From Rooms to the Runway

American interior designer Kelly Wearstler wowed the world of luxury living with her unique aesthetic taste. Having a passion for art and design, it was only a matter of time before she segued into the world of fashion. However, this designer is no stranger to the industry — she was named one of Vogue’s Best Dressed back in 2007. Now, four years later, she translates her talent from rooms to the runway. Kelly has made her debut as a fashion designer with her fall 2011 ready-to-wear and accessories collections.

She often explains in her blog that her inspiration for design stems from the materials she works with, which is especially visible in her jewelry collection. Whether she uses brass, pyrite, lapis, or quartz, she maintains a clear grasp of the elements. Her finished products are a result of playful yet thoughtful experimentation. She's a master at constructing organic pieces that are unexpectedly glamorous — they're wearable equivalents of sculptures you'd find in a gallery.

One of Kelly's most admirable traits as a designer is the relationship that she has with her work. Her passion shines in every piece she creates. By way of design, she encourages us to seek out inspiration and find beauty in raw materials, and she reminds us that jewelry is, in fact, art.

The Kelly Wearstler flagship boutique opens in L.A. this fall. But, for all of you East Coasters, her collections are always available at the official Kelly Wearstler site, or just visit Bergdorf Goodman or Neiman Marcus.


Text Jennifer Bernard
Image and Source Kelly Wearstler

Not Your Average Flea Market

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For those who don't know any Morse Code (yeah, me neither): Hello Los Angeles!

Anyone in the L.A. area who enjoys chasing their Sunday brunch with a healthy dose of retail therapy should know that Space 15 Twenty is having their monthly flea market today. Space 15 Twenty is a huge retail space which normally offers wares from such stores as Urban Outfitters, Free People and What Goes Around Comes Around, as well as delicious eats from Umami Burger. The flea market will be a sweet combination of vintage clothes and accessories, live music, and art shown off in their gallery space. If you're on the West Coast, get your stylish self down to 1520 N Cahuenga Blvd from 11 a.m. to 4. Check out more on their website here.

Text Molly O'Brien

A Standing Ovation for Jackie Christie

Designer, Jackie, Christie, debuted her first line during the closing celebrations of Los Angeles Fashion Week last Friday night.

To say the show was a hit is a bit of an understatement. We all know how hard fashion critics are to please but Christie won them over by bringing classic lines and sex appeal to the catwalk.

"I have never felt so elated and so honored to show my line," stated Christie. "The audience reaction sent chills up my spine and I couldn't believe how many approached me for orders right after the show. With proceeds benefiting the Infinite Love Foundation for student scholarships, I can't thank Los Angeles enough for the warm reception."

Christie is one of the few new designers to experience a standing ovation following their show. Chrisite embraced the idea of everyday women. Her clothes represent designs for every woman from tall to short and slender to shapely. Her show sent a position message to women everywhere, allowing them to feel comfortable in their own skin.

- Erin Jones

NorCal or SoCal, the Battle Rages On!

So the ever-long battle rages on between SoCal's City of Angels and NorCal's wine-soaked The Bay Area. This time, it's for the rights to CHAOS. Yes, you read right. Both cities are vying for this magazines attention, but only one will have full custody.

CHAOS is a bi-coastal magazine, having a headquarters in NYC (where else?) and one on our side of the states, in California. The question remains as to where to set up shop. LA is an entertainment city with lots of access to photographers, models, and stylists. It would be a great opportunity to really expand the magazine and make some new discoveries. However, SF is home to most of the staff (well, some...OK! Just me and Reese) so it's hard to leave our hipster ways and settle for LA's way of life. Plus, SF boasts it's fair share of modelites, photographers, and stylists. It would be nice to have a fashion magazine based here, to really give the city a leg-up in the industry. And the weather 'aint half bad either!

So what do you think? Time is a-tickin' and we need to make a decision! Would you prefer us to stay true to our home and keep bringing you indie fashion news from a Golden Gate perspective? Or should we branch out to the big leagues and try our hand at fake tanning and blonde weaves? Leave your thoughts in comment form.

Lazy Afternoon? Leave it to the Pros

After the Oscars, it always feels as if Hollywood is just biding it's time until summer for some decent movies to hit theaters. (Madea Goes to Jail has been at the top of the box office for a past several weeks. I rest my case.) Well, forget new movies, what about old ones? In major cities around the country, theaters are revitalizing classic films that haven't seen theaters in several decades. So no worries--you won't have to spend your afternoon debating whether to see Jonas Brothers 3D out of pure boredome or resort to enduring Julie Roberts flashing her teeth at Clive Owen. You can have a chic, retro afternoon almost any weekday or weekend. Here are just a few films that will be out over the next week (check local listings).
New York: Leave Her to Heaven (1946); Gene Tierney, Vincent Price; Film Forum Ellen Berent has a tragic flaw--she loves too much. As her nerosis begins to unravel her marriage, and all the men she's ever loved, the film probes the merits of life and death. Martin Scorsese calls it "a film noir in color."
Los Angeles: Rear Window (1954); Grace Kelly, James Stewart; ArcLight Cinemas Laid up with a bad leg, L.B. Jefferies resort to spying on his neighbors until one day he witnesses something he wishes he hadn't seen. One of Alfred Hitcocks' most famous and frightening films.
Chicago: Portrait of Jenny (1948); Joseph Cotton, Jennifer Jones; Normal Theater A struggling artist encounters a mysterious girl in a New York park on a foggy evening. You can imagine what ensues.