2011 Divine Design Gala, Holidays in Beverly Hills took off with a Blast!

By Laura Medina

Upper Left, "Victorious" Victoria Justice & Ariana Grande. Upper Right, "Mad Men" Bryan Batt.
Lower Left, Hank Baskett & Kendra Wilkinson. Lower Right, Patricia Fields.

This year's Divine Design Sale's Opening Gala, for Project Angel Food, took off with a blast.

With this much stars from film, television, food, and fashion, it is hard to believe that this is a Beverly Hills holiday tradition. Twenty years going strong. Now, stronger than ever.

Since stars are just like everyone else, cost-conscious but with an eye for quality products and under the pressure of shopping for everyone in a limited time, this scribe simply asks them, "What do they want for Christmas?" Or, what they're looking for at the Divine Design Sale with it's continuing deep, daily discounts of fresh designer goods, supporting a worthy charity that nourishes the stomach and soul of sick people in Los Angeles.

Some of the responses are short and witty while others are deep and meaning, in the keeping with the holiday spirit.
Bryant Batt of "Mad Men" is looking forward to shopping and browsing the Kiehli's pop-up boutique inside the old Robinson-May Department, now the de facto location of the Divine Design Sale Marketplace. Perhaps, have some refueling sips of Ketel One Vodka during the shopping marathon.

When asked what Sal would buy at the charity sale, Mr. Batt answered, " I would think a flask because he likes to keep things hidden."

As for past attendee, Christina Hendricks, he informed that she is filming tonight and could not be here. He loves her.
"Reno 911" Niecy Nash was just honest and straight-forward, "Everything because my husband brought his wallet."
Divine Design Sale stalwart, womenswear designer, David Meister, cannot get enough of it.

As a Barbie fan, he needs his annual fix and wants to add more to his Barbie collection, "Everything. I'm a shopholic. I love to shop. I have a lot of gifts to buy yet. I'm an impulse buyer. If I feel if it's right for me or somebody else, I go for it. So, I really don't make a list. I have to feel it...you can never have enough Barbie. I have a collection in my office. Barbie is such a great supporter (of Divine Design Sale and Project Angel Food).

Why he always support Divine Design Sale each and every year? " They always have great stuff. They have great home stuff. They have great men's stuff. So, I'm sure I'll do a little damage."
Kendra Wilkinson's other half, Hank Baskett, was true and deep about what he wants for Christmas, "Just my family to be happy. As long as I wake up and see my son and see my wife...that's all I ever want. I'm not a needy person. As long as I have family, I have everything. The rest is all details." However, he is keeping an eye out for little boy's clothes.

The fabulous Patricia Fields was startling simple about what she wants for Christmas...this trip and this appearance in Beverly Hills for Divine Design Sale, "You know what...this pre-Christmas trip to LA is a Christmas gift to me." For this uber-New York fashionista, coming out to LA to be honored with the Iconic Fashion Visionary Award is not a bad excuse.

Chef Thomas Keller gets to the heart of the matter. As a chef and restaurateur, he reminds people that the profits from this charity sale, feeds and nourishes sick people who need the nutrition to be better absorb their medications. This is what Divine Design Sale means to him, feeding the heart and soul.

For such a hip chick and Divine Design faithful, "NCIS" Pauley Perrette is not too keen on the idea of shopping year-around. It is more of an act of charity.

"I'm not a big shopper because they always have a shop, here; and I want to say everything. We're so grateful. I work with Project Angel Food. They donate everything. All the money goes to such a good cause. It's amazing. Tonight, I'll just come wander and buy something. It's my big shopping night."

She commented she loves this scribe's lip gloss. Pauley, it is NARS Cruella lipstick topped with NARS Larger Than Life lip gloss.

Two angels from Nickelodeon's "Victorious" descended upon the holiday red carpet, Victoria Justice and Ariana Grande. They blessed the ceremony with sassy vitality.
2011 Woman of Style Award goes to "The Help" Viola Davis.
Patricia Fields is not the only fashion luminary. "Mad Men" costume designer, Janie Bryant tied up the line up of stars, wrapped up in Christmas trio of red, green, and gold.

You know it is the holidays when a galaxy of stars descend upon Beverly Hills.

Expect more star wattage to come soon.