V.Day High-End Lingerie Guide

We consider it illegal to do Valentine's Day without lingerie!  In the sea of luxurious, erotic and heart-melting lingerie fashons, we have set aside the crème de la crème for your hot night.  Two weeks left before the sexy day, its perfect time to shop!

1. White Muse by Kiki De Montparnasse ($275-$4,190 online): Wrap your body in luxurious french lace and finest silk with dramatic detail.  This chic lingerie is designed to not only enhance a night of intimacy but also helps create it.  We are huge fans of all of Kiki's instruments of pleasure, sensual accessories and fantasy collections.  At one of the most beautiful boutiques in Los Angeles you are offered a glass of champagne upon the entrance to dramatic space (think claw foot tub).  You can find their exquisite pieces online at http://www.kikidm.com/shop/home.php.  Hurry up, get handcuffed!

2. Red Love Basque by Agent Provocateur ($180-$450 online): The ultimate agent of luxury is Agent Provocateur.  Be ready to not get away from him when you reveal your hot-red decorative waist band, sensual bows and satin straps Basque.  We are so lucky Valentine's Day follows Winter sales, because this seduction weapon is on sale at http://www.agentprovocateur.com/sale/info/love-basque~red.  Sizes are limited, but selection of styles and colors is endless! 

3. Black La Perla Gaultier Createur ($263-$523 online): Do the deadly thing wearing Femme Fatale all black overlaying silk bra and panties.  Jean Paul Gaultier's exclusive creation, inspired by Madonna.  Put it on in the morning before you head out to your busy day and feel like the most powerful woman in the world.  Buy it online or at any Neiman Marcus, Sacks Fifth Avenue and independent lingerie boutiques nationwide.

The World Premier of Russian Ballet

Reflections is the world premiere of a co-production of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in association with Ardani Artists Management.  The show stars some of the most important dancers of Bolshoi Theater: Ekaterina Krysanova, Natalia Osipova, Ekaterina Shipulina, Polina Seminova (Berlin Staatsballet), Maria Kochetkova (San Francisco Ballet) with Ivan Vasiliev, Alexander Volchkov, Vyacheslav Lopatin, and Denis Savin (Bolshoi Ballet), accompanied by the Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre.

The Bolshoi Ballet Academy is the gold standard of  classical ballet.  They took a leap into exploring contemporary elements of the new production, which were both exciting and challenging for the dancer.  Mauro Bigonzetti, the Italian choreographer, explained the inspiration behind this challenge  “As boundaries were pushed, lines were blurred.” The music inspiration by Vivaldi came after meeting with the dancers, which we believe added that chic tone to the performance.

We were so lucky to attend the U.S. Premiere on Jan. 20 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center!!!  From the first act, the ballet was pure and powerful, beautiful and arousing, and simply breathtaking.  In Reflections, we are introduced to the creative mix of classically trained lead dancers with contemporary group of designers, choreographer and creative director.  We also enjoyed the solo dance by Ekaterina Shipulina in the flowing chiffon dress in the second act, Dumka (a “Thought”) with the piano on stage and with music by Tchaikovsky to accompany her and us in the beautiful journey.

One Hot Night: Part One

We are so oh-la-la  for Valentine's Day … How sexy is it to get an excuse to turn things ON for the whole day?!  But are you too busy to think about what to get him? How to spice it up? What lingerie to put underneath the LBD? What scent to seduce him with? No worries, we have put together the ultimate guide for your most femme fatale Valentine's Day yet.

Our sultry list, ranging from most arousing candle scents to fill up your love chamber to lacy heels by Valentino, is sure to get things steaming in a matter of seconds:

1. Jo Malone Red Roses Scented Candle ($65 at Bloomingdale's):  Envelope your room (and him) in the voluptuous scent of fresh-cut red roses.  The velvet scent will be sure to freshen things up right at the front door

2. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Shower Gel ($42 at Sacks Fifth Avenue): Awaken your senses in the morning (or before bed) with this silky shower gel.  The moment you apply it,  your skin is hugged by floral explosion that will be sure to keep you and him turned on.

3. Perrier-Jouet Blason Rose Champagne ($49.99 at K&L Wine Merchants): Orange blossom and rose preserve, cherry and blackberry? A magical combination to sip by the candlelight.  This historic house produces unusually fine champagnes since circa 1811.  This is our personal favorite amongst many other artistic creations by the Perrier family.

4. Jonathan Adler 100% Baby Alpaca Throw ($295 at JA boutique): Cuddle up under this super soft 100% baby alpaca's wool blanket.  Imagine your sexy bodies covered by this uber-soft throw..zzzzz

5. TCHO Chocolate 6 Bar Luxury Set ($42 at Wholefoods): Stunning design and anti-oxidant power of chocolate will be one of the sweetest things that night.  Delight each other with pure expression of the cacao bean at its best.

Last Call For Treasures in Los Angeles

Don't be sad the holiday season is behind us, there is a good side to it too.  You can now finally get your hands on all of those sequins leggings, colored sweaters, suede boots and fur jackets like our favorites from Isabel Marant, that were just too pricey before. There is a reason why you love us, we are your best girlfriends that do the dirty work of browsing through the sale racks.  It is a game of scavenger hunt for us and a jack pot for you. Ladies, are you ready?  

Here is the breakdown of season's hottest items at the hottest prices around Los Angeles:

Satine Boutique: has a great 50-65% off mark-downs on Kaylee Tankus, Edun, Thakoon, Alexander Wang, Yigal Azrouel, and if you're lucky you might score Lanvin flats, Alaia boots, Balenciaga shoes at 60-75% off, although there are only few sizes left. 

Creatures of Comfort: is the destination for all bargain babes like us.  The biggest Isabel Marant inventory in town (therefore in the West Coast for sure), is now at 50%- 70% off.  Also great items from Alexandre Herchcovitch, Alexander Wang, Acne, MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela, Zero Maria Cornejo, Surface to Air.

Fred Segal: Since you're right there on Melrose and hopefully still have some money left, you have to check out Fred Segal sale before its all gone!!!  We will...

Not done yet?  Then you must be one of us. Congratulations!!!  You are officially a shopaholic and there is no cure for you...but wait we have got something for desert left for you, just because you're so patient...

Maxfield: The Holy Grail of shopping in LA, the Maxfield itself has a secret 60% off right now.  That Balmain embellished leather motocross jacket just over $10,000 might just wait for you at the sweet discounted price.

Should we add more?  For those of you who don't live in LA there is great chance to spot your favorites online:

www.satineboutique.com

www.shop.creaturesofcomfort.us

www.fredsegal.com

The VIP Art Fair- Just A Click Away

The VIP Art Fair founded by long-time successful art dealers, James and Jane Cohan. The online art fair is the first ever to take place exclusively online. The assembly is made of 139 of the world’s leading contemporary art galleries (Gagosian Gallery, L&M Arts, David Zwikner to name a few) from 30 countries in an unprecedented live event that goes in for one week only January 22-30, 2011.

International art dealers, collectors and enthusiasts are now able to browse works by wide range of renowned artists including Franz Ackermann, Francis Bacon, Urs Fischer, Damien Hirst, Anselm Kiefer, Sarah Lucas, Takashi Murakami (make sure to check out Dragon in Clouds – Red Mutation and Dragon in Clouds – Indigo Blue), and Jackson Pollock. The fair also introduces the most exciting emerging artists today. The vibrant presentation of artwork, enlivened with streaming video and dynamic zoom, along with the ability to connect one-on-one with dealers makes attending the fair from anywhere in the world a truly unique experience. The logic behind it is simple, like everything genius, the costs associated with an online art fair are dramatically lower than the costs associated with moving art, staff, travel and lodging expenses.... Therefore, galleries have to sell far less art to start raking in the profits. However, while the break-even point is much lower, there is a real concern as to whether the customer’s experience will ever be equal of that of attending an event like Miami Art Basel.

The art world is excited and anxious to find out if this art fair will create a serious addition to the industry heavyweights like those of traditional Art Shows and Art Basel in Miami and Switzerland. We don’t have the answer for you just yet, but we are rushing to our laptops to register for it. (Source www.vipartfair.com and www.huffingtonpost.com)

The VIP Art Fair is free to browse, but a registration is required and offers an interactive and enriched viewing for VIP ticket holders. This innovative art fair takes place at www.vipartfair.com

See you by the Jackson Pollock's painting in no time...

Perfect... by Ruth Hogben

Before taking her independent leap on first projects for Alexander McQueen and Topshop, Ruth Hogben shadowed the legendary photographer Nick Knight.  
“My main starting point is the clothes. Every single movement conveys a message, a feeling of who the woman is.  Every movement has to have an understanding of who is in it and that piece of clothing.  The reason I like fashion film is that fashion is immediate: I fall in love with fashion really quickly and I fall out of love really quickly... When you are working with anyone creative, it just becomes a conversation, which flows.  Working collaboratively is always very exciting because you get to see the world through someone else’s eyes.  I’ve worked with Gareth a number of times and his vision is very strong, so there’s not much room for interpretation.  On the other hand, he is so open and free for me to communicate that.  Working with McQueen, I thought Nick pushed but Lee is just out of this world!  I didn’t go to bed because I felt like I wanted to achieve making this really amazing film.” - The filmmaker herself
Here is another of her stylishly addicting creations.  This video was done for the French house of Celine. Fall/Winter 2010-2011 Collection. 

Givenchy- Fashion Classic

Givenchy pieces are a must-buy for fashion classics with its simplicity, elegance and glamour. Indulge in Givenchy's sophisticated designs, perfect for day or night, and easily dressed up or down for any occasion.  When mixing the classic black palate with white and leopard prints, designer Riccardo Tisci was inspired by Frida Kahlo's animal-filled paintings for this season's designs.

Highly creative fashion house introduces us to this season collection with this amazing video that is available at www.barneys.com.  This haute video was created by Ruth Hogben.   A filmmaker and director of fashion film at SHOWstudio.com, based in London, is changing the world of fashion commercials, as we know it, creating art and fashion collaborations at its purest.  We are big fans of Ruth and following her work very closely.

 This video works great with the Givenchy’s  designer Riccardo Tisci philosophy who once   said “My definition of beauty is something   between extremely ugly and extremely  fantastic”.

Spring 2011 just arrived and here our favorite items, and we cannot wait to try on..

Mademoiselle - Coco Chanel / Summer 62 by Karl Lagerlfeld and Douglas Kirland

These photos reveal the working fashion icon, showing Mademoiselle leaving her famous suite at the Ritz Hotel, in her apartment and studio at 31 rue Cambon, and watching a défilé from the famous mirrored staircase. 

Karl Lagerfeld has conceived and designed Mademoiselle, as well as written an introduction and captions to Kirkland’s photos. “Images left behind are in the end stronger than truth and facts. Through Kirkland’s images we can imagine what the famous Coco had been all about before she became the formidable Chanel.”- Karl Lagerfeld.  

Whenever we are in NYC, we always visit Westwood Gallery in SoHo.  

The gallery has a great collection of the Douglas Kirkland's photographs of Coco Chanel from 1962. Karl Lagerfeld created his book based on these archives photographs “Mademoiselle - Coco Chanel / Summer 62”.  

For a period of three weeks, Kikrland shadowed Coco Chanel, capturing her intense schedule and daily routine of models, fitters, clients and friends.  

The collection presents Douglas Kirkland’s   recently discovered images from an extraordinary archive that reveals Mademoiselle’s charisma and genius.

This time we don’t have to travel far to see our favorite art pieces, the Westwood Gallery is coming to LA ART SHOW...

www.laartshow.com

www.westwoodgallery.com

This particular exhibit carries a sort of romanticism and nostalgia ... its breathtaking

The 16th Annual Los Angeles Art Show returns...

We are SO excited about an upcoming LA ART SHOW. 

The 16^th Annual Los Angeles Art Show returns to 

WHERE: Los Angeles Convention Center

WHEN: January 19-23, 2011.

We encourage you to join serious collectors and dedicated art enthusiasts in an exploration of painting, photography, sculpture and more from over 100 galleries worldwide.

The Los Angeles Art Show will also include a significant grouping of Chinese Galleries who have never shown works outside of China, providing an opportunity for visitors to see what’s really hot in Asian Art at the show from January 19-23, 2011.

The Opening Night Premiere Party, hosted by Kat Von D will help The Art of Elysium to expand its program, to bring arts to critically ill and hospitalized children, and increase substantially the number of school children who visit the Getty through the Getty Museum’s Education Department.

Here is detailed program:

• China Today Contemporary Art Program

• The Rising Tide Film: Shot in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen in the summer of 2006, this documentary, directed by Robert Adanto, explores China’s march toward the future through the works of some their most talented photographers and video artists.

• Lectures featuring artists Robert Williams & Tao Dong Dong

• Daily live street art with artist Andrew Hem

• Rarely or never seen works by the father of modern photojournalism, world famous photographer- HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON

• Feminist Art lectures featuring Cheri Gaulke, Meg Linton, Rachel Rosenthal & Linda Vallejo, moderated by Dr. Betty Brown with comments by Peter Frank

• Book signing by Bram Dijkstra

• The IFPDA Fine Print Fair

• Print-making Demonstrations

• Screening of the Academy Award Nominated Film.

Events such as these are one of the reasons we started our blog, so we can share with our audience amazing, intellectual and inspiring events that are happening.  We really hope you can make your way down to Los Angeles, and see what LA and the art world is buzzing about right now.