Lauren Conrad makes her Mark
Lauren Conrad made her debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox backstage with her new fall collection with bold Parisian statements by Mark. The inspiration for LC’s eponymous collection was the femme fatale, inspired by 40s icons from the streets of Paris. Using Mark’s newest beauty collection the look was sultry eyes, gold bronze colors, heavy black liner, full lashes and intense garnet lips.

“We wanted to create a classic, beautiful look to keep with the Parisian theme,” says Amy Nadie, lead makeup artist, mark cosmetics, “Lauren knew she wanted sultry eyes, slightly winged on the corner.”

WHAT: Bliss will soon debut a body butter, scrub and shower gel in a brand new fragrance – and we want your two ‘scents’!

WHEN: Voting will take place from March 14th – March 16th, and the winner will be announced in April. So do your beauty duty and vote – you could help your favorite scent win by a nose.

WHERE: To get a whiff of the three captivating candidates, visit a voting ‘scent-er’ at a Bliss Spa, select Sephora stores, or W hotel near you (or cast your ballot online at www.blisswinbyanose.com).

WHY: Because your nose knows best!

Chinatown’s New High (M)art has begun their retail revolution. A series of designer pop-up stores, each lasting 6-weeks long, has taken over this 300 square foot storefront. Grey Ant, the initiator of the current high-waist movement whose Spring/Summer 2008 Collection preview was heralded at the recent L.A. and N.Y. fashion weeks, is now taking its turn in this state-of-the-art retail game of peek-a-boo.

Grey Ant, founded by fashion-insurgent Grant Krajecki, has commandeered the pop-up store and filled it with a sensational selection of signature looks including runway-pieces, denim, original sunglasses, surprise collaborations, archived-early-ons, and never-before-seen creations designed specifically for this opportunity.

Grey Ant’s bold reputation stems from Krajecki’s long-cultivated and unique approach to design and runway. Retail lovers will be enamored with Grey Ant’s state-of-the-art collections, replete with unparalleled shapes, revolutionary graphics and fearless directions.

Grey Ant Pop-Up Store
www.greyant.com
Chinatown
New High (M)art
741 New High Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.newhighmart.com

December 15, 2007 – January 31,2008; Open daily (12 - 6:00 p.m., later by appointment)

What happens when you mix a legendary community with the world’s largest fragrance house? You get an event for the beauty books - Fashion Fragrance Premiere. On Saturday, October 13, 2007, Sniffapalooza, Ron Robinson of the Los Angeles beauty haven Apothia, and the fragrance house Givaudan, will be hosting an educational event on latest fragrance trends and the creation process, in honor of LA Fashion Week. Usually available to only exclusive industry insiders, this unique chance is one not to be missed.

The multi-sensory day begins with a continental breakfast at 8:30am at Mauro’s Café, at Fred Segal Melrose. A presentation follows, and then from 10:00am to noon guests have the unique opportunity to meet presenters and representatives of famous product lines available at Apothia - along with fashion press and industry professionals. Learn all about the process that goes into fashion trend researching and the production of fragrances. Sample five new handmade blends from a Givaudan perfumer, designed to match five upcoming trends. These fragrance previews will be available only at this special event.

Go ahead – take note now. And bonus: raffles, commemorative Fashion Fragrance Premiere t-shirt and Apothia gift bags. This amazing event is being offered to Sniffapalooza members first, but once members have a chance to register http://www.ronrobinsoninc.com/apothia/givaudan/, it will open up to everyone. So, rally your friends and prepare your olfactory senses for a special Saturday.

Kpr Inc., a fashion and lifestyle PR firm, has recently made their mark on LA’s bustling fashion block. On the corner of West 3rd Street and Crescent Heights, it’s hard to miss the striking deep coral door. It’s equally hard to resist stopping in and checking out the fabulous goods stocked in their first floor showroom. The harsh reality is that these doors are usually only open to fashion editors and celebrity stylists. But fear not, because for two days this month all are welcome to visit the first ever kpr client sample sale.

What:Just Johnson’s hottest shorts, jumpers, and dresses (www.johnsonclothing.com)
Modern Adornment sophisticated chic jewelry (www.modernadornment.com)
Twenty Two Shoes, fine Italian leather for your foot fetish (www.twentytwoshoes.com)
Everything is on sale from 50% to 50% off wholesale!!

When: Friday, July 13th, 10am-6pm
Saturday, July 14th, 12-6pm

Where: kpr, 8053 W 3rd St, between Laurel Ave and Crescent Heights Blvd.

Come join Dr. Babak Azizzadeh for cocktails Thursday, July 12th from 6-8 pm and learn about Medical Missions for Children - the charity he oversees as west coast director – at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery on La Brea.

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, the renowned plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, is recognized for his advancements in facial rejuvenation techniques. He is also one of the most skilled surgeons in the country in facial paralysis and nerve reconstruction. Dr. Azizzadeh demonstrates the same dedication to the charity Medical Missions for Children as he does his patients.

Medical Missions for Children (MMFC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality surgical and dental services to poor and underprivileged children and young adults in various countries throughout the world. They also strive to facilitate the transfer of education, knowledge and recent innovations to the local medical communities.

When: Thursday, July 12th, 6-8 pm

Where: Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Contact: Stephanie Puleio, 323.933.6800 x5

This seminar will answer the questions:
*What are the publishers looking for?
*How should I prepare my manuscript?
*How do I find the right agent?
*What should I expect of the process?
*How does someone like myself become an author?

A copy of a successful book proposal and refreshments are included in the price:
$25

Tuesday, July 24
7-9 pm
Goddess Temple of Orange County
17905 Sky Park Circle, Suite A, Irvine, CA
1-877-N-TEMPLE or contact Denise at (310) 371-0274

Who says women should sacrifice fashion for safety? No one in this town. Countless celebrities are lending their artistic talents by creating unique designs for Pepperspray’s Palm Defender - the palm sized pepper spray serving to protect and still cater to those with style.

Throughout the month, Pepperspray is continuing their annual celebrity charity auction, benefiting the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence. The Pepperface Palm Defender is perfectly purse-sized and stylish enough for the most discriminating women. Decorated with Swarovski crystals, who could resist carrying one?

Tori Spelling has custom designed her Pepperspray device, which will go on eBay auction from June 11 through June 21. Spelling used baby blue crystals to represent her own caring and loving nature, as she joins numerous other celebrities working to bring attention to sexual crimes. Women can protect themselves against violent crimes everyday by being aware. And, with fashionably decorated devices like Pepperface’s Palm Defenders, we can all be fashionably armed as well!

Saturday, June 2, from 7 to 9 pm, art enthusiasts have the opportunity to view and enjoy the company of Los Angeles-based artist, Jeff Gambill and his extraordinary unique works. Gambill’s exhibit “…and out of the corner of my eye…” will be running until June 30, 2007, with the inaugural exhibition being celebrated on June 2, showcasing over 15 new oil paintings on canvas.

Take note though; this isn’t your average run-of-the-mill art exhibit. Just as the title hints, Gambill approached his paintings with the idea of depicting the intangible and the peripheral; what is not seen straight on. Fading memories and images seen in reflections are portrayed with Gambill’s unique painting style, which utilizes techniques such as pouring, drawing, glazing, printing and even the child-like innocence and freedom of finger-painting.

Gambill’s work defies logic and traditional outlook, but their attraction is strong, representing the fertile and naturalness between what is abstract and what is true representation. Each work is unique, but there is no doubt to any viewer that all his pieces are linked together, just continuing to demonstrate his consistency with expression and creativity. It’s not a show to be missed!

Sam Lee Gallery
990 N. Hill St. #190, Los Angeles, CA 90012
323-227-0275
www.samleegallery.com

With Mothers’ Day safely over, you can finally get back to buying jewelry for yourself without feeling guilty. And what better way to kick-start your summer bling collection than with a trip to Page Sargisson’s trunk show this Saturday at Fred Segal? Held at the Bettina Duncan boutique, you will get a chance to meet the premiere NYC-based designer herself, who will guide you through purchasing her timelessly ornate necklaces.

The breezy elegance of these handcrafted pieces is enough to inspire artistic reveries in any fashionista; the pure delicacy of wearing them will be well worth the sacrifice of an afternoon (as if you were really going to go to the gym!). Not only do you get an exclusive preview of the new spring collection, but you will also have the chance to purchase Page’s popular, vintage, mother-of-pearl, casino chip (no, really!) necklaces. Come on ladies, go all in!

What: Page Sargisson jewelry trunk show
When: Saturday, May 19th - 12pm-5pm
Where: The Bettina Duncan boutique at Fred Segal