Stylish Sets, Bond Style

It is hard to fathom this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the James Bond film, one of the most iconic and successful franchises in movie history.

Six 007's and 23 films later, the style of James Bond endures. While a Bond film is all about the girls, guns and gadgets, the designs often take center stage. And just like the gin and vermouth in a shaken not stirred martini, a Bond film will always feature a villain and his stylish lair.

The legendary production designer Sir Ken Adam (who set the tone of the genre), Syd Cain, Peter Lamont and Dennis Gassner were responsible for designing the worlds of good versus evil that included everything from underground grottoes and an ice palace to sleek high tech headquarters for world domination.

The Ice Palace in Die Another Day

Moonraker above and below

Casino Royale

For a tour of some of the most memorable sets of  half a century, see my Architectural Digest article The Best Sets From James Bond Movies here.

For those who live in NYC (or happen to be visiting), be sure and check out the Museum of Modern Art's 50 Years of James Bond exhibition. If you missed the extraordinary Designing 007- Fifty Years of Bond Style in London, you have a second chance to catch it in Toronto October 26th to January 20, 2013. And if that is not enough Bond for your liking, own a piece of memorabilia at the Christie's auction 50 Years of James Bond: The Auction. A few goodies include the Prada dress from Quantum of Solace worn by Olga Kurylenko (a mere 2500-3500 pounds) or the Tom Ford sunglasses worn by present day Bond Daniel Craig.

In the meantime,  get ready for the latest bond installment Skyfall, out in theaters November 9th. Joining Craig will be Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes and the legend continues. 

Photo Credits: Danjag, Eon, Sony/Columbia

Hollywood Glam

Nothing says cinema style to me like the glamour and elegance of J. Robert Scott. Founded in l972 by Hall of Fame designer Sally Sirkin Lewis, the luxury manufacturer was born out of the need to provide her clients with well made, stylish and uncompromising contemporary furnishings. Since this time the company has become a major design force with showrooms and representatives all over the world.

One of my favorite distinctions of a J. Robert Scott piece is the couture quality, the dressmaker details and fine artisanship. The upholstery techniques, exotic veneers and hand woven fabrics are similar to those of a haute couture house. In an industry often filled with mass produced, quantity over quality items, it's nice to know American workmanship still exists. Made in their factory in local Inglewood, California, it's not uncommon to find a loyal craftsman of twenty years applying a finishing touch with a squirrel brush. Their credo is "each piece must be flawless" and it shows.

Whenever I visit their showroom, I feel as if I have stepped back into the Golden Age of Hollywood. Jean Harlow would have been at home with a box of bonbons and her feet propped on the Bijou Pouf and I suspect Garbo would have "vanted to be alone" on the Garbo Settee.

J. Robert Scott will be hosting a reception for my book  Designs on Film this Wednesday, March 23rd. If you are in the area, please drop by the showroom and see what I am talking about firsthand. Pure luxury! And who knows, if my feet hurt you might find me reclining on a chaise as well. With bonbons.

J. Robert Scott

8737 Melrose Avenue

Los Angeles

11:00 AM - 2 PM

Timothy Demi Lune

Garbo Settee

Georges II Console

La Camellia Fabric

Bijou Pouff

Art Deco Bench

Jean Harlow

Greta Garbo on the ultimate art deco set for The Kiss (1929)

On another note, for those of you who follow CBS's The Good Wife, check out set decorator Beth Kushnick's picks for Christie's Auction House series Arbiters of Style. Congrats Beth!

Photo Credits: J. Robert Scott, MGM