Haute Art

Bay Area art lovers recently got a first look at the chic new abstract photography of couturier James Galanos in his dazzling premiere show at the Serge Sorokko Gallery. "Jimmy had a great first act in couture for 40 years, and now he has a glamorous second act as an artist, creating photography," said art gallery owner Serge Sorokko, as fashionable fans like Urannia Ristow, Wilkes Bashford, Ken Moore, Peter Coyote, Wolfgang Puck, and Gelila Assefa toasted Galanos with Champagne. Fifty large, dramatic abstract photo images, created with a digital camera and twisting silk ribbons, luxe cashmere, even strips of crocodile leather, suggested to some viewers an homage to the mystique and allure of couture. Galanos beamed as longtime fans like Denise Hale and Dixie Carter showered him with kisses. "I enjoyed 50 years in the fashion world; now, I've taken a new direction exploring photography," said Los Angeles-based Galanos, who was also celebrating his 82nd birthday. "Jimmy takes color and pieces of paper and makes magic," said Ralph Rucci, who snapped up several works. "Like his elegant fashion collections, the photographs are simple yet very complex."