THERE ARE BOOK LAUNCH PARTIES – THEN THERE ARE BOOK LAUNCH PARTIES. HOLDING DINNER FOR FIFTY IN A FLOWER-EMBEDED PRIVATE DINING AREA OF SPAGO. NOW THIS IS SOMETHING TO WRITE ABOUT.
Step into Merle’s Closet for an insider’s view of the inner world of L.A. style.
The book: Covet the Comeback: How a Son of Greek Immigrants Found Success, Lost Everything, Then Built a Fashion Empire, is Garkino’s personal story; instead of a rags-to-riches cliché, it’s a rags to riches to rags, then riches again, tale of a retailer who creates his own line, does vintage trunk shows around the country; slowly, then swiftly, slides into addiction – eventually finding his way out via getting into Instagram Live resale at the start of the pandemic, via his own show, “Live in the Closet With Christos.” In only five years, its grown to behemoth proportions.
The crowd at not just one, but two Etro sponsored Christos book parties, was the biggest sign of that. A book signing at the Beverly Hills Etro store was hosted by Kelly Atterton, Monet Mazur and Julia Sorkin. Dinner followed, starting with Christos inspired cocktails and stars like Melanie Griffith, Selma Blair, Garcelle Beauvais, all wearing their own particular brand of famed Etro prints.
Garkinos, in a spiffy sparkling dark blue slim cut it-couldn’t-be-anything-but-Etro print suit, withhusband Rolland Ryan of the brand The Skinnys, explained the Etro connection; “Rolland and I went to the Etro fall 2025 show in Milan a few weeks ago, after which they approached me, asking if they could host my L.A. book launch.” It might not seem likely that luxe brands like this would support luxe resale, but given how much that market’s grown, they don’t really have a choice.
Melanie Griffith’s choice of Etro eveningwear was a long slinky robin’s egg blue-print gown with a totally open back – which takes some chutzpah. She huddled at the retro-styled private bar with also Etro-clad Selma Blair and Monet Mazur. “You know, I don’t wear things like this,” Blair giggled, in a full length white and green crystal cut out gown, with matching surrealism green earrings and a killer multi-print evening bag she waved around proudly. “But I love it because it’s so not what I wear. You will soon be seeing me wear it to every wedding or black tie I show up at!”
Monet Mazur was a tall drink of milk in a chic tailored white suit – “I know, I know,” she admitted. “It doesn’t scream Etro cause it’s solid white – but I knew everyone would be in print; I wanted to be different.” Garcelle Beauvais’ yellow jersey one shoulder gown sported a thick hem of fringe, which she enjoyed shimmying in, showing off. Julia Sorkin and Kathy Hilton also wore variations of blue Etro maxi’s.
Another major fashion presence: bicoastal designer Sergio Hudson, in a thick black and white striking striped suit of his own design. “I first made a women’s version of this suit,” laughed Hudson of his look. “Then I decided to make one for myself!” With a Schiaparelli earring adding to his festive look, he reminded us of those black and white circus-tent style sculptures about the Paris Palais Royale. “I actually live in L.A,” Hudson confessed, despite showing at New York fashion weeks – “I’m on a plane a lot of the time.” Yes, he’s the man who created Usha Vance’s inaugural weekend look; he’s also dressed Michelle Obama, Beyonce’, Keke Palmer, Tamron Hall, in the midst of prepping looks for the upcoming Met Ball, which we all know is this year devoted to Black dandies. “I mean, it’s me,” Hudson smiled.
Also on hand: PR woman to the stars Kelly Bush and wife Linda Novak – Bush of IDPR fame (representing Lady Gaga, Christopher Nolan, Sir Patrick Stewart, Javier Bardem, John Malkovich, Tobey Maguire, Diane Lane, Natalie Portman, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and many others. Some of us – meaning me – were incredibly excited to see her, not just because we go back thirty years – but because some of us (meaning me, again) are Severance addicted and had to know more about Ben Stiller’s vision, etc.
Beyond that, there was Spago food to indulge in, with copies of the book and Etro cashmere scarves in the bargain.
