I was saddened to learn yesterday that Elizabeth Taylor has passed away. I first met her in Johannesburg prior to and at a Gala at the Carlton Hotel, just after she had married Richard Burton in Botswana. Many years later, when I visited with her at her home in Beverly Hills, she said that those were the happiest days of her life. I reconnected with her later, when my friend Barbara Grant, the last wife of Cary Grant, organised for me to meet with Ms Taylor at her home in Beverly Hills and design for her.

I remember designing a handbag for her in the dazzling blue-purple violet shade of her eyes. Seeing her in person, her eyes were the same dazzling violet colour. She was very funny, with self deprecating humour and very quick wit and had a phenomenal memory, and was very kind.

The Cleopatra Clutch, the iconic handbag of Oscar winners, was inspired by Elizabeth Taylor, and worn by such stars as Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Kate Winslet and Helen Mirren. I later told Ms Taylor that her role as Cleopatra had inspired this handbag – the ultimate in glamour, which she epitomized. She was pleased by that, and I think of her every time the Cleopatra Clutch is worn at the Oscars. There will never be another like her, and I miss her very much.

From ELLE France‘s “Lady Di, les femmes de sa vie”:

The Queen of Hearts had close friendships with women as well. Ten years after her death, the final secrets of the Princess have been revealed.

Diana was supposed to spend the end of that August in Milan, with her friend, the American designer Lana Marks. Everything was booked: they would go see an opera at La Scala and spend their last evening on Lake Cuomo. The women were very close: the princess called Lana three times a day. But on July 24, Lana’s father dies suddenly. The young woman has to cancel her trip.

Without this twist of fate, Diana would have been back in London on August 30. She wouldn’t have found herself, on the night of August 31, under the Alma bridge, seated in the back of a Mercedes next to Dodi al-Fayed. This was ten years ago.

From Houston Magazine, “Lucy on the Fly with Diamonds”:

And your clutch, a silver exotic skin bag with sparkling, diamond-encrusted closure?

Lana Marks. This is a highly guarded bag. I think these are real diamonds.

Hollywood divas will be delighted on Christmas morning if their significant others visited Lana Marks on Rodeo Drive. Dame Helen Mirren, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron are all faithful customers of this accessory designer. Each year, Marks produces a limited edition Cleopatra clutch. The 2009, £62,000 version is made of metallic silver alligator skin and has a clasp encrusted with 1,500 black and white diamonds.

Source: The Sunday Express.

“Harvey Nichols are delighted to be launching Lana Marks Handbags exclusively in the UK,” said Harvey Nichols CEO Joseph Wan. “Her bags epitomise the ultimate in luxury and will appeal to our fashionable customers’ desire for something new, with a sense of timeless elegance and truly expert craftsmanship.”

Setting a new standard for luxury accessories, Marks has distinguished herself as one of the most talented accessories designers to both Hollywood and Royalty. Angelina Jolie, Julie Christie, Helen Mirren, Drew Barrymore, Chloe Sevigny, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Winslet, Charlize Theron, Lucy Liu, Oprah Winfrey, Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon, and Diana, Princess of Wales, have been just a few of her well-known customers.

Lana J. Marks is the CEO and sole designer of the LANA MARKS Brand. The LANA MARKS Collections now consist of over 150 designs available in 100 colours of alligator, ostrich, and lizard and customized leathers and satins. LANA MARKS designs are available at her stores in New York, Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, and at LANA MARKS boutiques at The Bellagio – Las Vegas; Harvey Nichols – Dubai, UAE; and Harvey Nichols – Hong Kong.

For more information on LANA MARKS, please visit the LANA MARKS Website, LANA MARKS CFDA Profile, LANA MARKS on Wikipedia, follow LANA MARKS on WordPress, follow Lana Marks on Twitter, or join the LANA MARKS Fan Page on Facebook.

PRNewsWire: LANA MARKS Opens at Harvey Nichols – London

Reuters: LANA MARKS Opens at Harvey Nichols – London

EarthTimes: LANA MARKS Opens at Harvey Nichols – London

CHLOE SEVIGNY

The Big Love actress may be known for her quirky fashion choices, but she’s perfectly chic in her one-shoulder, dotted Isaac Mizrahi gown with a bold brooch on the hip and a Lana Marks clutch.

Read more about Chloe Sevigny wearing a LANA MARKS Cleopatra Clutch at the 2009 Emmy Awards in People Magazine.

…Fashion icon Chloe Sevigny went for a one-shouldered polka dot number and a Lana Marks clutch.

Read more about Chloe Sevigny wearing her LANA MARKS Cleopatra Clutch at OK! Magazine.

“The bag [...] is a favorite of actress and Marks customer Lucy Liu, who has been photographed often (most recently in L.A. a few weeks back) ‘wearing’ her Positano Tote.”

Read more about Lucy Liu wearing her LANA MARKS Positano Tote.

Read more about LANA MARKS Bags on RDuJour.com.