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| YES HE DID: IT’S AN OBAMA NATION! |
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| The new First Family of the United States of America |
The dawn of a new age in American history began exactly at 8 pm PST Tuesday, November 4th, 2008—the instant polls in the West closed--when Barack Obama was declared the winner of the 2008 presidential election in a landslide win over opponent John McCain. Obama shattered the exclusive white-men only presidency club, becoming the first person of color to be elected to the most powerful position in the world.
The Mac wasn’t back, as some Obama-mites had feared, but he did give a classy and gracious concession speech just a few minutes later, ending his roller-coaster campaign on a high note in Phoenix. In Chicago, Obama’s appearance brought tears of joy to many in the jubilant crowd of 240,000 in Grant Park—and to untold millions of television viewers the world over, including the Kenya birthplace of his late father. His soaring speech recognized another legendary Illinois son, Abraham Lincoln, and the struggles of the civil rights movement which paved the way for his successful candidacy. Change indeed, and better late than never.
 | Crowds outside Obama headquarters at the Century
Plaza: the place was over capacity |
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| It was a sweet deal taken up by thousands and thousands of voters, if they were willing to wait in line first at the polls, and then again elsewhere. Starbucks handed out free cups of brew, Krispy Kreme gave away donuts and Ben and Jerry’s served up gratis scoops of their flavors. There was talk about the legality of such rewards for voting, but because none of the places required actual proof, they’ll probably get away with their Election Day marketing ploy—which hit the spot for those with caffeine and sugar cravings, and a light spot in their wallets. |
| MARIA,THE GUV, BUSH (not that one) AND THE LOWE BROS |
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| Brotherly love: Rob and Chad Lowe accept their award from the Hollywood Entertainment Museum
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| Esquire’s Stephen Jacoby says “hasta la vista” to Arnold
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Between them, Rob and Chad Lowe have survived several scandals. Anyone remember Rob’s three-way sex tape from a long-ago Democratic convention? How about the nanny scandal? And poor Chad. First Hilary Swank forgot to thank her then-husband during an awards acceptance speech and then outed his substance abuse during their divorce. But the handsome bros were all smiles as they graciously accepted the Hollywood Entertainment Museum’s Legacy Award from Cali First Lady Maria Shriver at the Esquire House. Maria, sporting a beehive from her Halloween getup the night before as Sarah Palin, said she knows something about legacies in her family, and that she knows Rob and Chad will pass theirs along to their children…Arnold, meanwhile, fresh off an Ohio campaign appearance for Mac, let his wife take center stage, where she dished about enjoyed “the ultimate bachelor pad” and asked associate editor Stephen Jacoby to do a house for women.
Esquire House, a $12 million contemporary home with a killer view at the top of Doheny Drive, is in the midst of hosting events for a select group of charities.
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| Gavin Rossdale thrilled the Esquire House crowd with acoustic versions of “Glycerine” and “Landslide” in a benefit for VH1’s Save the Music
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| The interior features a bar with a fireplace, a huge custom-designed Art Deco mural of glass, cascading chandeliers and gray velvet furniture |
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It hasn’t officially opened yet, but restaurant/nightclub maestro Adolfo Suaya and designer Kristofer Keith offered a sneak peak at the new Bar Delux, sure to be the next “must” Hollywood spot. With a stunningly elegant interior, the intimate room features two-tiered tables (drinks on the bottom, food on top) surrounded by love seats and velvet armchairs—perfect for cozy conversations, people-watching and PDA.
Bar Delux, 1624 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood/opening soon
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| Samantha Harris, Karina Smirnoff, Hillary Atkin, Lisa Rinna, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Laila Ali analyze DWTS at WIF |
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Hundreds of participants turned out last weekend for Women in Film’s Entertainment Forum at the Hotel Intercontinental, attending panels on pitching, online storytelling, reality TV, international distribution, packaging TV projects, screenwriting and producing short films for the Web. Susanne Daniels, now consulting to Lifetime Networks and Rena Ronson, senior veep of WMA, were honored with WIF’s Business Leadership Awards at a sold-out luncheon. Between sessions, a lot of power networking—and more than a few cocktails. Cast members of “Saving Grace” and “Dancing With the Stars” gave attendees an insider’s look at those popular shows. WIF President Jane Fleming and exec director Gayle Nachlis worked overtime with their staffs to create a relevant and rewarding experience for people in the biz for the third year running.
Women in Film, www.wif.org |
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A clever promotion that satisfies the fashionable need to help the less fortunate: this Friday through Sunday Nov. 7-9, John Varvatos stores in New York and LA are playing to their well-dressed customers—and to those who couldn’t even imagine walking through the door. At the Melrose location, those who bring in a “gently used” suit (which will be donated to Chrysalis Foundation to assist homeless men) will get 30% off purchase of a new suit. In New York, men who bring in a previously worn coat will receive $200 off purchase of a new coat.
John Varvatos, 122 Spring St. & 313 Bowery, NY, 8800 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood
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| COMING SOON: ICE ICE, BABY |
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It’s the West Coast version of the famous ice rink at Rockefeller Center: Santa Monica’s ICE. Opening on November 7 for the next two months, you can get your skate on at the corner of 5th and Arizona, from 10 am-10 pm, for $10.
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| Esquire
House Hollywood Hills: its 7,400 square feet can be yours for $12.95 mil |
It's round three for Esquire House in Los
Angeles, and you'd better drink up, because all the festivities have to
end by 10 p.m. Situated atop the bird streets on Doheny, the modernist
mansion features a killer view of the Westside. Billed as the ultimate
bachelor pad, it's playing host to a series of high-profile charity and
luxury brand sponsored events, including benefits for Rock the Vote, VH1’s
Save the Music, City of Hope, Oxfam America, Faster Cures and the Hollywood
Entertainment Museum--along with nights hosted by Jaguar and Hennessy. |
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| Wayf’s
slinky design at Gen Art |
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| Animal
instincts: a Jordi Scott creation |
With LA Fashion Week imploding (IMG and the
Factors just severed their deal) the places to be were anywhere but longtime
headquarters location Smashbox Studios in Culver City, which did showcase
Whitley Kros, the getting extremely overexposed Christian Audigier, Julia
Clancy and Elmer Ave.
Gen Art again took over the Peterson Automotive
Museum for its high-energy “Fresh Faces in Fashion” event, showcasing ten
up and coming designers including the spring collections of Namushka, Quail,
Wayne Hadley, Maxine Dillon and Meredith Fisher’s Wayf. Hosted by Mandy
Moore, the event also featured an accessories showcase and a Tone almond
milk bath and body products bar, while the real bar served up endless glasses
of champagne.
In Hollywood, New York-based designer Jordi
Scott took over the Vanguard for a rock ‘n roll inspired spring/summer
collection. The edgy designs feature animal prints, bold patterns and unexpected
accessories. Scott worked for Betsey Johnson before starting the line with
partner Starr Rinaldi. You can scoop up their stuff at Mark Montano in
NY.
The Rowdy Collection took over the new
Café Was for a little late night informal modeling of zippered motorcycle
jackets and a lot of Ciroc vodka. Guess those Mongols won’t be rockin’
them on their rides, but plenty of other customers.
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Ugliest
boots EVER on a runway,
at
Whitley Kros |
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| Tastier
than candy: You could win this suede corduroy “Kennedy” tote ($895), a
silk Anya Hindmarch clutch or other leather goods from the British designer |
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So how’s
this for a Halloween treat:
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Stop into an Anya
Hindmarch store between October 25 and October 31
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Pick a sweet from
the “Hindwitch” trick or treat bag (no purchase necessary)
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Possibly win an Anya
Hindmarch bag, clutch, purse or key ring from the Autumn/Winter 2008 collection
Participating stores: 115 Greene
Street & 29 East 60th Street, New York
The Mall at Short Hills,
Short Hills, NJ,
118 S. Robertson Blvd.,
Los Angeles
The Shoppes at the Palazzo,
3327 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
*Each location will give
away four prizes during the week. Happy Halloween! |
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| It’s
called Electric Body, but it’s for your face |
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And speaking of expensive bags, the new
issue of W—the one with the breast-feeding Angie on the cover and the grainy
photos taken by Mr. Pitt inside—proclaims that—get this—a woman’s face
is the new “it” bag. Huh? Oh yeah, justification to spend big bucks on
creams that advertise in the mag with the conceit that during these tough
economic times, no one will know about your indulgent spending but you—and
the sales girl at Needless Markup.
Now it’s TAR’s turn to tout a face cream.
Still an indulgence, but a fraction of the price of elixirs from La Mer
and La Prairie, which just brought out a $1,000 called Cellular Cream Platinum
Rare. Electric Body is an all in one face and eye cream made from New Zealand
colostrum, a byproduct of grass fed cows, which is said to promote collagen
production. TMI? Here’s more: no preservatives, parabens or alcohol.
1.7 ounce pump bottle, $125, www.electricbody.com |
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The rarely
seen shoe maestro takes a bow on Rodeo Drive
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| The Rodeo Drive
Walk of Style added to its list of honored fashion luminaries (Armani,
Versace, Ferragamo and more) with an evening dedicated to the man who put
his insanely expensive shoes on the wish lists of fashionistas worldwide,
with a lot of help from Carrie Bradshaw. Before Sex and the City, Manolo
Blahnik was simply an exquisite shoemaker with a small, but dedicated following.
During Sex, he became a god. After, he was also elevated to patron saint
of come f-me shoes. Where he will remain…forever memorialized on Rodeo. |
Spiedi: bad for business? |
“Some of our regulars called to cancel
their reservations, they were so upset when they heard about this.”—a manager
at Cut, talking about the newly hung portraits of Heidi and Spencer. |
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