Thursday, June 30, 2016

PRESS UPDATE : DAILY ECHO .. JUNE 29TH 2016 ..



Bournemouth Echo

Joan Collins and Pauline Collins to come to Dorset to shoot film, The Time of their Lives

LEGEND: Joan Collins will star in the upcoming film The Time of their Lives, part of which is set to be filmed in Dorset
 / Jade Grassby / 

SCREEN legend Dame Joan Collins will be starring in a ‘Thelma and Louise’ style drama set to be partly filmed in Dorset.
The star will team up with fellow British actress Pauline Collins in The Time of their Lives, which is due to start shooting later this year.
There is even a call-out for experienced Dorset-based extras of all ages to be a part of the road movie, which will see Dame Joan play a former Hollywood siren, Helen, who escapes her London retirement home with the help of Priscilla (Pauline Collins), a repressed English housewife trapped in a bad marriage.
Together, and with limited resources, the two women travel to France for Helen’s ex-husband’s funeral.
While they’re on the road, however, they become entangled in a love triangle with a reclusive French millionaire played by Franco Nero.
The recently established Dorset Film Office has put out the casting call and will provide support to the production company once it arrives in Dorset for filming.
Director Gillian Tully said: “It’s fabulous to have Joan Collins filming here in Dorset, especially as we’ve only just launched.
“We can’t say too much about the production, just that it’s going to be filmed in parts of Dorset and Hampshire.”
Although the full cast is yet to be revealed, Bournemouth-based actor Laurent C. Lucas will play a detective in the film.”
Dame Joan told ScreenDaily when the film was first announced that “the fact that it’s a buddy movie along the lines of Thelma and Louise, with a hint of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, really interested me.”
She added there were “very few roles” for older women these days.
The film will be directed by Roger Goldby who has worked on the likes of Call the Midwife and Hustle. Tim Rice is the executive producer, and he will also oversee the soundtrack, which is set to feature French pop hits from the 60s.
Gillian said she got in touch with the film’s producers not long after setting up the Dorset Film Office.
She added the organisation aims to be the “first port-of-call” for productions filming in the county, encouraging the use of local crews, suppliers, and services.
Anyone interested in being an extra in The Time of their Lives can contact Gillian on 01202 980 800.  www.dorsetfilmoffice.com

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

PRESS UPDATE : THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW .. JUNE 28TH 2016 ..


Joan Collins reveals why make-up is good for you..


by Katarina Kroslakova
Actress and author Joan Collins reveals her timeless beauty secrets and favourite indulgences. 
What is your idea of luxury?
Time (laughs) ... But the most luxurious thing to me in the world is a private plane. I would love to have my own plane because we spend so much time on a plane and we have friends who have planes and it’s wonderful to be able to use them. Mind you, they’re always breaking down!
What about a more commercially realistic indulgence?
My luxury is caviar. [My husband] Percy and I, every time we celebrate something we will go down to a place in Santa Monica, or Kensington in London, and buy a big can of caviar and have it between the two of us with a baked potato and sour cream, and a little bit of voddie! Voddie for the body!
Has your idea of luxury changed over the years?
What has changed, as you get older, is you want creature comforts. You want more pillows, you want more candles, you want more flowers. It’s very important for me to have flowers wherever I am. Because I travel so much it’s important to have the things around me that I like.
Which places are the most inspiring for you?
I love, love Saint Tropez. I have a house near there and I try to spend at least three months a year down there. I find it relaxing and inspirational – the sky, the air, there’s a glow about the whole place. I find New York a tremendously exciting city also, but in America I prefer LA, it’s more laid back. And London, of course, I adore London.
What was your first luxury purchase?
I was 17 and I had just made my first money doing a very small job in a movie. I saw a dress in a shop window that I coveted and it was £20, which was a fortune back then. It was strapless, with a very small waist. I told my agent about it as I needed to borrow some money from him and he was appalled I wanted to spend so much money on a dress. But I bought it anyway.
Favourite fashion designer?
I really, really like Ralph Lauren, he really knows how to make a woman of any age look good.
Favourite drink?
At the moment it’s a pisco sour, which I discovered in Peru recently.
Tell us about your make-up line, how that originated.
[Beauty entrepreneur] George Hammer came to me at an event, we sat and talked and he was praising me for my skin and asking what products I use, so I told him.
Do you always tell people your secrets?
I do actually. I’m a bit of a schmuck like that (laughs). So we amalgamated the formulas into these new make-up products because I’d been using them for years and years and I’d researched them and had good results.
Some people hate that made-up look…
That’s such rubbish. People who are against make-up are those who use soap and water and you look at them when they’re 50 and they look awful. My make-up is actually good for your skin.
What is the most transforming item of make-up?
Lipstick.
Joan Collins Timeless Beauty is available now from tvsn.com.au

EVENT UPDATE : THE CAULDWELL'S CHILDREN'S CHARITY BUTTERFLY BALL .. THE GROSVENOR HOUSE HOTEL LONDON .. JUNE 22ND 2016

Here is a montage of shots from last weeks Cauldwell Childrens Butterfly Ball held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London.. Joan had a very busy evening with three events to attend that evening and was not able to make the red carpet for this event.. However you can see a lovely shot taken at Joan's table later in the evening..

Monday, June 27, 2016

PHOTO UPDATE : IMAGES ARE ALWAYS LEGENDARY FOR THIS DUO!

Joan recently did a sensational shoot at Claridges for the current issue of 'Sorbet' with top photographer Ali Mahdavi.. Here is a super shot of both during a break from creating the fabulous images for the magazine...

Sunday, June 26, 2016

PHOTO UPDATE : JOAN'S A JETS IT GIRL!

Joan jets it in style after a busy week, as she relaxes on her private trip for a welcome break.. 

Friday, June 24, 2016

PHOTO UPDATE : JOAN'S GOT A FAST TRACK TO PARTY!

Joan enjoyed a whirlwind evening on Wednesday night as she attended the V&A Summer Party, Michael Korrs Private Dinner at The River Cafe and then an appearance at The Cauldwell Butterfly Ball at The Grosvenor House.. This super shot features Joan at The River Cafe with Formula 1 stars Jenson Button & Fernando Alonzo..

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

EVENT UPDATE : V&A SUMMER PARTY .. VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM LONDON .. JUNE 22ND 2016 ..

Joan attended the V&A Summer Party at the Victoria & Albert Museum earlier...
Joan with Kylie

EVENT UPDATE : MICHAEL KORS PRIVATE DINNER .. THE RIVER CAFE LONDON.. JUNE 22ND 2016

Joan with Michael


To celebrate the opening of his new Regent Street Flagship store, Michael Kors held a private dinner at The River Cafe earlier.. Joan attended along with Jessica Chastain, Elle McPherson and Gwyneth Paltrow..

PROMO UPDATE : TIMELESS BEAUTY ..

Here is the latest promo shot for Timeless Beauty, with a stunning photo my Marius Luppino ..  VIEW THE TIMELESS BEAUTY COLLECTION

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

PHOTO FLASHBACK : THESE GALS ARE HAVING THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES!

As Joan prepares for shooting her latest film 'The Time Of Their Lives', here is a great shot of Joan with co-star Pauline Collins at a cocktail party to launch the film a while ago.. The last time the two worked together was in an episode of the hit series 'Tales of the Unexpected' called 'A Girl Can't Always Have Everything'. which is certainly worth checking out.. Watch this space for updates on this exciting upcoming film...

Monday, June 20, 2016

Sunday, June 19, 2016

PHOTO FLASHBACK : JOAN'S SMOKIN HOT NEXT TO THE STUD!

This super shot features a stylish Joan at a party to celebrate the success of 'The Stud' with co-star Oliver Tobias and George Walker of Brent Walker, the film company behind the film..

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Friday, June 17, 2016

PROMO UPDATE : THERE'S AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS ARRAY OF GUESTS!



As it's getting nearer the release of 'Absolutely Fabulous The Movie' with a sensational guest appearance by Joan, here is a super featurette on the film's guest stars... The film premieres on June 29th with a general release on July 1st..

Thursday, June 16, 2016

PHOTO UPDATE : SPARKLING JOAN'S THE ETERNAL COVER STAR!

Joan appears on the cover of the current issue of Dubai based 'Sorbet' magazine.. Here is the cover shot as a portrait taken by top photographer Ali Mahdavi..

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

PHOTO FLASHBACK : JOAN'S ALL WHITE WITH JOHNNY!

This shot features Joan in 1984 in one of her numerous appearances on the legendary 'Tonight Show with Johnny Carson'...

Monday, June 13, 2016

FILM FLASHBACK : THE ADVENTURES OF SADIE .. 1953 ..

Here is a great re-release poster for Joan's 1953 comedy release 'The Adventures Of Sadie' which was aka 'Our Girl Friday' ...

Sunday, June 12, 2016

PHOTO FLASHBACK : WHEN IT COMES TO FASHION .. JOAN IS ALWAYS CENTRE STAGE!

Following on from yesterday's article on Mark Zunino in the Los Angeles Times, here is a super shot from 2013 in St Tropez of Mark with Joan and Rene Horsch who is Joan's stylist and Mark's sidekick at Mark Zunino Couture in Beverly Hills, which I had the greatest of pleasures in visiting recently...

Saturday, June 11, 2016

PRESS UPDATE : LOS ANGELES TIMES .. JUNE 10TH 2016 ..

L.A. designer Mark Zunino is having a fashion moment. Just ask Britney Spears, Tara Lipinski and, yes, Joan Collins
By Vincent Boucher

As fashion insiders like to say, Mark Zunino is having a moment. In quick succession, the L.A. couturier has recently seen several of his celebrity clients strut his spangled wares in high-profile television and stage appearances.
Who could forget Britney Spears shucking her iridescent ruby-leather mini-trench for a hand-beaded bikini with crystal body swags at the Billboard Music Awards?
Or Sofia Vergara shimmying next to Pitbull at the Grammys in Zunino's gold-encrusted bustier with a Swarovski crystal-fringed flounce and flame-beaded bodice?
At the same time, he’s become a favorite of the romance-minded young and famous, who turn to Zunino to create dream dresses for their most personal days with commissions for custom wedding gowns.
For “Empire” star Kaitlin Doubleday, he created a silk chiffon wedding gown with laser-cut floral appliqués, as well as a cap-sleeve mini for dancing at her reception. And just last month, Olympic skating champion Tara Lipinski wore a Zunino lace bustier dress for her engagement party in advance of her 2017 Big Sur nuAt the recent GLAAD Media Awards, presenter Mariah Carey wore a sparkly nude illusion evening gown by Zunino, with a gravity-defying V in the front and the back. (For Carey’s Las Vegas residency, the designer and his team made eight costumes in one week, including an ostrich feather coat with a 20-foot train.)And his beaded sheer bodysuits are a favorite of Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, who sports a midriff-baring version during shows for her Vegas residency.
Couture designer Mark Zunino examines the engagement party dress he designed for Olympic gold medal-winning skater Tara Lipinski inside his Beverly Hills showroom in March.

Couture designer Mark Zunino examines the engagement party dress he designed for Olympic gold medal-winning skater Tara Lipinski inside his Beverly Hills showroom in March. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
“Everybody who sees his dresses loves them,” says Donna Mills, a star of ’80s nighttime soap “Knots Landing.”
She met Zunino about five years ago. “In that time, he has become a friend and second of all, [he makes] the only designer gowns I wear. He just doesn’t give you a dress,” she insists. “He makes sure every inch fits perfectly. He really cares that you feel good in your dress.”
Mark with Joan, Nadia Bjorlin & Donna Mills
How did Zunino acquire his sparkly cynosure style? Let’s just say you can take the boy out of “Dynasty” but you can’t take the “Dynasty” out of the boy. The designer, 50, cut his design teeth in the costume department of the splashy ’80s mega-hit.
How he got there is a story that he tells with relish. Originally from Vacaville in Northern California, Zunino was studying business and architecture at Pepperdine University before graduating in 1984. After taking a fashion illustration class merely to fulfill a course requirement, he unexpectedly got a call from his instructor, who wanted to refer him for a job as an assistant.
Mark Zunino and his design team moved to a new space in Beverly Hills last summer after outgrowing another space in West Hollywood.

“I thought it was in architecture and I said, ‘Sure,’” he says during a visit to his recently opened Beverly Hills salon. “And she said, ‘No, it’s fashion design.’ That was completely not my thing.”
But then she mentioned that the gig was with TV producer Aaron Spelling and his reigning costume designer Nolan Miller for “Dynasty.” This was at the height of the ABC show’s run. Zunino quickly changed his mind and was hired, even though Miller had to work around his school schedule.“I think I got the job because I had the talent and the potential, but I was a clean slate,” says Zunino, who lives in Hancock Park.
Miller had been Spelling’s costumer all the way back to “Gilligan’s Island” in the 1960s, and he reportedly had a $35,000-a-week budget to whip up original costumes for “Dynasty.”
In addition to his work on “Dynasty,” Miller was a favorite of a long list of Hollywood’s top female stars who drifted in and out of his salon when they wanted a killer look. The list included Bette Davis, Cyd Charisse and Ann-Margret.
“Those women scared the heck out of me because they knew exactly what they wanted,” Zunino says. “It was a huge education.”
Of course, Joan Collins had a big influence on Zunino’s career. His sartorial relationship with the actress stretches from “Dynasty” to her upcoming one-woman show in London.
“One of the reasons he’s successful is he knows how to cut for women with a bust,” Collins says. “I think that Mark, like Nolan, has always liked women with curves — with bodies.”
Sandra Moss, another longtime client and friend of Zunino, agrees that the designer knows the shape of women’s bodies. He’s made her dozens of gowns, daytime dresses, pantsuits and other pieces during the last 25 years.
“I am not 20 years old,” says Moss, former wife of A&M Records co-founder Jerry Moss. “He makes you look like a lady. He always makes us look good — no matter our ages or what our figure flaws are. You can’t beat that.”
Now, more than 30 years after he got his start, Zunino still relies on his Old Hollywood orientation as he designs for a new generation of stars and Instagram starlets.
Zunino runs his business in a luxurious 5,500-square-foot showroom and design studio on North Robertson Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Zunino’s team moved to the space last summer after outgrowing a smaller location in West Hollywood. Paparazzi-proof behind discreetly frosted glass windows, it’s kitted out with shadow box molding and flattering lighting to resemble the homes of his well-heeled clientele.
Zunino credits much of his success to his highly skilled and devoted team of artisans and seamstresses who specialize in rapidly disappearing techniques — they number about 20 most of the year on up to 40 during awards season and bridal season. Everything is done in-house, including the custom pattern-making, the hand-beading and the construction of the waist-whittling corsets inside Zunino’s gowns.
I learned from Sophia Loren, from Elizabeth Taylor. They were all queens of construction.


Designer Mark Zunino says he thought he would have a brief run in fashion. However, decades after his start in the fashion industry, his career continues to flourish as he works with celebrity clients such as Sofia Vergara, Mariah Carey and Britney Spears.

And they can turn on a dime. Vergara’s beaded bodice for her Grammy performance was needed in just three days. For Spears, there was only a week — from sketches to finished costumes — to make the pieces for her Billboard Music Awards performance.
But Zunino doesn’t just dress bold-face names. Though  pieces from his collection have appeared in Vogue worn by Angelina Jolie and on episodes of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” he turns out two collections of gowns and daywear a year, with gowns starting at $6,000 and dresses at $2,400 for a global clientele. Often he designs seasonal wardrobes for women at a price that equals one couture gown from a “name-brand” fashion house, and his company is a large buyer of fine European couture fabrics.
Then there are his custom bridal and special occasion creations. “I get the grandmother, the mother, the granddaughter,” he says. “I get them all. So that’s fun.”
He also designs a ready-to-wear collection for New York-based retailer Kleinfeld Bridal and he’s a familiar TV presence with his Mark of Style fashion collection for QVC.  
Zunino first foresaw the need to develop a private clientele while working at Miller’s side in the ’90s, as production budgets began to shrink and the days of custom-designing everything for a TV show came to an end. Miller had always outfited couture clients who wanted the “Dynasty” look and flew Zunino around the world to get their wardrobes made to order.
Eventually the line came to be credited as Nolan Miller by Mark Zunino. Until, that is, Zunino did a collection that Miller “just hated,” he says. Thinking it would flop, Miller dared his protégé to put his name — this time solo — on the collection.
Couturier Mark Zunino sketches a design in his Beverly Hills showroom in March.

After watching Sophia Loren make a beeline for one of the Zunino frocks, Miller metaphorically threw up his hands and told Zunino to run with the business. Miller, a nonsmoker, eventually became ill with lung cancer and died at age 79 in 2012.
“I learned from Sophia Loren, from Elizabeth Taylor,” Zunino says. “They were all queens of construction. Their clothes were so amazingly customized. So when an actress — or anybody — comes here, they get all that knowledge.”

Friday, June 10, 2016

PHOTO FLASHBACK : THE SECRETS ARE IN THE STARS FOR JOAN!


Joan looking sensational in this shot taken at her LA apartment to promote her 1998 bestseller 'My Friend's Secrets'...

Thursday, June 9, 2016

PHOTO UPDATE : JOAN'S GOT A PASSION FOR FASHION!

Here is another sensational shot from the latest issue of 'Sorbet' magazine featuring Joan with an ultra glamorous shoot by top photographer Ali Mahdavi and classic sketches by David Downton..

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

PHOTO FLASHBACK : JOAN WAS MAID FOR STARDOM!

Here is a rare still featuring Joan in her 1st character on screen role in 'The Women's Angle' 1952 as Marina a Greek maid, seen in this shot with her father (Eric Polhmann) who owns an inn on a small Greek island where Robert & Enid Mansell (Edward Underdown & Lois Maxwell) go for their honeymoon.. Joan previously appeared in a split second appearance as a beauty queen in 'Lady Godiva Rides Again' in 1951..

Sunday, June 5, 2016

PHOTO UPDATE : LUNCH IS A GOOD CAUSE FOR THE TWO J'S!

Joan met up with friend Julian Clary at The Ivy just before she left for South of France.. As part of the Shooting Star Annual Ball at The Dorchester, one of the auction lots was an exclusive lunch with Joan and Julian to the lucky highest bidder..