Image Matters

The evening filled with glitz and glamour, the beauty and elegance personified the entertainment industry to its fullest. At times very touching and emotionally moving, most of the evening funny and without doubt one of the most entraining awards events starting 2009.

While the fashion outfits were a mixed bowl of fruits and nuts, there was more then enough material with disastrous fashion to write till the cows come home. Botax must have been delivered in semis as most of the faces where starched out beyond the recognition.

Best-dressed ladies:

With the gracious elegance reminiscent of the late Princess Grace Kelly, Christina Applegate, breathless in buttery Roberto Cavalli gown, necklace by Lorraine Schwartz completed this elegant classy entrance.

Debra Messing in a midnight blue Vera Wang halter dress, body fitting, flamenco inspired creation’s tiered ruffle fishtail looked as always stunning. This woman knows how to strut her stuff and present it with style and elegance. Like excellent vine with age she gets better.

The best dressed male:

Aussie and stunningly handsome Simon Baker, star of the TV serious “Mentalist,” looked oh well so gorgeous in a blue jacket trimmed in black velvet-lapels. Not to crazy about the velvet, or the shiny ill fitted jacket, but then Aussies haven’t been known for great fashion style. I don’t think anyone really cares what he wears when you are blessed with such exquisite good looks and charms galore. Have a mercy!!

Aaron Eckhart, yet another good-looking hunk, talented actor from the “Dark Knight” going for his own signature with confidence and individuality expressed with paisley lapels, bow-tie fitting his bone structure and his demeanor of classy elegance.

Looking like a dream walking, Drew Barrymore in John Galliano gown is absolutely beautiful, hairdo reminiscent of the sex symbol of 60’s Merlyn Monroe. All worked beautifully except that the pearl ring stood out like pimple on your nose. The elegance of the gown required jewelry that is invisible; diamonds would sufficed.

When she was a little girl with her mom in tow we would bump into each other at “Dan Tana’s” restaurant, where she would flirt with my son JT. Who knew that cutie would turn into such a stunning beauty, I should have coached my son to reciprocate.

The worst of the evening!!!

When will she ever learn or will she? Maggie Gyllenhaal, dressed up in a Lanvin one arm blue leopard spotted dress which had a distinct feeling that a crime was committed at the goodwill store, was an absolute flop.

Renee Zellweger, in organza blouse and silk skirt by Carolina Herrera, Christian Louboutin shoes and Verdura Maltese cuff, looked confused as the rest of us who were trying to make some sense of this disarray, such a disappointment.

The worst of the worst!!!

Mickey Rourke

Nothing could in my furthest dreams prepare me for this and trust me I have seen it all and have seen Mickey in his worst until now!!! Wh ever has done this to Mickey Rourke should be exiled not to another country but to another planet. Never known to go with the flow and dress with good taste, but this is absurd, what a disaster!! Mickey, call me and I’ll donate my time for the Oscars free of charge. 310-574-6018

Jennifer Lopez, waistline bulging with access, the cut and the style not complimenting this stunning entertainer. We are accustomed to see her in magnificent and not ordinary gowns and this one by Marchesa, was anything but magnificent. However, obviously she didn’t spare on Botax.

The most unappealing attire of the evening belongs to this international duet, Heidi Klum, and her hubby Seal. She failed in a James Galanos pouf dress and striper’s shoes, to demonstrate elegance (all she needed was the dancing pole). Did anyone notice her shoes where size to small? Love Galanos, didn’t care for this dress, maybe without the gigantic rose and with elegant evening strappy sandals it would have been lovely, not great.

Let me leave you with one of the most poignant moments of the evening and there where many.

Kate Winslet in a stunning Yves Saint Laurent gown, looking exquisite, genuinely surprised, and in a word stunned as she walks away with not one but two golden globes. Her speech delightful and emotional as she thanked her costar DiCaprio, her husband, director Sam Mendes, the two ean in her life she is in love with, but the most interesting moment came when Winslet acknowledged her fellow nominees and drew a blank at Angelina Joilie’s name: ‘’Oh God, who’s the other one?'’ Was she really that overcome by emotions, or did she truly forget the home wreaker’s name?

The logic about outlets is no brainier; why not buy couture designs when you can save up to 75% while having a great time and save your money for other luxuries, like paying bills. I don’t know about you, but when I get a great bargain there is a such rush, knowing I jut got something at 75% discount.

But be very careful and keep your eyes wide open, most of the time merchandise at the outlets were made for outlets and are cheap and of lesser quality then merchandise made for the main store. Look for labels where prices have been cut over and over again and tags are old.

No matter where they live, here in the States or on the other side of the globe, today, with the economy difficult and changing times, even the wealthiest of my clients are doing anything and everything to save money and one arena they can save and still look like million bucks is fashion.

My first discovery of outlets was Neiman Marcus Last Call in Primm, Nevada. I was stunned discovering spectacular savings, not only on fashion but also accessories and furnishings.

At Primm, store manager Holly Bell, a diligent and a hard working woman, makes sure that my clients and I have a private preview. On this occasion, after a night of hellish food poisoning, we worked with seven clients who appreciated I didn’t callthe whole thing off. Here, couture events occur about four times a year, forget any glamorous treatment, even I don’t get water, for real. Bring water and dress for comfort, wear flats and that doesn’t mean sneakers. Neiman’s couldn’t do with out David Palmer Manager, Women’s & Children’s Dept. he is the best, your needs will be taken care off professionally, make sure he is there.

32100 Las Vegas Blvd
Suite 116
Primm, NV 89019
(702) 874-2100
A few hotel choices:

Not Primm Hotels, they can be hellish, however in Vegas proper, there are multitude of choices starting with Caesar’s, the Venetian, Rio and etc. Restaurants in Vegas are plenty and depending on your palate, you are about find your taste buds’ desire. Just a few we like: Le Cirque, Bellagio, Wolfgang Pucks, Caesar’s, the Venetian, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and to many to list, this you’ll have to find out for your self.

Besides the great deals, what makes outlets inviting and palatable are the people who run the stores and the sales staff.

One of my favorite is wherever I find Sandra Kaminskas, the assistant manager of the Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue Outlets, in Orange, Southern California. She represents and personifies class and service. Wherever she is I shop there, knowing that my clients and I will be treated with utmost professionalism. Couture events are three times a year. For meal break, “Market Broiler‎” will do, the food is decent, service great.

At Cabazon, CA look for Phil Preston, general manager, a great costumer service provider. For dinning break at Cabazon, my choices: next-door at the Morongo Casino Resort: a best dinner at Cielo with a breathtaking view from the 27th floor and also you can take advantage of great spa services. Make sure you make reservations for both the spa and restaurant.

Morongo Casino

Other choice is near by in Palm Springs, the town where the new and the old money collide with a great variety of stores, galleries and high-end restaurants.

I’ve been a huge fan of Palm Springs for decades, so there is no surprise when a few years ago we accepted a last minute invitation and joined our friend Tom in Palm Springs for New Years Eve. I reserved what I was made to believe a three-star hotel over the Internet and it turned out to be a hotel from hell. We had to schlep our luggage to the second floor and the room was the size of my bathroom with a view of a wall. Best Western Las Brisas: 222 S. Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262.

Later as we approached the restaurant to meet Tom and his friends we where greeted by loud and drunken voices, graciously we bowed out and agreed to meet him later and went off into the night searching for an elegant restaurant with a great menu. Yah, good luck, on New Years Eve.

We found a parking spot, right in the front of an Italian restaurant, where we where greeted by a charming host, with apologies they where hosting a private party, he dismissed us only to be stopped by a voice from inside the restaurant and before we knew we where sitting at a table for two by the window. With a gracious and generous ambiance we proceeded to have a wonderful New Years’ celebration with bunch of strangers. The piano bar rendered the sounds of Sinatra and Dino, we feasted on heavenly food, amazing service, with first class act treatment. Vine and champagne poured into the early morning and when the bill arrived, we where charged for food only.

When asked why a such a generous treatment? We where tolled the hostess loved the way we presented ourselves. The message is, you never know when and where you’ll be in the similar situation, so always dress as if life is a party.

Johnny Costa's Ristorante
440 S Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262-7304
(760) 325-4556

So next time you want to save a ton of money while getting outrageous deals and having a blast, give us a call 310-574-6018 and join us on our next fashion spree extravaganza.

Answers written for a magazine interview 2005, some facts might be outdated.

Q. Can celebrity scandals actually help a star?

I strongly think it depends on gender. Women are judged more rigidly than men, unless it is Paris Hilton. I think there is primitive thinking if man cheats he is macho and if women she is a whore. What has happened to Meg Ryan since her affair with that mischievous Aussie, Russell Crow? She has all but disappeared.

We have forgiven a charming snake like Bill Clinton who had on more then one occasion inappropriate sexual misconduct. Monica Lewinsky and the rest had their few moments of publicity, only to be placed in history as women without morals or any scruples. They tried to cash in on their short-lived celebrity, but where are they today?

While President Clinton is getting approximately $100,000 to $200,000 for public speaking and has earned from 2001 to 2005 according to Hillary’s Senate ethics report in excess of $30 million.

Q. Does a victim being cheated on or have a sex tape leak make you more sympathetic to the public?

We human beings seem to automatically go for the underdog, the victim, but again look what happened with Giuliani and his wife? He is not a particularly attractive male specimen almost became a bigger celebrity, as if cheating gave him a feather in his hat and Donna Hanover, the former first lady of New York City, is hosting tours of elegant homes across the country.

The sex tape leaks, are pure stupidity, or intentional exposure. ☺

Q. Does being in the press all the time, even if it is embarrassing, raise your profile?

Do we need to go any further than look at Paris Hilton? The more embarrassing the more publicity you get, and it seems the more she thrives on it. God know she has no other talents.

Q. What about Sienna Miller, who Jude Law cheated on her and publicly, apologized?

Apology will quiet down the media some and humanize his public persona but maybe he ought to follow in Kobe Bryant’s footsteps and get Sienna a little trinket. At the rate this boy is misbehaving he’ll keep his jeweler very happy and wealthy. What an insecure little man!!!!! That is all the cheating is, a sign of tremendous insecurity.

Q. Elizabeth Hurley, when Hugh Grant was caught with a hooker?

That is the day their relationship ended. His showing up on Leno’s show was a lifesaver. It’s a sort of dichotomy, cheat on your mate but be honest with your public and it seems all is forgiven. He is one of those celebrities whose charm makes us forget all his shenanigans.

Q. Brooke Shields when Tom Cruise attacked her for having postpartum depression?

I think Tom lost his mind. What qualifies him to talk about female issues? I thought Brook was so gracious about it, however he is an outrageous and a huge disappointment. Is this behavior a reflection of the teachings off Scientology?

Q. Paris Hilton with her sex tape released?

This topic is overdone and outdated so why don’t we move on to the next scandalous poor little rich girl, whose family has more money then God. I am sure they have Donny Deutsch is on instant dial, to put words in her mouth and keep her occupied from putting something else in her mouth.

Q. Martha Stewart when she went to prison?

What a farce that was and she went to prison for what? While hard-core criminals are walking the streets of America free, she was imprisoned. She’ll get richer and bigger than we ever thought it possible, she will make most scrimptions lemonade out of this lemon.

Q. Jennifer Aniston on Brad and Angelina, of course!

Jennifer Aniston is America’s sweetheart who will turn this painful experience into a positive one. Unfortunately Angelina has no consciousness and pretending she is innocent is not going to alleviate the scandal. Brad Pitt is already feeling the pain.

Q. Uma Thurman with Ethan Hawke cheating on her?

Water under the bridge, she overcame it and is a much bigger name than he is. It helps that she is an extremely talented and a stunning looking actress; success in itself is a sweet revenge. Ethan Who?

Q. Vanessa Williams when she was dethroned of her Miss America title because she posed for Playboy?

In retrospect that was a joke, but it might have opened many doors for her that otherwise might have stayed unreachable. She became a huge success in spite or because of what happened or she had some very smart advisers and used the opportunity to rise above it all.

Have you ever been on the beaches of Europe? Everyone is naked. There is nothing wrong with a human body; a morality dictated by some hypocritical puritans who attached a stigma of shame and insecurity of our own flesh. Absurd!!!

Today, with economy at its lowest, even the wealthiest are doing anything and everything to save money and one arena they can save and still look like million bucks is fashion.