Palm Royale Fashion, The Emmys, Lilly Pulitzer, and A Suitcase Full of Fabric: My Unexpected LA Adventure

Maybe it was the costuming, but I fell head over heels for the new Apple+ Emmy-nominated show, Palm Royale. Set in 1969, it’s every sewist’s dream on screen. The outfits, complete with brassy golden hairdos, fros, and flips, pulled me right into the big screen courtesy of Designer Alix Friedberg. Palm Royale fashion had me digging into my closet and pattern stash for any throwback look I could find.

Let’s get one thing straight. I’m a music gal—always analyzing lyrics, album covers, and now even electronic liner notes. But on occasion, and generally, when my creativity is low, and I’m stumped, I’ll free-fall into TV—hard. Yes, a full-on binge for days is my downfall.

A Sewing Rut Uno Reversed, Thanks Palm Royale Fashion

Two days of creative despair ended with inspiration striking thanks to Palm Royale—literally two sewing projects in 24 hours. So, I had to tell an LA friend how it got me out of my rut and made me rethink every Lilly Pulitzer I owned (which, in some ways, is Palm Royale fashion turned up on steroids with a twist). I digress. I sent a text raving about the show, not expecting anything but an iPhone tapback heart or thumbs up to my random complimentary remarks.

So, picture this: I’m peacefully sewing away in my happy place when an invitation pops up on my phone out of the blue. It’s from my friend, the Hollywood insider, who I’ve known since our awkward twenties (we won’t go into the details, but let’s say we have mutual friends). The invite? Nothing less than the Primetime Emmy’s after-party. In LA. Next week. And to top it all off, we’d be staying at the iconic Four Seasons Beverly Hills.

Nothing to Wear, A Sewist Nightmare

Cue my internal screaming: excitement, panic, and a frantic rummage through my closet. I’m a sewist (and a pediatrician!), for crying out loud! Shouldn’t I have a fabulous, red-carpet-ready gown at the snap of my fingers, especially if I might meet the queen of Palm Royale fashion, Kristen Wiig? Nope. Reality check: I have a mountain of fabric scraps and half-finished projects but zero time to whip up a masterpiece. I also have to reschedule patients, cover a hospital call weekend, and get my hair done. I’m officially cooked. And I’m a 70s baby who fiercely grew up in the 90s but who loves every decade of fashion, hence my obsession, in particular with the dresses from Palm Royale.

And let’s face it, I wasn’t the only one obsessed. Anthropologie has an entire line dedicated to the look of Palm Royale fashion called the Palm Royale Collection. Lilly Pulitzer, Louis Feraud, Malcolm Star, and others are putting all kinds of outfits together to make us feel right at home with the 1969 vibe.

My husband, bless him, offered a reassuring, “You look amazing in anything,” as I tried on every outfit I owned, ultimately settling on a brilliantly elegant floor-length Lilly Pulitzer and a promise to myself: I’d make up for the lack of couture with a serious fabric shopping spree.

Then, at the last minute, on the ride home from work, I picked up the dress that I will ultimately remember forever. It felt glitzy enough for an LA after-party but swanky enough for Palm Royale fashion.

LA, here we come!

Stepping into the Four Seasons was like entering a parallel universe of luxury and serenity. Palm trees swayed in the breeze, the pool shimmered invitingly, and the scent of jasmine filled the air. It was the perfect antidote to the pre-Emmys chaos. We had a little time to hang out in the lounge, vibe, and people-watch, of course. Shades are the perfect accessory for this activity.

And the Primetime Emmy Goes to….

The Emmys themselves were a whirlwind of glitz and glamour of course. We spotted a few A-listers, awkwardly tried to make small talk over canapés, and generally felt like fish out of water. But honestly, the highlight was returning to the oasis of our hotel room, kicking off our shoes, and indulging in room service while recapping the night’s events.

The next morning, refreshed and ready for adventure, my mission kicked into high gear. Armed with my trusty tote bag and a map of every fabric store in the city, I embarked on a fabric-fueled adventure. LA traffic? Just an opportunity to daydream about sewing projects. Overpriced parking? A small sacrifice for the fabric treasures awaiting me. I spent the night inspired by Palm Royale fashion and outfits.

And the quintessential LA Rodeo drive shopping since I live in the smallest town God ever made with no great mall or high-end luxury. We do have ok boutique shopping but nothing like LA or NYC. Remember New Orleans and Minnesota? We hit them hard, too! Sorry, —not sorry, for the oversized bag Delta Airlines and thank you diamond medallion status. No matter what anyone says, we must dive deep into every store when my husband and I travel. We live too far to take the experience for granted.

Retail and Food Therapy

From the sprawling aisles of Mood Fabrics to the quirky charm of Michael Levine’s, I dove headfirst into a world of textures, colors, and endless possibilities. I may not have had a custom-made gown for the Emmys, but I was building a wardrobe for a thousand future adventures.

Of course, no trip to LA is complete without some obligatory foodie stops. In-N-Out, a classic for a reason. A trendy food truck with questionable fusion cuisine (let’s just say, not everything needs to be avocado-infused). And plenty of iced coffee to fuel the fabric frenzy.

By the end of the trip, my suitcase was bursting with fabric finds and inspo from LA and of course Palm Royale fashion, my camera roll was overflowing with inspiration, and my heart was full. The Emmys were a blast, the Four Seasons was a dream, but it was the fabric that truly stole the show.

As I sit here now, surrounded by my LA treasures, I can’t wait to get sewing. Let’s see what Palm Royale fashion I can create. This trip reminded me that sometimes, the most unexpected adventures lead to the most beautiful creations. And hey, maybe next year, I’ll have that red-carpet gown ready to go. But for now, I’m perfectly content sewing for my sanity, one fabric adventure at a time.

Stay tuned for the sewing projects inspired by this trip! And who knows, maybe “Fabric Wanderlust 2024” is on the horizon… 😉