Covering Themselves in Glory
It was impossible to ignore the multihued jackets Shaq, Kobe and the rest of the Lakers donned immediately after their victory Wednesday night in the NBA Finals. The 2002 Championship “Three-Peat” leather jackets, emblazoned with the L.A. skyline and palm trees, were created by L.A. designer Jeff Hamilton, who has done hundreds of custom jackets for sports teams, as well as for celebs such as Madonna, Michael Jackson and former President Bill Clinton.
On an airplane back from New Jersey, Hamilton was unable to be reached Thursday. But according to his Web site, he got his start in 1983. With $20,000 in his pocket, he started designing, manufacturing and marketing the Guess? Jeans for men line. He expanded into leather apparel in the years that followed gaining fame for his NASCAR-style jackets, emblazoned with hand-cut appliques of licensed logos. The Laker championship jackets ($1,800) are available at NBA.com.
A Bridal Bonanza
First niece and cover model Lauren Bush can now add fashion designer to her resume. The 17-year-old face of Tommy Jeans has designed a wedding gown to be auctioned on Bridesmade.com. Can a clothing line be far behind?
The online site for reselling bridal gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories enlisted Bush to sketch her dream gown. A dressmaker created an actual dress for the charity auction, to be held online June 20 to July 4.
Other items offered as part of the celebrity bridal bonanza: Christina Applegate’s Reem Acra--designed dress, Liza Minnelli’s wedding cake (replicated in a smaller version for the highest bidder), and a fireworks display orchestrated by the Grucci family, as seen at the Brad Pitt-Jennifer Aniston wedding. Finding a location is your problem.
Inspired by Dreams
Many people dream about romance or unfinished work, but Jennifer McGarigle thinks about flowers in her sleep. The floral designer’s latest nocturnal inspirations turned into arrangements fashioned to look like purses.
“I had this dream that I was in a hotel in New York and I saw these flowers being delivered,” she said. “I think a lot of great design ideas come from dreams.”
Not inspired by any specific handbag design, each brightly colored flower purse ($75 to $125) is an original, said the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising grad, who owns Floral Art in Venice. Peonies, garden roses, orchid blossoms and more are arranged on top of a purse-shaped wood form that’s covered in fabric and trim. “People love them,” McGarigle said. “Especially people who are into fashion.”
