A while back, I had saved a pointer to an article about the Robinsons store in Beverly Hills, which was the first Robinsons store out of downtown. This store has a special place in my heart — it is where my grandmother worked for many years in the Ladies Lingerie (hmmm, is there Men’s Lingerie?) department. The store, which opened in 1952, has been closed for a few years (a victim of department store mergers) and will eventually be razed for housing. But in its heyday, it was elegant: This Robinson’s was open and spacious, with four levels connected by “vertical transportation,” two escalators and two elevators. Loewy explained that “free flow traffic” made for easy “arcade shopping.” There were yard goods, children’s clothes, Adrian’s boutique and Robinaire, a shop for budget dresses. At the top was the Pink Tent for lunch. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out on a California patio. Instead of department store counters and wood floors, there were streamlined cabinets and wall-to-wall carpeting. The Loewy firm was proud of the tables illuminating imported cut crystal, porcelain figurines and plates. It had used modern design to make the traditional look new.
What brought this article to mind was something else that used to be modern, hip, and in. Michael Jackson. These two are connected through an auction that is about to take place of Michael Jackson Memorabilia. The lots consist of all of Jackson’s items that were removed from Neverland Ranch. It’s quite a collection. Military-style outerwear, such as a red lamé jacket with gold tassels and red bugle beads (Lot No. 1,141, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000) or a navy-and-gold number with crown-shaped brooches (No. 1,273, $400 to $600). Bronze garden statues of young children frolicing by the dozen. Disney cartoon characters, along with Peter Pan pop up in paintings and figurines, sometimes dressed like their collector.
Want to see the collection. Well, you can look at the catalog, or you can trot on down to Robinsons Beverly Hills, between tomorrow and April 21 (10a-6p), and for $20, wander the store loaded with this stuff. Might just be worth it for the fun of it.
ETA (4/14/09): The auction was called off… but the exhibition goes on.
