There's a Frank Lloyd Wright house decaying in my neighborhood
Forgotten actress Helen Walker, towel slippers, and Leoni at Calvin Klein.
Writing to you as always from Hollywood where I've just applied retinol for the first time ever (I turn 29 next month). The retinol of choice is by Marie Veronqiue and came highly recommended by my facialist, Julia Barna, who gives the most calming facial to the coolest girls in LA (our little secret). I have been thinking a lot about beauty as I begin to age gracefully. I’m sure you’ll hear from me in March about how I Might As Well Just Be Thirty and What’s The Point Of Being 29 Anyway?
I regretfully didn’t get this out soon enough to give you hot tips for Valentine’s Day, but I have been thinking about gifts as my birthday is nearing…and of course, clothing is top of mind as fashion month is in our midst. I want these pepper steppers from Jacques Levine. Of course, they are sold out in my size (bad karma, maybe?), but they have them in pink- a bit too juvenile for my current tastes. I have wanted a candle from Perfumer H ever since I sniffed one last year at Galerie Half on Melrose…they are $285 (hand-blown glass, extremely long burn time, also refillable…), but for now I will settle for this hand wash. I can’t get enough of my new stationary, this will be my next purchase once I run out of these:
Recently, I discovered the remains of Frank Lloyd Wright's Samuel Freeman House decaying in my neighborhood. Located at 1962 Glencoe Way, the three-story structure, once a stunning example of Wright's talent, is in shambles. The 20,000 concrete blocks that make up the house are starting to crumble, and the once-impressive facade has been completely neglected. The roof, leaking and in desperate need of attention, is barely covered with a plastic tarp. The property is surrounded by a fence, and warning signs read DANGER CONSTRUCTION AREA and NO TRESPASSING PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Over the years, the Freemans hosted salons that attracted notable guests, including renowned choreographer Martha Graham, acclaimed photographer Edward Weston, and architect Richard Neutra. Tenants included Jean Negulesco, director of How to Marry a Millionaire, and forgotten actress, Helen Walker, who was coined a “bad influence” because her love of the bottle. Of course, that reputation made me more interested in her.
Walker was scouted in 1942 in New York City during a performance of the play Jason, and shortly after signed a contract at Paramount. Only 22 at the time, she was labeled difficult after complaining that she wasn’t getting roles that she wanted and was eventually let go from Paramount.
A few years later, Walker was driving back from Palm Springs on New Year's Eve and picked up three hitchhiking soldiers along the way. While intoxicated, she crashed the car, which flipped six or seven times, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old soldier, and leaving the others with serious injuries. She was charged with manslaughter, however the case was soon dropped (??). The two other injured soldiers sued her and soon Hollywood started to phase her out of her career. She died in North Hollywood at the age of 47 from jaw cancer.
The Freeman house is the smallest of Wright’s four homes in Los Angeles, built in 1924 with 12,000 uniquely designed concrete blocks. Wright intended to design a home that blended seamlessly with its environment, a philosophy he put into action here, even if the cost ended up being far higher than anticipated. What was supposed to be a $10,000 build ended up costing $25,000, leading Harriet Freeman to criticize Wright’s incompetence and bring in architect Rudolph Schindler to make improvements. Schindler added two extra apartments beneath the garage. Eventually, Samuel and Harriet separated, but they still lived in the home together, separately, for 60 years.
After Samuel Freeman died in 1981 and Harriet in 1986, the house was left to the USC School of Architecture with a $200,000 endowment for its upkeep. However, Harriet’s will banned any major renovations. The 1994 Northridge earthquake caused even more damage to the house, and since 1997, no one has lived there. The house fell into neglect as USC struggled to maintain it, even amidst a heist in 2012, where it was reported that items from the Schindler and Wright properties had been stolen by people on the inside.
When Richard Weintraub bought the house in 2022 for $1.8 million, it came with one condition: that it be preserved.
Some thoughts about Veronica Leoni’s first collection at Calvin Klein Collection —
At first glance, I was pleased and jotted this down,
If there was any doubt that the 80s and Corporate Chic have made their triumphant return, Leoni’s debut at Calvin Klein seals the deal. It’s refreshing to witness a renewed sense of excitement surrounding New York Fashion Week, especially after a long stretch of uncertainty. Since Raf Simons’ departure four years ago, New York fashion week has shifted towards new, emerging designers, but post-pandemic, it felt like the energy was fizzling out. Leoni's arrival offers a beacon of hope — a chance to reignite the spirit of New York's elegance. Calvin Klein and the brand’s legacy are quintessential to the city's fashion identity, and this feels like the perfect moment for New York Fashion Week to reclaim its vibrant pulse.
But after a second look and speaking to Kathleen, I noticed some things about the show that disgruntled me. The tailoring was baggy, and that’s coming from someone who wears baggy clothing everyday. I wanted a collection that was sleek and polished, but still sexy like the 90’s collections.
Leoni’s tailoring is reminiscent of recent collections by The Row, Balenciaga, Lemaire, and Phoebe Philo, and understandably so. Leoni worked under Philo and at The Row before this appointment. I don’t want to discredit her efforts. I think this is an excellent first collection for her, but I wanted a familiarity that I think a lot of us are aching for. A feeling of nostalgia. The skirt suits could have been so right. I wonder when they are sold RTW if they will be more tailored and if the looser tailoring was just for the runway (wishful thinking).
I’m not sure what I expect anymore, I guess every designer references others now?? Times have changed since the 90s, we still strive for it, but we want to upgrade it. I guess that’s what this collection is, the 2025 version of “sexitude”, which was the main point of Vanessa Freidman’s profile on Leoni (an excellent read despite my above sentiments). The collection is not a complete disappointment, but I expect more come fall.
Ideal Valentine’s Day breakfast spread postscript—
That is so fascinating about the FLW house!! Good detective work, Grace, and thank you for sharing it. I really hope this is preserved and opened to the public, or even turned into a performance or hosting type of space.
Helen Walker - remembered!
Okay but where is your current stationary from!!