Iman and Missoni Inducted to the Rodeo Walk of Style.

Pictured: Rachel Zoe & Iman (photo:Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

In a small ceremony held outdoors on Rodeo Drive, Iman received the Walk of Style award from Rachel Zoe. In a move that surprised many attendees, she wore a long mocha Rachel Zoe dress with a bow tie blouse and sequined jacket, rather than Missoni. With her typical dedication to raising funds to help children in Africa, Iman used her acceptance speech to mention the devastation and hardships people are still suffering in East Africa.  She stated that people in her homeland are faced daily with a “Sophie’s Choice” that no one should have to make.  The former model encouraged the audience to donate to “Save the Children” to help raise funds and awareness for the famine and drought that is ravaging East Africa, and in particular, her homeland of Somalia.  I had the opportunity to meet and chat briefly with Iman in the Missoni store before the ceremony.  She was warm, genuine and completely accessible.  She told me that she plans to continue to work  with HSN on her fashion and accessories line.  As Rachel Zoe said before presenting the award to Iman, “She’s kinda everything”   a business mogul, a fashion icon and a philanthropist.

Pictured: Margherita Missoni, Rosita Missoni, Angela Missoni, Jennifer Missoni  (photo AJ Berliner/ABImages.)

Pictured: The family’s newest superstar, Margherita Missoni (photo: M. Hall)

 Following the presentation of the award to Iman, Quincy Jones took the stage to present the award to the Missoni family.  A self-described “Missoni junkie,” Mr. Jones lauded the family for their  designs characterized by a “kaleidoscope of bold hues, zigzags, stripes, waves, flames, geometric patchworks and floral jacquards.” The family turned out in force to accept the award, with founder Rosita in attendance along with children Vittorio, Luca and Angela.  Also in attendance was the lovely Margherita Missoni, who Angela acknowledged, “maybe be the most well known member of the family” since the Missoni for Target campaign and Vogue spread featuring her.  Angela Missoni thanked the entertainment community for embracing the style of Missoni over the years.  She noted that through their designs, the brand had presented “the idea that fashion can be informal. She noted that many clients like Lauren Bacall, Audrey Hepburn and Faye Dunaway had found that Missoni fashions suited them both for the red carpet and in their personal life.

Pictured: Rodeo Drive decorated for the Walk of Style. (photo: M. Hall)

Tomorrow, Rodeo Drive will open to the public without the celebrities, the red carpet and the champagne. But a little bit of the magic from the Rodeo Walk of Style ceremony will remain embedded in the sidewalk where tourists and residents come to shop. And just as Iman foretold, shoppers will be stepping over her in their quest to be fabulous.