Who doesn’t love an intimate gathering paired with shopping?
In suburbia, trunk shows could involve sipping tea from a neighbor’s home while perusing the options. But in Hollywood, they’re taken to the next level. Add some cocktails, Lucky Magazine, and a star-studded crowd and you’ve got Miss Davenporte’s private trunk show from Ron Herman’s Melrose location.
Upon arrival, the valet barked at me: “Are you paparazzi?” Yes, yes I am. Paper paparazzi and I’m on the list. Security seemed particularly tight, likely due to our scheduled hosts of the evening–tabloid sweethearts Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen.
While dresses were intended to be the focus of the evening, one couldn’t help but observe the recognizable attendees.
Elisha Cuthbert was the first to sport her favorite Miss Davenporte piece. Dressed in a blue gown with sparkling detail, she announced, “I showed up way too early.” Turns out the women behind the line (Christina Ehrlich and Estee Stanley) are not only designers, they’re Cuthbert’s stylists. She revealed, “I was in love with this dress!” I thought, ‘What a great gown. I wanted everyone to see it.’ It feels great.” Lucky for Cuthbert, she had the hook up!
Eva Mendes agreed: “I feel really comfortable in [this line]. I don’t like clothes that restrict me. And the material… do you want to feel it? Seriously. It’s really good.” I obliged, running my fingers over her strapless white dress detailed with a leaf print.
“You see what I mean? It’s so light. It feels amazing,” Mendes continued. “It’s the material, the fabric, and the fact that it’s just so old school. I’m totally about 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s hair and make-up. And feeling like a real woman!”
Jessica Biel joined Mendes on the carpet for some girl talk and paparazzi action, but ducked out before we had a chance to chat. She wore a conservative but sexy, white dress with a black belt. Inside the party, I spotted her chatting it up, over cocktails, with Maria Menunos.
Also in attendance, Mandy Moore posed for the shutterbugs, but quickly headed into the party. When one reporter called out, “Who are you wearing?” She sweetly smiled and purred, “Miss Davenporte.” Natch. The press didn’t seem to catch on that the gowns were the stars of evening, not the celebs.
Finally, our hosts of the evening arrived. The Olsen’s wore Miss Davenporte’s most simplistic design. The girls looked living dolls in short dresses that showcased their legs, giving the illusion of height beyond their 5’2/5’3 frames. The twins proved to be women of few words, or rather none. They shied away from the press, reluctant to pose. Olsen even looked frightened, but perhaps that’s her style. The two took photos and, eventually, were escorted by their handlers, hand-in-hand.
Inside the party, I bumped into Michelle Trachtenberg. When I asked if she’d seen our hosts, The Olsens, yet, Trachtenberg exclaimed, “Oh. They are? I didn’t know that.” She admitted, “I feel bad. I’m not wearing [the line] tonight. I didn’t get organized in time. I’m a little frazzled. I haven’t seen Jessie Biel in a while now and I’m like, ‘Oh my God. You look amazing,’ and she’s like, ‘I know.’ It’s beautiful stuff.”
A less confused Cuthbert seemed more in the know. Did she watch Mary-Kate & Ashley on Full House? “Yeah, I guess I did,” Cuthbert told me, “But they were babies. I think I know more of them now then I ever have.”
With Mendes, it wasn’t even a question: “I love those girls. They grew up and they’re gorgeous. We all got ready together. It was a fun evening.”
And the evening continued with Claire Forlani, who quietly slipped into the party. She stood in a hidden nook of the room for most of the evening while Mendes greeted Miss Davenporte’s surprise guest: Demi Moore. She wore little or no make-up, but looked equally stunning, in a black and white ensemble. She was Ashton-less and spent most of her time with the Miss Davenporte designers.
All in all, the event was a success; though, I’m not sure how much clothing was sold on the spot. After all, it’s Hollywood, land of the freebies and freebie-seekers. I didn’t notice too many people shopping, but the gowns were fit for a princess… or at least a celebrity or two.
