AMANDA's WORLD FROM LONDON TO LA

This evening Amanda Eliasch presents her idea of her colorful British and Los Angeles life, mixing her worlds of art, classical music and fashion . With the support from Brit Week and as Fashion editor of Genlux Magazine.  She has chosen those she admires most.

The work, of the brilliant and talented Pam Hoggs.  Watching her career with delight.  Amanda loves her body suits, her innovative designs.  Pam has been at the forefront of British Fashion for three decades. Admired and studied, she is held in great esteem.

Amanda has included work from artist Duggie Fields, along with the sensuous paintings of self taught, Nigel Daly and the sculpture prints of her great friend Yassi Mazandi.

With her love of opera and classical music , she has been a huge influence in the life of her son opera singer, Charles Eliasch, who will sing with Lisa Zane.

Her life is attached to the drama and taste of her fellow Britain’s here in Los Angeles. She has always loved opera, my Mother was an opera singer.

From a young child she was influenced by  her grandfather, writer director and producer, Sidney Gilliat’s films, St Trinians and generally British Film from the 1960’s, The Servant, The L shaped room. Hitchcock’s The Lady Vanishes which her grandfather wrote the script for. 

From the age of 12 Amanda wanted to be a Fashion Editor. “Genlux asked me to be one at 47, so with a happy smile I realized an early ambition”.

AMANDA ELIASCH, DUGGIE FIELDS AND LULU

She has now done two neon art shows one called The Seven Deadly sins, several black and white photographic shows, written two books of poetry, Cloak and Dagger Butterfly and Sins of a butterfly and lastly made her first film, The gun, the cake and the butterfly, directing, acting and producing it with Justine Glenton, Her son Charles Eliasch, Edited by Hector Abaunza.

ARTISTS

FASHION DESIGNER

Pam Hogg’s studied printed textiles at The Glasgow School of Art where she won a prize for distinction and then won a scholarship for The Royal Society of Arts, which took her onto The Royal College of Art. She launched her first fashion collection in 1981 and was part of the new wave of designers who rocked London. She is feisty independent, talented and continually surprises the fashion world with her innovative ideas. More contemporary than contemporary, she thrills London with her designs.
ARTIST

Duggie Fields studied art at The Chelsea College of Art, and he is a colorful character on the art scene.

One of my favorite paintings of his is in this house, a blonde Marilyn type woman in tight trousers, sexy, modern and with a 1950’s twist, he embodies what I love about the art world, and introduces you to his world of vibrant personalities. He strong personal style is to be admired. I have been a fan of  Duggie’s for twenty years. Tonight he he generously donates a print to his audience in Los Angeles.

ARTIST

Nigel Daly romantic and sensuous paintings I adore, he embodies his ‘self taught’ ideas and compliments my friends here in Los Angeles. He has a cheerful and wonderful character that is admired.

Yassi Mazandi talented and strong from Iran but educated in British style. A debutante who grew into one of the best sculptures. Still early in her career, but I have been a fan since the start. I love seeing Yassi in Los Angeles, we usually have lemon cake with a Starbucks coffee. She studied as a photographer at Beechlawn College in Oxford, England in the 1980’s and then continued with ceramics and sculpture at Greenwich House Pottery, New York.  Self taught and experimental in all mediums.
FOLK SINGER AND 

Lisa Zane, folk singer, and actress. I have had a crush on Lisa since I met her with my good friend Michel Comte. Born in Chicago she has beautiful looks. In my play As I like it, she acted as the opera singer. She has charisma and panache on stage that few have. I love her French chanson, and ability to change her voice.

Charles Eliasch, baritone, educated at Harrow School in London, and Mannes College of Music and now heads towards The Royal Welsh College of Music.

He made his debut last month at Carnegie Hall singing Shubert Lieder, Bellini and Mozart.

Other work by British Artists Here

In the house

Nicholas Barker painting in the bedroom of  Brigite Bardot

Adam Fuss a silver butterfly

Furniture and lamps by Mark Brazier Jones

Baba Anan pink painting

Drawing Room

Skull by Atelier Van Lies shout

Dan Attoe neon a girl on a bicycle

Natasha Law Red Painting

Sasha Newley painting of temptation in the hall

Duggie Fields

Kirstan Glass

Yassi Mazandi

Models

Many thanks to

Vivianne Hamilton Wilhelmina

Sadie Burris Wilhelmina

Jessa Cygan 

Sarah Sebring 

Taylor Montague

Mariah 

Ban Uelos

Brittany Martinez Aston.
Tatiana Dekhtyar  

Many thanks to  Brit Week

George Blodwell, 

Andrew Freedman Public

Relations

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Why to do the British love Los Angeles? The fantasy place on the planet. A working capital with wonderful nature, views and interesting architecture. I understand it, it is land of fruit and nuts.
The first week I moved here I was walking down the street when a man places his hands on my back and asks me to be a Fashion Editor. I had wanted the job at 12. This job is special I can do it in England and with the use of the internet, communicate with Los Angeles over night. At 48 I thought I should accept immediately. I like to say yes when people ask me to do work, it is better than always saying no, and always leads to something else. I however hate trading with money. I like to do it with feeling. If I feel like it, I will do it.
I like houses here in Los Angeles, I get lost in their stories. First of all I bought a house underneath Sierra Alta Towers, convenient, but I always felt as if the Tower would come tumbling down on my head, so I moved to Eden Place, in Beverly Hills Post Office. Truly something magical. With beautiful views, newly done it was a paradise on earth. However I had forgotten that the pound can change against the dollar and so I found the tax for three months of idyllic living, heavy.  So with new ideas of trying out another life, I moved to Janet Leigh's old house in Summitridge Drive. It was a interesting journey into doing something up in Los Angeles. Luckily I asked Martyn Lawrence Bullard to lend his time, and together we made something very ordinary into a wonderful place to live.  I of course got itchy feet. I was trying to find myself in the hilly land of Hollywood. It took me a year and then I was off to find a convenient house, and now I am about to move from it, in Devlin Place, which once belonged to Penelope Cruz.  It was probably the easiest house to live in, but my sons are at an age that they like to walk the streets. They are English and so no I am off to try the flats off Melrose. I love spending life watching property markets, living in houses that I may or may never own. The journey here in Los Angeles has been a lucky happy bumpy one.  I have sometimes lost money, sometimes made money, and after four years have come out evenly.  Other than a few thefts, my maid running off with 2,000 dollars, Chrome Angels running off with 5,000 dollars instead of customising my car, I have made some incredible friends, made a film, worked as a fashion editor and done an art exhibition on the 7 Deadly Sins. I like to join in, I am no shrinking violet.
I like all aspects of this city, and this week I am giving a Fashion Show with the very creative Pam Hoggs, and Art Show with Duggie Fields, Yassi Mazandi, Kay Saatchi, Nigel Daly, and opera with my Son Charles Eliasch and Folk singer Lisa Zane, for Britweek and Genlux Magazine. At the same time I am editing my film at Anarchy Post, The gun the cake and the butterfly. They mix and edit many documentaries. My life feels full and there is never a dull moment.
Yesterday I went to the airport to pick up a friend. The love shown to friends, relatives. Short pretty girls waiting patiently with banners, welcoming boyfriends. People arriving home from long trips abroad. Lost children looking to be picked up. Students waiting for a girl friend. There was something touching. I realised that I have never been picked up at an airport. I have picked up three boyfriends. To go to an airport is like an hospital. A worthwhile effort for people you love and adore. As a young girl I used to enjoy watching people at Paddington Station, and now I could stay all day long at LAX.

A WOMAN CAN FLY FOR LOVE

The woman can fly for love 
Be raped for love
Pack suitcases for love 
Wear red for love
She can wash her heart for love
Eat apples for love
And imagine flying through the sky
Like a dove
with passion
For love
She can carry a gun for love
 And kill for love
Become a vegetarian for
Love
Bake cakes for love
She can build furniture
For love
And learn languages for
Love
She can sleep
When in love
And die for love
She can even dream of
Being with a man
And know what they are doing

And where they will be For love
And most importantly forgive for love 

RESPECT PLEASE: I LOVE MAGGIE VERSUS BURN IN HELL

I love learning. I always have. I like putting myself into new things, provided they do not involve sharks, water and heights.  I like mixing mediums, film, art, music, classical and contemporary, politics, religion, morals and fashion. I jumble them all up like happy bed fellows. I love feeling that each day I can learn ten new things. I try not to get stuck on any one thing. To push myself to like something I would not normally swim with. Okay I like the Shark of Damian's, okay okay. Actually I remember how bad its skin was.
Someone else who likes the Art World is Mr Pablo Ganguli from Liberatum, the cultural brand that loves a mixture of cultures. Two nights ago we were treated to an evening at the W Hotel,  funky and up to date. I sat opposite Pam Hogg, who with her yellow hair and cutting edge style is an incredible woman. I am begging her to come to Los Angeles with me. I want to wear her gear I totally love her punk pioneering ideas. Also the quietly spoken Ron Arad. We were given a delicious dinner  toasting John Hurt's exciting career. With company like Billy Zane the night was a huge success. The brilliant were out. Stephen Frears. An eclectic mix of people that only Pablo can put together. Who could not have an interesting time in the company of brilliance, a working dinner. Amanda Neville, the BFI.

VERSUS

Margaret Thatcher wore royal blue and with bows around her neck. With her hair swept to one side she wasn't elegant, but tidy, and in a mans world she appeared strong. You felt she wore the British Flag around her body and within her heart.  Margaret was always hated and admired in equal portions, however she should be respected. She ruled lest we forget Great Britain, from 1979-1990. A time of huge financial change for good and bad.
Her energy was unsurpassed, she apparently  slept with a teaspoon in her hand, and when it fell to the ground, she woke up as she had had enough sleep. She remembered names, places, she was a fanatic, a conviction politician. She allowed us to buy our Council Houses.  Rich socialists and fake communists may forget that she gave them the opportunity to be the people they are today. She was not appreciative of the arts, and loosened the restrictions for bankers. She was good for war time, and war mongering.
She spoke with authority and clarity, and unlike other politicians, we can easily name, she believed in what she did.
It was an age of great political characters Michael Foot, Michael Heselting, Tony Benn, I like them all, the fighting, the clarity. They were brilliant speakers. Today the House of Commons is a dull place, I would not stand in line for five hours waiting to watch a sitting, like I did at the start of The Falklands crisis.
Her critics obviously  don't remember the three day week, the strikes causing the flour rations, the electricity going off because of the the dockers, the power workers, the coal miners, under Ted Heath 1970-1974. We were like the Greeks going to the IMF for a bailout. Only the fifty year olds will remember.
What a pity we like to be odious louts. We supposedly live in a democracy, that is ruled by who votes where. So if you don't like something, get out of bed and vote. You have the choice, we had the choice, and democracy chose her.
There are much worse things going on now under the guise of political correctness.

I WOULD RATHER MAKE A FILM than go to the psychiatrist when fighting the menopause.

A year ago, women were complaining that there were not enough females in the film industry, their case has to be considered. Most of the important people in film are males. I wanted to see why? At the same time my ex husband raised him eyebrows when I said I was going to The Cannes Film Festival.  He did this in front of my younger son. I did not want my son to see that I could not do it. So with a dare in the back of my head, and a script I had from my play As I like it. I started shooting the following week. I asked all my friends at the time to work for me.  Phil Scala said he wanted to do the sound, Alex Webster my photography assistant said he would work with everybody helping them, and Fredrik Andersson would be the DP. He is from Sweden and I trust the Swedes, they are dedicated and hard working. Phil thought I should bring the play up to date and put in documentary footage. I wanted to use the actresses who had played the part of me in London, Justine Glenton, directed by Lyall Watson and in Los Angeles's Macha Theatre, Elizabeth Karr, directed by John Alan Simons.
My intention was to make a surreal but true version of my life, using six actresses to play me. There are 40,000 out of work actresses in England alone. Brilliant ones who never get work .  The casting in the world is quite rightly safe, too much money is at stake. I  just wanted to have a go, make a film, and through experience learn a business and see what it was like.

I used my ideas, my clothes, my feeling, for better or for worse, me. It was the only thing that was true.
During the first few weeks of shooting I had wonderful luck, there was beautiful weather, the girls looked fresh, worked hard. The boys insisted on using their own cameras. This has later caused lots of problems. Do not use anything but the same camera, one that shoots easily in the format it is intended for. It puts the editing room into a tizzy, if it is not,whatever anybody tells you. Some of the footage was old. I used everything.
Justine was hardworking. She tackled the script well. . It was tricky, she had played the part for three weeks, and rehearsed it for another three weeks before. The intention was to have pity for me, but I have too wonderful life to continue to feel this. Movie Pictures are just that, moving pictures but she had a charm, and an ability to play all ages. With the luck of finding a young actress who was eight years old Called Mimi Dean I was on my way.
I had a burglary on the first day of shooting, the equipment, cameras all footage was stolen, some of the actresses did not learn their lines. They know who they are and will not be mentioned here.  I felt I was patronised.This only made me stronger. When the first part of filming was done, I waited to do my next bit. I asked for the footage to be edited. After 9 weeks of waiting Phil Scala turned up with about two scenes. The men started to complain that the different cameras were causing a problem.. I had allowed them to use whatever they wanted. This was not a good idea. So I got another team. This time it was more solid, more up to date.  Not shinier than the old team just perhaps more me.  I just used the script to map out my ideas.
I was very stressed, so much work. Too much to do, and I did not understand everything, If you make your own film you have to be charming but tough. People can take you for a ride, with their abilities. Be ready to ride out hic cups.  It was a learning curve. I was not always easy. With money running out of the house, people originally not being professional, it was a nightmare. Now it seems a breeze. My advice would be always use people that you are interested in the film, experts in their field, and easy to work with. However, the best bit of filming was probably taken in Venice by Tomas Auksas, then aged 19, with no previous experience. So, also take some risks. 

GETTING POLITICAL

In this day and age why have more than two children?.  Where is the money coming to fund it?  The tax payer?   As I walk the streets of any city in the world, it is claustrophobic and unbearable, the human race seems to have become more unattractive than the rat.  If you decide have ten children, is it a reason to never do a days work?  If you have many children, you are surely well enough to get yourself an occupation.   There are many who have well timed pregnancies so they never miss their family allowance, this should be stopped.  If you have ten children you get it for nine of them? This is irresponsible and should not be allowed.
Is there a reason to tax grannies owning an extra bedroom, but allow people of other religions to have one? Christianity needs to develop a necessity for  kneeling. I might become a Muslim, Morman or an Amish?
There are always loop holes for the greedy and lazy, but whilst they fill out the forms to receive, surely their time would be better spent, and more interesting, if they tried to get employed, or create a job. The education system in this country is incredible on many levels, however it would be a whole lot better if we reached for the stars instead of digging a hole to graves. We ultimately all die and so the National Health System is of course going to be one of our largest expenses. It too should not be misused.
I am glad that the government is questioning everything. Immigration has to be tougher.  This may be politically incorrect but if we have to tax people who can afford very little then we cannot afford another person entering this country.

THE TRAILER FOR THE GUN THE CAKE AND THE BUTTERLY, a film written by Amanda Eliasch Starring Justine Glenton, Amanda Eliasch, Charles Eliasch, Mimi Dean

CARNEGIE HALL WITH CHARLES ELIASCH, SOFIA DIMITROVA AND MIKAYLA SAGER

What do you do for your son when they reach 21? What does a son want you to do? My son Charlie has dreamt about singing at Carnegie Hall since he watched the film Farenelli when he was about twelve years old. He was given a copy of it by Dr Sebagh, my then boyfriend.  Jean Louis felt he needed stimulating in the area of opera. Charlie loved it and watched it over and over again. Copying piece of it and watching himself in the mirror. For a long time he struggled with singing as a Counter Tenor, but eventually he was persuaded by Lowes Waters, an incredible singing teacher to become a Barritone. His voice is beautiful, as a mother with rose tinted glasses on of course, he has a velvety sound that is still young but very promising. He passionately sang with Sofia Dimitrova, a girl with a Callas like potential and the young lyric soprano Mikayla Sager. Both added to the wonderful concert. 

Down the road people were standing for hours round blocks near 5th and 6th Avenue waiting for a glimpse of The Games of Thrones. The world is ridiculous when there is more talent to be seen than this good but very average television series.  I like watching it, as long as I am bored on an aeroplane. The only queuing I have done is for the Kremlin and it is a usually not rewarded.

I loved Fischer Dieskau as a teenager.  I would listen to Shubert Lieder all the time, I must have passed on my passion for it. Charles sang 18 arias yesterday, without trouble and totally with passion. Thanks to my mother Caroline Brown, Jean Louis Sebagh, Harrow School and the bravery of  Nicholas Kaye at Sussex House School of pushing him and Lowes Waters this would never have happened.  There are so many people that help the young to achieve what they wish to do. With the help and enthusiasm  of Rushka Bergman and Franca Sozzani in this months L'uomo Vogue, Andrew Freedman he may have had only two people to watch him. He is to continue studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music.