As a bi-continental designer splitting my time between London and San Diego, everyday brings adventures that are larger than life.
This past Friday evening I went to the annual Brit Week Dinner, celebrating Brits in the Los Angeles area. Honouree Piers Morgan was interviewed on stage by the bestselling author, Jackie Collins (Joan's sister) -what a combination. She was as vivacious as ever! It was absolutely fabulous.
Christopher Guy, a charming English furniture designer who has just opened a flagship store in West L.A, was one of my table mates; Christopher's clients included The Ritz-Carlton Hotels Worldwide, not to mention some of the most beautiful in London (Claridges, The Mayfair and The Grosvenor) and the innovative American hotel, The Bellagio.
I felt very flattered when someone walked up to me in my flowing red pleated dress and said that I was the best dressed in the room. She really made me feel special when she added that she "considered me an icon like Coco Chanel". Thank you lady also in red... this was an enormous ego booster!
My Friday evening out was followed by a once in a lifetime experience crossing the Mexican border into Tecate to celebrate Deborah Szeleky's 90th birthday on Sunday. Deborah is an extraordinary woman; she founded the original health spa at Rancho la Puerta in Mexico and the world class Golden Door Spa. Her party was a Mexican fiesta and was literally held on a football field (that she had donated to the city to Tecate), hosting over 1000 guests.
In attendance was the governor of California, Jerry Brown, who gave her a citation. The performances and festivities culminated in a show featuring a horse that danced and tapped it's hooves to the beat of the Flamenco dancers. Deborah looked fabulous in a blue and white flowing printed two piece tunic.
Sad, sad news, Vidal Sassoon has just died. My phone has not stopped ringing. From the UK it was the World Service Radio to comment. What can one really say about a man who revolutionised hair cutting worldwide, helped British Fashion Week get on to its feet and as a complete contrast, fought to help create Israel!
After all this weeks excitement I am now back to work focusing on my custom designs for the opera Aida, my spring clothing colours and patterns and launching a new jewellery line. Before I know it, however, I'll be flying back to London and I am particularly looking forward to dinner with the Queen at the Royal Academy in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. I will be taking with me model Michelle Paradise as my muse.
Bye for now.
Zandra