Reiss

At last night’s Oscars, it appeared that the Hollywood stars took inspiration from the golden age of Hollywood’s yesteryear in classic black and white.

An abundance of luxe ivory and beautiful black gowns sashayed along the red carpet, with little emphasis on colour, and we couldn’t help but feel inspired by their love for monochrome.

Monochrome looks are perfect for this time of year when our pale and wintry complexions can’t yet handle spring’s sweet pastels or juicy hues.

Take solace from the fact that Hollywood clearly feels the same, and step out in black, white, or both.

Cool and contemporary, Gwyneth Patrow steps out in Tom Ford.

Angelina channels Hollywood glamour in Atelier Versace.

We can see Gwyneth in this; The Tyler jumpsuit in cream is long and luxe.

Tyler also comes in black and makes the perfect evening look.

Our Maggie dress works the monochrome look with black accessories.

Tailored and timeless; cream accessories pop against our Brandy dress.

Best of both worlds; our Hana dress is the perfect monochrome match.

Name: Carly Steel
Occupation: TV Host / Actress
Where in L.A. are you based: West Hollywood near the Grove – the specific neighbourhood is actually called ‘Miracle Mile’ which is quite funny!

WHAT DO YOU DO ON YOUR DAYS OFF: Prep for upcoming shoots, attend film screenings for films, go to meetings regarding potential projects, scour stores and showrooms for ensembles to wear for filming, and of course ‘shoot maintenance’. Highlights with the fabulous Tracey Cunnigham at Byron & Tracey salon (there is often more of a social scene at the salon than at a Hollywood event), Natura Bisse facials at the Beverly Wilshire, lash extensions with Daniel Dinh at LongMi lashes in Beverly Hills, spray tan with the fabulous St Tropez technicians and the gym – I love Tracey Anderson Method and Physique 57.

FAVOURITE PLACES TO DINE OUT IN L.A.: Chateau Marmont garden for atmosphere, The Little Door, Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica (incredible langoustine!), Le Petit Four at Sunset Plaza (love the lobster bisque and Rose), Madeo and Nobu or Geoffreys in Malibu.

FAVORITE PLACE TO HAVE A DRINK: Chateau Marmont, Soho House, Polo Lounge, Sunset Tower, Beverly Wilshire (I’m a traditionalist), Stark bar at Lacma is wonderful – especially during the summer when they have jazz performances.

BEST BRUNCH SPOT: Four Seasons if you are in a decadent mood, Mel’s Diner on Sunset Blvd if you are feeling kitsch for that all-American ‘Grease’ style diner experience. If you’d prefer more of a ‘South of France drinking on a cliff overlooking the water’ brunch experience then Geoffreys in Malibu.

BEST CAFÉ: Little Next Door for Rose and macarons, Fred Segal Café, or, if you fancy something more healthy, M Café on Melrose for the kale in peanut sauce – sounds unappealing but is to die for.

CURRENT HOT SPOT: Soho House.

FIRST STOP FOR ANY VISITOR IN THE CITY: Chateau Marmont for that ‘old Hollywood’ experience.

FAVOURITE BOOKSHOP: Barnes and Noble at the Grove – it may not sound terribly chic but there’s a terrace at the top where you can sit and have tea and peruse potential purchases in a civilized manner. There are always good book signing events going on there too.

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED L.A. NEIGHBORHOOD: Beverly Hills for the wide boulevards, perfectly placed palm trees and slightly European feel. It is signature L.A.

MOST INSPIRING PLACE IN L.A.: LACMA – especially the Broad wing and Resnick Pavillion, both designed by Renzo Piano. LACMA director Michael Govan is a visionary who always keeps it fresh and interesting.

NAME A PARK THAT YOU COULD SPEND YOUR WHOLE DAY IN: Griffith Park – hike in the morning then lunch at the Observatory overlooking the entire city.

FAVORITE BEACH: Malibu Colony (because it’s private – I’m not a fan of public beaches).

WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL PLACES TO SHOP: I love boutiques – Maxfield on Melrose for incredible concept pieces, Cusp in Century City for party dresses and of course Reiss on Robertson! Being from the UK I’m so happy the British stores are now making their mark here. British high street fashion is just so much more fun and stylish! I also love Sunset Plaza as a shopping area – it has a very European feel up there and has everything from H&M to BCBG.

WHAT’S A KEY FASHION TREND YOU SEE ON THE STREETS OF L.A. RIGHT NOW: L.A. has more of a style than a trend. At the moment the favourite seems to still be a vintage dress paired with a shrunken leather jacket and Chanel or Hermes birkin paired with chic flats during the day and sky high platforms or booties by night.

IF YOU COULD THINK OF ONE SONG AS THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFESTYLE IN L.A. WHAT WOULD IT BE: Oh gosh, that’s a difficult one! The song that immediately springs to mind is Phantom Planet’s ‘California’ which was also the theme tune to The OC TV show – as soon as I saw that show and heard that song I knew I wanted to move to L.A.

BEST PLACE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS: Getty museum, Mulholland Drive, the Hollywood sign hike, Griffith Park Observatory, Geoffreys in Malibu (the view almost looks like the South of France), and the Bat Cave at Bronson canyon (where they filmed the original Batman series). There is also a really cool (but TOUGH) hike in Malibu that takes you up to a waterfall.

SECRET GEM: If I told you then it wouldn’t be a secret… Ok, Ok – a table on the little balcony at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica for lobster roll sliders and rose and then renting bikes from the hotel and cycling on the beach paths. There are only 4 tables on this little balcony just off the main room of the hotel, overlooking the ocean and beach and it’s a hidden treasure as most people go to the restaurant to eat so if it’s too busy to get a table there next time I go I will attribute it to having revealed this secret gem and be very cross with myself!

In celebration of all things L.A., celebrity stylist Courtney Webster, has created a Grammys-inspired shoot based around the nominees for Album of the Year.

Courtney says, “Every year, the Grammys celebrate the artists who have provided the soundtrack to our lives over the past year. Just as their music is unique to each of them, so too is their sense of style. With this shoot, we aim to show how both of these forms of expression are intertwined.”

“Here, we present Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Adele and Lady Gaga -this is how we envision they would interpret the Reiss brand for themselves.”

Bruno Mars-inspired

Wearing the Promenade jacket, Glider short sleeve shirt and Parisa jersey slim fit trousers.

Rihanna-inspired

Wearing the Milly leather jacket and Andy asymmetrical sandals.

Adele-inspired

Wearing the Bridge fitted dress.

Lady Gaga-inspired

Wearing the Zoe dress and Anita leather gloves.

Stylist: Courtney Webster
Photographer: Vijat Mohindra
Hair: Karissa Guerra
Makeup: Deb Chung
Models: Veronica Jacques, Ashley Jueong and Megan Rossee