The casual, chic lifestyle of Palm Springs, famous for its vibrant colours, mid-century architecture, and poolside living - celebrated "vintage culture" during its annual mid-winter Modernism Week. An era of boozy martinis, bouffants, by-gone beats and everything modernism. Inside this issue you'll find...
MID-WINTER MODERNISM
Modernism Week in Palm Springs highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior design and the vintage culture of Palm Springs. The 50s - 60s that saw extreme changes in pop culture, fashion, music, and architecture - leading to the birth of midcentury modern design. As you tour Palm Springs signature homes welcomed by the owners themselves, you’ll be transported back in time - vintage cars parked in the driveways, umbrellas swung over the shoulders of patrons and saxophone jazz beats filling the air. Just one of the 350 events taking place over the 10-day mid-winter Modernism Week celebration.
Attracting lovers of mid-century modernism from around the world - the festival events include the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes in 30 + neighborhoods, and the popular Signature Home Tour on both weekends, architectural tours, films and lectures, fashion shows, walking, bike, & garden tours, classic car shows, vintage travel trailer exhibit, tours of historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnyland, CAMP (Community and Meeting Place), performances at the Annenberg Theater and evening parties in the desert at the 11th annual mid-winter Modernism Week February 15-25th, 2024.
SUITCASE STYLE
Miss Palm Springs
PELAGO Finnish Birch pendants by Secto Design handmade in Finland - Pelago in Palm Springs offers a unique blend of contemporary gifts and well-designed home accessories.
PALM SPRINGS NATURAL PERFUME - The Las Palmas blend inspired by locally grown Coachella Valley Medjool Dates, aromatic grapefruit, fresh citrus, ginger, and a hint of jasmine. This all-natural and organic perfume will transport you to the balmy nights of the spectacular Palm Springs desert oasis. Made with Certified Organic Grape Alcohol, essential oils of Pink Grapefruit, Blood Orange, Vanilla, Ginger and Jasmine Absolute - 10 ML .33 OZ. $40.
TRINA TURK Manhattan Dress - Riena Red sexy cocktail dress in silky satin-back crepe with classic boatneck, elbow-length dolman sleeves, and adjustable sash ties from the iconic Palm Springs designer Trina Turk collection. A sure to be go-to in your mid-winter escape wardrobe $298.
LOUIS VUITTON Limited Edition Palm Springs Speedy Jungle Dots Palm Springs Satchel Bag $2899.
R+CO PALM SPRINGS Pre-Shampoo Treatment Mask for heat-styled, coloured and chemically processed locks $58.
LELE SADOUGHI PALM SPRINGS Sunglasses Checkered-flag print sleek sunglasses full-coverage UV protection $165.
SUITCASE STYLE
Mister Palm Springs
BENTLEY Golf Balls set of 9 bespoke low compression, high energy core £50.00 and the Bentley contemporary golf glove crafted from ultra soft Cabretta leather £35.00
JONATHAN ADLER Rocket Scotch Decanter Space Race Chic - send spirits into orbit with this retro-rad black and white 16-karat gold luster porcelain decanter $250.
MR TURK by TRINA TURK - Kennedy Blazer modern approach to classic tailoring, single-breasted blazer with notch lapel, front flap pockets and four-button cuffs. Refined style ideal for dressing up or down - Torch Desert Rose bold check $498.
FLORIS by SPENCER HART Palm Springs Men's Fragrance aims to capture the very essence of Palm Springs. A reconstruction of a classic Floris fragrance from the 1950s aromatic equivalent of entering a very special vintage store - a classic gentlemen’s boutique with aromas of leather and wood. A smokiness with a sharp essential oil edge smoothed over with hints of fruit, floral, old talcum powder - a clean + modern remix of masculinity of a bygone style Eau de Parfum £185
MID-WINTER MODERNISM & MORE
KAUFMANN HOUSE Garden Tour - for the first time in decades, the house that helped define postwar modernism in Palm Springs opened its gates for an exclusive tour of the grounds. Previously only visible over the fence from the upstairs deck of a Modernism Week bus tour - this special outdoor tour invited guests to stroll through the generous grounds of the Richard Neutra-designed Edgar J. Kaufmann Desert House, 1946, while learning about the history of the property from expert guides.
MIDCENTURY MAGIC at Wexler ’54 Cocktail Affair - A step back in time like the cool cats of yesteryear at this fabulously restored architectural gem in the swanky Deepwell neighborhood of Palm Springs. A festive, retro-themed cocktail party inside the Modernism Week Featured Home, aptly named by its owners, “Wexler ‘54.” This legendary 1954 home is one of the first creations by master architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison of the famed Wexler & Harrison architecture firm, given historic designation in 2022 by the City of Palm Springs. Guests toured the interior and exterior of this quintessential example of post and beam residential design. 1950s libations hand-crafted by Liquid and elegant tray passed hors d’oeuvres enjoyed poolside to music and entertainment. Architectural aficionados and designers dressed in vintage attire to add to the glamour of this sophisticated soiree.
RETRO MARTINI PARTY fundraiser at the Leon & Thea Koerner Residence - the first opportunity to see this historic Deepwell Estates midcentury residence since restoration of the home has been completed of the original landscape architecture designed by Garrett Eckbo and Francis Dean. The annual Retro Martini Party had guests showing off their best vintage cocktail attire in support of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation whose mission is, “to educate and promote public awareness of the importance of preserving the historical resources and architecture of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley area.
DISCO IN THE DESERT Modernism Week Opening Night Party: It was opening Night Fever on Feb 15th at the Modernism Week dance party of the year that kicked off mid-winter Modernism in chic retro style. This year the disco moved to a larger venue at the Palm Springs Air Museum with creative cocktails and nosh prepared by Lulu served all party long. Guests grooved to live dance band and DJ Modgirl in 1970s disco club-inspired style. Ticket sales helped support students, neighborhoods and community projects.
THE SHAG HOUSE Poolside Fashion Style of Trina Turk Jet-set modernists and fashionistas mingled poolside at The Shag House for an afternoon of fashion with stylists from Trina Turk and Mr. Turk, accompanied by models, and previews of what's next in Palm Springs style. Sparkling beverages and gourmet canapés accentuated the Modernism Week Featured Home and tours of The Shag House felt like climbing into a life-size Shag painting. Shag has drawn upon his architectural studies and aesthetic of his artwork to reimagine this classic 1958 home, originally designed by Desert Modern architects Palmer & Krisel for the Alexander Construction Company.
25TH ANNIVERSARY of PALM SPRINGS MODERN - Reception and book signing at the 1968 Max Palevsky residence, where the original launch of the book took place 25 years ago. Author Adele Cygelman and photographer David Glomb introduced Palm Springs Modern (1999, Rizzoli), a Palm Springs photography book showcasing the city's signature modernist residential architecture, at a groundbreaking event with guest list of architects, artists, preservationists, enthusiasts, and homeowners of the residences featured. The Max Palevsky residence - designed by Craig Ellwood in 1968, in the Little Tuscany area of Palm Springs houses an exceptional collection of 20th-century art and furnishings, that has been meticulously maintained by its original family of the estate and is rarely accessible to the public, making it the perfect venue for this momentous anniversary celebration.
Mid-Winter Modernism week hosted a variety of architectural events - highlights included: The famed Sunnylands Historic House Tour - former winter home of Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg. A midcentury masterpiece with Mayan influences, the 25,000-square-foot residence was completed in 1966. Famed architect A. Quincy Jones designed the home, which interior designers William Haines and Ted Graber decorated in the Hollywood Regency style, along with the rare paintings, sculptures and other works of art on display in the home. The House of Tomorrow, the newly renovated Alexander Estate and 1967 Honeymoon Hideaway of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, with a second interior renovation re-envisioned by Michelle Boudreau Design. Built in 1960 by architect William Krisel for Helene and Robert Alexander of Alexander Construction Company, designed in a series of four interconnected circular pods, embodying Krisel’s view of “circles have no edge, you can approach them from anywhere.” Frey House II - modernist architecture of Albert Frey. Architects, scholars, students from around the world come to Palm Springs to study and appreciate Albert Frey’s work and his unique understanding of function, form, practicality, and love for the desert landscape. Canyon Estates Tour of six homes designed by noted architect Charles Du Bois, AIA in the late 60s, built in the early 70s, that brought Roy Fey's vision to create a "full-service resort community" to life. Villa de Las Palmas, a little-known midcentury architectural gem nestled among the vibrant Palm Springs Uptown Design District and the coveted neighborhood of Old las Palmas. Condo Complex designed by the renowned architect Jo Paul Rognstad celebrated for his innovative, modern designs, was completed in 1962, to become an icon of midcentury modern architecture - showcasing Rognstad's distinctive style and attention to detail is considered a prime example of Mayan-inspired design, including a rare "Fire and Water" feature, still in use today. Twin Palms was the desert’s first completed Modernist neighborhood and it established the concepts and techniques later emulated throughout Palm Springs. Showcasing the innovative, insightful, and influential architecture of William Krisel and his productive relationship with the Alexander Construction Company as well as significant midcentury works from celebrated architects Hugh Kaptur, Donald Wexler and Hal Levitt.
PARKER PALM SPRINGS
The PARKER PALM SPRINGS - once Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch estate, and then for a time, the Merv Griffin Resort, then the Givenchy Hotel and Spa... Today a beautifully re-imagined resort by lifestyle designer Jonathan Adler. A blending of periods and references, Adler's trademark style, recalls the Mod Sixties, the feel-good Seventies, and the classic Rat Pack vibe that Palm Springs is known for. Parker is a conscious attempt to recapture the glamour of those bygone days from the bubblegum pink of bellhops’ uniforms to the occasional animal-print rug, old-school games as croquet and pétanque, to the red clay tennis courts and its five-star diner Norma’s - just as luxurious as it was in the Givenchy days, but far less pretentious. Of course, plenty of golf all around as well as a multitude of pools, and the spa is still here - whimsically re-christened the Palm Springs Yacht Club. You can stay in the original Gene Autry house — but all the standard rooms are uniquely captivating with a myriad of surprises around every corner.
photos courtesy Parker Palm Springs
CHI CHI's Brunch by the pool at the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows. A Freshly balanced California menu to match your desert mood, be it healthy or indulgent - or somewhere in between. Where they add rum to the coconuts with a sparkling poolside vista - a more casual option than Melvyn's at Ingleside Estate.
CHEEKY'S Breakfast in the Uptown Design District is renowned for its creative and ever-changing menu that features locally sourced, organic ingredients and their very own chickens who have a special diet, to ensure all eggs are delicious. Very small and super busy - they don't take reservations, so get there early.
PALM CANYON Swim & Social at ARRIVE Palm Springs. Adults-only poolside restaurant and bar serving an All-Day Brunch Menu inspired by California’s abundance of agricultural and culinary diversity, dishes like Stuffed Waffles, Lobster Tacos, Cauliflower Grain Bowl and plenty o' frosty cocktails and libations.
THE PURPLE ROOM Supper Club a tribute to the golden era of the Palm Springs’ entertainment scene. This iconic venue has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape since the 1960s, hosting such legendary entertainers like Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Cool intimate setting, complete with plush booths and live music performances ranging from jazz and cabaret to contemporary.
BAR CECIL (pronounced sessel) is a homage to Cecil Beaton, an artist who was equal parts rebel and aristocrat, living between classical charm and new world rebellion. Bar Cecil is a love letter to Beaton’s vision of life and art: a celebration of what’s good and of eliminating that which is only pomp, and in the process creating memories through food, drink and hospitality.
LULU There's always a party at Lulu with its lively outdoor terrace seating, festive bar, bustling dining room and party-perfect mezzanine - the restaurant Palm Springs loves for its award-winning weekend brunch to its delicious all-day dining menu.
MID-WINTER MODERNISM WEEK included the usual Art-Scene of the desert. The Aluminaire House - an architecturally significant structure designed in 1931 by Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher, permanently being reconstructed at Palm Springs Art Museum with architect talks at Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theater. Susan Claassen brought prolific costume designer Edith Head’s story to life in two performances for Modernism Week at the Annenberg Theater and Grammy winner and esteemed trumpeter Herb Alpert, continues to thrive in the spotlight with a sold-out concert during Palm Springs International Jazz Festival as well as a showcase of his artwork during Modernism Week at his 12,000-square-foot private warehouse in Palm Springs with a variety of Alpert’s paintings and sculptures. The Architecture and Design Center featured a retrospective on Albert Frey: Inventive Modernist and the many parties at The Shag Store of the ever-present - Josh Agle, also known as Shag (a contraction of the last two letters of his first name and the first two letters of his last name) internationally renowned painter, illustrator and designer based in Southern California. His work has come to epitomize the Palm Springs lifestyle, in a range of themes set in colorful mid-20th-century-evoking scenes and often showing beautiful people living lavish, cocktail-raising lives. His distinctive style draws on commercial illustration from the 1950s and ‘60s, infusing everything with a storytelling sensibility, sardonic humor - and fun. Shag’s work has been featured in museums like the L.A. County Museum of Art and The Andy Warhol Museum in Pennsylvania to gallery exhibitions in the United States, Europe, South America, Japan and Australia. His imagery can be found on merchandise and products for brands like Coca-Cola, Star Wars, and Walt Disney Company. Shag created the official Modernism Week poster for the past six years of the event and celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with a commemorative print. The Shag Store is a gallery/retail space of exclusive limited-edition prints, merchandise and apparel.
Café at Shields
Famous Date Milkshake
photo courtesy Café at Shields
Palm Springs Date Shake
Recipe by ANDY BARAGHANI - Bon Appétit
Ingredients: 2 servings
¼ cup walnuts
½ cup Deglet Noor or Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup vanilla ice cream
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt
Step 1 Preheat oven to 350°. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until slightly darkened in color and fragrant, 8–10 minutes. Let cool.
Step 2 Meanwhile, place dates in a small bowl and add ½ cup hot water to cover; soak 10 minutes to soften.
Step 3 Blend walnuts, dates with their soaking liquid, cinnamon, and salt in a blender until a coarse paste forms. Add ice cream and ¾ cup cracked ice and blend until smooth. Divide shake between 2 glasses.
Mid-Winter Modernism
More Palm Spring Vibes
photos by Olivia L. - Karte Blanche & Co
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