Enduring Fashion: Irene Lentz from MGM to The Closer

As some of my readers know, I am lover of  “Vintage Vogue.” One of my particular favorites, is California designer Irene Lentz.  Looking for  “Irenes” at Vintage stores in California has become one of my epic quests.  Every now and then a beautiful Irene appears at DecadesTwo or on an eBay auction.  Earlier this year, I was fascinated by the sight of  Parker Posey in a Vintage Irene evening gown at the Costume Designers Guild Awards in Beverly Hills. If you’ve never heard of Irene, then you need to check out the website Irene Lentz, lovingly maintained by her great-niece, and look at Irene’s elegant designs. Many of the garments feature incredibly detailed hand work.  British Vogue called Irene’s designs “Californian elegance.” Irene was a California original, living and working here in Los Angeles and selling her designs here at  the exclusive Bullocks-Wilshire department store  in the special “Irene salon.”  Chanel was the only other designer with such an exclusive salon at the art deco, exclusive Bullocks-Wilshire.

Saturday, I will be heading to Bullocks-Wilshire, which is now part of the Southwestern School of Law to learn more about Irene and her salon.  The school bought the Bullocks building but, every year, they have an annual tea and tour of the old department store.  I am so excited to set foot in the Irene salon.  Best of all, another Irene lover will be accompanying me on the journey.  I’ll be meeting fellow Irene affecianado, Greg LaVoi at Bullocks to take the tour.  Greg is a twice Emmy-nominated costume designer, who currently creates the quirky looks for Kyra Sedgwick’s character Brenda Leigh on the TV series The Closer.  On the show, guess what Vintage designer is part of Brenda’s distinctive look ? Well, Vintage Irene from Bullocks Wilshire of course! Greg has collected many wonderful Irene suits which Brenda wears on the show.  When I spoke to Greg about why he choose Irene for Brenda, he shared with me what he imagined as Brenda’s fashion journey in Los Angeles.  He said, ” I created a story for Brenda.  To me, Brenda came to Los Angeles, as someone who didn’t spend much time on fashion or clothing. Later, I imagined that after Brenda had been in LA for awhile, she wanted to expand her wardrobe, but she would not want to spend a lot of money on clothes.  So, I imagined that Brenda would go shopping at Vintage stores, and that she would feel better buying older suits, than she would going to a department store and buying expensive, off the rack items.”  Thus, the beautiful fashion partnership between Irene and  Brenda’s modern style began. I’m sure that Irene, who was once the head costume designer at MGM, would be thrilled that she continues to play a part in Hollywood style and film costume. Where does Greg find all those Irenes?  “I try and snap every one up that I see on e-Bay or in Vintage stores,” he says.

Look for another update on Irene after I take the tour of Bullocks-Wilshire.  I’ll be interviewing Greg about his extensive collection of Irenes and taking photos of some of the suits. And if you love Vintage styles, be on the lookout for “Irenes” at Vintage stores, and on eBay. Every now and then, you might just discover some that are reasonable priced.  In 2009, the LA Times showed off an Irene from Bullocks listed on eBay for only $9.99.  If only there had been “Buy It Now” on that auction! 🙂