Word of Mouth: Hello, Rodeo Drive

This week’s special L.A. Issue on the blog wouldn’t be complete without a look at our new three-story boutique — on one of L.A.’s most famous streets. “Rodeo Drive is such an iconic part of the city, and we are thrilled to be opening a flagship there,” says Tory. Created with architect and designer Daniel Romualdez, the interiors are inspired by Southern California’s sun-bleached allure as well as Tory’s own Southampton home — complete with framed photographs of her parents Buddy and Reva and antiques from her travels around the world. “We combined sophisticated and bohemian elements, from gold leaf wallpaper and coral sconces to oak-paneled rooms and Moroccan mirrors,” Tory says. “The décor is a mix of classic and eclectic — I think L.A. is like that, too.”

See our L.A. City Guide for our other favorite stops in the area.

Hailee Steinfeld On: What I Love About L.A.

“Los Angeles in November. Can’t beat the weather. Love it here.” — Hailee Steinfeld

Eva Amurri Martino On: What I Love About L.A.

Some people think L.A. is all about sun and swim season. For others, it’s about celebrity gazing. As part of our special L.A. Issue, we asked a quintet of locals for one image that best represents the city to them — and what they love about it. We start with actress Eva Amurri Martino, who, in searching for her portrait of West Coast living, looked to the… Far East.

“For me, L.A. is about the best sushi ever and, above all, simplicity! In everything: design, food, lifestyle. Love how this plating even exemplifies that — down to the blue design reminiscent of the ocean.” — Eva Amurri Martino

Tory’s Playlist: L.A. Getaway

City of Angels, city of musicians: Here, we place the spotlight squarely on L.A.’s music scene, with a little help from the creative music management team at The Artists Organization — Rishi Shah, Sam Berger and T.J. Petracca. They put together a set of playlists for us that features both homegrown bands and the songs the city’s inspired.

Listen to both on Spotify now — here and here.

Meet the L.A. Screenwriter: The Heat’s Katie Dippold

Katie Dippold has a funny bone and she’s not afraid to use it. She’s done the comedy trifecta: standup, with the Upright Citizens Brigade; television, as a writer for Parks & Recreation, and this year, the big screen. Katie, here wearing Tory’s Brigitte blouse, wrote the screenplay for The Heat, starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, and is teaming up with director Paul Feig again on a mother-daughter adventure comedy. So what does it take to hone one’s comedic chops? Keep reading and find out.

Expert Guide: Bettina Korek’s L.A. Art Scene

If you believe L.A. culture consists of a movie screening and seeing the Hollywood Sign up close, art entrepreneur Bettina Korek is here to convince you otherwise. As founder of ForYourArt, an art concierge of sorts detailing must-see openings and events — who’s also responsible for transforming city buses into public-art canvases for artists John Baldessari and Barbara Kruger, among other projects — Bettina is well plugged in to what’s hot and happening in the city’s contemporary art scene. She takes us through it all, from can’t-miss museums to where power brokers convene.

Meet the Maître D’: Sunset Tower’s Dimitri Dimitrov

Dimitri Dimitrov is an L.A. institution. As the maître d’ at Sunset Tower Hotel’s historic Tower Bar, he presides over a constant nerve center of Hollywood movers and shakers, not to mention other industry VIPs. We’re talking everyone from Penelope Cruz, George Clooney and Brian Grazer to David Bowie, Tom Ford and Larry Gagosian. We got a moment to chat, one-on-one, with the man.

Oprah’s Favorite Things 2013: The Molly Bucket Tote

“I gave a version of this raffia-and-leather bag to my producers after they finished up last year’s Favorite Things show because, after that, we all needed a vacation! Nothing says ‘hit the beach’ like the perfect island tote.” — Oprah

Perfectly packable and polished yet eclectic, Tory’s Molly Bucket Tote was chosen by Oprah as one of her favorite things to give for the holidays. See it in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, on newsstands now.

Book of the Week: The Wes Anderson Collection

Wes Anderson’s quirky characters, rich visuals and immersive worlds have colored our cinematic experience for almost two decades. Four years in the making, The Wes Anderson Collection takes a deep dive into the auteur’s seven-film oeuvre, from his full-length debut, Bottle Rocket, to the more recent favorite, Moonrise Kingdom. Previously unpublished behind-the-scenes photos and sketches complement a book-long interview with Anderson himself — which reveals everything from his favorite Hitchcock movie (Rear Window) to what happened to all the movies he made as a kid (most were stolen out of his car in Austin, Texas).

Beauty Spotlight: The Formula’s Aimee Blaut

It wasn’t too long ago that Aimee Blaut was double-majoring in biology and fine art with her sights set on a career in the gallery world. That, as they say, was then. Now, she’s Founder and Editor of The Formula, a popular site covering everything beauty. Here, wearing Tory’s Daria jacket and Tanya top, she gives us her insider’s guide to her beauty routines (day and night), plus the best way to combat frequent-flyer fatigue.

Tory’s Playlist: Boardwalk Empire

As Boardwalk Empire’s season nears its close — only three episodes left — we’re feeling its 1920s beat. We’ve already met one of its actresses and taken you behind the scenes. Now, we’ve put together the soundtrack playlist, which recruits singers like Elvis Costello, Patti Smith and Rufus Wainwright to perform Prohibition-era classics accompanied by the BE house band.

Listen now on Spotify.

Meet the Actress: Boardwalk Empire’s Wrenn Schmidt

Boardwalk Empire’s Wrenn Schmidt has a knack for landing great male co-stars. On the HBO show, led by Steve Buscemi, she plays the wife of the disfigured Richard Harrow (Jack Huston in a tin mask). Earlier this year, she turned heads on stage in Ibsen’s The Master Builder, opposite John Turturro. Next up? Preservation, a thriller directed by Argo’s Christopher Denham, which she headlines along with Pablo Schreiber (The Wire; Orange Is the New Black) and Aaron Staton — best known to audiences as the toe-tapping Ken Cosgrove on Mad Men. Here, wearing Tory’s mirrored dragonfly pendant, she opens up about some of those co-stars and more.

Model Talk: Julia Frauche on Beauty Advice & Icons

Julia Frauche has walked the runways from Paris to New York — including Tory’s own show in September. We got some one-on-one time to chat with the French native about one topic in which she’s undoubtedly well versed: beauty. Get her thoughts and tips here.

Meet the Songstress: Lou Doillon

Muse to many, French actress and model Lou Doillon recently turned musician, as well. Currently on tour for her sultry, soulful debut album Places — she plays in Monaco tomorrow — Doillon chatted with us about her go-to playlist and favorite places.

Look We Love: All About Blush

Universally flattering, this pale pink is super-pretty — and an unexpected winter hue that will stand out in a crowd. Here, it colors our pleated Liv dress and embellished Kirby dress with shades of effortless glamour. Easy in silhouette but festive in spirit, both are finished with a shimmery hint of sparkle.

Shop the Look.

Tory’s Playlist: CMA Awards 2013

We love country music. Particularly around the CMA’s. Our Nashville store is buzzing with excitement as country music’s biggest night approaches tomorrow. Here are some of our favorite songs of the year along with a couple of our all-time favorites. We miss you already George Jones.

Listen now on Spotify.

Tory’s Gift Guide

‘Tis the season: make your shopping list and check it twice. Whether you’re searching for something pretty, something graphic, something shimmery or something classic, Tory’s Gift Guide — our curated list of the season’s best presents — has something for everyone on your list this holiday.

See the full Gift Guide now.

Book of the Week: Giancarlo Giammetti’s Private

There are fictional escapes where you curl up with a good novel and then there are fashion escapes where you… curl up with a good fashion book. Giancarlo Giammetti’s memoir Private is firmly the latter. As Valentino’s longtime business partner recounts his life — from his early days in Rome to a chance meeting with the designer — you’re transported to a very dolce vita life, where you pal around with Andy Warhol, dance cheek to cheek with Marisa Berenson and call everyone from Jackie O and Elizabeth Taylor to Madonna and Sophia Loren your extended family. Che meraviglioso, no?

Meet the Blogger: Damsel in Dior’s Jacey Duprie

What’s a damsel in Dior? The better question is who. Here, wearing Tory’s Tia top and Uma skirt, the Texas-born, L.A.-based Damsel in Dior blogger discusses cocktail dressing and the inspiration behind the name.

Tory’s Playlist: Cocktail Hour

The moon is full. The champagne is chilling. The air is filled with the sweet scent of orchids and perfume.
Be the host or be the guest, but enjoy the elegant evening — this music is divine!

Listen now on Spotify.

Just One Thing: The Jeweled T-Shirt

Everyone has a favorite t-shirt — ours just happens to be cut from silk. Tory’s Vesper top has the relaxed feel of a tee, with a little something extra. Thanks to its jeweled embellishment, this classic silhouette transforms any look as easy as it goes on. Black or pink — your choice; simply team with little black pants, a skirt or jeans.

Boo! Happy Halloween!

A few reasons I love Halloween…. 1. It’s my night out with my boys. This picture was taken a few years ago as we were heading out for trick-or-treating. 2. It’s my brother Robert’s birthday, and when we were growing up in Valley Forge, my mother made this a big, big holiday. The décor was magical, from the ghouls and ghosts dining on the patio to the hundreds of pumpkins all over the place. 3. The Swedish Fish. I have a sweet tooth. Happy Halloween. xxTory

Book of the Week: Craig McDean’s Amber, Guinevere, and Kate

Three modeling icons, one sharp-eyed photographer. In Amber, Guinevere, and Kate, image-maker Craig McDean zooms in on that unforgettable Nineties trio: Amber Valletta, Guinevere van Seenus and Kate Moss. Shot on film from 1993 through 2005, the chameleonic muses appear in all guises and forms, spanning over 150 color and black-and-white photos — some never before published.

Spotlight On: Photographer François Halard

As the son of French decorators, François Halard’s affinity for gorgeous interiors was probably inevitable. Whatever the initial spark, though, the photographer just has a knack for capturing a home in its most breathtaking light — equal parts intimate, grand, engaging and elegant. With his new book out — in which he peeks into the mesmerizing living quarters of Jean Cocteau, David Hockney, Cy Twombly, Yves Saint Laurent and others — we spoke to the famed lensman about his career here.