The other Don turns Holly into Hepburn for the red carpet in Los Angeles
Anyone who watched Donald Trump last week ‘debating’ with Hillary Clinton will be forgiven for thinking Trump has the intellectual capacity of a dysfunctional and terrifyingly narcissistic, even pathological, even bonkers, 18-year-old in a hissy fit.
At the recent 68th Annual Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, there was an actual 18-year-old who captured the imagination of many for the right reasons.
I speak, of course, of Holly Taylor, star of FX television series The Americans. I can reveal the reason why she looked so splendid at the Emmys. She was wearing a creation by my good pal, Don O’Neill. “She came back to me during the madness of New York Fashion Week, asking if I would make a special all-important gown for her first Emmy Award Show red-carpet appearance,” Don told me on that most old-fashion of contraptions, the telephone, from his office in New York. “Crazy as we were, we screeched to a halt and I created a series of sketches for Holly.”
At this point Don and his team learned that two other designers were in the running to dress the young star and their sketches were being sent to her over Labour Day weekend.
“My key gown was the white gown with jewelled high collar to cling to her long elegant neck” — inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s Embassy Ball gown in My Fair Lady.
“I dragged Holly in to my studio and in front of the mirrors swathed her in the luxurious white crepe and pinned a jewelled embroidered piece around her neck — a transformation happened!
“Holly immediately stood straighter,” Don continued, “became more regal and exuded Hollywood glamour and poise. For fun and a modern twist, we added intricately embroidered silver crystal bumble bees and butterflies to the neckline. She left here excited. Sunday night we got the go ahead . . . the gown would be THEIA.” (Don’s label, sillies).
Holly felt, according to Don, that this was the gown that would take her from teen starlet to regal Hollywood actress. “So all hands on deck with just four days to make the gown. She arrived for fittings all sweaty from karate classes” — potential spoiler alert: a top secret character development — “and slipped in to the gown, knotting her hair on top of her head . . . and before our eyes, a young Audrey Hepburn materialised. Her mom, who was with her, was teary-eyed and in awe.”
As will America and the world if that crazy fool Trump gets near the White House.