LIVE Magazine #230 March 11-March 25, 2016

Photos by Lani Garfield
Sean Borg
When well-known Palms Springs philanthropist and socialite
Laurie Weitz asked me to join in the shenanigans
during Modernism Week, of course I couldn’t say no,
could I?
This chiccy event featured eleven days and ten nights of cocktail parties,
exhibitions, lectures by popular experts, films, expos, home tours,
and so much more. Sounds right up my alley… This was just the sort
of thing I should be “scene” at (ya get it?). And who better to do it with
than Über-Fashionista, Laurie, who just happens to sit on the board of
Modernism Week?
For those not in the know, Modernism Week is an annual celebration
of mid-century modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture to
celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design,
as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging
education, preservation and sustainable modern living as represented
in Palm Springs.
So there I was, running around town, hopping from house party to
house party with the event’s Princess, Laurie. One of the memorable
moments of the week for me was attending a lecture given by Palm
Springs Life fashion editor, Susan Stein. Not surprisingly, Susan who
is renowned for her knowledge of fashion and style, lead two interesting
and incredibly detailed talks on the history of fashion at CAMP (the
events HQ) during the week.
Sean Borg, Laure Weitz, Martyn Lawrence Bullard
I thoroughly enjoyed Susan’s talks as she discussed the history of
architecture to sold-out audiences, pointing out how many architects
have actually become fashion designers. Something Susan would
know a lot about, as she is also the creative director of Fashion Week
El Paseo!
On to the next exciting event, which was a “Celebrity Designers
Home Tour”, where I had a chance to mingle with some of the industries
most famous and talented designers, such as Christopher Kennedy,
Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and Paul Lavoie.
In tow were some of my dear friends, Pjetur Sigurdson, Dimitri
James, Dimitri Halkidis and of course Laurie who helped organize
this fun day… that included a surprise party at the end.
The tour itself featured some of the most exquisite houses in Palm
Springs and I learned some inside designer trade secrets too!
I loved catching up with “Million Dollar Decorator” star, Martyn,
whom I have known since the mid-nineties. Martyn’s fabulous home is
the essence of chic, chic, chic… I had seen the house when it was on
the market, but Martyn has transformed it into a luxury palace fit for a
Hollywood star. It is simply breathtaking!
Palm Springs Life fashion editor Susan Stein
The home of Canadian born Paul Lavoie in South Palm Springs was
equally as stunning. Meeting Paul was particularly special, as I have
admired Paul and his flair for design for some time. In particular, his
love of art, and especially his Queen Elizabeth Andy Warhol print by
the bed. I was quite tempted to sneak out with it up my jacket (haha,
joke)… I loved it that much! Paul looked ever so dapper too, in his lime
green pants, white blazer and fancy silk pocket square. Ooh La La!
On to Christopher Kennedy’s wondrous “show” home next! I had seen
this house in its early stages only weeks before. I mean seriously, it
was literally a shell - an empty space. So to see it completed in full
glorious beauty was quite astounding. The place was beyond fabulous
and it quite was unbelievable too observing what was achieved in such
short time. Genius!
As the tour came to an end, the big secret Laurie and Pjetur had been
keeping all day was about to be revealed as we arrived at the final house
of the day - La Villa Loretta, the magnificent, historical home of Grammynominated
singer, pianist, songwriter and jazz performer, Chris Bennett
and world acclaimed conductor, composer, and director Dino Zonic.
Chris and Dino had kindly offered to host a surprise birthday party for
Skinn Cosmetics guru Dimitri James. It wasn’t easy trying to keep
it a secret all day. The group of friends, including, Nelson Earl, Kenny
Jervis, Teresa Parkerson Rogers, Jeff Stanley, Lani Garfield and
Larry Weitz all gathered to celebrate this special event in style with
special performances kindly given by the hosts Chris and Dino. A
celebratory cake was presented to Dimitri by his fiancé Pjetur as we
wrapped what can only be described as a fashionable, memorable and
momentous day!
Until next time Sceners!
Russ Harrington, Kim Zakowski, Walter Gary