Jean Shin, Francisco Costa, and Italo Zucchelli

Hier Soir (last night), art was in the air in Los Angeles … finally !! This month has been deemed L.A. Arts month, with the night starting off at the Pacific Design Center for the Art Los Angeles exhibit, followed by the chicest of events (put on by Nadine Johnson and associates), Calvin Klein and the Los Angeles Nomadic Division’s (LAND) cocktail event for Calvin Klein Collection for Spring Summer 2010 and L.A. art month.

THIS WAS CALVIN KLEIN’S FIRST EVENT IN LA EVER !! Wtf took so long, he has events in NYC all the time… lol. I will forgive everyone at CK, just because this event was one worth waiting for!

People say location location location, right? Well, this event was on the fabulous Melrose, next door to the Balenciaga store, and across the street from the Pacific Design Center: Gold star!

Incase you didn’t know, Francisco Costa is the creative director of Calvin Klein and Italo Zucchelli is the menswear design director.

The very cool art installations were done by Jean Shin, Jennifer West, and Neville Wakefield.

The focal point of entrance was perfect, why you ask? Pieces of fabric in the same colors as the clothing from the Spring collection were cut out in funky origami shapes and hung from various points in the ceiling. This collection was very plain and simple (they brought the more interesting pieces of the collection to the event), so I really enjoyed how they added these cutouts from the ceiling over the dresses that were standing from the floor; it made the spring outfits pop out a lot.

Calvin Klein Collection hung from the ceiling, actress Melissa George and Nicky Hilton stroll through the hanging clothes.

I’m now going to take you on a tour of the grounds of the event:

This was the right side of the large and long room that was behind the entrance.

Mickey Church

Once you walked all the way to the back, there was a stair case leading you up to the second floor. The second floor was composed of this room, which had very interesting videos playing, followed by a sitting area with a lookout of the first floor, and lastly, there was a room in which the lights changed color and menswear hung from the ceiling.

Caroline started to take pictures of the menswear and all of the sudden the room turned dark in the middle of her picture…very unexpected and was comical for us. Thru the tunnel of Calvin Klein Collection for men to the roof!

Caroline loved how there were trash buckets filled with Veuve Clicquot.

That concludes our tour of the grounds!

Guests left with sleek CK gift bags with Calvin Klein perfume and cologne.

Lauren and Caroline at the Calvin Klein event

GUEST LIST: The eclectic guest list included: Dasha Zhukova (editor of Pop Magazine, art collector and girlfriend and baby mama of Roman Abromovich) came with her pal Olympia Scarry (artist, London socialite and granddaughter of children’s book writer Richard Scarry), both wore white dresses and black shoes, Olympia’s shoes are Givenchy from Spring 2010. Australian artist P.C. Valmorbida and Stavros Niachros were also in attendance with Dash and Olympia. Actress Clemence Posey (LOVE HER), Elle Magazine’s Joe Zee, Twilight’s Twilight’s Kellan Lutz and Peter Facinelli (Kellan in the new “Mark Walberg” of Calvin Klein – look for his bare chested billboards soon!!), L.A, designer Jasmin Shokrian, Socialite China Chow, New York converts Adrian Muzinich and Will Koppleman, Tallulah Harlech, daughter of Chanel muse Amanda Harlech, Kate Bosworth with her stylist (my former boss) Cher Coulter (no Alex Skarsgaard in sight), actress Ali Larter with husband Hayes MacArthur, Prism gallery owner and LA native Jared Najjar, designer Santino Rice, actor/ musician Jared Leto, Ryan Kwanten and Sam Trammell from True Blood (ahhh Jason Stackhouse!), Lady Victoria Hervey, Brittany Gastineau with a flock of very gorgeous guys, stylist George Kotsiopolous, actress Ginnifer Goodwin, actress Milla Jovovich (L.A. native!) with husband Paul W.S. Anderson (LA native), actress Penelope Cruz, LA friends Mickey Church and Charlie Eisner, actor Eric balfour, actress Melissa George, actress Monet Mazur (L.A. native!), Teen Vogue West coast editor Lisa Love, Style.com writer Derek Blasberg, stylist Jessica Paster with publicist Cade Hudson, actress Maggie Grace, Photographer Mark Hunter aka the Cobrasnake, Marc Edouard Leon, Designer Magda Berliner with husband photographer Alex Berliner, Molly Sims, LACMA board member Chris Hopkins, realtor Jay Luchs, Saweda Kamara Bullock, Elliot Hans and Kaya B of Literature Noir clothing, Maverick Records’ Guy O’seary, British ex-pat Nellee Hooper, model Coco Rocha (in town to cover the Grammy’s for MTV Canada), actor Ryan Phillippe with girlfriend Abbie Cornish in Calvin Klein Collection from Spring 2010, actor Matt Boomer from White Collar, socialite Brooke Davenpoort … and many more!

invite to the partyyy

Penélope Cruz in new calvin klein collectionat the party

Milla Jovovich in new calvin klein collection at the party

ginnifer goodwin in new calvin klein collection at the party

Ali Larter in new calvin klein collection at the party

abbie cornish in new calvin klein collection at the party

Kate Bosworth in new calvin klein collection at the party

molly sims in new calvin klein collection at the party

Lauren and Caroline at the CK event

Photos from Daily Truffle, Mark Hunter, Style.com and Wireiamge, Collage by Moi

Elliot Hans Johnson, L.A. native and designer of Literature Noir, with wife Kaya leaving Maestro's in Beverly Hills - Alexander 'Silver Fox' Davis

Elliot Hans Johnson

 
Occupation: Owner of Literature Noir
Birth Place: Turlock, CA, grew up in Los Angeles
Living in: West Hollywood
High school: West Mark, Los Angeles
Favorite accessory: Gloves
Fashion influences: Film noir

Q: What are you currently most excited about for fall/winter?
A: Camel colored wool pea coat by Doir Homme with black leather driving gloves

Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: Nov 27 09, Doir Homme, for MOCA 30th anniversary party

Q: Favorite designers?
A: Hedi Slimane (old designer for Doir Homme)

Q: Favorite store in the world?
A: Church

Q: Favorite magazine?
A: French vogue

Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: MOCA 30th anniversary party

Q: Worst fashion trend right now?
A: Ed Hardy

Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: Leather driving gloves from Causse in Paris, same place Karl Lagerfeld gets his gloves custom made.

Editor’s note: Elliot is my cousin by marriage. His father’s sister is married to my dad. But that is not how I know him. I met him through several different avenues before realizing the relation and now I am excited to be able to call him my cousin. Elliot’s world is like a photo shoot, every time I see him I get sooo excited because he always has so much cool stuff. Recently he had his birthday at a REAL castle, and he had a magician! I was over at his house recently and I also saw his latter on wheels he built from mahogany for his library. His house, thanks to his equally amazing wife, has one room they call the orange room that must have at least 400 Hermes boxes in it – in every shape and size!! Their pool out back has a smoke machine next to it to make it look like we are in a snowy palace in Gstaad and there is steam rising from the pool! Most importantly!, his bathroom floors are crocodile! Yah! He is MY cousin and You Cant Have Him!

Darren Romanelli, Dr Romanelli aka DRx

Darren Romanelli
Occupation: Dr Romanelli aka DRx
Birth Place: San Francisco, CA, grew up in LA
Living in: Beachwood Cyn
High school: Brentwood and Montclair Prep
Favorite accessory: IWC Portuguese
Fashion influences: Vintage Americana
Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: My wedding …Prada

Q: Favorite designers?
A: Junya Watanabe : Comme Des Garcons

Q: Favorite magazine?
A: Free and Easy : Japan

Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: Dodgers World Series Victory 1988

Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: Visvim boots

Editor’s Note: I grew up in Los Angeles with the great Dr. Romanelli, who first made waves when he rehab-ed the Looney Tune’s characters. Darren makes incredibly thoughtful new designs for old brands. You can see his latest invention for Fraggle Rock right now; we will have a full report from his launch party this Wednesday at Kitson. Stay tuned …

Duncan Quinn

Duncan Quinn
Occupation: Recovering attorney/ Owner of Duncan Quinn boutiques in NY, LA, Dallas, Miami and Chicago soon…
Birth Place: London
Living in: London & West Hollywood
Favorite accessory: Ducati
Fashion influences: Life, the universe and everything. Right now: Get Carter, Mona Lisa, Long Good Friday, Gangster No.1 and Eastern Promises.

Q: What are you currently most excited about for fall/winter?
A: Our new gangster tattoo ties…they are an amazing combination of elegance and edginess.

Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: Every day

Q: Favorite designers?
A: Leonardo da Vinci, Mother nature
Q: Favorite magazine?
A: The Economist

Q: Favorite store in the world?
A: Our new 6,000sf pop-up experience in Miami’s Design District

Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: Henry Hargreaves exploding a bottle of champagne all over Lucien Etori in a £5,000 bespoke suit the first time they ever met face to face at the afterparty to our LA opening on the terrace of the penthouse at Chateau. The containment of rage and the look on Lucien’s face was quite incredible.

Q: Worst fashion trend right now?
A: the Pee-wee Herman suit

Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: A belt hand made for me as I watched and discussed by an Italian artisan named Roberto in the south of France. All he does all day every day is cut and hand make belts.

New gangster ties from Duncan Quinn

Editor’s note: I met Duncan through my darling friend Tracy Bjelland while he was opening up the new location of his L.A. store on 3rd street. I was sooo taken by his Duccatis sitting inside the store, and the cool helmets for sale along side the bespoke suits and gangster ties. I was just sold! I wanted to bring my brother to the store right then and there and dress him up in everything! I was so excited to have such a habadasherie on little 3rd street right here in L.A. It reminded me of the Duncan Hill house in London or The Shave in Beverly Hills and I thought to myself – some people just make life so much better to live. Duncan also has an amazing blog I pull from sometimes that is truly luxury at it’s most knowledgeable. He also started a mini Gumball Rally with his friends in New York with amazing cars. What I would give to be a guy in this group of friends!!

Maxime Jacquet

Maxime Jacquet

Occupation: Interior designer for celebrity home and store, just started personnal ligne of clothes, design for parties, personal shopper

Matt Donnelly

Matt Donnelly

Occupation: Writer, The Los Angeles Times
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pa.
Living in: Bronson Canyon, Hollywood
High school: Strict and catholic but the ties were good

Favorite accessory: Band of Outsiders cable knit bow tie
Fashion influences: JFK Jr.

Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: Jason & Stephanie Scoppa’s wedding, Thom Brown seersucker
Q: Favorite designers?
A: Alexander McQueen, Scott Sternberg
Q: Favorite magazine?
A: Vanity Fair, V Man
Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: Chanel Cruise Show 07/08 at Santa Monica Airport
Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: Steven Alan mohair cardigan
Q: Favorite store in the world?
A: Right now, Steven Alan Outpost in Los Feliz, Mister Freedom
Q: Worst fashion trend right now?
A: I’m over the headband
Editor’s note: I met Matt while we were both working at E! Network, I as a story producer assistant, and he as Mark Malkin’s attache. Before Matt, I had never thought of celebrity news as honorable reporting, but what Audrey Hepburn did for the little black dress, what Valentino does for elegance, and what Grace Kelly did for Celebutantes, is what Matt does for celebrity news. I was so happy to have someone like this in this industry and in L.A.
Hillel Aron
Occupation: USC grad student, Journalism
Birth Place: Los Angeles
Living in: Los Angeles
High school: Oakwood
Favorite accessory: Sunglasses
Fashion influences: Old men, hipsters, Jacques Brautbar

Q: What are you currently most excited about for fall/winter?
A: I hope to buy another white American Apparel t-shirt, my last one got stained blue from the laundry detergent, how the f*ck does that happen anyway?

Q: When was the last time you wore a suit – and who made it?
A: I wore a suit to some wedding I went to, and it was made by Valentino. I bought it at Barney’s warehouse sale for 75 percent off ($800). It’s brown, and I wear it with a pink tie and all-white Nikes.

Q: Favorite store in the world?
A: I guess I’m more of a book store kind of guy, if anything. That giant used book store in New York called called Strand

Q: Favorite magazine?
A: Slate. It’s online. Does that count? If not, I guess the New Yorker.

Q: Favorite L.A. memory/moment?
A: I love seeing people I know from my car, when we’re both driving.

Q: Worst fashion trend right now?
A: Ponchos. I’ve seen a few hipsters wearing ponchos, and it makes me want to cry. I mean, what happened?

Q: Most recent clothing or accessory purchases?
A: I bought a black sweatshirt at American Apparel; I wanted to go with gray but my buddy Jaqcues already had one, and I didn’t want us both to be wearing them at the same time, you know how that is.

 

Lady Gaga (in Prada S/S 2010) with choreographer Francesco Vezzoli, Muccia Prada on arrives at MOCA is the same dress from her Spring '10 collection.

We are so excited about all the change happening in the art world here in L.A.! You have NO IDEA how much!!!

We are planning to closely track what we are now calling the “Gallerinas” and “Galleratti” – so stay tuned!

We feel soon that you won’t be able to attend any premiere or red carpet without there being flying acrobats coming at you or some artistic collaboration. We believe Hollywood is going to propel performance art into the mainstream and soon gallery owners, art collectors and artists will be as well know as producers, directors and actors.

We are very excited about all this and largely attribute it to MOCA for putting together the correct group of people for this year’s 30th anniversary Gala last night – and by that I am referring to Dasha Zhukova, Francesco Vezzoli and Lady Gaga. The Dream Team!

Total auction dollars raised was 3.5M. MOCA’s chief curator, Paul Schimmel, tour the stars through the MOCA permanent collection at their 30th anniversary gala. Permanent collection includes work by Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein, Richard Prince, Raymond Pettibon, Mark Rothko, Edward Ruscha (who was in attendance with his wife), Christopher Wool, Larry Clark, Nan Goldin, Franz Kline, etc. In honor of its 30th anniversary, MOCA is also offering free admission through Friday. The exhibition will be up through until Spring 2010. MOCA performers’ costumes are also up for auction online through Nov. 30. All of the funds raised will be used to benefit the exhibition and education programs.

One gala attendee at MOCA downtown remarked: “This event is so big that its insane… How often do you get all of these people in one room together ???? NEVER… Marrying art to ballet (referring to the Bolshoi ballet that was bussed in from Moscow thanks to Dasha) to Lady Gaga’s bizarre antics with notable individuals from all over the world should NOT be taken lightly. This event was more European than anything. NYC-style but very European as well.”

It helps to have star support. And you can credit the powerful turn out last night to Francesco Vezzoli, the Italian performance artist who has produced saucy, sexy, performance and mock art pieces from faux trailers to faux commercials and star A list actors like Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams, Helen Mirren, Gore Vidal, Benecio del Toro, Milla Jovavich and Gerard Butler.

His history of bringing the stars together did not fail last night.

Photo (left): Christina Ricci in Prada SS10

L.A. Native Angelina Jolie (Beverly Hills High ’91, who wore an Asprey ring from the line she has co-collaborated with Asprey and Brad Pitt) & Brad Pitt, Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale & Rose McGowan, producer Brian Grazer, producer Brad Grey, Pierce Brosnan & author Keely Shaye Smith, Eva Mendes, Marisa Tomei, Pharrell Williams, Brett Ratner, Christina Ricci (in Prada SS10), Sandra Oh, Jessica Alba (in Prada SS10), John Legend, Writer Diablo Cody, author Gore Vidal (who worked with Artist Fracesco Vezzoli and an A list cast to make hot, sexy, fake trailer for a pretend remake of his film “Caligula”), artist Takashi Murakami, Disney’s Bob Iger, Chloë Sevigny (in Mui Mui SS10), Zoe Saldana, designer Peter Dundas (Peter Dundas who is headed to Pucci from French furrier Revillon and used to helm Emanuel Ungaro), singer Ciara, Joel Silver, Chris O’ Donnell and wife Caroline O’ Donnell, James Franco & actress Ahna O Reilly,  producer Mike Medavoy, Kelly Lynch, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, architect Frank Gehry, Director of the LACMA Michael Govan, TV producer Darren Star, MOCA Board of Trustees Co-Chair David Johnson, artist David Hockney, artist Jeff Koons, MOCA founder and board member Dallas Price-Van Breda, producer Joel Silver, director Guy Ritchie, publisher Benedikt Taschen, Prada designer Miuccia Prada (in same Prada SS10 as Lady Gaga), Maria Arena Bell, MOCA Deputy Director Ari Wiseman, Vice Chairman of Sotheby’s Jamie Niven, the Rodarte sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy (who co-hosted the after party with Dasha and Pop Magazine), Decades owner Cameron Silver, French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld and her son Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, Photographer David LaChapelle and boyfriend actor Drew Kuhse, Neil Patrick Harris and boyfriend David Burtka, Neil Kate Bosworth and Kate Beckinsale all showed.

But beyond all the “Brangies” and the “Gwavins” we welcome the new set of “Gallerinas” – as they’ll soon be known – who were present to usher in this historic event that will completely update the L.A. art world. The after party Saturday after the MOCA gala was hosting by Dasha Zhukova (editor of POP magazine and founder of the Garage Centre for Contemporary Culture), Ed & Danna Ruscha, Chloe Sevigny, Kate & Laura Mulleavy (of Rodarte) and Rosetta Getty at Prism Gallery in West Hollywood. “Localites” at the gala and after party include Doug Aitken, hotelier André Balazs, Yves Behar, banker Nicolas Berggruen, Devendra Banhart, Klaus Biesenbach, Irving Blum, Io Bottoms, Gia Coppola (granddaughter of Francis Ford), Douglas Cramer, L.A. Native Caroline D’Amore, Atlanta De Cadenet, Todd Eberle, L.A. Native Eric Eisner with wife Lisa, Los Angeles story teller Bret Easton Ellis (“Less than Zero”), Tierney Gearon, David  & Susan Gersh (of the Gersh Agency), Jacqui Getty, Tavi Gevinson, Mitch Glazer & Johnson Hartig, Anjela Janklow & Jeff Stein, Kenna, Shirley Manson, Craig McDean, Barry McGee, Shala Monroque, Peter & son L.A. Native and restaurateur Harry Morton, Elon Musk, Eugenie and her brother Stavros Niarchos, Raymond Pettibon, Sydney Picasso, Jean Pigozzi, Kim Porter, Carine & son Vladamir Restoin Roitfeld, boutique owner Tracey Ross, L.A. Native designer Jasmin Shokrian, Joel & Karen Silver, Stefan Simchowitz, Manfred Simchowitz, Julia Sorkin (as in Aaron Sorkin), Jeffrey Soros, Wendy Stark, Lily Tartikoff, Jamie Tisch, PC Valmorbida, Andy Valmorbida, Guinevere van Seenus, Neville Wakefield., L.A. Native China Chow, art gallery owner Karyn Lovegrove, art collector and L.A. native Steven Neu, L.A. native Elliot Hans Johnson & his wife Kaya Burcek (who together design Literature Noir),  DJ Zen Freeman, L.A. Native Liz Goldwyn, Peaches Geldof, L.A. Native Nicky Hilton (Buckley ’99), Artist and legendary skater Steve Olson (pictured right) and his son, also a skater and L.A. native, Alex Olsen (below with Chloë Sevigny – photo courtesy of LA native and friend the cobrasnake), Barry McGee, Phil Frost, Will Kopelman (son of former Chanel president Ari Kopelman) and Tony Ward. It’s a surprise that Margarita Missoni was a no show, she came to town to stay at Quincy Jones’ house for the weekend. She did show up later at the after party with Eugenie Niarchos, brother of Stavros Niarchos, SPICE BURNS, an incredible new band, arrived with awesome headbands Margherita Missoni on talong with the rest of the girls from her new band Spice Burns.

Spice Burns (Margherita Missoni far right) – this photo from the blog of Tavi aka Style Rookie

Artist Channing Hansen (brother of Beck) attended as well and tweeted “The Collections show at MOCA is F’in amazing!” Designer Jeremy Scott who accompanied a publicist by the name of Jessica who is a founder of the young patrons group at MOCA, L.A. Native Harry Morton, and director Griffin (who’s latest film for Rodarte starring Jenny Lewis was selected to go to Diane Pernet’s film festival opening Paris Fashion Week), Cory Kennedy showed, separate from her xbf L.A. Native Mark Hunter (the Cobrasnake), who showed with Atlanta de Cadenet (New Roads High) showed up together – Atlanta, hipster extraordinaire, is the daughter of Amanda de Cadenet and Duran Duran band member John Taylor, who is now married to Gela Taylor, the G in the P&G of Juicy Couture. John and Gela were also in attendance.Senior West Coast Editor of Vogue Lisa Love with Eva Mendes, DJ A track, Marisa Tomie, Chloe Sevigny (in Mui Mui SS ’10) and Liz Goldwyn (in Sonia Rykeil  SS ’10 pajama evening suit) attend MOCA NEW 30th anniversary gala

Jared Najjar and Lee Najjar, photographer PC Valmorbida,  designer-now-director Tom Ford and artist Takashi Murakami attend MOCA’s 30th anniversary after party hosted by Dasha Zhukova and Pop Magazine

Atlanta de Cadenet and Mark Cobrasnake Hunter, John Taylor and Gela Nash, Cory Kennedy attend MOCA’s 30th anniversary after party hosted by Dasha Zhukova and Pop Magazine

Restaurateur and L.A. Native Harry Morton, British ex-pat Nellee Hooper, Neil Patrick Harris and boyfriend David Burtka attend MOCA’s 30th anniversary after party hosted by Dasha Zhukova and Pop Magazine

Katie Danza (daughter of Tony) and Elizabeth Kott, Gia Coppola (granddaughter of Francis) and Tracy Antonopoulos, L.A. Native-turned-Moscow Gallerina Dasha Zhukova attend MOCA’s 30th anniversary after party hosted by Dasha Zhukova and Pop Magazine

Artist and promoter Louis Carreon said “It was a breath of fresh air – a sexy mix of art and pop culture in Hollywood’s newest art venue! (prism on sunset). One attendee said some people were saying the stage was too small for the ballerinas but that everyone could agree on one thing – It was an important night for L.A.

Griffin, who directed Rodarte’s last fashion film video with Jenny Lewis, attended the after party, which was co-hosted by the Rodarte sisters and Grey Goose. The fashion film director said it was weird that not a lot of people outside these circles seemed to know about the event. The next he commented no one was blogging online and even the major outlets didn’t have stories. Just a bunch of photos with captions lying around the net. Even Style.com which normally would hit such a thing.

A lot of people can’t comprehend the concept that this event marks the turning point of art in L.A. because it is the first time THE RIGHT people have demonstrated how to fuse dance and art with fashion and Hollywood. Soon it will be the norm to expect art collaborations in your fashion and  operettas sung to you as you enter a party and wild dance performances as basic entertainment. It will be as expected to know major art world patrons, artists and galleriest as we now know celebutantes, A List actors and reality “actors”.

Elliot Hans and Kaya B Johnon (of Literature Noir) and Griffin

But one naysayer has little faith in Los Angeles’ ability to change. “One of the things that is really a plus for NYC is that you can go to Times Square and see the premier of Madame Butterfly @ Lincoln Center on the big screen if you don’t attend the show. There are like 1,000 chairs in front of the huge TV and red petals everywhere! It was such a beautiful idea and really brought people together. What do we have? TMZ! Its such a trek to have to go downtown to see a show… Not even as good of a show as u would see on Broadway or off Broadway… NOT TO MENTION that in NYC u dress up to go c a show and in la people wear sweats and work out clothes. I was so disappointed last year when I went to multiple opera’s and people were like super casually dressed. I’m going to take my aggression out on la and go to London / Paris / Austria, to see a show dressed in a ball gown with spectacles. Sooooo annoying to me because people LOVE art here and we don’t have a good selection ”

We disagree … There is an art and performance art revolution in the making and we are on it! Watch this video from Vogue.com featuring Annie Leibowitz and Grace Coddington – they agree and are planning an incredible performance arts issue for December featuring none other than Lady Gaga! See a pattern people?? In it, Grace says it was “Anna’s” idea to bring in Lady Gaga. Looks like we are not the only ones obsessed with the “performance arts” lately!

Not yet mentioned are the charitable donations from art collector and philanthropist Eli Broad has given the art world in L.A., international super-dealer and co-chair Larry Gagosian, and MOCA board of trustee and gala co-chair Maria Arena Bell and her family. Eli Broad is about to open a new museum in Beverly Hills called THE BROAD CONTEMPORARY ART COLLECTION. He is currently considering the Starbucks building and adjacent lots across the street from The Peninsula Hotel on little Santa Monica Blvd.

Gwen Stefani & Guy Ritchie watch performance

Bolshoi dancers

Eli Broad and wife Edy, Franscesco Vezzoli & Lady Gaga

Kate Beckinsale, Gore Vidal

Peter Dundas& Ciara, Kelly Lynch

Takashi Murakami & Pharrell Williams, Bob Eiger

Related posts:

• Why the MOCA Gala this weekend will change everything in art forever, thanks to Lady Gaga, Francesco Vezzoli and Dasha Zhukova

• L.A. Native Jared Najjar open New Gallery PRISM on Sunset Blvd with Austrailia “It” boy PC Valmorbida, fanning the flames for an art revolution in Los Angeles

Photos from Wireimage, Stephanie Keenan/Patrick McMullan our gala attendees.

(Oh and by the way – Someone needs to alert Wireimage that Jim Wiatt was fired a few months ago from WME … they would prob sue the wire if they saw the oversight.)

Elliot Hans Johnson (Landmark ’98) is my cousin by marriage (my father’s fourth marriage), friend of the Truffle, and married to gorgeous, Turkish socialite Burcak Kaya Johnson. Together they design Literature Noir clothing.

Elliot broke into fashion at his father’s (my step-uncle) prom dress company LA-Glo. Years later he formed Morphine Generation with friends, though went their separate ways some time later.

He sold his share in order to create Literature Noir. Kaya hails from Istanbul but did most of her living and studying
of fashion design in London. She now practices her creativity and free thought developing Literature Noir in L.A.

The two are on the cusp again this season, beating everyone else to the punch with an early fall kick off for fashion week. Tomorrow night Literature Noir will celebrate founder Elliot Hans Johnson’s 30th birthday at an “old, dirty castle” (his words, not mine) underneath the Hollywood sign. Kissing booths, jugglers and a magician will play backdrop to their fall fashion preview, and Elliot’s 30th birthday!

I was ecstatic to hear he was starting Literature Noir with his wife as that was sure to mean womenswear!

Kaya resembles Audrey Hepburn with an Eastern European touch. She has an effortlessly chic look that perfectly matches Elliot “come here, go away” motif. They gave each other black diamonds as wedding rings and have a guest room in their West Hollywood home completely filled with saved Hermes boxes, they call it the “orange room”.

In 2007 Womens Wear Daily (WWD) named Elliot Hans and Kaya B. “Designers to Watch in Los Angeles” after seeing their “Goth-meets-rococo collection … informed by the time they spend in London and Instanbul.”

Their celebrity clientele include Marilyn Manson, Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba and Pete Wentz. The clothes are available at Kitson, H. Lorenzo, Theodore and Planet Blue.

Elliot Hans

Kaya B.

As for the “dirty, old castle” party for the fall preview and Elliot’s birthday … a shuttle took guests from a parking lot on Hollywood and Vine where the check in was set up. I brought along my two little ex-step sisters (from my father’s third marriage).

Magician Christopher Wonder performs at Elliot Hans Johnson’s birthday


Burcek Johnson aka Kaya B. and Elliot Hans Johnson, partners in business and marriage

Magician Christopher Wonder


Me with the little sisters Brittany Aaroff and Morgan Aaroff

Magician Chris Wonder’s finale


Elliot and Burcek


Elliot at the castle the morning after …