10 Great Events Not to Miss at LCDQ’s Legends Summit

Since the 1950s, when influential art dealer Felix Landau opened his namesake gallery on La Cienega Boulevard, the area just south of West Hollywood has grown into Los Angeles’s premiere retail destination for high-end interior design. Known as La Cienega Design Quarter, the district today sees scores of major brands clustered around the thoroughfare, among them Design Within Reach, Arteriors, RH, McKinnon and Harris, Dessin Fournir, Jasper, Rose Tarlow Melrose House, and Marc Philips.

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Since 2009, the district has played host to the annual summit Legends. The occasion has become increasingly popular over the years, drawing thousands of design enthusiasts from around the world to attend a smattering of keynotes, panels, book signings, and parties hosted by the industry’s leading tastemakers.

The 2018 “Tried and True” keynote at Dessin Fournir. Photo: Chris Robertson Photography

This year’s festival takes place May 7–9 under the theme “Legendary: Icons of Design,” which revives the inaugural Legends theme and pays homage to history’s most brilliant interior designers, among them Albert Hadley, Rose Cumming, David Hicks, Elsie de Wolfe, Mark Hampton, Jean-Michel Frank, Billy Baldwin, Dorothy Draper, and Mario Buatta. To mark the occasion, 40 of the top contemporary talents—including Penny Drue Baird, Jeremiah Brent, Sasha Bikoff, and Emily Summers—will transform the windows of the 50 LCDQ shop and showroom windows in a nod to the “icons.”

There are dozens of terrific events to attend. See below for our top picks.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

1. Artist Tour: Furth Yashar & presents “Peter Shire: Good Taste”

Los Angeles artist Peter Shire will give a tour of his pop-up exhibition, which explores how he’s deployed color as a way to push design boundaries throughout his four-decade career. Curated by Oliver M. Furth and Sean Yashar, the exhibition runs through May 11.

Where: Farrow & Ball, 741 North La Cienega Boulevard

When: 12–4 p.m.

2. Showcase: Rare furniture from a private L.A. collector

Leading design dealer Patrick Dragonette leads a tour through 1950s and ’60s Southern California design history with a stellar collection of furniture and lighting of significant origin. Among the highlights are screening room chairs from Jack and Ann Warner’s Beverly Hills mansion and a writing desk that once belonged to Betsy Bloomingdale.

Where: Dragonette Ltd., 711 North La Cienega Boulevard

When: 2:30–4 p.m.

3. Opening Celebration

LCDQ will fête the first two recipients of its Living Legends award: iconic interior designers Bunny Williams and Suzanne Rheinstein. The kickoff party always offers an unparalleled place to see and be seen.

Where: Fig & Olive, 8490 Melrose Place

When: 6–8 p.m.

The 2018 Legends Gala at Fig & Olive. Photo: Chris Robertson Photography

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

4. Keynote: Legendary Art and the Designers Who Love It

Galerie editor in chief Jacqueline Terrebonne will moderate a panel with designers Alexandra Loew, David Netto, and Steve Giannetti on how some of history’s most incredible artworks have inspired designers to conjure spaces that are works of art in themselves.

Where: Marc Phillips Decorative Rugs, 815 North La Cienega Boulevard

When: 9:30–10:30 a.m.

5. Discussion: Navigating the Book Publishing World

Any designer considering delving into the publishing industry would be smart to attend this panel moderated by writer Annie Kelly, who will get tips from designers Thomas Jayne, Madeline Stuart, Lee Ledbetter, and Jeffry Weisman. Topics covered include developing the right pitch, creating a good working relationship with your publisher, how to select photography, and whom you should choose to write it.

Where: Christopher Farr, 748 North La Cienega Boulevard

When: 2–3 p.m.

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6. Panel: Love It or Hate It 

Top-tier designers Nate Berkus, Jeremiah Brent, Leanne Ford, Bobby Berk, Nathan Turner, Mary McDonald, and House Beautiful style director Robert Rufino all weigh in on the latest style trends. Chairish cofounder Anna Brockway hosts the panel.

Where: Marc Phillips Decorative Rugs, 815 North La Cienega Boulevard

When: 4–5 p.m.

7. Disco Party Fundraiser: A Night For Preservation

Design-world heavyweights will come out for this chic disco night, hosted by Save Iconic Architecture Projects, a nonprofit that supports the preservation of L.A. landmarks. A separate ticket, which can be purchased here, is needed to attend.

Where: Nightingale, 643 North La Cienega Boulevard

When: 7:30 p.m.

“Color My World 2018” cocktail party at Dragonette. Photo: Chris Robertson Photography

THURSDAY, MAY 9

8. Keynote: Looking to the Past to Design for the Future

Elle Decor’s Parker Bowie Larson leads a panel consisting of Neal Beckstedt, Jeff Andrews, and Sasha Bikoff, who all give insight into how they draw inspiration from some of history’s most brilliant spaces.

Where: Design Within Reach, 8612 Melrose Avenue

When: 9:30–10:30 a.m.

9. Book Signing: Emily Summers

Join Galerie editor in chief Jacqueline Terrebonne as she talks to designer Emily Summers about her new book, Distinctly Modern Interiors. The discussion will be followed by a book signing and reception.

Where: Una Malan, 822 North La Cienega Boulevard

When: 3:30–5 p.m.

10. Design Dating Game 

ALT for Living owner Analisse Taft-Gersten hosts a cheeky dating game show in which designer (and bachelor) Drew McGukin chooses an interior designer from four mystery guests. Among the contestants are Sasha Bikoff, Jamie Bush, Neal Beckstedt, and Meg Joannides. Following the show will be margaritas, live mariachi, and the Pink Taco Truck.

Where: ALT for Living and Remains Lighting, 808 North La Cienega Boulevard

When: 4–5 p.m.