Considered the greatest Wagnerian soprano of the 20th century (and quite possibly ever), Flagstad was discovered on February 2, 1935 when she replaced a regular cast member in the role of Sieglinde. After one listen, I immediately understood why this woman was was catapulted to instant fame and fortune. Her voice is spectacular: heavy and clear, kind of like how I would imagine a giant bell would ring, cool as river, trembling, and always in control.

Please have a listen. I’ve attached two videos. The second video is kind of funny. I think her arm movements are ridiculous. But that voice!

Vera Wang's Tassel Necklace, $750 at Vionnet Boutique, Robertson Blvd.

Last week I wandered into the Vionnet Boutique (no relation to the iconic French fashion house Vionnet) and was pleasantly surprised. Vionnet has that boutique-y feel that is rarer and rarer these days.

Nestled among the eclectic merchandise, (everything is vegan, so don’t expect any footwear), look for artisanal brass rings, beautifully puckered strapless cocktail dresses and warm woolen sweaters in saffron and cherry red. I thought this Vera Wang tassel necklace of hammered metal (the shop girl wasn’t sure what kind) and ribbon to be just the kind of unique find that could augment a simple dress into a show stopper. I love the Ottoman influences and floral motif.

Buy it at Vionnet Boutique on Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles. www.vionnetboutique.com

L.A. Opera to Hold First Ever
Costume Shop Sale!
Over 2500 Costume Pieces go on the block

in advance of Halloween
Saturday, October 10 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM

What: The Costume Studio’s storage racks are bursting at the seams, and the company is selling more than 2500 costume pieces to create more room for its ever-growing production repertoire. Pieces for sale will include everything ranging from complete “merry peasant” and “medieval courtier” costumes to individual pieces such as capes, hats, shoes and fans. Highlights of the collection will include a number of “diva dresses,” stunning hand-crafted gowns worn by LA Opera’s leading ladies including Carol Vaness (La Traviata, Don Giovanni, The Merry Widow and La Rondine), Jennifer Larmore (L’Italiana in

Algeri), Maria Ewing (Fedora), Verónica Villarroel (Idomeneo) and Karita Mattila (Jenufa), as well as costumes worn by superstar tenor Plácido Domingo (Un Ballo in Maschera and Idomeneo).

Who: LA Opera is the fourth largest opera company in the United States. The Company’s Costume Shop is staffed by dozens of highly skilled employees, including master tailors, cutter/drapers, seamsters and craftspersons, who create hundreds of costumes by hand every year for principal artists, choristers, dancers and supernumeraries appearing in LA Opera productions at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Sturdily constructed to last and often highly detailed, the costumes are built to fit singers of every size, from robust Wagnerians to petite Mozartians.

When: Saturday, October 10, 2009, from 10am to 6pm

Where: Parking lot of LA Opera’s Costume Shop parking lot, 330 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Parking is available on the street, and there is secured pay parking in the Little Tokyo Galleria parking structure at 333 S. Alameda Street, directly across the street from the Costume Shop.

]]> http://stylechica.com/2009/10/07/get-your-hands-on-placidos-clothes-l-a-opera-to-hold-costume-sale/feed/ 0 Stylechica placido domingo costume http://stylechica.com/2009/09/29/fire-and-cream-from-strange-invisible-perfumes-and-a-sniff-event-for-angelenos/ http://stylechica.com/2009/09/29/fire-and-cream-from-strange-invisible-perfumes-and-a-sniff-event-for-angelenos/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:19:27 +0000 Stylechica http://stylechica.com/?p=728 ]]>

when: friday-sunday, September 18th-20th

where: both HH design:shop locations
brooklyn: 211 franklin street, greenpoint
manhattan: 253 elizabeth street, btwn houston and prince

time: 12-8 p.m. daily

what: Amazing sales and bargains on samples, past season merchandise, one-of-a-kind items, vintage items, and bizarre space oddities that need a new home. All spring-summer 09 collection apparel, bags, shoes, and accessories will be 60-80% off.

LAUREN MERKIN SUMMER SAMPLE SALE

TUESDAY, AUG 11 – FRIDAY, AUG 14
11 am – 7pm
&
Saturday, Aug 15 – 11 am – 4 p.m.

Lauren Merkin Showroom
231 WEST 29TH ST
SUITE 201
BETWEEN 7TH & 8TH AVE
212 239 2459

PAYMENT ACCEPTED:
CASH. AMEX, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER
No Checks please. No Phone orders

Prices 40-70% off:
Tatum Bubble Lambskin – was $325, now $150
Diana Metallic Lambskin – was $250, now $75
Large Plum Tote Lambskin – was $575, now $295
Plum Tote Lambskin – was $450, now $200
Edie Quilted Lambskin – was $450, now $200
Blake Satin – was $275, now $100