In O.C., a little Italy
South Coast Plaza says “Benvenuto Italia!” with a monthlong tribute to Italian fashion, art, food and culture. In conjunction with the Italian Trade Commission, the shopping center will sponsor a series of personal appearances, displays and exhibits starting Thursday. A short film called “I Dream of Italy” will be shown daily in the mall’s Jewel Court, which will be transformed into an Italian piazza, complete with visiting artisans crafting leather goods and jewelry. Two Hollywood fashion installations, “Fashionset” and “Shoes for the Stars,” will feature Italian-designed costumes from 1900 to 1960 and footwear from the last 20 years, respectively. There will also be a textile exhibition curated by students from the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera in Milan.
Italian fashion companies with boutiques in the mall are also playing host this month. Veronica Bulgari, daughter of the vice chairman of the Bulgari Group, will fly into Orange County to help launch a vintage jewelry exhibit at the newly expanded Bulgari store. Among the jaw-dropping pieces on display will be a diamond-and-gold serpentine bangle watch worn by Elizabeth Taylor and a cabochon sapphire ring and matching pendant earrings worn by Sophia Loren.
Salvatore Ferragamo will host a trunk show Thursday, previewing its Spring 2008 collection. D&G; Dolce & Gabbana will also host a trunk show on Thursday, showcasing its Fall 2007 collection from 4 to 6 p.m. And luxury suit maker Ermenegildo Zegna will offer men the chance to work with a made-to-order suit specialist, on hand from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St. Costa Mesa, (800) 782-8888, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. “Fashionset” exhibit in the Crate & Barrel wing, level 2; “Shoes for the Stars” and textile exhibits in the Carousel Court area, level 1; photography exhibit in the Crate & Barrel wing, level 1; www.southcoast plaza.com. Bulgari, (714) 751-7833. Salvatore Ferragamo, (714) 979-7654. D&G; Dolce & Gabbana, (714) 435-0404. Ermenegildo Zegna, (714) 444-1534.
OPENINGS
Moss Mills Saturday: Designer Cynthia Vincent’s and retailer Alisa Loftin’s boutique on 3rd Street has a new full-time tenant. The duo has invited fashion company Moss Mills to create an expansive in-store shop in which you can buy the brand’s clever silver-and-rose-gold, animal-inspired pendants, wide belts with ornate buckles and cut-and-sew tees. The shop-in-shop will also include a line of reworked vintage items, one-of-a-kind pieces and a baby and toddler collection. Aero & Co. & Moss Mills, 8403 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 653-4651, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.mossmills.com.
EXHIBITS
Select Mode: Music and Technology Fashion Show Thursday: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego features a runway presentation of designers from Tijuana and San Diego, including Acamonchi, Tania Candiani, Mari Morales and Trista Roland. There will also be fashion-inspired art installations from Marcela del Norte, Irma Sofia Poeter and Zlatan Vukosavljevic, and live performances by new-media artist PR4GMA VSL and electronic sound-art duo Beatrix*JAR. 1100 and 1001 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, (858) 454-3541. 7 p.m., $3 suggested donation.
CHARITY
Judith Ripka The jeweler donates 10% of every $300 Athena bracelet sold in October to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization, in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month. 234 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 275-3013, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. www .judithripka.com.
SALES
Billion-Dollar Babes T-Bags Sale Today: Fans of contemporary brand T-Bag’s brightly hued, swirl-printed jersey dresses (including Heather Locklear and Jessica Simpson) can snag them for a fraction of their retail prices at this one-day event. Tops originally $120 to $160 will go for $50, dresses originally $160 to $200 will be $80, and long dresses originally $230 to $300, will be $100. Party dresses from British designer Allegra Hicks will also be on sale. Members get in early for the best booty. Platinum members enter at 8 a.m., gold members enter at 9 a.m., all other guests enter at 10 a.m., W Los Angeles, 930 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, to RSVP go to www.billiondollarbabes.com.
Ed Hardy Grand Opening and Sale Today: Scoring shirts that make you look like you’re covered in tattoos just got a whole lot cheaper thanks to the grand opening of the Ed Hardy Company Store in Culver City, featuring merch kicked down from the full-priced stores discounted to 50% off. The store also carries bad-boy designer Christian Audigier’s namesake line and street-wear imprint Smet. The company’s end-of-summer sale, featuring extended hours, ends today. 8680 Hayden Place, Culver City, (323) 785-4460, open today, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Top Button L.A. Designer Shopping Event Thursday: Frugal Fannies can snag clothes from 65 designers from L.A. and beyond at up to 60% off. Denim labels include Hudson, Joe’s Jeans, Rock & Republic and Habitual, and handbag brands include Chloe, Christian Dior, Prada, Gucci and Marc Jacobs. Ages 21 and over. Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, VIP members 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., regular admission 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., regular advance tickets, $20; VIP tickets $35, www.topbutton.com.
LaROK Sample Sale Thursday-Saturday: Deeply discounted spring and early fall merch from the company that launched 7 for All Mankind. A $200 studded halter mini will be marked down to $48. Koral Industries, 2750 Fruitland Ave., Vernon, (323) 584-3500, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. www.larok.com.
Mike & Chris Sample Sale Thursday through Saturday: Women’s pieces and leather from summer and Spring ’07 lines of the hoodie masters Mike & Chris, a cult favorite L.A. brand. 834 S. Broadway, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. www.mikeandchris.com.
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