DIVE INTO PALM SPRINGS’ LATEST SALON, HOTEL, DINING, SHOPPING AND CULTURAL OFFERINGS.
PHOTO: BY CLARK AND VALENTINE PREMIER MULTIMEDIA RESOURCE
POLYNESIAN PARADISE Designer Tracy Turco and her developer husband Jerry Turco’s new Tiki Hotel—which debuted with a Hawaiian luau and ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Palm Springs Mayor Christy Holstege over October’s “mini-Modernism Week”—takes the Polynesian theme to new heights. “It celebrates retro heyday tiki bars, and tiki culture was a prolific subculture in midcentury,” Tracy says. Formerly the Carlton Hotel, the refurbished midcentury modern mansion is located next door to the couple’s retro boutique Art Hotel, which they opened in early 2020, and is close to their upcoming Cheetah Hotel. The two-story, 1961 property flaunts 11 artful rooms featuring bamboo accents and hand-designed tiki decor, from curtains to coffee mugs. Flea market finds and tiki-inspired pieces from artists including Damon Johnson add to the festive atmosphere. The hotel also boasts an original swimming pool, a tiki tearoom and a fashion boutique—where guests can purchase Tracy’s bright cabanawear and vintage home goods. Says Tracy, “It’s an instagrammable paradise!” El Mirador, tracyturco.com/tiki-hotel–Kendra Williams
PHOTO: COURTESY OF RADLEY LONDON
LONDON CALLING After launching in the U.S. in 2017, dapper British accessories brand Radley London is the latest addition to Cabazon’s Desert Hills Premium Outlets. “We knew we wanted to put roots down in a really strong location on the West Coast, and we felt the Desert Hills Premium Outlets provided the perfect backdrop for us to expand our retail portfolio in the United States,” says Justin Lilja, vice president of Radley USA. “The center is absolutely beautiful and is an impressive shopping destination. We love its proximity to Los Angeles, San Diego and other great SoCal cities.” A similar collection of playful but classic designs will be offered at the brand’s other new retail outpost, in Simon Property Group’s Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, however, the Desert Hills brick-and-mortar store carries the largest collection of Radley products in the United States. In addition to smart leather handbags, wallets and footwear, a broader assortment of gift items, accessories (for people and pooches) and the upcoming men’s line will be available. Says Lilja, “Radley has firmly hit upon a sweet spot within the U.S. accessories market, bringing heritage, craftsmanship and its signature Scottie dog to a new audience that have instantly connected with the brand.” Cabazon, radleylondon.com–Jasmin Rosemberg
PHOTO: BY LANCE GERBER
ART PIONEERS“Our current exhibitions are exceptional, especially when viewed side by side,” says Adam Lerner, executive director and CEO of Palm Springs Art Museum. “Helen Frankenthaler gives us an untethered play of color, while Robert Longo’s monumental black-and-white drawings are meticulous displays of control and virtuosity.” Helen Frankenthaler: Late Works, 1990-2003, on postwar artist Frankenthaler (1928-2011), runs through Feb. 27. The collection includes 30 paintings by the innovator whose soak-stain technique of pouring thinned oil paint onto unprimed canvases fostered the movement from abstract expressionism to color field painting. In Storm of Hope: Law & Disorder, open through March 27, Longo transforms familiar images into large-scale charcoal drawings and references the U.S. government with depictions of the Capitol, Supreme Court and White House. The museum will next expand its performance and lifelong learning offerings and Architecture and Design Center. Says Lerner, “We are about to break ground on Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher’s historic Aluminaire House— the first ‘prefab’ home built in America—which will be on display soon.” Downtown Palm Springs, psmuseum.org–JR
PHOTOS: OURTESY OF DIDECTS/ISTOCK BY GETTY IMAGES PLUS
THE ART OF HAIR Prior to 2020, Galen McKinzie—a hairstylist for more than 40 years who’s trained under Paul Mitchell and Toni & Guy’s Anthony Mascolo— had been semi-retired. Every month, he’d fly from Palm Springs to his former home in the Bay Area to work on 20 to 30 clients—who included Silicon Valley titans and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. When COVID-19 hit, McKinzie could no longer travel—however, word got out in the Palm Springs community. McKinzie opened Saloniste Palm Springs in January with three stylists and will expand to seven—offering cuts, color and smoothing treatments, and using organic Davines products. “If you look up the word salon, the Italians created it, and salone was a very intimate space where people could gather and share ideas and art,” says McKinzie, who features revolving work from local artists in his colorful space on East Tahquitz Canyon Way. “The Courtyard at one time was ‘the’ hot spot in Palm Springs—it had Gucci, Tiffany, all the high-end department stores,” he recalls. “Now, it’s coming back to life.” Downtown Palm Springs, saloniste.com–JR
PHOTO: COURTESY OF KYLE SHAHIDA
DESERT CHIC
The Gardens on El Paseo is now home to the first retail location of Kyle + Shahida, the luxury resort and loungewear brand founded by The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards Umansky and business entrepreneur Shahida Clayton. “Both Kyle and I love the Palm Springs area and Palm Desert has always been a second home to Kyle,” says Clayton. “It’s the perfect year-round vacation destination where our line can be worn 365 days.” For winter, the brand is showcasing day-tonight loungewear, such as colorful silk kimonos with matching pants and shorts. Come spring and summer, they’ll feature the resortwear collection the duo design and produce in their factory in India, in the area where Clayton grew up, affording jobs to local women. Most of the line is handmade, from sustainable vegan silk. “We focus on beautiful storyteller prints and patterns inspired by nature and our surroundings,” Clayton says. “Our brand reflects the relaxed lifestyle and outdoor living of California, near the coast and perfect for the woman that wants to dress up and also be unique and casual.” Palm Desert, kylexshahida.com–JR
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