Stacey Bendet’s Postcard from L.A.!
Dear Daily,
So Saturday morning, Eloise and I were lucky to be able to get a ride on my in-laws’ plane to L.A., (thank you, thank you for being the best grandparents and not even flinching as banana and cheerio crumbs infiltrated the stunning tan leather seat cracks!) so that I could go with Eric (who’s been in L.A. all week working on the script for the movie Havana Nocturne!) to the Art of Elysium Heaven Gala later that night. alice + olivia has been doing some great projects with the New York branch of Art of Elysium so I was so excited to attend the gala!
I wore a deconstructed alice + olivia stacked sequin bustier dress with a low sexy open back and a cool distressed knit shawl, diamond lattice shape sheer tights and Louis Vuitton silvery white shoes….accessorized with a vintage locket Eric gave me and gorgeous art deco tier drop earrings that my mother-in-law insisted I borrow as soon as she saw my dress!
The party was at the Beverly Hilton Garage, yes, seriously in the garage, which I double checked 5 times on the invite, but once I saw the transformation I thought every gala should be in a garage – go cement! Eric (above right) and I went with Moby, who looked quite dapper in a fancy new suit and animal-friendly shoes, and one of my oldest friends, Jay Penske (above left), who I’m betting will be rivaling the Murdochs in a few years with his growing media empire.
Shepard Fairey designed the event and truly did transform the garage into a heavenly space. The tables were so beautiful—-the most stunning perfectly bloomed red roses looked like floating bouquets in tall water filled vases, truly a sight! I saw Mick Rock, who I love (he shot our fall clothes last year) and he had created some giant photos for the space’s décor, one of which we bought at an auction and have in our apartment! I ran into Kate Bosworth who looked amazing in a long McQueen strapless dress – I hadn’t seen her in a while, and she was so sweet and asked about Eloise. I want to dress her for something soon! We also ran into old friends Anthony Mandler (who Eric grew up with) and Ben Silverman with his beautiful fiancé Jen (congrats!!!).
Ali Larter and Amy Smart were both at our table. Talked to Amy and her boyfriend Brandon, who manages Mickey Avalon, about Mickey performing at our fall show – can’t wait! Sophia Bush and Nicole Richie helped some of the adorable children make speeches. Vogue produced a fashion show with some incredible Balmain, Givenchy and Proenza looks on the runway. There were some amazing platform shoes I have my eye on, worn by L.A. models who aren’t so used to walking in high heels. The Balmain dresses were my faves. And to top it all off, Billy Idol performed!!!
-Stacey Bendet
