Raquel Welch is marking time a new...
Raquel Welch is marking time a new way since she picked up a new watch at the Theodore boutique. Welch found herself a vintage Rolex on a contemporary sterling silver band by Arlene Altman, who has her own jewelry counter in the store. Listen hears from Carol Chase, Altman’s associate, that along with a new watch Welch has a new haircut--”very short”--that’s not from Theodore, we presume. One last Chase-er; Altman’s jewelry counter can now be found in the Contents clothing store at the Beverly Center.
More memos on time machines come to us by way of the folks at Bullock’s. A spokesperson for the store says Grace Jones is watching the minutes her way with a new timepiece New York artist Keith Haring designed for Swatch. It has a serpent on its face and is one of three styles by Haring, all priced at $50. Michael J. Fox and Ron Reagan also own one of the new Haring originals, which the artiste will be autographing at the Bullock’s Beverly Center store Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.
Chris Lemmon may not have the most familiar face--but his name will definitely get him in the door. The son of actor Jack Lemmon has been signed as the new “Aramis man,” the suave lady-killer who occasionally turns up in TV and magazine ads representing the product line that includes Devin, 900 and Tuscany. The actor follows former Aramis guys Ted Danson and Doug Sheehan. And he’ll have three years to perfect the image. That’s how long his worldwide contract lasts. Lemmon recently appeared in the movie “That’s Life” with his father, and he’ll begin shooting a new film for Dino De Laurentiis in January.
Actress Daryl Hannah combined Christmas and personal shopping one recent afternoon at the Elizabeth Lucas Collection in Santa Monica. Owner Beth Agajanian told Listen that the star of “Splash” and “Legal Eagles” bought some vintage necklaces and dresses for friends at the Montana Avenue shop--then went on to pick out a few dresses for herself. She settled on two ‘40s rayon print dresses, a lavender two-piece ‘50s dress and another ‘50s white satin-and-lace dress with a sweetheart collar. Agajanian says the actress was not an extravagant shopper, however. “There was a green gabardine coat that looked wonderful on her, but she said the pockets weren’t large enough to hold gloves. So she passed on it.”
What’s the price these days for a one-of-a-kind denim jacket? If it’s been decorated for charity by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Andy Warhol or Keith Haring, it could go for anywhere from $200 to $4,100. All told, the original denim works of more than 85 top fashion designers and artists were auctioned recently at an East Coast AIDS fund-raiser, bringing in more than $100,000. The idea came from Blitz magazine in London, which had staged a similar benefit for the Prince Charles Trust. The jackets were supplied by the grandfather of denim, Levi Strauss & Co., and the auction was staged at the chic, new Barneys store for women in New York. Circulating among the many celebrity models was Madonna, dressed in the briefest of miniskirts and a collage-back jacket decorated by Martin Burgoyne. Even with Madonna inside, it was rated tame compared to the scene-stealer of the evening: a bolero-style “Christmas” work of art complete with fir-tree sleeves and a holly-wreath scarf.
The Polo empire became one stronger over the weekend when Polo/Ralph Lauren opened a new boutique in Santa Barbara. The 2,900-square-foot store is the ninth in the state and one of about 80 worldwide. As with other Lauren boutiques, decor was not an afterthought. The designer chose a Southwestern motif of white arches, stone floors and light-toned pine woodwork. Spokesman Ana O’Loane told Listen that California is “an area of growth” for this purveyor of tradition and “quiet elegance”--and this won’t be his last boutique. Three more Polo/Ralph Lauren shops will open in California during the coming year, in San Jose, Costa Mesa and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, which will be the largest Lauren store outside New York.
When in Rome, do as the Costa Mesans will do starting next February. That’s when South Coast-based boutique owner Amen Wardy will stage his first exclusive, twice-annual fashion show of couture clothes by Italy’s star designer, Valentino (who happens to be based in Paris). Along with the Valentino collection, Wardy will import a cadre of the designer’s fitters to make sure Costa Mesa customers are in love, Italian style, with the cut of their new clothes, which will be produced in the Rome factory. Listen hears all of this from a shop spokesperson, who adds that Wardy’s beauty salon will be closed to accommodate the expanded Valentino selection.
