Remembering Antonio
L.A. designer Susan Baraz phoned from New York to inform us about this week’s memorial tribute to her close friend Antonio Lopez, the legendary fashion illustrator, who died March 17 at UCLA Hospital at the age of 44. Baraz said about 800 of Antonio’s friends showed up for the memorial service Tuesday night at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. Among them were Jessica Lange, Grace Jones, Tina Chow, Jerry Hall, Betsey Johnson and Norma Kamali. Photographer Bill Cunningham offered a slide presentation of the artist’s work, Baraz delivered a eulogy and tapes of Antonio’s lectures to students at the Art Center school in Pasadena were played in the lobby. “It was a glorious celebration of his life and his work,” Baraz said, “and an inspiration to behold what one man, in a short life span, is capable of accomplishing.”
Empire by Jake
“Animated” already describes the energetic fitness of guru Jake Steinfeld. But now the personal trainer and author of “Body by Jake” is headed for a different kind of animation. He plans to become the subject of a Saturday-morning cartoon show. “Remember the ‘Fat Albert’ show with Bill Cosby? This will be more like ‘Fit Albert,’ ” Steinfeld tells Listen. “The character I’ll play is like America’s big brother. It will be a motivational, learning show, incorporating humor and fitness tips. At this point we’re calling it ‘Jake’s Kids.’ ” Steinfeld envisions his animated counterpart appearing in his trademark black T-shirt and jeans, and he says a Jake doll (skinny, but you can add muscles) will likely be marketed in connection with the show.
Hats Off to Bowie
David Bowie may have toned down his dress style lately (he hasn’t worn dresses in a while), but we wouldn’t want to say he’s turned old hat. Bowie did borrow a beat-up, flea market fedora to wear for a recent photo session, Listen hears from Ricky Castro, who owns the hat and who styled Bowie’s wardrobe for the shooting. Castro, along with his partner Michi, says the rock star also mixed his own old blue jeans with new leather jackets and a hyper-new Comme des Garcons shirt with a wire collar that bends in all directions. “He wants to be normal now,” says Castro, who notes the trail of spacesuits, wigs, dresses, skirts and eye makeup Bowie has left behind. “He wants to be himself, not a character.”
A Gem of a Good Buy
Psst! Looking for a good deal? Well, after polling its more than 3,200 members recently, the American Gem Society concluded that the year’s best buy for the money is a diamond. (Next best are sapphires, tourmalines, amethysts or rubies.) But will you know a great diamond when you see one? To help a bit, AGS President Herbert Levine says: “A diamond’s quality is judged by the four C’s: cut, color, clarity and carat weight.” Or, there are always Lazare Diamonds. These are billed as the first “brand-name” diamonds on the market. Each comes with a laser-inscribed logo and identification number, which supposedly assures cut and quality as well as positive proof of ownership in case of loss or theft.
