HOTTER IN HOLLYWOOD

2007 HIH Highlights Demo! Hot in Hollywood Benefit by Simon Veredon

It's here... The 2007 Hot in Hollywood Highlights Demo (Produced, shot and edited by Simon Veredon and Insidefilms)!!!!!!

Fashion Week LA...Hot or Not?! Hot Couture by Marcellas Reynolds

Last week was Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Spring 2008 here in Los Angeles. The event held @ Smashbox Studios hosted over 30 designers. But my question is; where were the stars? I'm not complaining. Well sorta... I mean as "Celebrity Stylist" Marcellas Reynolds I got to sit either 1st or second row @ every show. I love it. But if a d-list, ex-reality star (albeit constant TV presence on E! and Style Network) is getting front row, where are say Sharon Stone, Eva Longoria, and the crew I like to refer to as the "Marc-ettes" (Winona Ryder, Sofia Coppola, Kirsten Dunst, and Maggie Gyllenhaal)? Where are the real celebs in a city where I see Eva Mendes @ my gym and Julia Roberts @ Bristol Farms?

My take on this dearth of stars @ L.A. Fashion Week is there are no super-star designers showing here. This year we had Nicky Hilton, whose show was dreadful and Heatherette, fun guys but calling them designers is a stretch. Let's call them stylists. If the producers of Fashion Week want to draw Hollywood to the the front row of the tents and out of their lounges by the pool they really need to up the star power of the designers.

Why not get Tom Ford out here to show his menswear collection? Can you imagine Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Kanye West in the front row @ that show? And how about Michael Kors showing? I'm sure Heidi Klum, Tom Hanks, his wife Rita Wilson and Debra Messing would show for Michael. When he comes out here for a trunk show all those girls come out to kiss the ring of one of fashion's greats. And how about BCBG/Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs showing out here? They all have flagship stores on Melrose, which is becoming one of the great shopping districts in the world.

+ Marcellas Reynolds

Randolph's ReturnHot Couture by Michael Medico

Last night Corey, C. Jay Cox and I were invited to Randolph Duke's 2008 Spring Couture Collection fashion show on the opening of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week @ Smashbox Studios. It was amazing. As soon as we got there we were lead thru a maze of corridors and ushered in to the VIP room where right away we saw Kelly Carlson of Nip/Tuck (premiering on Oct. 30th).

We then met Kelley West and Jeanette Chivvis of Sugar on La Brea (whose store we'll be shooting later today with Jesse Brune). I love them already. But I digress.

So the collection. It was flawless. I have to say, I actually gasped out loud at the beauty of about 5 of the gowns. There was one, oh my god, a silver- silk and satin- crystal and metal trimmed dress that was off one shoulder that I'm sure will be worn by Charlize Theron very soon. It was stunning. This collection was completely "of the earth". There were many fern and palm fronds in silhouette. The tones were of dark blue midnight, stone, bronze, quartz, even lime green and changable silks that were reminiscent of hibiscus and hot house flowers of the tropics. There was also alot of fan pleating that resembled palm fronds.

We also saw layers of chiffon over matalic tones that had a desert feel. I felt this collection was airy and whimsical yet retaining class and maturity. At the after party back at his absolutely rediculous home (with stacked slate fireplaces in every room, pebbletech inside and out, and retractable glass walls which reveal the entire house to the elements at the push of a button!) he told us that he put this entire colection together in 4 WEEKS and had only 2 seamstresses working on it. It is amazing. How he pulled 73 peices so quickly that were all so unique and varried- I have no idea.

PS- Even the music was totally kick ass. Bravo Randolph!

+Randolph Duke's Website

Randolph Duke Buys Thrift Store Clothes?!Hot Couture by Michael Medico

So why is famous fashion designer Randolph Duke shopping at the Salvation Army Thrift Store and at the Out of the Closet Thrift Store? Why for no other reason than to support people living with HIV/AIDS...

Randolph brought 5 young fashion students from FIDM to the thrift stores this past Sunday to shoot a segment to be shown at the Hot in Hollywood benefit (shot by "Kiss the Bride" director C. Jay Cox). The idea is that he and the students chose cool things from the stores to REdesign into Hot outfits to be auctioned off at Hot in Hollywood.


You see, not only do you support two great charities by shopping at these thrift stores, but you also can get some really cool stuff!!!

Of course, with your purchase, Randolph Duke not included. But you will have the chance to bid on one of his original gowns when Randolph himself auctions it off at Hot in Hollywood.

+ Randolph Duke