Seasonal Shift
The California Mart’s annual blowout known as Press Week is changing its focus and its time slot. Usually held in September to show off the spring and summer collections by California fashion designers, the shakers at the mart have decided to move Press Week to February. Their plan is to showcase the fall collections. “We’ve already put California on the map for spring,” said the mart’s fashion director, Denise Cohen-Scher. They may feel like they have put California on the map, but it was only last year the big-gun editors from New York’s fashion magazines decided to fit September Press Week into their calendars; it could well be another eight years before they come to February Press Week.
BOOKED UP: Just 24 hours after his death was disclosed, G. P. Putnam’s Sons was announcing plans to publish a “full-fledged, in-depth” biography of the designer Halston. “Simply Halston,” as the book will be titled, will be written by Steven Gaines, best-selling author of an “insider’s story” of the Beatles and “the true story” of the Beach Boys. Gaines reportedly has been researching the book about Halston, who died of AIDS in San Francisco, for three years. The book will be published next fall.
SCREEN GEMS: Los Angeles jewelry designer and collector Dona Powell and Atlanta film collector Ted Turner found some common ground at the Volunteers of America dinner at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. It seems Turner was interested to find that Powell has a collection of jewelry once worn by Hollywood stars. He suggested that she design jewels inspired by the stars in his film collection. Powell said yes; the details are being worked out. Hollywood purists would caution Powell to watch her diamonds; in Turner’s colorization-happy hands they could well become emeralds.
P.J. PLAYBOY: Who was that man stepping out in broad daylight for all the world to see, in nothing other than a robe and pajamas? Hugh Hefner, of course, decked out in his trademark couture, as he greeted an assemblage of design arbiters who gathered for brunch at the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills. The party capped off WestWeek 90, the Pacific Design Center’s three-day market and design symposium. Cutting a regal figure in royal purple pajamas and a black smoking jacket, Hef is the proud owner of more than 100 pairs of silk pajamas and robes in 15 colors. However, since his marriage last year to the former Kimberley Conrad, the publishing giant’s wardrobe has expanded to include more custom-designed outfits by Sherman Oaks clothier Rick Pallack.
