What's it like to be the subject instead of behind the scenes? That was the question every inquiring mind posed during the two-fer openings for the "The Stylist Project," Kimberly Brooks' new series of portraits of those toiling behind the scenes in the world of style. The fest started with the one-night affair Monday at LeadApron in West Hollywood, preceded Saturday by the gallery opening at Taylor de Cordoba in Culver City, where the show runs through April 3.

Notwithstanding the portrait of actress Ginnifer Goodwin, who played host to Monday's teeming, Oscar-week kick-off along with Dior and Vanity Fair, the dozen women and two men in the series are a motley crew of individuals who have a hand in shaping the fashion scene here, from the red carpet to the silver screen to street style and pop culture. And starry pals came out to chant their praises, among them Christina Hendricks, Lisa Edelstein, Abbie Cornish, Marisa Tomei, Rosanna Arquette, Nia Vardalos, Ariana Huffington and (my fave) Norman Lear.
Most of Kimberly's portrait subjects, in fact, would be hard to pick out in a crowd, since they are little known by name or face. But you likely know their work: Costume designer Nancy Steiner ("The Lovely Bones," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Lost in Translation"); Janie Bryant, the award-winning costume designer behind "Mad Men;" stylists Jeanne Yang (who also designs Holmes & Yang with Katie Holmes) and Andrea Leiberman (who also has her own fashion line, besides consulting on Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B.).
Jessica Paster is among the pioneers of the celebrity stylists, with an A-list clientele year after year; she bared it all for Kimberly, a show of bravura and wag given what she does for a living.
Others are better known: creative director and fashion plate Liz Goldwyn; stylist-mogul-in-the-making Rachel Zoe, and designer-creative director Jeremy Scott (clad for the portrait in a baroque matador jacket I so covet). Ditto Cameron Silver, known as a trailblazer in making vintage haute, but less so as a consultant to heritage luxury brands and best dressed-list women.
To the fashion-following set, there are certainly the secret celebrities, those who we regard with awe for their consistent skill and artistry: Arianne Phillips, a multi-threat who costume designed Tom Ford's "A Single Man" (he let her do her job folks!), got an Oscar nom for "Walk the Line," and continues her long-time collaboration with Madonna on tour, in editorials and in projects such as the future film on the Windsors.
Or even Katherine Ross, consultant for LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and, along with her mister, LACMA head Michael Govan, a champion of fledgling fashion and art talent.

Kimberly encouraged everyone to choose the location and clothes they'd be most at home in, giving the project a sense of collaboration (and control for her subjects who are so used to having a bit of it in their own work!). I especially love what she's done with Grace Coddington, who is the first in her second phase of style makers on the east coast.
Kimberly also partnered with designer Clare Vivier on a trio of leather bags benefiting P.S. Arts and featuring fragments of the paintings with Rachel, Jeremy and Janie.

Of course, the most surreal aspect of this all wasn't simply standing inside a gallery looking at the portraits of individuals whom I've known and written about forever. It was being among them, both in the flesh and on canvas. This whole craziness of a project began right after my 40th birthday two years ago, when Kimberly finally convinced me to sit for her. I did so in my treasured Magda Berliner bridal dress. I was uneasy being in front of Kimberly's lens, and not in the least due to the blazing hot August day. Like most of those eventually featured in her series, I'm just more at home behind the scenes.










“Kimberly Brooks: The Stylist Project” runs through April 3 at Taylor de Cordoba, 2660 South La Cienega Boulevard., Culver City.