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A BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP: "Oscar says he's the boss," Loulou de la Falaise joked at the designer's store in Los Angeles, "but we have a free and easy relationship." Good thing for the French fashion doyenne, who's continuing the jewelry collaboration with Oscar de la Renta that started for the fall at least through resort and spring. The complete debut collection, made in India and priced between $1,800 and $30,000, was previewed Tuesday evening with hosts Kelly Cook and Tina Craig of Bagsnob.com, and Eliza Bolen on hand. The pieces rely heavily on color, beads and a juxtaposition of rough and polished stones. The resort collection works in more shells, but de la Falaise was coy about where the jewelry is headed for spring. "Fashion goes a little bit fast. I [am looking] for gems that people know less, that might be a little more surprising," she hinted.
MAKING THEIR MARK IN WOOL: How's this for a new fashion catchphrase?: "Wool, C'est Cool." If the Australian Wool Innovation organization has its way, it will be the new slogan on everybody's lips. The AWI, which acquired the Woolmark Co. last year, is touting the new partnership by reviving the famous Wool Secretariat Award that, in the Fifties, honored designer heavyweights Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent at the start of their careers. They even have a spokesperson, queen of knits Sonia Rykiel. Ten up-and-coming designers, including the U.S.-based Tom Scott and Brit Louise Goldin, are vying for the award, now named the Woolmark Prize, and the winner will be revealed on July 3, at an exhibit of the work of all the finalists at Paris' Palais de Tokyo. Prize perks for that lucky person? Everything from manufacturing and sourcing support to retail space at Paris' Colette boutique. And, of course, the possibility of being known as the next Lagerfeld or Saint Laurent.
JOYFUL AUCTION: Bidding at Tuesday night's first Joyful Heart benefit was certainly animated, with Hilary Swank promising gifts on behalf of Giorgio Armani and Mario Batali trying to provoke an Iron Chef meeting with Bobby Flay. The evening's six auction items raised a total of $248,000, on top of the $1 million-plus the event already had made for Joyful Hearts, which helps victims of sexual assault and domestic violence through healing retreats. Mariska Hargitay founded the group five years ago and hosted its first benefit in Manhattan. Hargitay giddily amended auction items, popping out of her seat to offer add-ons as the bids got into the tens of thousands for each item. When the bids were going for accompanying Hargitay to the premiere of her upcoming movie, "Love Guru," with Mike Myers, Swank joined in the excitement, offering to let the winner also join her in the limo and on the red carpet for the premiere of "Amelia Earhart." "And Armani doesn't know it, but they are throwing in some shoes with that python bag!" she exclaimed (the bag was part of the original package). When dinner for 10 cooked by Flay in the winner's kitchen was on the block, Batali aggressively bid up to $30,000 (Babbo chef's own offer got two bids of $58,000). The evening awarded Philosophy founder Cristina Carlino, whose brand has made products to benefit Joyful Heart and who pledged to build a house for the cause when she accepted her award.
MAKING THEIR MARK IN WOOL: How's this for a new fashion catchphrase?: "Wool, C'est Cool." If the Australian Wool Innovation organization has its way, it will be the new slogan on everybody's lips. The AWI, which acquired the Woolmark Co. last year, is touting the new partnership by reviving the famous Wool Secretariat Award that, in the Fifties, honored designer heavyweights Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent at the start of their careers. They even have a spokesperson, queen of knits Sonia Rykiel. Ten up-and-coming designers, including the U.S.-based Tom Scott and Brit Louise Goldin, are vying for the award, now named the Woolmark Prize, and the winner will be revealed on July 3, at an exhibit of the work of all the finalists at Paris' Palais de Tokyo. Prize perks for that lucky person? Everything from manufacturing and sourcing support to retail space at Paris' Colette boutique. And, of course, the possibility of being known as the next Lagerfeld or Saint Laurent.
JOYFUL AUCTION: Bidding at Tuesday night's first Joyful Heart benefit was certainly animated, with Hilary Swank promising gifts on behalf of Giorgio Armani and Mario Batali trying to provoke an Iron Chef meeting with Bobby Flay. The evening's six auction items raised a total of $248,000, on top of the $1 million-plus the event already had made for Joyful Hearts, which helps victims of sexual assault and domestic violence through healing retreats. Mariska Hargitay founded the group five years ago and hosted its first benefit in Manhattan. Hargitay giddily amended auction items, popping out of her seat to offer add-ons as the bids got into the tens of thousands for each item. When the bids were going for accompanying Hargitay to the premiere of her upcoming movie, "Love Guru," with Mike Myers, Swank joined in the excitement, offering to let the winner also join her in the limo and on the red carpet for the premiere of "Amelia Earhart." "And Armani doesn't know it, but they are throwing in some shoes with that python bag!" she exclaimed (the bag was part of the original package). When dinner for 10 cooked by Flay in the winner's kitchen was on the block, Batali aggressively bid up to $30,000 (Babbo chef's own offer got two bids of $58,000). The evening awarded Philosophy founder Cristina Carlino, whose brand has made products to benefit Joyful Heart and who pledged to build a house for the cause when she accepted her award.
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