The “Wish List” is meant to show the many varieties fashion has to offer from the many wonderful online shopping sites on the Web. My goal is to try and feature the big guys online and throw in a few of the smaller lads just so I can style some really cool outfits that are occasion appropriate. I was eager to check out the Ralph Lauren site. I don’t know if any of you have been to his store on Madison Avenue in New York, but it is in a stunning old mansion and you feel like you’ve walked into shoppers paradise. Warm wood panels and lush ferns greet you with oversized urns filled with lily’s, orchids and amaryllis. It is how the rich must have shopped before 1929–before taxes–before the second World War. It blows you away. To me, Ralph Lauren (FYI: his real last name is Lifshitz and he is a lovely Jewish man who began his career selling ties!) is the epitome of New York style. His look is sleek, it is the Hamptons it IS the Polo fields. What I love about Ralph Lauren today is that you can still count on his label being recognizable, but being modern and updated. He moves with the times but never strays from his staple looks and designs. You know you can always get a polo shirt with his famous insignia, but it will always be a modern cut, fit and color for the season.
When I visited his site I was blown away by how many things I wanted. For me, Ralph Lauren was always a label I aspired to for when I got a little older and couldn’t wear diffusion lines anymore. But I saw unique takes on the ruffled blouse, the pussy bow blouse, wonderful balloon sleeves, sleek trousers you would kill for and amazing suede and leather designs that were of the highest quality. His bags were amazing, but only if you had a cool $16,000 (yep, the extra zero is in there for a reason) to drop. The weakest part of the site, I would say, were his shoes and his accessories/jewellery. I’m sure in-store there was more, but I wasn’t thrilled with the selection. I felt they could have offered the customer more to go with their outfits. I could’ve gone a bit funky with Mr. Lauren, but decided to keep it as it should be: classic. I wanted my “Wish List” from Ralph Lauren to be aspirational, elegant, timeless, classic, and just simple. A lot of the other “Wish Lists” will have styles that will come and go. But what I have chosen you can pull out 20 years later and still wear and even pass on to your daughter. I chose things with cuts and fabrics that mattered so even though they may not look bright and shiny, it’s all in the way it falls and hangs and feels. I think that embodies Ralph Lauren.
With that in mind, this outfit is all about you going to a Black-Tie event. You need a gown that’s going to be striking because it is clean, and shows YOU off, and not the other way around. The attention is drawn to the silhouette through the cut of the gown, the soft-hugging fabric and the chain detail drawing attention to your back (a very sensual part of the body, I might add). Being floor length with high-heels, you look long and lean. Because of the open back detail I’d wear the hair up to show off as much of your body as possible (neck included). A nicely made up face with a touch of luminizing cream in your foundation (keep it natural and light) a gentle touch of pink to the apples of your cheeks, a strong red lip, a base color eyeshadow (as in a taupe or pale cream) with liner in a small cat-eye and heavy on the mascara. Make sure your brows are tidy, and even add brow gel to keep them in place. A nice touch would be square nails, short, in a matching red varnish. Same with the toes.
You know, we still look at that picture of Audrey Hepburn from “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” and envy her look. She made us love the LBD. This “Wish List” look will have the same effect. All the women at the gala wearing the trends of the season will give their dresses away or look back and will be able to pin-point exactly the season the outfit was from. Not you. You’ll be as classic as Ms. Hepburn. Let’s roll out the red carpet!
Dedicatedly yours,
—One of 365
Whenever you walk into a room feeling beautiful, you feel like all eyes are on you. That's not just hubris, it's usually true. And in this dress, your hunch will be probably be right again. This cashmere, floor-length dress will show off all of the curves of your body. The boat-neck front looks clean, simple and elegant giving your body the chance to show-off its killer silhouette, but when you turn around and reveal the plunging v-back with multi-tiered chain adornments, well, that's the big reveal. The muscles in your back will get their chance to expose themselves and the chains act as jewellery where you couldn't have any on the front. Tell me this isn't a classic? You'll feel good because the fabric is amazing, you'll look gorgeous because of the cut and you know you're the class act at a classy affair. Not bad. Not bad at all. Cashmere Chain-Back Gown, $1898, ralphlauren.com
Though the heel won't really show, if you do end up revealing your tootsies you want the world to know you're working it top to toe. These suede and Swarovski crystal embellished sandals are straight from the runway collection so if they are good enough to work it on a catwalk they are good enough to work it for your Black Tie affair. The crystals will go nicely with the earrings I will show you in the next shot and the wrapping around of the suede is a play on the dripping chain on the back of the dress. The heel height is also great (4"), because the taller you are, the longer and leaner you look in that gown. Brea Suede Crystal Sandal, $795, ralphlauren.com
I was surprised that Maestro Lauren didn't have a fine jewellery section. Maybe it's not featured online. I HATE that I'm promoting CZ's but the look goes with the classic and timelessness of the whole outfit so I am going to settle (but let's pretend they are real diamonds, okay?). A diamond stud is something that you aspire to. It's like a coming of age gift. You can wear them day to night and they will always match any outfit. These studs will go with the simplicity of the dress. We don't want anything hanging--it would compete with the chains in the back. We just want a touch of glimmer every so often when you catch the light you shine. Large Cubic Zirconia Stud, $45, ralphlauren.com
With lush Swarovski crystals, a satin finish, African crocodile trim and a classic Art-Deco clasp this is the perfect clutch to go with your outfit. I love that it is also lined in a bright purple! Again, it's the quality of the materials and the classic shape, design and ability to use over and over again. Perfection. Satin, Crystal & Croco Clutch, $1,995, ralphlauren.com
And of course you need that finishing touch when you are just about to step out the door. It's a sexy scent for evening and the bottle and packaging even go with your outfit so if you were to take it with you, it would look like a great accessory! Notorious is a sparkling spiced scent with notes of deep black currant, chocolate and patchouli musk. Spritz on pulse points. Ooo la la. Notorious 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum, $65, ralphlauren.com
People seemed to really like some examples of some beauty writing that I’ve done in the past. Well, I just had a freelancing gig and wrote for a pretty famous company (hence the XXX when you see them in the writing below) about shaving and self-tanners. I worked with the advertising and promotions teams to create an advertising page for the magazine promoting 2 beauty products. Basically a magazine and a brand will work together to get a product(s) promoted without making it too obvious by having it mesh with the editorial feel of the magazine. You’ll usually see in the upper-right hand corner of the page, “Advertisement.” But if you can pull it off, sometimes you can get the reader to think it’s part of the mag and that’s when you can really hit home and maybe get the sell. I did this for two brands. “Billy Jealousy,” a shaving product and “Mystic Tan,” a self-tanning product. You’ll see how I write the pieces as if they are 100% editorial, but I am promoting their products ONLY. Clever, eh? This was for one pretty famous beauty supplier who was advertising in a mag. So here you go and enjoy. I think it’s fun and I enjoyed writing it. And, you do learn about self-tanning and shaving. It is, in theory, really and editorial piece. I just used specific brands rather than brands of my own choosing. It’s amazing how many elements go in to making a magazine, right? Anywhooooo…the fun part is when you see it laid out. Have a great Sunday and I will see you for the “Wish List” tomorrow.
Dedicatedly yours,
—One of 365
Self-Tanners:
Mystic Tan's Perfect Tan Kit, $54, Sephora.com
Self-tanning has always been tricky. When the first products came on the market we were left with a radioactive tangerine tint that made us look more George Hamilton than groovin’ with a J-Lo glow. But since those “dark days,” products have evolved. Cutting- edge brands like Mystic Tan have given natural-looking hues to almost 200 million people. XXXX is delighted to carry Mystic Tan’s new luxe line of DIY products that have revolutionized the self-tanning world. Their collection includes the Perfect Tan Kit Body, Perfect Tan Kit Face, Sunless Tanning Spray Face and Body, Sunless Enhancing Moisturizer Body and Shimmer Face. [Pssst!] If you’ve ever envied Jessica Simpson’s golden skin, Mystic Tan is her secret.
But no matter how “golden” the self-tanner becomes, the application process is not always fail-safe. So…Welcome to Self-tanner 101!
The first step for any self-tanning guru is exfoliation. Removing dead skin cells is key because you don’t want dry zones like knees and elbows to collect tanner and make the product appear dark, muddy and uneven. Now, here comes the fun part…the application! But be wary. Many of us have earned the Scarlet Letter of self-tanners: discolored palms (the true sign of a novice). A helpful hint: Use latex gloves for application. Worried about having white hands? Problem solved. All you need to do is rub the backs of your palms with self-tanner in a clockwise direction. Works every time!
Okay. Body exfoliated? Latex gloves snapped on? You’re ready! Believe it or not, this is the easy part. Using gentle, long strokes, apply the tanner as evenly as possible along your skin. A great tip is to add a dollop of moisturizer to the tanner, making the product a bit more malleable and therefore easier to apply. This is also excellent for tan enhancement, because it helps saturate the color into your skin.
So you’ve tanned yourself, and you’re wondering, “what now?” Well, don’t allow your skin to get near water for at least 4 hours. Also, this stuff can stain! If you’re planning to throw on that white Prada maxi-dress right away, that’s a huge no-no.
If you have the time to tan and set during the day, more power to you. But the ideal time is just before you turn in for the night. Then you can shower off the residual product in the morning. (To protect your sheets, wear a scruffy pair of old pj’s.) This is ideal because you maximize the amount of tan time allowing, for the deepest color possible, and you don’t have to worry that any of the above uh-oh’s will happen.
So now that you’re tan and gorgeous, all you have to do is maintain your new radiance. Moisturizing is key, because it keeps skin from sloughing off and also prolongs your beautiful bronze. Use Mystic Tan’s Sunless Enhancing Moisturizer Body that provides offers a subtle amount of color while keeping skin hydrated.
(Okay. That’s it.) You glow, girl!
Shaving:
Billy Jealousy Hydroplane Super-Slick Shave Cream $20 sephora.com
We all—men and women alike– have nightmare stories about shaving. Many a prom night photo has been ruined by guys with Band-Aids slapped over razor burns. And surely there have been countless summer BBQ’s where girls showed up in pants instead of cute new dresses because they had a shaving fiasco.
The simple fact is we didn’t have the “cutting-edge” razors that populate the market today–razors with names that sound like launch vehicles designed by NASA! Well, we’ve come a long way from that scary man in the barbershop wielding a straight edge blade, a leather strop and a shaky hand. What’s so exciting about this razor revolution are all the brilliant products that have arrived to help us in the fine art of shaving. Creams, waxes, oils, foams—even lasers!
XXXX’s team of specialists is always on hand to help you select the shaving option that’s perfect for you (and we’ve got quite a selection). And now we’ve found something genuinely unique that’s going to make any shaving aficionado “jealous.” Hint: it also won Best Shaving Cream at Esquire’s 2007 Grooming Awards. Oh, and George Clooney is a fan. Care to read on?
Hydroplane, by Billy Jealousy, is a foamless shave cream that lubricates the skin to give you the closest shave possible while also protecting against razor burn, nicks, bumps and ingrown hairs. A little goes a long way with this 8oz. bottle, because it miraculously gets slicker and more powerful as you add warm water to it. As we all know–ouch!–shaving can leave a burning sensation but Hydroplane provides a pleasant cooling effect as it performs its magic. The formula includes micro-silicon beads that have a slight exfoliation action–also fantastic for an ultra-soft finish because it sloughs off dead skin cells. And with chamomile and aloe to keep skin calm and humectants to preserve moisture, it’ll give you the happiest skin on the planet. Because Hydroplane is perfect for every skin type, all you have to do is massage onto face, shave, and rinse with cool water. And, because it’s such a smooth product, women are grabbing it off the shelves after rave reviews from the men in their lives. Hey, if a guy can steal your shampoo and conditioner, why can’t you steal his shaving cream?
XXXXXX’s Tick List: Do’s and Don’ts of Shaving
Always shave with warm water. The best time is after a steaming, hot shower. Or, ladies, a great time to shave is IN a steaming, hot shower!
Make sure you have a sharp blade. Dull blades are going to tear skin, cause ingrown hairs and create razor burn.
Never shave against the grain (even though we’re tempted because we think we’re getting a closer and quicker shave: we’re actually causing small cuts to the skin that could lead to infection and ingrown hairs).
When you’re finished shaving, always rinse with cool water. This closes the pores and calms the skin.
Moisturize! Use an after-shave balm, lotion or cream and avoid anything alcohol based (unless you want to encourage burning!).
Don’t be cheap! Sometimes things are worth spending a little extra money on. That bag of 100 razors for 99 cents is priced that way for a reason. Invest in a quality razor and a well-researched product.
I’ve been going to events hosted by PR’s for a long time now and the color worn by the ladies of the night is always black. I don’t know if any of you lovely PR girls will be reading this, but I’m sure you’ll agree that sometimes it’s hard to find something flattering and work-appropriate for an event. You don’t want to out-dress your attendees, but you also don’t want to be mistaken for a waiter.
I went to the lovely Calvin Klein website and was very surprised. They’ve come along way since the 90’s where ghetto people were wearing oversized Calvin Klein knock-off T-shirts or you’d see CK jeans rotting in the racks of TJ Maxx. Oh and do you remember the era of CK One? I thought I’d never breathe fresh air again! Truthfully, it’s happening with Thierry Mugler’s Angel, but I suppose every decade has its fragrance trend. The site wasn’t Mr. Klein’s runway collection. It was his reasonably priced clothing that had amazing sales and truthfully, the full price goodies were fair given they were really on trend, the fabrics were top-notch and the cuts looked excellent. There is a Calvin Klein in a mall near my house and simply from looking at this site I’m going, credit card in hand, and shopping!
So, back to out PR princess. She’s a tough cookie because she’s gotta handle high-level clients, keep her cool, look attractive, but also understated. She also needs to be classy. She can’t stand out and experiment with trends. So let’s pretend that this is an event for Calvin Klein. She’s donning everything from his collection to be supportive and represent, so if anyone asks what she is wearing she can boast that it is indeed from Mr. Klein. The base color is black with the only other shades being golds, coppers and caramels. The leopard print on the heel is the only bit of sass in the outfit, but it’s good. It show she is stylish, has some funk and knows her fashion. Okay, the doors are about to open. Time to primp the outfit and make sure she looks as sleek as the label she’s representing.
The dress of the night! This basic black dress is very deceptive in its simplicity. It's bustier and criss cross straps give support allowing for her to not have to wear a bra. This eliminates unsightly straps and uncomfortable underwires so she can feel completely at ease to do her work. The cinched waist holds her in at the right spot to make her look her slimmest and the pockets are excellent for holding spare pens, blackberry; whatever she may need to throw in at the last second if she is without her purse. The dress is deceptively simple, but because the cut and tailoring are so well done, she looks elegant and well-presented. Criss Cross Bustier Dress, Originally $138 now $69, calvinklein.com
These are sexy and add a splash of fun to the all black attire. They have a severe heel, but the platform will allow ball of foot comfort. The straps and sling-back will keep the heel on tight so no slipping out of the shoe. It also shows you've got a bit of personality to your fashion sense even if you can't really show it at this event. The dress is on the shorter side, and these heels have height (4"!) so you're gonna have elongated legs which will make you stand out above the crowd giving you a good vantage point, but also allowing you to maybe get snagged by a hot celebrity because DAMN your legs will look AMAZING! Prive Leopard Print Pony Sandal, $118, calvinklein.com
Blackberry Check! Guest-list? Check! Perfume? Check! Mirror? Check! What else? That's the beauty of this bag. It can hold whatever you need and more! It's big, it's classy and though understated with its black leather and gold hardware, the C shaped design and handle make it architectural and sleek. It'll fit cozily under your arm ready to be unzipped and opened for whatever you need. It's in the bag, baby! C Link Crescent Hobo, $198, calvinklein.com
You're SO gonna need a watch, right? This goes perfectly with the ensemble. It's dressy, looks a bit like a bracelet so you don't have to worry that you are sans baubles, and most importantly it tells the bloody time. Truthfully, I'm not one for branded watches unless the name Rolex or Cartier comes into the mix (wink) but if you're representing the brand or need a reasonable evening watch, this one ain't too shabby. If you were to wear it with a bunch of really cool black enamel bracelets and gold bangles it could be gorgeous! Gold Lexington Watch, $255, calvinklein.com
I had to insert a fragrance in the mix! C'mon, it's Calvin Klein! I chose one of his less familiar names, though truthfully they are all sold at a Boots or a CVS pharmacy, right? As a little trail-off, I'm a fragrance fanatic and own a beyond belief amount from my beauty days. I have a special place in my heart for the art of perfume and hate mass produced ones like these. BUT, I do understand their necessity in the world, and that's why I am including this. I just feel if you wear a perfume, try and find one that's not worn by every Joe Schmo on the street. Really investigate and experiment to find "you" in a scent. Okay, I'll shut up. Basically, I chose this because of the bottle. I thought if Miss PR girl were to pull it out, it would match her outfit! It's also a sultry fragrance with top notes: plum, mace, rose de damas mid notes: egyptian jasmine, french orange flower, tuberose base notes: cashmere woods, burnt amber, madagascan vanilla, australian sandalwood. Really good for a night out and to mask any sweat building up from a stressed out evening! Secret Obsession, 3.4 oz EDP Originally $72 now $36, calvinklein.com
Now, sniffle, if you’ve noticed, there is NO poll! I have done this purposefully to punish you all!!!!! Jokes aside, no one was voting. So I decided to try 1 “Wish List” without it to see if I would get any comments asking for it back. If you want it, you got it. But if you don’t miss it, I won’t bring it back from the dead. Poor poll. He’s the only guy I knew who actually wanted his buttons pushed
This painting is by one of my favorite artists, Sir John Everett Millais. Usually he captures women who are rich and opulent. What I like about this painting is how he is studying a humble seamstress in muted colors. She stares out the window pondering her future and her life. I wonder whatever happened to the sitter in this painting? Did her fingers bleed for the rest of time, becoming rough from years of labor? Did she ever escape the fate of this moment and leap through that window, or was she forever captured in this existence of hers? I wonder, will I ever leave the canvas that life is painting for me? I want to make sure that before the varnish dries, I'm happy with the finished portrait.
Dear Ether,
I had the most magical night on Wednesday with English gent. He and I have been jonesing for art and culture for some time. We were so used to having our pick of museums and underground do’s in England. We’ve been sorely missing it. Los Angeles has a few good museums, but it just isn’t the same vibe as London. There is The Getty which is more about the museum structure itself than the art and LACMA which has some amazing pieces, but once you go, you sort of have to wait like, 6 months before it changes its scenery. There is a MOCA, but man is it a schlep! There are a few other token little museums out there too, but I’m not privy to the art scene here. One that is amazing is the Huntingon which I’ve been meaning to take English gent to. The gardens are extraordinary with different themes, and the museum houses a Guttenberg Bible and original manuscripts from famous authors. Los Angeles also has Frank Lloyd Wright homes you can check out, and I’ve been foolish and haven’t visited those yet. But, there is nothing like the Tate or the National Gallery in Los Angeles. I just spent 8 years visiting these places and getting to know them inside out. The Rodin’s and the Rembrandt’s became old friends and I just miss them so much.
Knowing our desperation for culture was dire, the Big Apple Beauty, who lives it up museum-wise in NYC, bought us tickets to The Pageantry of the Masters, which is a festival in Laguna Beach (about an hour and half drive from Los Angeles) that is the most remarkable event. They plan it all year, taking painstaking measures to do the incredible: using live people to re-enact famous paintings using scenery that has been copied perfectly to mimic the artwork. It is a marvel. The paintings become 3-dimensional and the characters who play the roles in the famous artwork don’t even breathe, that’s how still they are. They are literally painted with the exact brush strokes someone like Frieda Kahlo used. Human beings are transformed into art. They also have a narrator who described the paintings, gives a history of the painter, all while beautiful music like Brahms and Beethoven are played by a live orchestra. This is all done in an oudoor coliseum under the stars. It’s simply magical. The amazing thing was none of these actors were being paid. They were all volunteers. Though the show only lasts a month (and is sold out a year in advance) the dedication and love for this Pageantry of the Masters is unbelievable. I was so happy to have been part of the evening.
Laguna is a really interesting town because it is a real artists colony. Every other store is a gallery and they are famous for paintings called “Plein Air” which literally means in the open air. Originally started in Europe by the Impressionists trying to capture light from outside, they took their easels into the landscapes they were painting and captured the light as they saw it. Normally they would sketch outside and then re-create colors as they remembered it in their studios. But Plein Air allowed them to snag the tones in the moment which added a whole new spectrum of color to paintings changing the way light was looked at forever. Laguna was the perfect spot because of the flawless weather, the sepia toned landscapes with the bright blue ocean and the warm sun, creating amazing shades of color reflecting off of nature. These galleries house many of these incredible paintings and they are so unique. Though the idea of the art came from Europe, I really associated it so much with America. But maybe this was because the paintings I saw were of American landscapes.
An example of Plein Air art. Truthfully, it's not my cup of tea. But you can see how the artist captures the landscape and is trying to grasp the light and nature.
I enjoyed seeing artists at work and learning about a new form of art. We ate lunch outside with the sea as a backdrop and just had a wonderful escape from the drudgery we’ve been experiencing lately. It’s really funny, as beautiful as Laguna was, both English gent and I felt the same way—that it just wasn’t us. It was too laid back. Too calm. We’re not accustomed to people walking slowly and a more laid back way of life. We’re so used to the hustle and bustle of a big city, it just seemed too small town. I think we were happy to visit, but very happy to be going back to Los Angeles (which still doesn’t seem to suffice).
I hope that English gent and I find our niche. That we can figure out where we belong. Like the artists in the paintings caught in a frame, English gent and I also feel like we are stuck in a place we can’t move. We feel painted into the scenery, but unlike the characters in the Pageantry of the Masters, we don’t get to wipe off the make-up and return to our normal lives. We are forever on a canvas waiting for our portrait to be finished, but we seem never to be able to get our opus completed. I dream of being unleashed from my painted life and being free. I still want to be colorful and creative, just not locked into the landscape. Like the players in the show, I want to breathe.
Dedicatedly yours,
—One of 365
PS: I’ve attached a slide show below for you to see behind the scenes of the Pageantry of the Masters. I felt that my description wouldn’t do it justice and I think you need to really see it to understand what it looks like and what goes into making it the marvel that it is. Remember, any people you see in the completed paintings are REAL! I hope you enjoy!
Celebrity is all a bit blurry. The girl in the picture has a stunning figure and stands out in a red dress, but where she's standing and what her emotions are seem fuzzy. What goes on behind the scenes of the rich and famous is an odd one. They will never fully be just like you and me. But when you get close enough and things become clearer some of the fantasy goes away and it takes the magic with it.
Dear Ether,
So, I covered a red carpet on Thursday night. I can’t tell you anything (yadda, yadda…the close lipped contract….) and this entry isn’t going to be about the party itself, but about the vulnerability of the celebrity.
My job went as it should. I did the normal carpet chit-chat. Some celebs were better interviews than others. The waifish ladies did their poses for the cameras looking confident and gorgeous. And then they sauntered off into the affair itself. After I was finished doing my interviews, I went into the party for observations, to grab a drink and take some visual notes on what the event looked like because sometimes cameras aren’t allowed in. Also, you might get a chance to chat with a celeb a little more in-depth and get something juicy. It’s also a fun perk (though I find it a little awkward because I don’t know anyone and hanging out with famous people for the sake of it has never been my thing). You might also walk away with a goodie-bag and you are guaranteed amazing food and cocktails. My favorite perk of going to V.I.P. shin-dig’s has always been that I get to explore a club or a hotel that you would normally never be granted access to.
But Thursday I had the strangest epiphany. As I was observing these make-up clad women and trendily dressed men that I had seen on the big and small screen, I realized that they were vulnerable. I think all my life I’ve always thought of celebrities as being super men and women. That they were touched by fairy-dust and were infallible. I think some of these people think they are too. Look at the classic case of James Dean. But, I think as the walls are crumbling with privacy between the media and the public, stars are starting to realize that they actually are just like “us” with a bit more cash and possibly more problems (though don’t get me wrong, I’d like to have the problem of what dress to wear to the Academy Awards or what movie to choose from instead of how the hell I’m going to pay my water bill….).
I can’t drink heavily when I attend these parties for 2 reasons. 1: I’m on the clock so it would be unprofessional. 2: I drive and so I have to be sober come time to leave and go home. But a lot of these celebs either come with PR people who drive them home, they have drivers or scarily, they might even take the risk of the road themselves. So, if you’ve ever been to a party where everyone around you is drunk and you’re sober, it’s like walking through a madhouse of slanted eyes, cockeyed grins and loose limbs. And that’s what I saw straight and clear with these well-known folks. It was like a weird party at college. Their eyes were darting around if they were standing around without anyone to talk to looking desperate and embarrassed. They used the old texting on the mobile phone trick if they were sitting alone so they “looked busy” and they seemed jittery and had uncomfortable silences just like you and I would have at a party if we were in their position. I was really surprised. You always think they have a zillion people to chat with and are the king’s and queen’s of the balls. Not so!
You know, when I went to parties for my previous line of work, very few of them were celeb functions. They were mainly cozy press affairs so most of the people who attended were PR’s and fellow journalists. Also, Hollywood is a whole different kettle of fish than London. People are star crazy here. The people who are reporters are so hungry for some sort of claim to fame that they froth at the mouth when they see any celebrity. It just doesn’t do it for me. Do I smile or chuckle to myself when I see someone famous? Of course! But these people—they will literally stab you in the neck if you get in their way of a possible meeting with anyone recognizable. I find it really pathetic and it actually made me feel sorry for them.
But I digress. When I saw the vulnerability and the desperation in many of these celebs eyes, and the look of being lost and not having anyone to talk to, I actually felt depressed. I felt sorry for them. I know I shouldn’t and I’m probably reading WAY too deeply into this, but it just felt like the barrier between audience and stage had fallen and I had seen the actor through their make-up. It was kinda ugly. I grew up in Los Angeles and my dad, as mentioned in earlier posts, was a TV writer. I also went to a school that was laden with celebrity parents. I used to go on studio lots and see famous people daily. Fame is not anything terribly shocking or heart-stopping for me (except for Sienna Miller—and I keep meaning to explain that one—but alas, it will have to wait for another post). But I can understand how people who aren’t jaded like I am are crazed when they see someone they adore in the flesh. A couple of the other reporters wanted to stay and try and see if they could hang out with some of the famous folks. But as soon as my revelation came, I wanted out. I busted a move, handed the valet my ticket and thankfully got in my car and was pleased to leave and get on with my work.
Look, I’m sure I am over-analyzing. But, it really is weird when you see the mask fall and underneath isn’t the glorious face of Dorian Gray but the plain visage of John Doe. These people get pit stains, spill on themselves, step in shit, and get lonely and lost at a party. I guess the reason it made me feel so bad is because somewhere in me was the dream of wanting to be famous. The perks are great—the money, the opportunities, the chance to play roles in locations that are exquisite. But a the end of the day, they go home and check their e-mail where they delete their spam about Viagra, open up the fridge and stare wondering what they want for a snack and cry when they have a down day.
Funny how one stupid event can just remind you of that, eh?
I love the magazine I’m working for. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I adore the inside chances I get to experience and the interesting people I get to speak to. But for some reason on Thursday something hit a bad chord in me and I had to share it. I don’t know, I’ll let you know if the next one brings out these emotions in me.
In conclusion, flashbulbs and canapés, there will always be famous people. And there will always be fans. But there are very few people who actually get to see what goes on behind the curtain. And you know what, a lot of their life is a big old set. A fake reality. Their truth is no different than ours. So next time your eyes are darting back and forth wondering “why isn’t anyone talking to me” or “shit, I don’t know anyone here, I’m nervous,” just know your favorite celeb has been there too. She’s just been wearing a designer dress that’s more expensive than you have on while doing it.
Step out of the Ether and send me an E-mail. I would be glad to have your thoughts, feelings and ideas.
