Just got off the phone with the charming Hutton Wilkinson, the keeper of the flame of the most fabulous Tony Duquette estate, busy as ever it seems and these days because of the collaboration between Tony Duquette Inc. and accessories uber brand Coach.
Hutton called to connect before the big kick-off celebration Wednesday night for the sparkling capsule collection at the Rodeo Drive outpost of Coach. I, too, have been busy on the fest, working behind the scenes and, finally, standing with Hutton front and left-of-center as co-host, along with my charismatic pals Nina Clemente and Tracee Ellis Ross.
It's going to be hoot. And to capacity given numbers who've rsvp'd! In prep for the evening, I hightailed it to Coach (yesterday morning before my shoot with Dita Von Teese...what a morning!) to select a few pieces from the collection, which is based on classic Duquette motifs of sunbursts, exotic koi, spikes and, of course, the brightest colors in nature. It was not an easy decision.
Each piece makes a resounding statement. Mr. Duquette, who passed in 1999 after five decades of influential creativity, believed in "more is more," and I took that credo with great reverence and chose a twinkling necklace, cocktail ring and hot pink clutch. (None of which are pictured here...a gal has to keep some surprises until it's time!) Most might figure on wearing one of those individually, but I intend on piling it on with my party look.
And Hutton agreed I should also do the hot pink velveteen Dior turban I got on eBay last month. "Don't even think about leaving that at home!" he exhorted.
The collab arrives at Coach stores February 1. But the party also marks the debut of ordering the collection online.
Next up: the party coverage...of course!
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