September 2008 Features BÉTE NOIRE This month’s fashion portfolio exposes the stark, dark brilliance of black as it blooms into ruffles, swings into fall coats and slips into sculptured satin. DEN OF DISTINCTION A restored Pacific Heights fire station makes an ideal pied-à-terre for collector John Traina and his copious curiosities. SIMPLY MEG After four years enjoying a more simple life with her family, gregarious rom-com star Meg Ryan steps back onto the silver screen—and into the spotlight. A DEEPER SHADE OF ORANGE C’s portrait primer of in-the-know tastemakers offers a glimpse of Orange County vastly different from its reality-show reputation. ALL HAIL MCQUEEN Throwing off his devil-may-care attitude and stretching a publicist’s leash, an intimate conversation with Alexander McQueen, as he opens his first California boutique, reveals this design sensation’s spiritual side. FOUNDER’S LETTER Star-struck in California. C PEOPLE Who’s who behind this month’s issue. C MAIL C WHAT’S HOT A look at new and exciting people, places and products around the state: Yachtfest fetes; Fashion road trip; Glendale gone gourmet. REPORTS FROM THE SOCIAL FRONT C’s social scribe slips into Western attire for an haute hoedown. C FASHION CA’s fashion digest: From a personal take on fall’s trends to the woman behind the $20,000 bespoke bag. C BEAUTY The bed-head updo hits the fall runways; Plus, portrait-perfect makeup and the hottest stylists to treat your tresses. C HOME Hanging out with the finest in chandeliers; A premier auction toasts the CA legacy of furniture-making; A rug gallery for the antiques-minded. C THE MENU The oft-forgotten heartland of California’s agricultural bounty; A top New York chef’s migration. C CULTURE S.F.’s new CA Academy of Sciences—a lesson in green; Installation artist Jorge Pardo takes LACMA by storm. C TRAVEL CA’s top designers offer must-have mainstays for their ultimate getaways. C INSIDE Heidi Merrick’s Silverlake treasures. SHOPPING GUIDE C CALIFORNIA Greybull Press publishers Lisa Eisner and Roman Alonso’s unique vision of CA—runway ballerinas at Rodarte. |