Italian Eye Candy

Many of you in LA and NYC have already seen I Am Love and it's just now hitting the rest of America this weekend. The film is filled with lots of wonderful Italian eye candy and something for everyone --- passion, food, couture, beautiful Italian landscapes (Milan and San Remo), great interiors and yes, lots of melodrama.

The film is the story of the Recchi family, wealthy textile manufacturers experiencing a changing of the guard. Actress Tilda Swinton plays Russian turned Milanese wife Emma Recchi whose passionate affair ultimately changes her family forever.

Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino worked with Raf Simons of Jil Sanders on Swinton's clothing (above and below) and Silvia Venturi Fendi on the male actors's wardrobe, each custom designed.

Food plays a major role in the film as many of the dramatic tensions take place during the film's many dinner parties. Both prawns and ratatouille with sweet and sour sauce and Oucha soup play important plot devices. Actor Eduardo Gabriellini who played the chef in the film studied with Italian chef Carlo Cracco (of Milan's Ristorante Cracco) to learn his many moves in the kitchen.

Swinton and Gabbrielini

The Villa Nechi opened its doors for the filming and was the perfect place according to director Guadagno for a home of "great wealth but also a restrained sensibility." Built by Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi between 1932-1935 and decorated by Tomaso Buzzi in the fifties, the house is a stunning mix of modern architecture and decorative arts. As the New York Times notes, it's a "modernist palate cleanser in a city chocked full of palazzos."

For more on the Villa Nechi, see the New York Times article "Leading Mansions."

For more on the film see the official website.

Photos courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. The World's 50 Best and Villa Nechi.

The Hollywood Collection

I wanted to share with you Trowbridge Gallery's limited edition photographs called The Hollywood Collection. Black and white archival photos of none other than Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Paul Newman, Cary Grant, The Rat Pack and Fred Astaire just to name a few. 

Marilyn Monroe of course

Cary Grant in the Rain

Audrey Hepburn at Golf

                                                                        Grace Kelly

                                        
                                                                      The Rat Pack

And speaking of Fred Astaire, I always think of his dance number for the film Holiday Inn when I think of the fourth of July. Happy Fourth!

Photo Credits: Trowbridge Gallery

Designing Actor and Author

His mother Gayle  knows him as a wonderful and beloved son who shared her story (and brought her cancer struggle to life) in a "momoir," the residents of his hometown New Orleans value him as a supportive store owner who continually gives back to their unfairly battered city and fans of AMC's enormously popular Mad Men love him as Salvatore Romano, the former Art Director of Sterling Cooper.

I chatted with actor, designer and author Bryan Batt this past Friday afternoon (who is enormously engaging and bordering on the point of wickedly witty I might add) about his recent book, his departure from Mad Men and his designing pursuits.

Bryan recently published a chronicle of his life growing up in New Orleans and his strong-willed straight-out-of-Steel-Magnolia mom Gayle who is battling cancer for the fourth time at the age of 70. The book She Ain't Heavy, She's My Mother (Harmony Books) is quite the entertaining read, particularly for those of us that grew up and/or live in the South and/or have supportive mothers. Apparently Bryan told so many of his mother's amusing anecdotes that it prompted a friend to warn him "if you don't write these down, I will" and a book was born. Part loving tribute/part memoir and many times part hilarity, Bryan talks of his life growing up gay in the Deep South (first hint, he asked for an Easy Bake Oven at an early age, second, he was into musical comedies) and showbiz as he shares tales of acting in Hollywood. The book has a somber yet hopeful tone as he details his mother's struggles with cancer which she faces now for the fourth time. Gayle is currently on protocol drugs and hopefully, it's a battle she will continue to win.

Bryan's character in Mad Men was a closeted art director who was outed and fired (after all, it was the sixties) this past season.  His performance as the talented yet tortured Sal was heart wrenching to watch -- and brilliant -- I only hope the Emmy voters take note and writers decide to bring him back for another season. Fans can also see him in the upcoming indie film Brawler and the comedy Sam, directed by none other than Mel Brooks son. He has a one-man play coming up called Batt on a Hot Tin Roof. He also starred in Broadway's Starlight Express (his mom threw him a "coming out party" at the Russian Tea Room) along with Cats, Sunset Boulevard, La Cage and Seussical just to name a few. And he's even be immortalized on the wall via characterture at Sardi's.

His talents don't rest with writing and acting as he is also adds accomplished interior designer to his resume. Bryan has designed homes in New York, Los Angeles and New Orleans (he resides in all three cities) and his design mantra is simply "If it looks right, it is." When pressed for some design pearls of wisdom he offers "don't be afraid of color, what has it ever done to you" and his look is eclectic as he believes in designing with "a great mix, like a martini shaken and stirred." Bryan's Magazine Street shop Hazelnut (co-owned with his longtime partner of Tom Cianfichi) is a design and gift shop that offers everything from Vietri tableware to frames, candles and pottery.

Of particular interest is his line of fabrics that pay homage to his native city and drawn by artist Sonia O'Mara based on his own original sketches - Toile (Delphine, Magnolia, Claret and Cafe au' Lait) and a Lily Pulitzer inspired Pontchartrain Beach. The fabrics can be found in everything from duvet covers and shower curtains to ice buckets and lacquered trays. And yes, the fabrics can be purchased by the yard. A portion of the proceeds from the fabrics and bedding lines will go to victims of the Gulf oil spill. He is also working on a book "Mad About Design" to be published by Clarkson Potter next year.

You can read more on my interview with Bryan and his book later this week on The Huffington Post (check the book section in the next several days). He is clearly someone who you'd love to sit down with several cocktails and endlessly chat and since that is not possible, his book is the next best thing. Here's hoping we see more of his talents on Broadway and the small and silver screen as well...and on the cast of this season's Mad Men as I don't like change and prefer to see the old Sterling Cooper gang intact. Fingers crossed!

Photos courtesy of Harmony Books, www.Bryan Batt.com, Hazelnut.

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While this may not be Cinema Style, it's somewhat movie related. I wanted to share with you my friend Amanda Soll  new line of home accessories called Ribbon Made (her labor of love when she is not promoting movies at Warner Brothers). A great source for everything from wedding to children's gifts and in between, items can be purchased through her Ribbon-Made site on Etsy. Her work can be custom and I especially like her trays -- course I have been mad for anything out of grosgrain ribbon since grammar school! Congrats Amanda!

Ribbon Cocktail Tray

Damask Bin

Letters for Children's Rooms

A Tale of Four Cleos

Word out of Hollywood is actress Angelina Jolie will play Cleopatra in the biopic based on the best selling book Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra: A Life (Little, Brown). Will fourth time be the charm for Cleopatra?


While the first Cleopatra of note was silent film star Theda Bara in 1917, Claudette Colbert really put the exotic Queen on the map in Cecil B. Demille's 1934 production. The film is pure Demille filled with campy, over the top sets and lavish costumes. Although widely panned by critics, the film was nominated for Best Picture.

The sets tried to depict the period of the times but also reflected the art deco trends of the decade as well.

Production sketch for Cleopatra 

Perhaps the most controversial Cleo of all was the 1963 mega-production starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Considered one of the most expensive films of its time, the film was also known for its romantic pairing of two celestial stars of all time, Taylor and Burton. The backstory of the filming was more entertaining than the actual movie itself, with a production plagued by affairs, illness (Taylor had an emergency tracheotomy for starters), bad weather, cast replacements, financial problems, moving entire sets from London to Rome and lawsuits etc. The film's 42 million dollar budget nearly sank Twentieth Century Fox (chronicled in a fascinating documentary "Cleopatra: The Film that Changed Hollywood"). 

The legendary production designer/renaissance painter, illustrator and set designer John De Cuir Sr. (coined Hollywood's Da Vinci) built the spectacular sets of Alexandria and the number of costumes hit a record 26,000. Seventy sets were built on such a vast scope (such as the Sphinx below) that it was rumored to cause a lumber shortage in Italy. for The dress above for Ms. Taylor was reported to be made of 24 carat gold cloth. Andy Warhol considered the film to be one of the most influential in design -- even trendy sixties stylist Vidal Sassoon designed a tribute hairstyle.

One of the many incredible works of art/production sketches by John De Cuir Sr. 

And for more on the Burton-Taylor saga, check out this month's Vanity Fair with Liz on the cover.


Wonder who will play Marc Antony to Angelina's Cleo? I guess Brad Pitt is too obvious a choice.

Photo Credits: Top, Design by Oliver Messel for Cleopatra's head-dress in the film of Caesar and Cleopatra

Watercolour on paper, Victoria and Albert Museum, John De Cuir Jr., Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures.

London, Cinema Style

Movies have always provided the ultimate escape and it is wonderful to be transported to another country in a two hour time frame and without having to leave your seat. This week's Cinema Style takes a look at a few diverse films across the pond and not just those that involve James Bond or Harry Potter. Here are a few of my favorite films that are a virtual travelogue:

Four Weddings and a Funeral: The 1994 comedy had the winning combination of a unique premise, a diverse cast and collectible soundtrack and a film that caught Hugh Grant at the top of his game. While the film was shot at numerous churches and private estates, check out the Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa (scene of the second wedding reception) which was also the movie location for Never Say Never Again and Eyes Wide Shut.

Notting Hill (1999): Another Hugh Grant vehicle (he was on a roll), the perpetual British playboy portrays a travel book store owner who falls in love with an A list star played by A lister Julia Roberts. The film was shot  all over Notting Hill (Grant's house was actually that of the film's screenwriter Richard Curtis on Westbourne Park Road) and viewers will no doubt recognize the Savoy and Ritz Hotels and markets on Portobello Road. And there is no travel book store --- it was actually shot in an antique store called Notting Hill on 142 Portobello Road.

Indiscreet (1958): Ingrid Bergman plays an actress (Anna) who experiences love at first sight with Cary Grant only to find he has a secret. The romantic comedy was shot in London's Belgrave Square, Leicaster Art Gallery, Cleopatra's Needle, Picadilly Circus and the Royal Opera House. Anna's apartment was furnished with Raoul Dufy and Pablo Picasso paintings (borrowed of course!) and along with her wardrobe, was quite spectacular.

Wimbledon (2004): It doesn't get any more British than this film as a has-been pro player (Paul Bettany)  ranked #119 in the world makes a comeback at Wimbledon and falls in love with a rising star (Kirsten Dunst) in the process. The tennis scenes were actually shot in between the 2003 matches and the only time filming on the hallowed grounds has ever been allowed.

Match Point (2005): One of my favorite although different Woody Allen films, rumor has it that its Allen's too. Relationships and death naturally play a role as a very married former British tennis pro (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) has an affair with a young American shopgirl/actress (Scarlett Johannsen) in this dark thriller. Scenes of Upper class London abound from the Royal Opera House and Queen's tennis club to Sloane Square, Brasserie Max (located in Covent Garden Hotel) and The Audley where the young lovers first get to know each other. Meyers apartment with the incredible view was shot at the Parliament View apartments (below).

The Queen (2006):  Helen Mirren gives a dead-on Academy Award winning performance as her Majesty (along with Michael Sheen as Prime Minister Tony Blair) during the days of the monarchy after Princess Diana's death. Naturally scenes were not shot in Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street (only exterior) but production designer Alan MacDonald and set decorator Tina Jones gave the interiors authenticity.

Georgy Girl (1966): The late Lynn Redgrave was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as a somewhat homely spinster looking for love in sixties London. The film captures the city at the height of the proverbial "swinging sixties" movement. Shown below is Redgrave with Alan Bates.

Seeing Jude Law as Alfie below reminds me I need to check the expiration on my passport....happy summer travels.

Photo Credits: IMDB, BBC Films, Universal Pictures, Pathe Pictures, Warner Brothers and Columbia Pictures.