December 2002

December 19th 2002
New York City

Hung.  Over. 

I awoke this morning in a full face of make-up, a masquerade mask, and a sea of tiny Swarovski crystals, and from the bits and pieces I can remember of Rena Sindis 'All that Glitters' Versace party last night, I would have to say it was definitely the party of the season. 

My party day began at noon when I realized that yes, the party was in eight hours and I didnt have a stitch to wear.  Luckily, I was able to call the lovely Parise of Christian Lacroix who let me pop into the showroom to see if I could find something to wear from the gorgeous new Spring 2003 collection.  The clothes were absolutely divine (you can see it on Style.com!) but when I got wind that she had another closet full of vintage Lacroix, I knew I had stumbled upon the mother load.  Well, 2 hours later, after Parise patiently let me indulge in trying on the entire closet full of the gorgeous creations, I decided on a fantastic pair of glittery sequin pants to go with my glittery Hollywould shoes and a corset top from Agent Provocateur.  For those of you who dont know, Agent Provocateur is the insanely sexy lingerie line made by Serena Rees and Joe Corre who years ago kindly let me live with them at their apartment in London when I worked for Joes mom, Vivienne Westwood.  They are the best and thats a whole nother diary entry.  Serena I owe you shoes.

Outfit complete I headed down to Ana Abduls gorgeous TriBeCa loft to meet Liz Cohen so the three of us could have a try-on party.  Ana is the genius behind the magnificent Language clothing line and store in Nolita (see language.com!) and Liz is the power house PR behind, ahem, HOLLYWOULD and a handful of other fabulous brands.  After an hour of practicing our photo poses and exchanging hair, jewel, and make-up tips we were ready to roll up to the Versace store on Fifth Avenue for Rena's big soiree.  Now, anyone who doesnt know of Rena needs to wake up and smell the champagne because she is the only person that matters when it comes to throwing New York extravaganzas.  Renas new coffee table book, Be My Guest is the ultimate New Years gift for every hostess on your list, and last nights party was proof that this woman knows how to entertain.

I am a sucker for any party with paparazzi so when we pulled up to the Versace palace to a sea of flashing bulbs I knew the night was going to be a hit.  With a party like this I cant help but name-drop, so I may as well just be shameless:  Aerin Lauder was at the entrance when we arrived in a gorgeous Versace print top and fur collar.  Zac Posen looked like his usual Greek God self in a very Fame gold chain male t-shirt and suspenders.  Then came Jennifer Creel looking like a princess in Valentino.  The lovely Fabiola Beracasa of Dior was wearing a beautiful skirt and top by, you guessed it, Dior. 

Despite all of the glitter and glamour I must say that my favorite entrance was made by a girl in a pair of jeans and t-shirt:  Lizzie Grubman.  Despite being fresh out of jail she actually looked as if she had just come from a vacation tan, healthy, and radiant.  Oh how I wanted to just sit with her a quite corner and find out all of the details of life in a womens prison.  Is it really like my favorite Made-for-TV Movie 'Cell Block H'?  Did you make any friends?  Do they have cable and a gym? Am dying to know but since I dont know Lizzie, Ill have to go to jail myself if I ever want the answers.  Think Ill skip it.

From the champagne reception the party moved upstairs to dinner where everyone but me was too busy table-hopping to eat.  A girl can't survive on champagne alone, so I found a quiet table and sat down to eat with my dinner partners, celeb photographer Patrick McMullen and Versaces Amy Raideer.  I've known Patrick since I was a club-hopping teenager (he introduced me to Mick Jagger when I was only 15!) and Amy and I had an instant bond when I saw the adorable belt she was needle-pointing for her dad at the Versace offices the day before.  Love a girl who needle-points!

After dinner it was up one more flight (the Versace store is a never-ending palace) to the disco room where the drinks kept flowing and the music was strong.  This is where my evening began to get a little bit blurry but I do remember dancing the night away with my favorite party girl Shoshanna Lonstein, who looked like a movie star in a navy blue sequin corset top.   Someone kept handing me Cosmopolitans in a tall glass and by the end of the party I vaguely remember dancing on a table to Nellys 'Hot In Herre' while singing every word at the top of my lungs.  Classy.

From the Versace store I somehow ended up in a taxi full of young men with accents and we headed to Amy Sacco's Bungalow Eight.  Now, I do know that Renas party was full of handsome eligible men and I was probably sharing a taxi with most of them, but for some reason whenever I go out on the town I forget that I am single and in need of a boyfriend/husband, and the only boys I talk to are either gay, 19 years old, the help, or worse yet:  the gay 19 year old help.  Upon arrival at Bungalow Eight I immediately found a crowd of 19 year old boys and practiced my hip-hop dance moves until some nice fellows from Renas party suggested we move on to Lotus. 

By this time it was 4:30AM.  Lotus was still jumping but I was having a hard time standing up by myself and the Euro-trash music wasnt helping.  Don't get me wrong, I have spent many a summer dancing the nights away at beach-front clubs pumping music spun by deejays in leather pants and pony tails, but when I'm in America I need American music.  I decided it was time for bed and some nice boys helped put me in a cab. 

As my cab headed downtown towards home I must have decided that the night was still young because I instructed my cab driver to take me to a bar where I knew my downtown friends would still be rocking.  It's great to have a group of friends who you can count on at 5AM on a Thursday morning, and as I staggered into the smoky club in my Lacroix and diamonds, I knew I had made the right choice.  My Secret Crush was there, foxy as ever and taller than me in my super-high heels, which is important.  Unfortunately I get the feeling he thinks Im nothing more than a drunken party girl with a bling-bling lifestyle, so Im going to have to be dressed down and sober next time we have a run-in.   The sober part should be easy as I am NEVER DRINKING AGAIN, but the dressed down part is a bit boring for a HOLLYWOULD gal like me.  Will keep you posted.

Happy New Year!

December 14th 2002
New York City

We heart Angie Harmon.  Our week began with a phone call from our friends at Harpers Bazaar who are shooting Angie Harmon and thought our Spring 2003 flats would be perfect for her.  We love beautiful Angie Harmon so we are v. excited about seeing her in our shoes.  Lets hope they dont crop the feet!

In other celebrity news, the costume designer for a new movie (working title: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) staring Kate Winslett, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Carey came by to borrow shoes for filming.  Youll have to see the long titled movie to see whos in the shoes but well give you a hint:  Its not Jim Carey.

Speaking of Jim Carey but totally off the subject, a couple of years ago my mom called me out of the blue and said, 'Hol darling, your father and I were watching this movie and we think we have the guy for you.  He is a new actor named Jim Carey and you would be perfect together.'  I told my mom that (a) Jim Carey was very famous and probably not looking to date me and (b) I had a hunch Jim Carey might be a bit crazy, to which she replied, Well then hes perfect for you, honey.  Thanks Mom.  Then, less than a year ago she called me again and said, 'Hol darling, your father and I were watching this interview and there is this new actor who is handsome, but not too handsome, and would really be perfect for you.  Hes named something like, um . George Clooney?'  She was dead serious.  Had never heard of George Clooney in her life.  I love my mom.  George, apparently youve got some work to do before you qualify as too handsome.

Since were talking about too handsome boys, I will have to mention that I did see my crush (who sent his mom & sister into the store - see last weeks diary) this past weekend.  He was lookin much too handsome but Im not sure there were sparks flying.  Luckily, according to my mom Ive got a solid back up plan in Jim Carey and George Clooney so theres nothing to worry about if my crush falls through.

Andthe biggest news is that this morning my sister gave birth to an 8lb 6oz baby girl named Clara!  Congratulations!  We cant wait for her to grow up and become a HOLLYWOULD girl!

December 6th 2002
New York City

This week our celeb customers have run the gamete, from the beautiful Blaine Trump to the stylish Chloe Sevigny to the sexy Shania Twain to .. are you ready??? .......the divine Whitney Houston. Such glamour is hard to imagine. I would be lying if I said I didnt spend and entire year of my life in front of the mirror singing How Will I Know into a hair brush, so I am still reeling from the stardom.

On another high note, one of the many boys I have a Crush on (who will remain nameless until he breaks up with his girlfriend and decides to date me) sent his MOM and sister into my store to get some shoes. Were taking it as a signal. The only bad part was that Selena, our star retail manager, had to pretend I wasn't there because I was in the back with a deep conditioning treatment on my hair that looked like five days worth of grease. How will I ever marry???

Luckily the idea of marriage any time soon is the last thing on my mind. This past week, while on vacation in Palm Beach with my family, I had to share a room with my younger brother. After a week of fighting over the remote control I decided I am not ready to marry if it means CMT (thats Country Music Television) over MTV (How genius was Making the Band?!) or CNN over E!. Who needs World News when you could be watching Carmen Electra: The E! True Hollywood Story? She was such a pretty girl. Carmen, come to us and we can help you.