Sometimes, the planets align, and the various aspects that go into a particular event converge so harmoniously, that an otherwise lovely affair transcends greatness.  Such was the case, Tuesday night, in Hollywood, when the iconic Chateau Marmont presented its spooktacular Haunted Hollywood soirée.

Hosted by Dita von Teese and Danielle Motor, in Chateau’s monastic lobby; Haunted Hollywood brought together a group of creative sorts from the fields of fashion, music, design, photography and art; gathered – in the requested “Blaque Evening Attire” – to witness a private recital by Theremin virtuoso, Armen Ra.

While the excitement was palpable, there was no attitude in the room – which is rare in such a hothouse of fierce flowers – because once you’d passed the threshold (marked by a heavy velvet curtain), the mood was such that even if you didn’t know someone in that room, you were amongst friends.

And what friends!  Designer Michael Schmidt was there with curator Rose Apodaca (wearing a micro-sequined velvet turban by Julia Clancey, and a pair of beetle-wing earrings); and both were seated by the tiny bar, chatting with accessories maven, Raven Kauffman.  Audra Baldwin and I were seated in the corner, at the foot of the stairs (with a prime view of the stage) with producer Bryan Rabin and maquillage maestra Kathy Jeung; with whom we’d supped in the Garden, before joining the fray.

Taking over a cozy corner, adjacent to the bar, were M.A.C. Cosmetics’ Gregory Arlt, stylist Jon Lieckfelt, artist Justin Jørgensen, and photographer/digital artist Franz Szony; while in the opposite corner, photographer Albert Sanchez sat with Aussie creatives, Hannah Fox and Tom Supple of Supple Fox, who have been after Ra to perform at their Dark Mofo festival, in Tasmania.

Angela Janklow Stein and Jeff Stein had reserved the large, centrally placed sofa, from which they hosted a savvy group, including editor/stylist/on-air personality, George Kostopoulos (Fashion Police), photographer Robert Legg, journalist Susan Campos (The Today Show, The New York Times), RubyLane founder/DIRECTV experience guru, Joanna di Paolo, and 1stDibs.com co-Founder, William Holloway.

Over, by the piano – its ivories expertly tickled by George Holdcroft – were coiffeurs Tony Medina and Esther Vasquez (or as I call them, the Dead Movie Star Hairdo Duo).

Armen’s indefatigable mother, Ruzanna Makarian-Hovanesian was perched on a banquette with yogini/healer, Devora Lillian, and Matt Huffman, the executive-producer of the award-winning documentary, When My Sorrow Died: The Legend of Armen Ra and the Theremin (now available for rent or purchase, on Vimeo); while the film’s director, Robert Nazar Arjoyan sat opposite, with his lovely wife, Anita, and a pair of their friends.

Come back for Part 2, and read about Armen Ra's veil-lifting performance.

Haunted Hollywood | hosted by Dita von Teese & Danielle Motor | starring Armen Ra
Chateau Marmont | West Hollywood
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
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