolhaus -- is setting up near the Prada store at 343 N. Rodeo Drive that was designed by famed Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

We don't think there's been a good fashion-food truck punning in ages -- at least since the last Fashion's Night Out.

That's when we found Band of Outsiders selling its neckwear from a Thai/tie truck outside Opening Ceremony in New York City.

-- Adam Tschorn

More All The Rage coverage of Fashion's Night Out

Photo: A 2009 file photo of the Coolhaus ice cream sandwich truck, one of the handful of gourmet food trucks trekking to Rodeo Drive for Fashion's Night Out. Credit: Stefano Paltera / For The Times.

We've got some more details on the City of Los Angeles' plans for Fashion's Night Out, the global shoppingfest that's now barely a month on the horizon, including the first look at a charity T-shirt, designed by Marc Blaskovits, a student in the graphic design program at L.A.'s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

The front of the shirt is a black and white rendering of the familiar downtown Los Angeles skyline (It looks like it could be based on the view from the Dodger Stadium parking lot.) with the overlay of a gray palm tree shadow design that carries over to the back of the tee. At first glance the skyline motif reminds us of last year's FNO New York T-shirt -- designed by Alexander Wang and others -- but the sideways palms are a pure L.A. touch that elevates the visual of a gritty cityscape to something more akin to an urban oasis. Price and availability have yet to be announced but they're expected to be in the affordable (read $15 to $20) range, with all proceeds to benefit the California Fashion Foundation, which will fund scholarships for fashion students.

As for the Sept. 10 event itself, the mayor's office has taken charge of all the details, and it's  informed us that more than 200 retailers signed on by the deadline. The full rundown will be posted at an official FNO Los Angeles website that will launch later this month at www.fno.lacity.org. (It's currently scheduled to go live on Aug. 20.) In addition to a videotaped message from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the site is expected to serve up daily updates, schedules and a printable map.

As we announced a few weeks ago, the hub for the event will be the Beverly Center, where there will be red carpet arrivals at 4 p.m., followed by remarks from the mayor at 5. There will be a series of happenings at the mall, including "Denim Rocks," a fashion show sponsored by Macy's, featuring L.A. denim designers. The Beverly Center will have its own fashion show at Center Court at 8 p.m.

Six other fashion-focused communities across the city will also be hosting special sales and in-store parties from 6  to 10 p.m.: Melrose Avenue (Fairfax to La Cienega); Robertson Boulevard (3rd Street to Alden Drive); West 3rd Street (Fairfax to La Cienega); Abbot Kinney in Venice; Los Feliz (Sunset to Los Feliz, Vermont to Hillhurst), and downtown at the Cooper Design Building.

We've also been privy to details of the post-purchase part of the night. The official Fashion’s Night Out Los Angeles "post-retail  fashion celebration" (which sounds much classier than a simple "after party," no?)   will be held at SBE’s new club Industry from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., with a fashion presentation showcasing some of L.A.’s best fashion talent (Kevan Hall and Louis Verdad are among those who've already signed on). But there's one hitch: You have to spend to attend. The event will be open only to shoppers who have a minimum $25 worth of receipts from participating FNOLA retailers.

"It's all about driving sales to the retailers," says Cynthia Ruiz, president of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, who also serves as the city's de facto "fashion ambassador". Ruiz said L.A.'s involvement with FNO fits with the city's wider emphasis on supporting local businesses.

And L.A. isn't alone in offering incentives -- over in Beverly Hills, shoppers with the appropriate receipts will be rewarded with a spin on the Ferris wheel set up in the 200 block of North Rodeo Drive, and down at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, purchases from a participating FNO retailer (plans include a series of  in-store events and promotions that run from 5  to 9 p.m.) will receive a Fashion Island custom tote.

In other FNOLA news, we have it on good authority that William Rast founders Trace Ayala and Justin Timberlake will be making the rounds -- first in the shoe department of the Nordstrom at the newly revamped Santa Monica Place to preview (and take pre-orders for) the new William Rast shoe line that debuts in October before decamping to their store at Westfield Century City for an in-store event.

-- Adam Tschorn and Booth Moore

More All The Rage coverage of Fashion's Night Out

Rodeo Drive spins the Ferris wheel for Fashion's Night Out

Fashion's Night Out gets its own prime-time CBS special

Photo: L.A.'s official Fashion's Night Out T-shirt was designed by Marc Blaskovits, a student in FIDM's graphic design program under the art direction of the school's director of graphic design, Steve Reaves. Proceeds from the sale of the shirt will go the California Fashion Foundation's scholarship program to fund fashion education in Los Angeles.

In a bid to establish Rodeo Drive as the West Coast hub of the global one-night shopping spree known as Fashion's Night Out (FNO), organizers are re-inventing the wheel -- the Ferris wheel.

We've just learned that a replica of the George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. invention (which made its debut at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893) will be erected on the 200 block of North Rodeo Drive for the Sept. 10 event, and used to entice shoppers into opening their wallets.

Apparently, all you'll need to do is show a receipt proving that you've made a purchase at a Rodeo Drive merchant that evening, and you (and a friend) will be whisked up into the sky on the carnival contraption.

The Rodeo Drive Committee tells us nearly 50 of the street's luxury retailers are on board for the fashion-focused fete, including Chanel, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Valentino, and that in addition to the spinning wheel, the evening's festivities will include extended shopping hours, cocktail parties and other assorted in-store events.

And if organizers decide to round out the evening's carnival atmosphere by sending in some well-dressed clowns, we  think we know just the place to find them.

-- Adam Tschorn

Fashion's Night Out gets its own prime-time CBS special

More All The Rage coverage of Fashion's Night Out

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Photo: A May 1893 file photo of the original Ferris wheel unveiled during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. A modern version, erected on the 200 block of North Rodeo Drive, will be the centerpiece of that street's efforts to attract shoppers during the sophomore outing of the global Fashion's Night Out retail spree. Credit: Associated Press
 
 

On Thursday, Guy Bedarida, John Hardy's fine-jewelry designer, unveils his fall 2010 collection at Saks Fifth Avenue. Inspired by his travels and the island of Bali, the collection features shells, coral and smoked bamboo. Prices start at $1,250. Bedarida will also autograph purchased pieces.

Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 275-4211. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

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Today, trim those tresses for a good cause: Cristophe Salon, whose stylists do the hair of Heidi Klum, Pink, Ke$ha and others, hosts a fundraiser for “Mad Men” actor Edin Gali’s (Kurt) cousin Alma Hadzic, who's in need of funds for heart transplant surgery.

Book an appointment by 4 p.m. today for this evening from 6 to 9 p.m., and get a haircut for 50% off (making the styles range from $60 to $250, if you want one done by Cristophe himself) with all proceeds going to Hadzic, a 17-year-old Bosnian whose family is scrambling to raise funds for the life-saving surgery.

There will also be a complimentary Hearthrob Hair Bar, giving temporary highlights and extensions, plus a silent auction and cocktail party. RSVP to dweaver@pistolandstamen.com.

348 North Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills.  (310) 274-0851. 6 to 9 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

Photo Alma Hadzic. Courtesy Pistol and Stamen

There is never a shortage of celebrities at Mr. Chow on a Saturday night and this last weekend Zac Posen made sure of it by bringing his friends and fans, including Rachel Bilson, Amber Valetta, Emma Roberts and John Legend, to the Beverly Hills eatery to celebrate the launch of his new Z Spoke line. 

“This is not a diffusion line or the ‘look for less’” said Posen, in between greeting the gaggle of socialites who would accost him every five seconds. Eva Chow and Vera Wang were the most exuberant, plowing through yours truly to get to the designer in what felt like a tipsy game of Red Rover. “The collection has its own identity along the lines of a Miu Miu. It’s for the gallerina, the hipster growing up and going to work. It’s for her, her mother and her grandmother,” he said. Classic American sportswear is a term that kept coming up too -- all words one would use when you wanna sell, sell, sell. And with a starting price point of $78, this line will bring the designer into a much more accessible market than his red carpet creations.

The night’s celebrities all modeled looks from Z Spoke. Emma Roberts, for example, was in a fitted black skirt, a red corset belt and a white blouse and Rachel Bilson sported a green-and-black-printed dress that she wore over her own black leather pants. “It’s nice to have all of the price options and something you can actually buy,” Bilson said. Thrifty Zac fans will have more to look forward to when he rolls out accessories for Z Spoke in fall 2010.

Today, Missoni's new flagship boutique is ready for its L.A. premiere.

Step into the white storefront accented with woven slats on Rodeo Drive and enter a modern galleria with skylight featuring kiosk-like displays on each side. On the left, you see scarves, sunglasses, men's ties and jewelry. On the right, women's and men's fashions tempt from the sidelines.

An outsize illuminated fluorescent lightbox in the rear of the store beckons toward the Missoni home collection, geared toward Southern California living, with resort chairs, pillows and dinnerware.

The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills is offering a service to guests who want to be photographed looking just like Audrey Hepburn, Clark Gable or Greta Garbo.

Hair, makeup, styling and, of course, that soft focus lighting are provided during the hourlong shoot. Photographer Roger G. James sets up subjects in a room, complete with props.

The in-room portrait sitting, plus two 11x14 black-and-white portraits selected by the guest, are $950. Rooms start at $555, which means you better have a Hollywood star’s budget if you’re planning to pose for these pictures.

--Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Guests done up as the actresses of Old Hollywood Credit: Roger G. James

Pretty, Organized at Saks Through Monday: Beauty on One experts invite you to bring your cosmetic bag, and they'll advise on what to keep or toss and suggest new products to buy. Take home a new three-compartment cosmetic bag with a $50 purchase.

9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 275-4211. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

www.saksfifthavenue.com

Agapi Stassinopoulos: An Evening With the Goddesses Tonight: Ports 1961 hosts Arianna Huffington's sister Agapi Stassinopoulos, who will present a workshop touted to awaken your beauty, love and true identity. Stassinopoulos is the author of "Conversations With the Goddesses" and "Gods and Goddesses in Love." The participation fee is $60, and the evening will include access to a 75%-off sale of Ports 1961's current season collection. Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be served. RSVP to (323) 951-9696.

8483 Melrose Place, West Hollywood. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

-- Max Padilla

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