Beverly Johnson in Genlux! Unretouched!

If I do say so myself, the new issue of GENLUX is gorgeous! Especially because on the cover is my friend Beverly Johnson, who at 63 looks flawless! So flawless, I decided to run her photographs UNRETOUCHED. Tell me what other woman could we possibly run unretouched at 63?

Beverly Johnson Genlux Holiday 2015 cover

We shot Beverly at the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive. It's the only hotel in Beverly Hills with a Rodeo Drive address. A luxury boutique property that is about as convenient for out-of-town shoppers as can be. Want some coordinates? Okay. There's Geary's to the north where you can buy his and her Rolex watches. Just north of that is Tory Burch, and just north of Tory is Cartier. Cross the street to and you're at CHANEL. To the south of the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive is Michael Kors, and then Bally (which is going through renovation), and then you hit Tom Ford. You get the picture. In all of the rooms is a copy of GENLUX magazine.

That's Allison, our manicurist in the foreground. Johnny Stuntz fixing Beverly's hair, and that's Darren Stone who helps out on shoots and also does video work for GENLUX — That's Allison, our manicurist in the foreground. Johnny Stuntz fixing Beverly's hair, and that's Darren Stone who helps out on shoots and also does video work for *GENLUX*

On the second floor of the Luxe Hotel is a boardroom where we set up hair, makeup and styling. i brought on some of my favorite people on set. (This is where is sounds like a rock 'n roll band). We had the brilliant photographer Tracey Morris on camera. We had the unbelievably talented Uzo from Tracey Mattingly on makeup; Johnny Stuntz from Celestine (such an easy-going and super talented guy) on hair; A newby, Allison Burns from Crosby Carter on nails; and our talented French girl, Santa Bevacqua on styling.

It's on days like this that I feel so blessed. Blessed to be given the gift of creating art with so many wonderfully talented people.

Beverly had suggested Santa who just arrived in town from New York. She pulled some really chic pieces that had the Genlux elegance factor. Want a peek?

beverly johnson was the face that changed it all

Beverly Johnson has been a friend of mine for over 25 years. She even hosted my son Sean's baby shower 12 years ago. Her brilliant new book just came out and it's worth a read. Last week, in coordination with New York Fashion week, she had a book signing and she graciously placed my name as one of the "fashion influencers". The cool thing about Beverly is she's as genuine as they come. She's always been consistent. Kind, loving, caring to everyone she comes in contact with—and so very humble.

Whew! Another issue of Genlux done! Well, make that two.

When I mean done, I mean the issue has been photographed, written, designed, layed-out, the pages have been printed and our distributors have sent them to newsstands all across America! Not only that, but many homes across Los Angeles receive their copies of Genlux or Genlux OC. And for this issue we had two: One for LA, our cover model is Ireland Baldwin, the super cool daughter of Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. You remember her as the one who Alec chewed out on that voicemail recording that hit every news channel across America—much ado about nothing really. Ireland Baldwin was only 11 back then. She's 19 now. And gorgeous. And smart. And if you read my interview, you'll see Ireland has overcome a tremendous lot in her life. For our OC cover edition of Genlux, we had the super talented Carmen Electra. Again, a woman of incredible passion, drive, determination who gives back in so many ways. Originally she came out to California to be a backup dancer. Prince, who knew talent when he saw it, told her she deserved to front her own group.

Carmen hosted our Genlux issue release fashion event in Laguna Hills on August 22 to benefit En Plein Air, the charity that gifts dermatological services to people in need—especially those who have just gone through cancer treatments. Dr Kathy Lee of Halcyon Dermatology heads up the charity along with hubby Denton Chase.

Ireland Balwin was photographed by Joseph Chen, the stylist was Lisa Cera (who Ireland loved working with), the makeup was by the incomparable Uzo Ukaeje, hair was by our favorite Robert Steinken, nails by Denise Bourne, and I was the art director.

*Carmen Electra on the Genlux OC Fall 2015 cover.*

Carmen Electra was photographed by Sylvie Blum; the stylist was the sweet Wilford Lenov, the makeup and hair was by Sooyoo Kim, and our favorite Denise Bourne was the nail tech.

View from the rooftop showing the Genlux OC issue release party hosted by Carmen Electra for En Plein Air charity held on August 22, 2015. The event was sponsored by Charles Schwab, Genlux, Halcyon Dermatolgy, and Vanquish ME.

Andie MacDowell Unplugged

I've said it before, we're blessed that things always seem to work out for our Genlux photo shoots. Even if things appear, right up to the last minute, to be going awry, in the end, the pieces will fall into place. Maybe it's our surrendered spirit—that all is meant to be. Like a jigsaw puzzle, you can't force pieces into place—somewhere in the pile is the right one to finish the picture. Last week's shoot with Andie MacDowell was a good example.

On Wednesday, three days before our shoot, the location was set—the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive. The penthouse was locked in and I was just about to make catering arrangements with Erik Wood, the hotel's event director, when a call came in about two possible homes we could shoot in. So, on Thursday, I went to scout the locations and found both to be exceptional. Especially the one in Bel-Air.

Built in 1948, by famed architect Paul Williams, it had somehow survived being torn down (like many of the homes in Bel-Air) to make room for a mega-mansion. This one, owned by successful entrepreneur Mark Barons, was like an authentic Southern plantation home transported to LA—just right for our shoot with our Southern Belle Andie.

Not only was the house perfect, but then Mark led me to his garage. In there was a beautifully restored, midnight blue 1948 Jaguar convertible. Are you kidding me? I almost cried.

So now, not only did we have my favorite local photographer, Tracey Morris, brilliant hairstylist Robert Steinken from CloutierRemix and the equally amazing makeup artist Uzo (Nars Cosmetics International Lead makeup artist), we had the primo location.

Bruno Lima came on board as the stylist. He knows elegant, high-end, or as Anna Wintour refers to it, upmarket, fashion. A new manicurist stepped in this time—Angela Knott.

The shoot went as planned. We started at around 9:30 and ended at 3:30. We knocked out five great looks in Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Valentino, J. Mendel, and gorgeous jewelry by Margot McKinney.

Andie McDowell in Oscar de la Renta and Giuseppe Zanotti sandals and Margot McKinney earrings.

On Sunday, Tracey sent over the 500-plus shots for me to edit and I was floored. There were so many great shots! On one hand, I was ecstatic we had amazing photos, but on the other hand, I was going to have a tough time editing. But the best part was these insane shots didn't need retouching. Can you imagine? Doing a shoot with a 57-year-old Andie MacDowell and NOT RETOUCHING? Well, that's what we're going to do. Andie MacDowell, Unplugged. Not a lick of photoshopping! Wait for it...