The Mr.Mrs. Sunday Salon in Hollywood

On Sunday, I went to Hollywood to visit a couple I'd met at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Of all the people that first day, they were the most interesting. If one were to describe them one could only use the word "artists." Not artsy nor artistic, rather two persons who take pleasure in the kind of creative life that most never knew existed, or at some point discounted as simply not practical.

What I'm finding is that the fashion world is a lot like the writing world. There are people who don't have shows at the big events, but make clothing and art on their own. They're not the designers who give you swag on your seat, or are featured in social pictures in W. They're the Tawny Featherstons and Howard Seth Cohens who keep at it because it is who they are. And that my friend, is like most writers I know.

Each week, Howie and Tawny re-arrange their living room into a salon of art and fashion. Howie sends out email-invitations to friends and others they meet at various art events. There's a lot of stuff: clothing --that she and her friends have designed, assemblage pieces, collages, pins, veladoras, hats, necklaces, bracelets, cards, gloves and tiaras. Tawny and Howie make things, as do their friends. Everything is put on display, there's even a huge cappuccino machine. Friends stop by, as well as new ones. There are chairs to sit and just talk, and two cats to pick up and pet.

I learned starting your own line for mass production is extremely expensive. For instance, some of the better fabrics have a 500 yard minimum order. So prior to ordering, one must have an outlet for sales and distribution in order to make that fabric order pay off. And that's not including all the other costs.. just the materials. Many designers work for large labels, or like Tawny, who works in costuming for the motion picture and television industry.

Tawny and Howie have interesting friends. The conversations ranged from Disneyland, teenagers, art, artists, work, health benefits, multi-tasking ADD, and commuting to Irvine. It was one of those exchanges that was great because one subject so easily segued onto another, and no one was trying to impress nor kid anyone.

I wish there were more people like this. Because I think we've gotten to be an awfully dull, safe and homogenized world. We need more people like Howie & Tawny who aren't afraid to take risks and simply be themselves.