Kathryn Freeman, Bill Freeman, Cameron Silver, Vanessa Getty
One of the benefits of a slow social period at the beginning of the year is it gives me time to catch up on reading.
This month’s reading has consisted mostly of vintage finds: “France,” by Denis W. Brogan, a 1961 history of France (purchased for its wonderful mid-century photos), Wylie Sypher’s “Rococo to Cubism in Art and Literature,” and a delightful children’s book from the 1940s called “Stories from the Great Metropolitan Operas” (illustrated by Gustaf Tengren, one of Walt Disney’s best artists.)
Cameron Silver
But by far the most wonderful book I’ve read recently is “Decades: A Century of Fashion,” by Cameron Silver with Rebecca DiLiberto. Generously given by Bill and Vanessa Getty to their guests at a book signing party they hosted at Peter Getty’s home (with Marina B, the legendary jewelry brand from Marina Bulgari), the book is a gorgeous photographic journey through the very best of 20th century fashion.
A 1920s flapper dress on Louise Brooks, and on Vanessa Getty (with husband Bill Getty)
Divided into 10 chapters (one for each decade), the book contains some of the most iconic fashion images of the century, such as Marlene Dietrich in a man’s suit, Grace Kelly wearing chiffon Edith Head in “To Catch a Thief”, or Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Helena Christensen in 1990s Gianni Versace.
But the biggest joy of reading Decades is to see the more obscure, rarely seen images that Silver uncovered, ranging from a still of Greta Garbo’s 1926 film “The Torrent,” to 1980 photo by Ron Galella of Olivia Newton-John in a beaded fuschia bodysuit.
Margo Lion and Marlene Dietrich, 1928 – Margo Lion in 1931
I thought the most stunning image is something Silver found from the 1931 German movie ‘Die Koffer des Herrn O.F.’, directed by Alexander Ganowski, where Margo Lion (shown above) performs as French cabaret singer. Margo Lion, an openly bisexual performer in Weimar Berlin, was a friend and inspiration of Marlene Dietrich’s, and played an instrumental role in young Dietrich’s success when the two women sang a lesbian duet in the 1928 Berlin revue, It’s In The Air.
Silver gives two full pages to the photo, a detail of which is shown above-right (you will need to get the book to see it in its entirety.) It was shot in Weimar-era Berlin in 1931, the same time and place as Christopher Isherwood’s “Goodbye to Berlin” (the basis for “Cabaret.”) Here you see the ”divine decadence” of that period — a sophisticated woman of the demi-monde in an elegant gown, sporting a chic, short-cropped hairstyle, holds a monocle in the masculine style, while performing next to an oversized half-nude wooden mannequin. The audience circled around her consists of wealthy men in tuxedos, all bearing the louche hauteur of a figure from Tamara de Lempicka.
It’s a magnificent photo, and an excellent example of when fashion and cinema merged into an original form of art that may have been unique to the 20th century. I’m so grateful to Silver for uncovering the photo, and for highlighting so many other exciting images in the book.
Sir John Paul Getty and Talitha Getty, in Decades: A Century of Fashion
Another fun photo in the book is that of Sir John Paul Getty and wife Talitha Getty, taken in Marrakech for Vogue in 1969 by Patrick Lichfield. With beautiful wife Talitha, who was a muse to Yves Saint Laurent, Sir Paul ”combined pioneer spirits, wanderlust, and impeccable taste to define what we think of as bohemian chic,” according to Silver. Lord Lichfield’s photos of the Gettys, taken at the height of the Diana Vreeland era of Vogue, have been influencing designers for over 40 years! Notably, the late Sir Paul was uncle of the party’s host Bill Getty, and grandfather of photographer Alexander Getty, who attended with wife Tatum.
Mary Beth Shimmon and Ricky Serbin – Photographer Alexander Getty and Tatum Yount Getty
Guests at the event included vintage fashion aficionados, Decades customers and fashionistas such as Mary Beth Shimmon, Ricky Serbin, Jennifer Raiser, Monaz Grover, Connie Nielsen, Lindsay Bolton, Alexis Traina, Allison Speer, Gina Pell, Nicola Miner, Summer Tompkins Walker, Kate Harbin, Jenna Hunt, Megha Tolia, Stephanie Ejabat, James Krohn, Susan Dunlevy, Nina Stanford, Anna Weinberg, Denise Bradley Tyson, Joel Goodrich, Alyson and Brad Harrington, Alison and Alex Turner, Angelique and Troy Griepp, Gina and Stuart Peterson, Zem and James Joaquin, Louise and Max Armour, Nadir and Sobia Shaikh, among others.
Cameron Silver and Lauren Goodman – Stephanie Ejabat and James Krohn
Cameron is currently at work on his next book, which I’m sure you eagerly await. In the meantime, you’ll definitely want to get a copy of “Decades: A Century of Fashion,” if you haven’t already!
Tags: Alex Turner, Alexander Ganowski, Alexander Getty, Alexis Traina, alison sonsini turner, Allison Speer, Alyson Harrington, Angelique Griepp, Anna Weinberg, Bill Freeman, Bill Getty, Brad Harrington, Cameron Silver, Christopher Isherwood, Christy Turlington, Connie Nielsen, Damion Matthews, Denis Brogan, Denise Bradley Tyson, Diana Vreeland, Edith Head, gianni versace, Gina Pell, Gina Peterson, Grace Kelly, Greta Garbo, Gustaf Tengren, Helena Christensen, James Joaquin, James Krohn, Jenna Hunt, Jennifer Raiser, Joel Goodrich, Kate Harbin, Kathryn Freeman, Lauren Goodman, Linda Evangelista, Lindsay Bolton, Louise Armour, Marina Bulgari, Marlene Dietrich, Mary Beth Shimmon, Max Armour, Megha Tolia, Monaz Grover, Nadir Shaikh, Nicola Miner, Nina Stanford, Olivia Newton-John, Paul Getty, Peter Getty, Rebecca DiLiberto, Ricky Serbin, Ron Galella, Sally Bowles, Sobia Shaikh, Stephanie Ejabat, Stuart Peterson, summer tompkins walker, Susan Dunlevy, Talitha Getty, Tatum Getty, Troy Griepp, Vanessa Getty, William Getty, Wylie Sypher, yves saint laurent, Zem Joaquin
We’re delighted to see that the Alex Chases Salon, run by the renowned hairstylist Alex Chases, has recently moved into a larger space at Rosewood Sand Hill’s Sense spa.
Designer Cedric Charlier recently visited San Francisco from Paris, to present his Spring 2013 collection at Barneys.
With Sloan and Roger Barnett, Sabrina Buell and Yves Behar, Jean-Pierre Conte, and Alison and Mark Pincus, Gucci recently hosted a private cocktail party at the San Francisco store to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the loafer, and the new 1953 collection for men and women.
Catherine Kwong’s living room, inspired by Mick Jagger and Bianca Jagger, is one of the highlights of the 2013 San Francisco Decorator Showcase, taking place at 2800 Pacific Avenue.
Saks Fifth Avenue and San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary are presenting Zac Posen as this year’s guest designer at the 32nd San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show, benefiting San Francisco Ballet.
Michael S. Smith was recently honored at Hedge Gallery in San Francisco at a party hosted by Alison Pincus, Vanessa Getty and Allison Speer. His design work for a Palladian Villa in Malibu is being put up for auction at Christie’s in New York. Nicolas Berggruen, Princess Tatiana Galitzine, Dede Wilsey, and Sabrina Buell were among the guests.
Deepa Pakianathan and Phil Pemberton recently hosted a reception for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in anticipation of its upcoming Gala on April 20, 2013, which pays tribute to legendary opera baritone and Conservatory Advisory Board member Thomas Hampson.
Conservatory mezzo-soprano Catherine Cook directs and stars in a program featuring special performances by Hampson with Conservatory students, faculty and guest artists. Teresa Medearis and Barbara Walkowski co-chair the event, with catering by McCall’s Catering and Events and decor by Blueprint Studios.
Tickets for this very special occasion can be purchased at www.sfcm.edu
UCSF Partners in Care recently held its 2013 kick-off membership event at Reed & Greenough. Membership co-Chairs Schuyler Hudak and Libby Leffler hosted the launch party and kicked off the well-attended evening with brief remarks, followed by UCSF Partners in Care President Katie Budge, who spoke about the services that the auxiliary organization provides to the hospital.
UCSF Partners in Care works with UCSF hospital staff to fund programs that provide comfort and well-being to patients and their families while visiting the UCSF medical center.
Guests enjoyed spirited greyhounds nicknamed “Doctor’s Orders,” and a “Members Only” wine special while noshing on sweet treats from Kara’s Cupakes, and savory sliders and arancini from Cedar Hill Kitchen and Smokehouse.
Please visit www.ucsfpartnersincare.org for more information about this important organization.
Renowned European designer Ms. Madeline Pauw recently made an appearance at a delightful luncheon at Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco, where her Spring 2013 collection was presented.
The Pauw collection is designed by Madeleine Pauw, daughter of the original founders. Pauw is known for its luxurious fabrics and soft touches of femininity while integrating just a splash of masculine undertones, but always keeping the fit and style in mind for the female physique. The company has been in business for over 50 years, and originally was created in the Netherlands where it currently has 29 stores.
You can purchase pieces from Pauw at Saks Fifth Avenue at 384 Post Street, San Francisco, or online at Saks Fifth Avenue
ModeWalk recently unveiled its newest service for their clients, a first-of-its-kind, by-appointment showroom in San Francisco called Boudoir, located on the 7th Floor of 391 Sutter Street in Union Square.
Betty Lin, the chic Presidio Heights boutique, recently celebrated the launch of the new Maiyet collection with a party hosted by Alexis Traina, Alison Pincus, Nina Stanford, and Seth Miller.
The Mid Winter Gala for 2013 honored the exhibit, “Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis” with a chic winter wonderland that raised over $400k. Marissa Mayer, Jonathan Ive, Alison Pincus, Vanessa Getty, Dick Costolo, Stephan Jenkins, Connie Nielsen, Lori Levine, Evgenia Peretz, Jeremy Stoppelman, Trevor Traina, Allison Speer and Kathryn Lasater were among the 380 who attended.
Stephanie Phair, the managing director of Outnet.com, recently visited from London to host a luncheon previewing Oscar de la Renta’s new limited edition collection designed exclusively for The Outnet.
The Italian artist, Paolo Troilo, recently debuted his first U.S. exhibit at Coup d’Etat, the most exceptional designer space in San Francisco.
Sponsored by Testa Vineyards, the event brought together San Francisco tastemakers such as Jack Calhoun, Stephen Brady, Gary Friedman, Joy Bianchi, Anna Weinberg, Ken Fulk, and Jamie Finegold, among others.
The exhibit will run at Coup d’Etat until May 2013.
Visit Coup d’Etat at 111 Rhode Island, or online at coupdetatsf.com
The International Museum of Women (IMOW) hosted its annual Celebrating Change Benefit on March 6th, 2013, and the associated Vanguard Group hosted its Art Live Lounge benefit.
This year’s benefit featured IMOW’s second annual Innovator Award for Women in Technology, presented to Padmasree Warrior, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer of Cisco Systems.
The International Museum of Women is an innovative online museum that showcases art, stories and ideas to celebrate, inspire and advance the lives of women around the world. With the support of over 500 guests, IMOW raised over $200,000 to benefit its mission and exhibitions. Guests enjoyed a night of art and inspiration from the museum’s virtual collection, music, networking and dancing, while watching notable female artists create original artwork.
Learn more about the International Museum of Women at www.imow.org
Jay Jeffers recently designed three of the 23 penthouses of the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Lake Tahoe. The homes range from $1,250,000 to $4,500,000 in price.
Vaunte has selected five chic San Francisco women to feature on their site: Allison Speer, Sabrina Buell, Lauren Goodman, Jane Gruber, and Tienlyn Jacobson.
