By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Iran Issa-Khan and Greg Gorman

While the stars shone brightly in Hollywood this weekend during the Golden Globes, we had our own share of Hollywood glam at DCOTA during the VIP preview gala for its latest DesignHouse, centered around the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the 200 piece retrospective by Hollywood photographer, Greg Gorman, entitled A Distinct Vision 1970-2010.

More than 700 art and design lovers, including a multitude of artists and designers, gathered at Design Center of the Americas on Tuesday, January 18 to celebrate the debut of  DCOTA’s latest DesignHouse, wherein 20 of South Florida’s top design firms proved that film and design go together like champagne and stone crabs- or something like that.  The exhibit features 20 installations inspired by iconic films that “influenced a universal culture and transformed a way of life,” merging the creative disciplines of film and design and demonstrating the visual impact that environments have in telling a story. (Just think, what would Casablanca have been without Rick’s Café or Psycho without the shower?)

James Wall

Our favorites included James Wall’s sitting room, inspired by The Sun Also Rises, in which he incorporated rescued windows and sconces from a demolition, a gorgeous photograph of his grandmother and his mother’s vintage fur; and Myron Wolman’s No Business like Show Business bedroom. Wolman shared the following, "My design inspiration stemmed from a current project I’m working on-designing a wedding based on Dorothy Draper with a black and pink color pallet. I think when your mind is submerged into a project, it reflects in the other projects at the time. I wanted it to be fun and playful with a hot and sexy twist.”

Leta Austin Foster and Charles S. Cohen

We were also blown away by Greg Gorman’s exhibition-his largest to date, which featured some never-before-seen photos of subjects including Leonardo DiCaprio, Viggo Mortenson, Johnny Depp, Rupert Everett, Keanu Reeves, Mark Wahlberg, Jude Law and Tom Cruise. His larger than life, immaculately lit photos are riveting.  Especially a selection of photos from his book, In Their Youth, which is reminiscent of the VH1 series, Before They Were Rock Stars. While we couldn’t get Gorman to name a favorite subject, he did admit that Leonardo DiCaprio was delightful to work with (and oh so easy on the eyes- if you ask us.)  Gorman shared the following: “Having the opportunity to work in conjunction with Charles Cohen and DCOTA has been a great experience. His focus to present the best in art and design is certainly evident in the space housing my exhibit, Greg Gorman, A Distinct Vision 1970-2010. It has the ultimate feel of a large and spacious New York City loft while offering the very best amenities a fine art photography gallery commands. Thank you Charles and the wonderful staff of the DCOTA for a fantastic show and opening!”

The stunning rooms and striking photographs on display were matched only by the gorgeous “fabulartsy” crowd who attended the kick-off gala.  VIPs included: Greg Gorman, Trina Turk, India Hicks; Charles S. Cohen; Iran Issa- Khan; Sam Robin; Tui Pranich; Vladimir & Erica Kagan; Criselda Breene, Louis Aguirre; Michael Leondas Kirkland; Belinda Ulbrich;Tara Solomon, Nick D’Annunzio and all participating designers including: Deborah Wecselman, Myron Wolman, Josh Wollowick, Matthew MacDonald,  James Wall, Edward Nieto, Leta Austin Foster and India Foster, Fanny Haim, Margi Nothard, Bruce Sutka, Fernando Wong, Amanda Lindroth, Elizabeth Lodge, Tracey Rowely, Ivonne Ronderos , Sofia Joelsson,  Ric Owens, Alex Matamoros, Tony Fershak and Lorenzo B. Mollicone–  making this celebration the social event of the year. (Granted, the year is only three weeks in- but still….)  This fabulous event raised an unprecedented amount for three tri-county cultural institutions: The Wolfsonian at F.I.U. in Miami, The Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beach County Cultural Council.  DesignHouse will be open for public viewing through Friday, July 15, 2011.