Her Job Is to Make Sure That Oscar Is Stylin’ From Head to Toe
Part of the charm of some awards programs, such as this week’s Grammy Awards, is the performers’ and nominees’ free-for-all, anything-goes approach to fashion.
Oscar is not amused.
To make sure that the Academy Awards remain the pinnacle of celebrity style, the show’s producer has hired a stylist.
Stylist L’Wren Scott, a Los Angeles resident who works in print and film, will be coordinating the look of the production.
“As the style designer of the show, my job is the overall style aesthetic. I’ll be designing any special costumes needed for any performance that takes place,” Scott said.
She’ll also serve as a liaison between designers, stylists and stars.
“The Academy is offering my services as a courtesy to anyone who needs them, but I’ll also coordinate with any stylists who need me,” she said.
To help make the look modern and original, Scott will be traveling to Europe and New York where she will personally select gowns from the collections of Giorgio Armani, Christian Dior, Gucci and others. She’s especially interested in updating men’s formal wear.
“There are so many exciting elements . . . and so many ways of doing a black-tie look,” she said.
Scott was hired by the telecast’s producer, Lili Fini Zanuck.
“She felt it was a necessary position that hadn’t been there in the past,” Scott said. She’s sort of an updated version of Fred Hayman, the Beverly Hills retailer who for years guided starlets and others toward glamour. Scott also will be working with the production designers.
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One of the most highly coveted jobs in American fashion has been filled. Detroit native Steven Slowik, 39, has been chosen to take over for Bill Blass, who announced his retirement in November.
For nearly 10 years, Slowik designed the ready-to-wear for Salvatore Ferragamo but ended that association in 1997. Previously, he was a designer at Calvin Klein, Kasper and Albert Nipon. In 1995, he launched a signature collection, called Slowik.
It was his European experience and ability to blend in with the design traditions of an established house that won him the spot, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
Several designers around the world were vying for the position, including Randolph Duke, James Purcell, Eric Gaskins and Alber Elbaz.
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Donna Karan is launching another scent, called DKNY. She’s bringing the stars of the ad campaign--Esther Canadas and her husband, Mark Vanderloo--with her to a personal appearance from noon to 1 p.m. today at Macy’s, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The designer and the model couple (who met three years ago at a DKNY photo shoot) will be signing posters and bottles of the fragrance.
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After 12 years of practicing yoga, model Christy Turlington reached a moment of truth: It’s hard to look hip when you’re posed in the “downward facing dog” position. Turlington got together with the Puma athletic apparel company to create a yoga-inspired active wear collection called Nuala. The collection of fleece tops, relaxed pants and wraparound sweaters will be in stores this summer, reports the Associated Press, and will sell for $60 to $120.
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A new e-tailing Web site found a shortcut to getting its products into the hands of famous musicians. They gave them away at the Grammy Awards.
At a party after the Grammys, Beauty.com (https://www.Beauty.com) provided 5,000 gift bags for the musical crowd. The $100-value bags contained everything from Calvin Klein’s new Contradiction fragrance to music CDs, and a Beauty.com cosmetics bag to hold it all.
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Valli Herman-Cohen can be reached at valli.herman-cohen@latimes.com.
