January 2005

January 31st 2005
New York City

Only five more days ‘til the HOLLYWOULD fashion show…

Today was insane.  The morning began at the show site, where I met with our producers and walked the runway to time the choreography, etc.  We’re having our show in the lobby of a famous Manhattan hotel, and the hotel guests were none too pleased when we tested their sound system at 9:30am, cranking it up loud enough to peel the paint off the walls.   Nevertheless, the run through was a success and this show is gonna rock.

From the hotel test I headed to the hair & makeup test with our awesome hair team from Aveda and makeup team from MAC.  I love working with real fashion pros, who know exactly what you mean when you say you want the models to look “Scavullo/1982/Gia”.  It takes a serious fashion addict to be able to visualize this look in an instant, and our amazing hair & makeup team got it right on the very first try.  I guess I’ve given away our hair & makeup for the show but trust me, it’s even better than you can imagine.

From the hair & makeup test I met with our magnificent music guru, my old pal Abby Klein.  Abby has come up with some genius music for our show, and also turned me on to my new favorite website in the world: www.illmitch.com.  You have to visit this site to believe it.  Wow, we love Ill Mitch.

January 30th 2005
New York City

As promised, your daily countdown to the HOLLYWOULD fashion show…

I’ve spent my entire day checkin’ out chicks, and it’s actually freaking me out.  Our model casting for the fashion show took place today, and I feel like I’ve looked at so many perfect looking girls that I just really, really want to see someone ugly for a change.  After seeing at least 100 beauties, I’m feeling like “perfect” has become the new “boring”, and now understand why all of those weirdy looking models end up making it big.  There’s only so much perfection one can take.

You will all be very happy to know that when our casting director asked me who I wanted as models I said, “Girls who are not too young and not too skinny”.  I know, I know, all the “hot” girls are 14 years old and skinny like aliens, but I just don’t think they look good in the clothes.  It’s not very “fashionista” of me, but whenever I see those frail looking children decked out in couture, I always just think it looks funny and strange, not beautiful or aspirational. 

So, today I saw the best of the best: Healthy girls with valid I.D.s, who like to eat three meals a day and know how to walk like Naomi Campbell.  All of them seemed to be named things like “Petra”, “Kenza”, “Vesca”, and “Jeksu”, which makes you wonder if naming your child something loco insures that it will be a supermodel.  Oh, if only I had been named “Iveskulatina”, I know I could have really made it big. 

Just five more days ‘till show time…

January 29th 2005
New York City

I have just arrived back in the USA after a month in Italy and am proud to say that I have managed to completely assimilate back into American culture in just a matter of hours.  It’s amazing how quickly one can integrate simply by eating a burrito, drinking a Jamba Juice, watching bad reality TV, and reading the latest issue of InTouch from cover to cover, all at the same time.  God bless America.

This week we are counting down the days to the HOLLYWOULD Fall 2005 fashion show, which will be our first show ever and a huge production for a little company like ours.  I will be keeping a “Show Diary” on this very site, letting you all know what it takes to pull this off between now and show date:  Friday, February 4^th – just 6 days away!

The good news is that my month in Italy was very well spent, and we have already finished the entire fall collection, save a few pieces which are still being embroidered in Italy and will arrive the day before the show.  That said, clothes, shoes, & bags don’t make a show, so this week I will likely pull at least one all-nighter planning the production, choreography, models, music, hair, make-up, lights, invites, styling, etc, and you, my dear readers, will be with me every step of the way.  Stay tuned…

January 26th 2005
Florence, Italy

This email sent from one of our fabulous customers in Washington DC is yet another perfect demonstration of why HOLLYWOULD girls rule (see adorable photo right):

Dear Holly and Crew:

After a wild and crazy party week (it only happens every four years to us down here in Washington-it's our Mardi Gras) I had to email you to tell you guys that I wore the black satin Tatiana shoes to the Texas/Wyoming Inaugural Ball last Thursday!  I purchased them at Tickled Pink in Bethesda, MD (they carry a great assortment of HOLLYWOULD!!!) a few months prior on a whim (seems that is how most of my best purchases are made!) and when I brought my gown home I realized that the shoes went perfectly! 

I can honestly say that after hours of standing on line for security, drinks, food, and even thru ice/slush my feet were not killing me!! 

Thanks for a great pair of sexy well made shoes that can withstand the toughest of all events: the Inaugural Ball!!

-Courtenay

PS-Being 5'2 I usually get squashed in crowds, not with your shoes on!  I was able to waltz right past the tall secret service and strike up a conversation with Attorney General John Ashcroft!  Thanks for the well needed lift.  What a memorable night :)

January 23rd 2005
Florence, Italy

Girls, I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve last written.  I’ve been molto busy here in Italy finishing our HOLLYWOULD Fall 2005 Collection, which is going to be divine!  You will get a chance to see everything this February 4^th when, for the first time ever, HOLLYWOULD will be having a fashion show during New York Fashion Week.  It’s going to be amazing and we're all very excited and will keep you posted on the details as the date approaches.

Speaking of events, I am pleased to announce that on Saturday, February 12^th, we will be bringing back the age old tradition of the HOLLYWOULD KEGGER, and you’re all invited.  The theme this time around is “Kegs for Kids”, because we’ll be serving booze to minors.  Just kiddin’.  The real reason for the Kegger, other than an excuse to drink beer, is to raise money for one of my favorite charities, “Free Arts”.  Free Arts organizes after school craft projects for kids in low income neighborhoods, and we’ll be charging $2 a cup to everyone at the door which will go straight to glue, glitter, and crayolas for the kids!  And…

The latest news in Nolita* is that there will be a week long Nolita Valentines Window Display Competition the week before V-day.  All of the stores & restaurants in the ‘hood will be getting creative with their window displays, competing for awards like “Sexiest Window”, “Most Anti-Valentine Window”, and “Yummiest Window”.  We will be awarding prizes at our kegger, and all of the participating shops & restaurants have given a charitable donation to Free Arts, so come down to Nolita and give them your support! 

*Nolita: For those of you who don’t live in NYC, Nolita is the neighborhood where our shop is located, just east of Soho.  It is called “Nolita” because it is “North of Little Italy”, and everything in NYC needs an acronym in order to make sure the tourists stay confused.

January 15th 2005
Florence, Italy

HOLLYWOULD is HIRING… again!

Just last month we posted a job listing on our website and you, our genius HOLLYWOULD customers, found us the perfect girl for the job!  So, because you’re all such good headhunters, we have yet another job opening we’d like to share with you:

HOLLYWOULD WHOLESALE REPRESENTATIVE

• Must have minimum 1 year experience in luxury goods sales with experience selling to high-end dept stores and specialty boutiques
• Must be highly organized and detail oriented
• Must be able to start ASAP
• Job is based in NYC with frequent travel within USA and bi-annual travel to European shows.

Please send CV to jobs@ilovehollywould.com

January 7th 2005
New York City

My Goodness!  I just realized that I had never posted the photos of our fabulous HOLLYWOULD party at Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills.  As you all know, the party was hosted by our favorite fashion goddess Chloe Sevigny (who is also a brilliant actress, gorgeous, and tons of fun), and was attended by starlet beauties including Mena Suvari, Jamie Lynne Discala, Jessica Capshaw, Emily Mortimer, Kelly Rowan, Kelly Rutherford, and Michelle Tractenberg.  As you will see in these photos, all of the girls looked absolutely stunning in their HOLLYWOULD dresses.  Thank you again for coming out!

Did you girls know that when you sign up on our HOLLYWOULD VIP Registration, not only do you get emails about all of our top secret sales and parties, but we also read your comments aloud in the office!  We have so many amazing customers and we love hearing what you have to say.  Just last week we had women register from all different walks of life, including a self-described “Mom Extraordinaire” from San Francisco, an Attorney from Chicago, a Student from Tennessee, a Stockbroker from London, a Teacher from Seattle, an Interior Designer from NYC, and a Singer from Wichita, Kansas!  We love you all.

And, in case you haven’t seen the latest HOLLYWOULD press, you must check out the following newsflash items:

• Elle (Jan 2005, page 44) = Our new woven ballet flats, not even yet in stores!
• People (Best & Worst of 2004) = Britney Spears falls into the “Best” category and looks amazing wearing HOLLYWOULD black “Plum” sandals.
• W (Jan, page 65) = Zani Gugelmann looking 100% hot in HOLLYWOULD Blue Tiki Dress.  Zani babe, you rock!
• Inc (February 2005, page 53) = An article about what I want in a man.  Don’t ask.
• GQ (Jan, page 97) = Kate Bosworth looking absolutely fantabulous in HOLLYWOULD’s beige “Kirsten” shoes!
• InTouch (page 46) = Chloe Sevigny in HOLLYWOULD Black Ruffle Dress listed as showing “just enough” cleavage in our dress.  We love you Chloe!
• Life & Style (page 96) = Chloe Sevigny (again!) in HOLLYWOULD Black Ruffle Dress looking like a supermodel.  
• InStyle = Beautiful Molly Sims in our beige “Tatiana” sandals.
• British Vogue (page 319) = Supermodel Angela Lindvall looking divine in HOLLYWOULD Yellow Rose sandals by Kenneth Jay Lane.
• Flaunt (Jan) = Never mind that our very preppy Pink Geo Eliza Tote is featured in a photo of a model passed out on the grass with prescription pills coming out of her (our) bag!  We love it.
• WWD (The Magazine) = HOLLYWOULD listed as one of Net-a-Porter.com’s favorite new designers.  Thank you Net-a-Porter.com!
• W (Accessory Supplement) = Our blue “Kawaii” sandals. Did you know that in Japanese “Kawaii” means “sooo cute”?  It’s true!
• Palm Beach Society (we know you subscribe) = Zani Gugelmann wearing pink HOLLYWOULD “Antibes” dress with Fabian Basabe.  Rock on Zani & Fabian!
• Harpers & Queen (London) = A full page of supremely chic Carolina Herrera Jr’s “Little Black Book of Wardrobe Secrets”, which lists HOLLYWOULD as favorite shoes!  We love you Carolina!
• Self (page 44) = A photo of LAX's Heather Locklear looking fabulous in our pink “Tatiana” shoes.  I don’t mean to brag, but I met Heather on the beach with Tommy Lee when I was 10 years old.  Rock on.
• Hello (London) = Drop dead gorgeous Rosario Dawson wearing HOLLYWOULD gold “Plum” sandals.  We love “Hello”!
• British Glamour = Italy’s most stylish young export Margherita Missoni lists HOLLYWOULD pink “Casablanca” shoes as something she can’t live without.  Baci baci Margherita!
• W (Dec, page 210) = Celerie Kemble looking gorgeous in our HOLLYWOULD White Ruffle Mini Dress.  Thank you Celerie!  You rule!
• Life & Style = Michelle Tractenberg looking pretty in HOLLYWOULD Teal Ruffle Dress.  Thank you Michelle!
• InTouch = Superstar Serena Williams in HOLLYWOULD Blue Jewel Dress with Usher.  We think they should date!

Thanks so much to all of these fabulous magazines, starlets, socialites, and supermodels for rockin’ the HOLLYWOULD gear!

January 6th 2005
New York City

Congratulations to Ida, Grace, Julia, and Irene for winning our HOLLYWOULD New Year's Eve Diary Competition!  We're having trouble posting the photos and entries of the winners, but please call the shop to claim your prize!

Julia's New Year's Eve Diary Competition Entry:

What turned out to be a crazy New Year’s Eve started with a fabulous dinner with the HOLLYWOULD Gang at Lil’ Frankie’s in the East Village. For those who don’t know, Lil’ Frankie’s is a great Italian restaurant in the East Village and almost every time I am in that place I see at least one member of the Strokes. So the dinner crowd included Kelly, the HOLLYWOULD pr star, Courtney, HOLLYWOULD’s wholesale lady, and Anne, who does a little bit of everything over here. Also in attendance were Courtney’s fiancé JJ and Court’s roommate Jessie. We had a great time at dinner, ate some great food and were fed drinks by our waiter whom Courtney randomly dubbed Spanky. Why… just don’t ask.

Already off to a drunken start, after dinner I hopped in a cab and ran off to Club NA (aka the old Nell’s), to meet up with my roommate Elizabeth Borenstein, who works at WWD, and her friend Jill. The ladies had not yet made it into the VIP room, so as soon as I got there I made sure to change that situation. After making friends with the bouncer, we were soon partying in the VIP along with Simon Rex and Joey McIntyre (yes of NKOTB fame) and having a good time.

After a bit in the VIP, a huge bouncer came up to me and demanded to see my hand to see if I had the stamp that allowed me to get into the VIP. As I had kind of weaseled my way in there, I did not have one of the stamps but I looked at the bouncer with puppy dog eyes and he told me to not worry about it. In fact he told me, “Just dance by me all night and I’ll take care of you girls.” This bouncer turned out to be the guy in charge of the whole VIP so when he said he’d take care of us he meant it. He cleared off a couple tables for me and my girls, gave us a bottle of champagne and put a velvet rope around our area, so that no one would bother us. After that he started calling me “his wifey” for the rest of the night, which was kind of annoying, but well worth it given the nice treatment we got.

By this time it was almost 12 and we were all having a great time. Next thing we know, Flava Flav, of both Public Enemy and Surreal Life fame, walks in the club with his whole crew and their ladies. Flava was hosting the countdown and things definitely got jumpin’ once he was in the place. After walking in the door, Flav and his crew ended up getting seated next to us in our little private area. So for the rest of the night, we partied down with Flav and his boys (and their boos).

For the record the real (not surreal) scoop on Flav, is that he is soooo sweet and chill, and he is NOT with Brigitte, but rather only has eyes for his shortie, who was a super cute girl. The champers was flowing the whole time and after getting jiggy with it till 4, my friends and I were getting a little weary. (Also, Flav’s boy Magic was trying to make a little magic happen with my friend Liz and she was getting a little tired of it.) So we made our way out of the club and miraculously found a cab and made our way back to the east village. Along the way I made sure to leave the late night requisite drunk phone calls to my friends, and Kelly texted me the next day saying that I left the “awesomest” message on her phone the night before. Ah….another new year’s and another whole weekend spent recovering from it.

Thank you Julia and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!  xoxo, Holly

January 3rd 2005
New York City

I have already received a couple of fabulous HOLLYWOULD New Year's Eve diary entries for our competition (see below), so if you haven't sent yours yet you must do so ASAP!  The deadline for the entries is tomorrow at 9am NYC time, and the diary entry and prize will be posted by tomorrow evening.  Get writing!

January 1st 2005
Paradise Valley, Arizona

I’ve spent the last week babysitting my adorable niece & nephew and I don’t mean to brag, but I can now proudly say that I have watched The Lion King at least 12 times.  Hakuna Matada. 

I know, I know, this isn’t the New Year’s Day Diary Entry you’d expect from a party girl like me, but the truth is that I spent my New Year’s Eve with my sister and cousins discussing the various methods of weaning toddlers from addictions like pacifiers and sippy cups, and FYI, the answer is: “cold turkey”.  In the past week I’ve come to learn that being a mom is at least twice as hard as being a jet-set fashionista, and that 3 year old boys love nothing more than dirt, spiders, and snakes.  God, please give me girls.

So, because I don’t have a wild-night-on-the-town story to tell, I would like to propose our first-ever...

HOLLYWOULD NEW YEAR’S EVE DIARY COMPETITION

The lucky winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to the HOLLYWOULD store, and here is how you win:

Write a short diary entry describing what you did for New Year’s Eve, and email it to me at HollywouldDiary@aol.com.  I will then read all of your emails and chose the most entertaining entry as the winner.  As you know, this diary never contains fabricated stories, so you must give an accurate account of what you actually did on New Year’s Eve, and send photos along if you have them.  The winning diary entry and photos (if applicable) will be posted on this very website, so be sure not to send any incriminating information!  Diary entries must be submitted by Monday, Jan 3^rd.  Good Luck and Happy 2005!