Cinema Style

The Design of the Descendants

2012-02-17T22:43:00.000-06:00

As with most films, the setting often garners top billing as an additional character. Such was the case of Hawaii in director Alexander Payne's story of love, loss and legacy, The Descendants. George Clooney plays Matt King, a land baron who reacquaints himself with his two daughters when his wife is in a coma after a boating accident off of Waikiki. Shot entirely on location Honolulu and around Hanalei Bay, production designer Jane Ann Stewart no doubt enjoyed the perks of her job and spent eight months in pre-production, soaking in the unique culture of the land.

The King family lineage traced back to early settlers of the islands, hence the name "The Descendants." Stewart used this as a reference point for the design, adding history through color, accessories and detail. She gave the home an "old plantation style" look, recreating a Zuber-like mural of explorer Captain Cooke's time on the islands in the dining room. "I wanted it to feel like it had been there since the ships arrived," says Stewart. "I want people to want to go back to that house over and over again." Mission accomplished.

The original house belonged to another "descendants" type family and the wood had been stripped and painted with a semi-gloss white that was restored to original condition by the production team. Set decorator Matt Calahan had the enviable task of locating the furnishings from shops all over the island. "When you're dressing a set, you just layer it with lots of history, a little bit of the orient, some Americana - especially from the '50s and '60s," notes Stewart.

Family photos grace the walls throughout
the house to denote a lineage and history

Modern colors were added to several of the rooms for an updated look

Island touches: A hexagonal coffee table displays seashells
Love the mid century club chairs

Leaf pattern area rug, floral fabrics and celadon wall
color bring the vivid nature indoors

The Descendants won two Golden Globes and has been nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for George Clooney.

Photo Credits: Fox Searchlight

Whitney on Film

2012-02-12T08:27:00.000-06:00

While everyone knew Whitney Houston as a great voice, she was also an actress and will be returning to the big screen later this August after a sixteen year hiatus in the film Sparkle (Sony, 2012). Starring American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and singer CeeLo Green, Sparkle is a remake of the 1976 film about three church choir singers who form a singing group and deal with drugs and fame. The original film starred Fame's Irene Cara and Phillip Michael Thomas from Miami Vice.

Whitney played a pop diva who hires Kevin Costner as her guard after threats from a stalker in her first film The Bodyguard (1992). Written by The Big Chill's Lawrence Kasdan with Steve McQueen and Diana Ross in mind, the film was notable for her mega-hit song "I Will Always Love You."

Kevin Costner as a former Secret Service agent turned personal bodyguard

With Costner in a scene at The Ivy in LA

Perhaps her best film was the 1995 chick flick Waiting to Exhale. Based on Terry McMillan's novel, the film follows four African American women and their relationships. Houston holds her own in this film with Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Gregory Hines and naturally there is a great soundtrack.

Director Penny Marshall's The Preacher's Wife followed in 1996 with Denzel Washington and Courtney B. Vance. The film was a remake of The Bishop's Wife with Loretta Young, Cary Grant and David Niven and considered a moderate hit.

Houston with Denzel Washington in The Preacher's Wife

With actor Courtney B. Vance as the preacher

R.I.P. Whitney.

Photo Credits: Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers

At Home in Highclere

2012-02-04T13:39:00.000-06:00

Set on 1000 acres in Hampshire, the Elizabethan style estate has been the home to the Carnavon family since 1679. Known as Highclere Castle, it is also known to millions of television viewers as Downton Abbey.

Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley

The men of Downton:
Dan Stevens as Mathew Crawley and Hugh Bonneville as Earl of Grantham

The enormously successful drama has taken the world by storm with its intriguing plot lines, upstairs/downstairs melodrama, Edwardian costumes and a window of aristocratic life in a world gone by. With its sophisticated period perfect interiors and idyllic country setting, Highclere a.k.a. Downton Abbey is as important a character as the outstanding ensemble cast. It is true period production design and set decoration at its best and you can read more in my article in Architectural Digest.

The Masterpiece Classic can be seen on Sunday nights at 8:00 pm CST on PBS. Be warned as the show should come with a disclaimer: hugely addicting and watch at your own risk. I may have to tape the Super Bowl as I am not sure I can wait to see the show later:)

And while you are waiting for the next episode, be sure to read the book Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by the Countess of Carnavon. Lady Fiona traces the history and heritage, focusing on Almina who was the illegitimate daughter of tycoon Alfred Rothschild and married the Earl of Carnavon (with an enormous dowry). Life to the manor born was filled with lavish banquets until World War One intervened and their lives were changed forever -- shades of Downton Abbey.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of PBS, Random House, Highclere Castle

Viva Las Vegas

2012-01-26T20:31:00.001-06:00

For those of you attending the Las Vegas Design Market (or just happen to be there at the blackjack table and need a break), I will be speaking on Designs on Film on Wednesday, February lst at 2:00 p.m. with a book signing to follow. There are some wonderful speakers and events -- designers Clodagh, Jamie Drake and Anthony Barratta just to name a few -- and you can check it out here. I will let you know how I do at craps -- wonder if I can place some bets on the Oscars? And something tells me that Elvis song will be stuck in my head for the duration of the trip.

Elvis and Ann-Margret in Viva Las Vegas

The Oceans 11 gang at the Bellagio

Update on Uggie the Dog: He is retiring after his strenuous scene stealing moments in The Artist. My friends at the Weinstein Company shared the following -- Born in Florida, Uggie is nine years old and "re-homed after he was too wild and high-energy for his first owners to be a single companion dog." He was soon adopted by an animal trainer and began his film career. He traveled with the "Incredible Dogs Show" performing stunts on a skateboard (apparently a crowd pleaser at a recent Today Show stint) and even shot a commercial in South Africa.

His film credits include Water for Elephants, Mr. Fix-It and Disney's Life is Ruff. He has recently announced his retirement and going out on a high note with Cannes Film Festival and Golden Globe appearances (I predict the adoptions of Jack Russell Terriers will triple after the Oscars). Apparently Uggie sleeps indoors in the master bedroom with his family on his days off and lives in a multi-dog and cat household. I am seriously in love and he will be missed.

Sharing the screen with Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in Water for Elephants

Uggie in The Artist

Will he get his AARP card now? And SAG benefits?

Photo Credits: Warner Brothers, The Weinstein Company, Twentieth Century Fox

A Look Back at Gosford Park

2012-01-21T23:31:00.000-06:00

Before the intrigue, splendor and Sunday night "must see" addiction that is Downton Abbey, there was the film Gosford Park (2001). A story of the upper crust world of nobility and their servants in thirties England, the Robert Altman film was reminiscent of Upstairs/Downstairs with a little Agatha Christie thrown in for good measure.

Production designer Stephen Altman (and son of the director), created the authentic period interiors for the story of a group of wealthy Brits and one American who assemble for a shooting weekend at a country estate known as Gosford Park. The film's all-star cast includes Kristen Scott Thomas, Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, and the late Alan Bates and was nominated for seven Oscars.

Upstairs cast....

and downstairs.

Shot on location in the UK, it took two estates and a soundstage to make up Gosford Park -- Wrotham Park, Syon House (upstairs) and Shepperton Studios (downstairs). Altman and set decorator Anna Pinnock took painstaking care to use colors and furnishings authentic to the period with red as the predominant color. Altman explains, "In houses like these, there are antiques from two or three hundred years before, so we just added in layers of modernity. We wanted to make sure it was comfortable and livable, since many of the stately homes we'd seen were like museums and didn't seem like homes."

Wrotham Park

Working on a period film requires extensive research and the ultimate set decorators dream. Altman hired as consultant a butler and cook who had been in domestic service in England in the thirties. From the proper table settings to the appropriate wardrobe for the staff, Altman and his team wanted to make sure they portrayed domestic life in a noble home in an accurate fashion. Rooms were designed for sewing, ironing, making jams and jellies, and even a “brushing room” was added, where guests would be “brushed down” and thus not carry any mud or dirt into the house. I guess it was the precursor to what we know now as the mud room:)

Party guests

Stephen Fry and Kristen Scott Thomas

Costume designer Jenny Beavan's satin gown for Kristen Scott Thomas

Ryan Phillipe as the valet

The film has many parallels to Downtown Abbey - lots of great period interiors in an idyllic English estate, the wonderful Maggie Smith as scene stealer Constance, Countess of Trentham, devoted maids and mysterious handsome valets, and a classic study of the British class system. Catch it on DVD after Season Two of the PBS show is over and when a fix of all things Brit is in order.

Photo Credits: USA Films

Anatomy of an Awards Show

2012-01-15T11:56:00.001-06:00

Hollywood and the world for that matter is obsessed with little golden statuettes, who's wearing what, who will win what and all the hoopla that is known as the awards show. And tonight this season's statue race begins with perhaps one of the best of the season, the Golden Globes.

First, a quick primer. The Golden Globe Award honors the best of television and film as judged by the 93 members of the Hollywood Press Association. Dating back to l944, the show tends to be a tad more glamorous than the Oscars (more celebrities from the big as well as small screens), more interesting (selections are broader as there are split categories for best actor and film based on comedy, drama, etc.), and the speeches more outrageous (translation - alcohol is served). Miss Golden Globe remains an annual staple as a coming out party of sorts for the daughter (and in some rare cases, sons) of a celebrity. Former Miss GG's include Melanie Griffith, Linda Evans, Joely Fisher, Rumer Willis with Donna Douglas (Beverly Hillbillies's Ellie Mae Clampett) as the show's first. Freddie Prinze, Jr. and John Clark Gable were two of the men who held the duties.

Rainey Qualley, daughter of Andie MacDowell and Miss GG 2012

Rumer Willis, daughter of Bruce and Demi

Stars with their publicists and stylists in tow will stroll down 30,000 square feet of red carpet as 550 bottles of Moet & Chandon vintage 2002 and 9,000 champagne glasses await. Five to six thousand guests will be found in the Beverly Hilton attending the proverbial after parties with a lucky 1,300 seated for dinner. (Note: No botox figures were available at this time). Harvey Weinstein, In Style, Vanity Fair's party at Cecconi's and HBO will have some of the hottest most sought after soirees with NBC/Universal throwing their hopeful celebration of the hit film Bridesmaids (nominated for best film in the comedy category) on the roof.

Party map courtesy of The Daily Truffle

All eyes will be on third time host Ricky Gervais who is expected to be bawdy, hilarious and tell it like it is. No one will escape unscathed and expect lots of Sandusky, Tebowing, Ashton and Demi, Kardashian and Republican presidential contender barbs. In the past, he has drawn the ire of the Hollywood Press Association and certain segments of the film industry with his comments on gay actors and scientology. My personal favorite -- "It's going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking -- or, as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast." Sheen laughed so what was the problem?:)

Ricky Gervais, king of barbs

The show has had other scandals that question the validity of the awards. Case in point - Pia Zadora won "Newcomer of the Year" in 1981 for her performance in Butterfly (I can hear many of you now asking who/what?) amid accusations her producer husband "bought" her the award. Similar stories surfaced around the film The Tourist last year as the studio was accused of offering voters an all expense paid trip to Vegas. (I am not sure the latter had any legs as press junkets have always been the norm.)

Pia Zadora beat out actresses Elizabeth McGovern (Ragtime)
and Kathleen Turner (Body Heat)

And it's hard to remember a time the awards shows were not about the clothes. The red carpet has become a staple and the fashions get equal if not more emphasis than the actual films themselves. A gown can make or break both an actress and designer's career and stylists have become the new power and image brokers in Hollywood (be sure to check out the Ruth La Ferla's New York Times piece on The Power Stylists of Hollywood). Countless hours will be spent dissecting, scrutinizing and analyzing hits and misses and heaven forbid two actresses wear the same gown. It's often excruciating watching the red carpet interviewers come up with questions ("How was the ride over in the limo" makes for compelling journalism) and I suspect every campus in America could have a field day using the word "amazing" for their drinking game.

Last year's red carpet fashions - champagne was the order of the day

The event is truly Hollywood's Super Bowl, a predictor of things to come at Oscar time and 17 million viewers plus in 167 countries will no doubt tune in. And with Downton Abbey Season Two and The Good Wife airing at the same time, Tivo is the order of the evening.

Follow me on Twitter tonight @catwhit as I give my two cents during the show and red carpet.

Photo Credits: HPA, Daily Truffle

Pats and Eddy are Back...Ab Fab Redux

2012-01-08T19:46:00.000-06:00

First there was Lucy and Ethel, followed by Mary and Rhoda, Thelma and Louise and Carrie/Miranda/Charlotte/Samantha. And across the pond (and sandwiched in between the timeline of female buddies) were none other than Patsy and Edina from the hit show Ab/Fab aka Absolutely Fabulous.

The wildly popular BBC show had a cult following here in the nineties as we followed the trials and tribulations of the soon to be Betty Ford poster girls Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders who is also the show's creator) and Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley). Edina heads her own public relations firm while Patsy is a magazine editor and together the two booze, botox and bleep their way through life while trying to recover their glory days in London's Swinging Sixties. Their antics in this celebrity rehab world we live in appear tame yet hilarious and one wonders how they will handle life and its economic woes of the 21st century as the pair return for three 20th anniversary specials beginning on Sunday, January 8th on BBC America and Logo channels (and no doubt you can find a repeat).

Jennifer Saunders

Joanna Lumley

I can't wait to see if weight gain, wrinkles, Bubbles the assistant and hangovers are the order of the day. Something tells me they will be -- lets just hope the specials have closed captioning as the heavy accents were a challenge to decipher. And for those who can't get enough, Saunders is supposedly working the script for an Ab/Fab film.

Photo Credits: BBC

Life in Suburbia, Sitcom Style

2012-01-01T08:00:00.001-06:00

Take three multigenerational families with three very distinct styles and you have the new suburbia, sitcom style ABC's hit show Modern Family that airs on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. EST. Television interiors have certainly come a long way since the Ricardo's sparse fifties Manhattan apartment and Seinfeld's one bedroom filled with Superman memorabilia and cereal boxes.

From patriarch Jay Pritchett's and saucy wife Gloria's modern home to the Dunphy's conservative and comfortable Pottery Barn filled interiors, production designer Richard Berg and set decorator Tara Stephenson have reinterpreted designs for the new American family. And it's all here in my article in Architectural Digest. And yes, I included Cameron and Mitchel's over the top nursery. Enjoy!

Photo Credits: ABC

N.Y.E. on Film

2011-12-29T23:55:00.001-06:00

Should you forgo all the hoopla and stay home and watch a movie this New Year's Eve, you can vicariously experience everything from an overturned ship to poignant friends turned lovers. Here are a few memorable New Year's Eve scenes on film:

New Year's Eve

Pick a holiday, add an all star ensemble cast and a series of romantic vignettes and you have the formula for director Gary Marshall's film New Year's Eve in what is truly a trend in Hollywood these days. (If this sounds familiar, you probably saw Valentine's Day back in February and if you are a baby boomer, you remember the Love Boat as well). The film stars Hilary Swank, Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sarah Jessica Parker, and yes, Robert De Niro. The critics have not been kind so enter at your own risk (although it's got a great cast and looks like a good "rom-com").

Sunset Boulevard

Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) lures young screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden) to her NYE bash only to find he is the only guest in her decrepit, memory filled Sunset Boulevard mansion. Often campy yet a true window on aging in Hollywood, the film is a classic and gets better with every viewing. I remember hearing a film was in the works with Glenn Close years ago, too bad it didn't work out.

Ocean's Eleven

Danny Ocean and Company - that would be Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop - pull off a heist in Las Vegas on the busiest night of the year. Ocean's Eleven is the original and better than the sequel (in my humble opinion).

Connery and Zeta Jones

Another heist takes place before the ball drops in the year 2000 in the stylish caper Entrapment with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Winslet and Black in The Holiday

Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude Law and Cameron Diaz celebrate New Year's Eve in a little Surrey town in director Nancy Meyer's holiday classic (aptly called) The Holiday.

Bissett and Bergen in Rich and Famous

Rich and Famous is an often forgotten gem of a film directed by George Cukor and stars Jacqueline Bissett and Candice Bergen as old friends who are at varying stages of their career. The film takes place over several decades of their friendship (complete with competition, jealousy and envy) and culminates on New Year's Eve. Look for a young Meg Ryan and Bergen's daughter.

When Harry Met Sally's Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan

Harry's proclamation of love to Sally is a scene stealing moment in When Harry Met

Sally. "And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of our life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible" was just one of the many memorable quotes from writer Nora Ephron.

The Poseidon Adventure

"There's got to be a morning after" was not the case for the tourists on this love boat in the seventies disaster flick The Poseiden Adventure. Gene Hackman, Red Buttons, Ernest Borgnine and Shelley Winters were among the fatalities as I recall. Great special effects as the boat capsizes on the big night.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City

Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) spend a depressing NYE together after having a year of being left at the altar and separated respectively in the film Sex and the City. Or skip the film and rent the set of seasons one through eight and have a marathon.

And if you didn't watch it over Christmas, here is your chance...Holiday Inn. Enough said.

And here's to a prosperous, healthy and reasonably stress free 2012. Happy New Year!

Holiday Inn

Ho Ho Ho

2011-12-25T08:41:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to all....and yes, this is the Griswold family mug from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and no, it's not in my collection of cinema memorabilia!

Happy Holidays!

Cathy Whitlock

A Black and White Christmas

2011-12-19T22:55:00.002-06:00

Is it me or do Christmas films look better in black and white? They are timeless, classic and most of all, make the holidays seem like a gentler, nicer time before the days of the recession, mega malls, polarizing politics and the Kardashians set in. So this holiday, turn off the Real Housewives marathon (one wonders if they will run out of cities and Poughkeepsie will be next) and watch a piece of holiday nostalgia. Here are a few of my favorites in black and white:

Holiday Inn (1942)

Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, and a charming inn only open on holidays? Count me in. This is the film that put Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" on the map. And supposedly Memphis businessman Kemmons Wilson named his motel chain after the film and the rest was history.

Crosby and Astaire vie for the affections of Marjorie Reynolds

Crosby and Reynolds in the Connecticut inn

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

A famous foodie who lies about being the perfect domestic homemaker entertains her boss and a war hero at Christmas dinner in a snowy and idyllic Connecticut farmhouse setting (which was also used for the film Bringing Up Baby). The film stars Barbara Stanwyck as food journalist Elizabeth Lane and Dennis Morgan. And in true Hollywood fashion, the film was remade with Dyan Cannon, Kris Kristofferson and Tony Curtis.

Stanwyck and Morgan

Wonderful chintz sets!

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

I question anyone who hasn't seen this classic film about a department store Santa who claims to be the real Kris Kringle. The film won four Academy Awards and stars an eight year old Natalie Wood. And the scenes at Macy's and the Thanksgiving Day parade were the real thing.

Edmund Gwenn as Santa with Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara

The Bishop's Wife (1947)

Loretta Young and David Niven star in this classic tale of an angel who helps a Bishop solve his problems with Cary Grant as the harp playing angel. The film was remade as The Preacher's Wife in the mid-nineties with Denzel Washington, Courtney B. Vance and Whitney Houston.

Grant and Young

Grant did not learn to play the harp for the film:)

I have to admit I will no doubt watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as well. Who doesn't love Cousin Eddie, Clark Griswold and the squirrel? "It's the gift that keeps on giving..."

Ho ho ho and all the best for 2012!

Film Credits: MGM, Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount, Hooked on Houses

Lisabeth Salander, Dragon Style

2011-12-13T10:11:00.002-06:00

Starting tomorrow, you too can adopt the looks of the film the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo-- body painting optional.

Swedish retailer H&M (known for their high fashion at low prices) teamed with costume designer Trish Summerville to celebrate the looks of protagonist Lisabeth Salander. While Salander's look is not for everyone (actress Rooney Mara had to bleach her eyebrows and pierce numerous body parts), Summerville hopes there is a little something for everyone to add to their wardrobe. Think leggings and boots, short jackets and tees, black and grey and all with an edge.

I would add this black coat to my almost all black wardrobe (I am always ready for a funeral clothes-wise) and for 69.95, the price is certainly right. The washed denim vest is a steal at 29.95 and who cares if the white tank makes it through one season - it's practically free at 9.95.

Based on Stieg Larsson's wildly popular novel and directed by Social Network's David Fincher, the film opens December 20th and you can channel your inner kick-ass Lisabeth December 14th. For a sneak peek of the film, go here. And check out H&M's collection here.

Rooney before and after

With co-star Daniel Craig a the London premiere

Photo Credits: Sony Pictures, H&M

Give the Dog a Bone

2011-12-11T11:06:00.001-06:00

Since he has already won the (unofficial) Cannes Palm Dog award maybe the Oscar for Best Actor is not that far fetched. The canine in question is Uggie, the adorable Jack Russell terrier who steals the scenes in the melodrama/musical/comedy/silent pic The Artist (Weinstein Company).

Uggie with co-star Jean Dujardin

According to The Wrap, there is a movement afoot to nominate this season's sidekick who plays the faithful four-legged companion to silent film star George Valentin (played by actor Jean Dujardin). An Oscar campaign has been mounted on the website Consider Uggie and the little guy even has his on twitter and Facebook campaign to support the cause. Can't blame a dog for trying. And as the campaign points out, Uggie is eight years old and you know what they say about age in Hollywood...it's either now or never.

"I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Demille"

Apparently his Oscar winning performance was fueled not by method acting but sausages from Dujardin's pocket. (Note: he shared the role with two other Jack Russells but did the majority of the scenes). Perhaps he took his acting cues from another famous screen terrier, Asta from The Thin Man series. One can only imagine the acceptance speech.

Bow tied and ready on the red carpet at Cannes

Asta with Myrna Loy and William Powell in The Thin Man

Good luck Uggie and remember the old adage -- anything can happen in Hollywood. Just remember all the little dogs you left behind at the kennel and don't relieve yourself in the limo.

Thanks to all of you who came to my lecture at the Corcoran in DC and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. Spielberg was filming his new biopic Lincoln in the Richmond area where I was staying and look forward to seeing how they turned the Capital into the Lincoln White House. Based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's book Team of Rivals, the film stars Daniel Day Lewis (who is in complete method mode and living by candlelight while there), Sally Fields as Mary Todd Lincoln and James Spader, David Straithairn and Tommy Lee Jones in supporting roles.

Daniel Day Lewis in character

Photo Credits: The Weinstein Company

Coming Soon: About Face

2011-12-06T08:19:00.000-06:00

The Sundance Film Festival announced their line-up this week and one in particular will be of interest to baby boomers and/or fashionistas everywhere. About Face is a documentary about fashion models of the seventies and eighties and their career highs and lows and the inevitable work tolls of aging. If you don't recognize the names -- Carmen Dell'Orefice (still stunning in her eighties), Cheryl Tiegs, Jerry Hall, Christie Brinkley, Dayle Haddon, Carol Alt, Isabella Rossellini and Kim Alexis -- you will no doubt recognize the faces. Many became actresses, married rock and sports stars, retired or as in the case of Dell'Orefice, lost all their money to Bernie Madoff. And several are still going strong today as the baby boomer generation has made it cool to be "of a certain age."

Sundance runs January 19th to the 29th and if aren't lucky enough to attend, About Face will be shown on HBO next summer!

Beverly Johnson and Cheryl Tiegs

Christie Brinkley gets a touch up on set

Photo Credits: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

Big Girls Need Big Diamonds

2011-12-01T20:43:00.000-06:00

No one loved diamonds more than Elizabeth Taylor, famously quoting that "big girls need big diamonds." And no celebrity is more identified with diamonds and jewels than the legendary actress. While she may have had numerous husbands (seven), her love affair with jewelry may be the one that lasted the longest. From the 33.19 karat Krupp diamond bestowed to her by two time husband Richard Burton to a ruby and diamond Cartier necklace from Mike Todd, she amassed an incredible collection over her extraordinary lifetime and even developed a perfume called White Diamonds.

Just in time for Christmas comes the Collection of Elizabeth Taylor on the auction block at Christies. Collectors and well-heeled fans of the late star can purchase over 1000 items that include jewelry, couture and art starting on December 13th through the l6th. The collection is expected to fetch 30-50 million and it's all here -- Bulgari, Givenchy, Van Cleef & Arpels, Valentino and even Warhol.

And if the prices are too staggering for your budget, opt for the catalogue of memorabilia. A special boxed set accompanied by Taylor's signed out of print book "My Love Affair with Jewelry" is available for a mere 2500.00 (note - only 25 are available and proceeds go to her AIDS Foundation). You can see more of the collection at the Christies website.

Santa, if you are reading, I would love the Irene Sharaff yellow silk chiffon wedding dress worn on her first wedding day to Richard Burton in l964. It's a steal at 40,000-60,000. Just put in a bid on the low side and see what happens:)

Irene Sharaff wedding dress

Krupp diamond given to Taylor by her fifth husband.
It's said she wore the ring everyday and is valued at 2.5 to 3.5 million.

Bulgari sapphire and diamond necklace given to
Taylor by Richard Burton on her 40th birthday
Estimated price? 600,000-800,000

Nicknamed the Granny Necklace after Burton gave it to Taylor
when she became a grandmother, this gold, diamond and emerald piece
from Van Cleef & Arpels is a bargain at 120,000-180,000

Warhol's lithograph is expected to go for 30,000-50,000

Valentino red satin ball gown

Emanuel sateen white trenchcoat as worn by Liz below in 1954

Antique circular "opera passes" with the names of opera houses

Husband Mike Todd gave Taylor this tiara to wear to the Oscars
Estimate 60,000-80,000

Happy bidding!

And if you are in the Richmond, Virginia area next weekend, I will be speaking on the making of Cleopatra at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Saturday, December 10th. The lecture will be followed by a screening of the film.

I will also be lecturing on Designs on Film at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC Thursday, December 8th followed by a book signing. And at some point, I will stick a wreath on the door and ink out a few Christmas cards:)

Photo Credits: Christie's

The Iron Lady

2011-11-27T13:29:00.000-06:00

Meryl Streep is a true chameleon and continues to amaze with her dead-on portrayals of Julia Childs, Karen Blixen, Miranda Priestly (a.k.a. Anna Wintour), Karen Silkwood and Rachel Samstat (a.k.a. Nora Ephron).

A dead ringer as Thatcher

Next up for the much heralded greatest American actress living today is the role of former Prime Minister of England's Margaret Thatcher in The Weinstein Company's The Iron Lady. From her bouffant hair to power blue suits, Streep is already garnering early Oscar predictions for a seventeenth nod (she has only won twice). Early word is the film is not without its share of controversy (such as her battle with dementia) in the biopic of one of Great Britain's most famous and divisive residents of No. 10 Downing. It should be a great story of yet another strong woman who smashed the glass ceiling. Here here.

Streep with film husband Jim Broadbent

The real Margaret Thatcher with husband Denis

The film debuts December 30th and you can see the trailer here. You can also read about the life and career of Streep in my article for Celebrated Living.

Photo Credits: Alex Bailey for Pathe Productions/The Weinstein Company, Celebrated Living

On the Set: The Great Gatsby

2011-11-20T15:24:00.004-06:00

I posted back in March on the Warner Brothers remake of The Great Gatsby that is currently filming in Sydney, Australia. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, the film stars Carey Mulligan as Daisy, Tobey Maguire as Nick and Leo DiCaprio in the title role of F. Scott Fitzgerald's popular novel. Here are a precious few shots from the set and you can already see the incredible period costumes designed by Catherine Martin (and wife of Luhrmann). DiCaprio makes a dashing Gatsby (as did Robert Redford in the seventies film version) and Mulligan is a perfect Daisy. This marks the Lurhmann and Martin team's second collaboration with DiCaprio as they filmed Romeo + Juliet in 1996.

Mulligan and DiCaprio

Leo Dicaprio and Tobey Maguire

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan

Isla Fisher as Myrtle Wilson

Sydney becomes Long Island in the twenties

Martin is also the film's production designer. A two time Academy Award winner (Moulin Rouge) and Tony Award winner for the set design of Broadway's La Boehme, "CM" has her own line of rugs, paints and wallpapers. Many of the sparrow and vine designs are inspired by her native Australia as well as Asian designs and traditional lace. I interviewed CM on the set of the film Australia several years ago and she is a dynamo -- it's no easy feat doing double duty with costume and production design. The mother of two was also getting ready to launch the Catherine Martin line as a natural extension of her film work. The line is distributed in Australia with Designer Rugs and Porter's Paints. (You can read more of the article on my website under Articles/Four Seasons magazine).

Martin and Luhrmann

Feathers Area Rug for Designer Rugs

Martin's Paint Line with Porter's Original Paints in Australia

Sparrow Wallpaper

The film will be distributed in 3D and premieres Christmas day of 2012. Needless to say, I can't wait.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo Images: New York Magazine, Warner Brothers, Catherine Martin, The Daily Mail

Ralph Fiennes, The Interview

2011-11-15T21:48:00.000-06:00

He's been called a writer's actor, workaholic, heartthrob, sex symbol, thespian and complex. And that is just for starters.

Will the real Ralph Fiennes stand up? Read more about the charismatic British actor and his upcoming film Coriolanus (Weinstein Company) in my cover story for Celebrated Living. Charming and enormously talented, he had me at Quiz Show.

Fiennes in The Constant Gardener

As Charles Van Doren in Quiz Show

As Amon Goth in Schindler's List

Director and star of Coriolanus

With Jennifer Lopez in Maid In Manhattan

Photo Credits: Celebrated Living, Weinstein Company, Universal Pictures.

And on a personal note, RIP Vali (1995-2011). You are missed more than you know.

Silence is Golden: Spotlight on The Artist

2011-11-13T16:13:00.002-06:00

Like Scotch, silent films for many are an acquired taste. It's a genre from a bygone era where the success of the film depended upon a great film score and believable performances as body language, expression and the ability not to overact is crucial. And like an Avedon portrait, the settings and costumes often look better in black and white.

Enter The Weinstein Company's latest entry in the genre, The Artist.

The Artist is the story of silent movie star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) and the advent of the "talkies" in 1927 that marks the proverbial death knell for his career. His life intertwines with the young ingenue Peppy Miller (Bernice Bejo and wife of the film's director Michael Havanavicus) who plays a dancer hell bent on stardom. The French romance film is a great story of the rise and decline of stardom in early Hollywood and won Dujardin the Best Actor Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. (Even the Jack Russell terrier Uggy won the Palm Dog Award for best canine performance!). Viewers will also recognize actors John Goodman, Malcolm McDowell, James Cromwell, and Penelope Ann Miller in supporting roles.

Bernice Bejo

Jean Dujardin

The actors at the Cannes Film Festival

Havanavicus studied silent films of the twenties and thought the genre would make a great movie, as they are tailor made for melodramas. He also wrote the screenplay in four months, researching archival photographs and drawing inspiration from the careers and films of actors Douglas Fairbanks, Greta Garbo. Gloria Swanson and Joan Crawford. It's a gutsy gamble and from the glowing reviews so far, it looks like one that will pay off.

Costume designer Mark Bridges dressed the actors and up to 200 extras in vintage costumes, both real and copies. Milliners were called upon to re-block and dust off vintage hats that spent decades in hatboxes. Vintage buffs will note that the garments were found at an array of Hollywood costume shops such as the Motion Picture Costume Company, Western Costume Company and Palace Costume Company.

Penelope Ann Miller

Bejo with Malcolm McDowell as the butler

There are literally generations who have never seen a silent film and hope they give this one a chance. And look at it this way, at least you won't have to worry about missing a line of dialogue due to the inconsiderate jerks talking and chomping on popcorn behind you.

The film opens in the U.S. on November 20th and internationally through December (it is already in theaters in France).

Join me on Tuesday, November 15th when I am a guest on Interior Design Chat. I will be taking questions on what design in films and television (and anything else you would like to ask!) Click the link to their website for details.

Photo Credits: The Weinstein Company

A Designing Man

2011-11-06T00:41:00.003-05:00

Design inspiration comes from a variety of places and often one of the most overlooked venues is the stage (be it film or theatre). Many of the careers of production designers overlap the worlds of costume, design, and architecture and such was the case of Oliver Messel.

Considered one of the most celebrated designers of England, Messel began his career in l925 creating the backdrop for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Memorable set designs soon followed such as the ballet Sleeping Beauty and films Caesar and Cleopatra, The Thief of Bagdad and Suddenly Last Summer for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Art Direction.

Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift in Suddenly Last Summer

Set sketches for Suddenly Last Summer

Liz Taylor in Suddenly Last Summer

Messel's sketch for Samson costumes

Claude Rains and Vivien Leigh in Caesar and Cleopatra

Following his stage work, the talented designer entered the worlds of interior design and architecture where some of his best work could be found on the islands of Mustique and Barbados for the fashionable seventies and eighties jet set. The hallmark of a Messel interior was pure whimsy mixed with the unlikely elements of baroque, rococo, Surrealism and classicism.

Fustic House in Barbados and one of Messel's favorite spots

Cockade House in Barbados was once a sugar plantation

A Messel designed bedroom for Cockade House

Written by his nephew and furniture designer Thomas, Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design (Rizzoli, October 2011) is a must for both design and film aficionados alike. Rizzoli sent me a copy of the book recently and it's one of my favorite design books of the season.

Oliver Messel influenced Dorchester Suite -
supposedly one of Liz Taylor's favorite hotels in London

Photo Credits: Rizzoli, Columbia Pictures, United Artists

A Designing Man

2011-11-06T00:41:00.000-05:00

Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift in Suddenly Last Summer

Set sketches for Suddenly Last Summer

Liz Taylor in Suddenly Last Summer

Messel's sketch for Samson costumes

Claude Rains and Vivien Leigh in Caesar and Cleopatra

Fustic House in Barbados and one of Messel's favorite spots

Cockade House in Barbados was once a sugar plantation

A Messel designed bedroom for Cockade House

Oliver Messel influenced Dorchester Suite -
supposedly one of Liz Taylor's favorite hotels in London

Photo Credits: Rizzoli, Columbia Pictures, United Artists

The Art of the Steal

2011-11-01T14:02:00.000-05:00

Coming soon to a theater near you -- Friday, November 4th to be exact -- is the all-star comedy caper Tower Heist (Universal). Starring Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Michael Pena, Casey Affleck, and Eddie Murphy (as seen above), the story is straight out of the today's headlines. Alan Alda plays billionaire Arthur Shaw who swindles his investors out of their retirement (shades of Bernie Madoff) and most regrettably for him, the people that work in his swanky Columbus Circle luxury condo (again, as seen above). Stiller and his co-workers hire petty thief Eddie Murphy to steal some of Shaw's prize possessions -- the crown jewel being Steve McQueen's red 1963 Ferrari. Hence the name Tower Heist.

Designed by production designer Kristi Zea and set decorator Diane Lederman (they paired on Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps most recently), the sets are some of the most interesting of the decade. You can read more about the designs in my article for Architectural Digest this month and also on the Entertainment Weekly website. Enjoy!

Photo Credits: Universal Pictures

Dracula's Digs

2011-10-31T07:40:00.004-05:00

Even Transylvania had some style...Happy Halloween!

Photo Credit: Universal

Designing Hollywood's Golden Age

2011-10-23T23:16:00.000-05:00

If you find yourself in San Francisco this weekend, I will be speaking at the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show on Designing Hollywood's Golden Age: Art Direction from the Twenties and Thirties. Sponsored by the Art Deco Society of California, I will cover some of the highlights of the period from Garbo's The Kiss and The Single Standard to the musicals of Fred, Ginger and Busby Berkeley and everything in between. Shown above is one of my favorite sets and photographs from Pleasure Crazed (1929).

The lecture will be on Saturday, October 29th at 11:00 a.m. followed by a book signing. For information and tickets, see the show's website here. There will also be a panel discussion and book signings with designers Thomas Jayne, Suzanne Lovell and David Kleinberg on The Curated Home which should also be of interest.

Garbo's The Kiss

Bette Davis in Ex-Lady

And if you are in the Dallas/Denton area, I will be speaking on Wednesday, October 26th at 6:30 p.m. at the University of North Texas on Designs on Film.

Hope to see you there! Lecturing is easy....it's the packing that is hard....

Photo Credits: MGM

A Pioneering Powerhouse

2011-10-22T22:06:00.000-05:00

She's been called brash and brilliant, cutthroat and charming and a pioneer and a trailblazer. Most notably, she paved the way for women in the entertainment industry at a time when it was dominated by men. The legendary agent Sue Mengers passed away last week at the age of 78.

The Mengers story could be the stuff of film and fiction (it's often said the role of Dyan Cannon in 1973's The Last of Sheila was inspired by the petite dynamo). Her family barely escaped the Nazis in Hamburg, Germany by fleeing to the United States where she learned English from the front row of a movie theater. She eventually set her sights on a career in show business, working as a secretary at the William Morris Agency. Dedication, networking, and a large amount of chutzpah landed her a spot as a junior agent and she eventually left for CMA (which became ICM years later) and represented some of the biggest stars in the stratosphere. Her roster at the time was beyond who's who -- Jack Nicholson, Gore Vidal, Candice Bergen, Peter Bogdanovich, Michael Caine, Barbra Streisand, Ali MacGraw, Ryan O'Neal, Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway just to name a few.

Mengers and Jack Nicholson

And the stories were the stuff of legend. She would hold court in her Bel Air French chateau style home (once owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor) and later her John Elgin Woolf designed residence in Beverly Hills (one of the true originators of Hollywood Regency Style) for A-list members of the worlds of film, theater, journalism and publishing that would go well into the night. She loved to smoke more than the occasional joint, excelled at playing matchmaker (it was said she fixed up Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenberg), and was known for her acerbic tongue and wit.

Mengers once got the attention of actor Tom Ewell by dropping her business card in his soup (yes, he signed as a client), rented a mink coat to impress and pitch a producer at dinner and thought nothing of playing liar's poker to get her stars the best deal. She often compared herself to Eve Harrington in All About Eve while Time Magazine noted that she was a "cross between Mama Cass and Mack the Knife" with the "subtle approach of a Sherman tank." While she had her share of detractors, Mengers was the type of agent and friend you want to navigate the shark infested waters of Hollywood.

With Faye Dunaway and film producer Bob Evans

Mengers with Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal

Mengers with Fred Glaser and Barbra Streisand (dressed in Collette)
for the film On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

Art imitates life: Dyan Cannon in The Last of Sheila

Mengers shattered the glass ceiling for women in entertainment (at a time when they were relegated to making coffee) and it's unlikely the industry will ever the see the likes of the blonde indomitable force with the trademark caftan and rose tinted glasses again. (I often wonder what she thought of Entourage's Ari Gold?) R.I.P. Sue Mengers.

Photo Credits: Life Magazine