THE ROVING EYE.IT figures that ritzy ritz·y adj. ritz·i·er, ritz·i·est Informal Elegant; fancy. [After the Ritz hotels, established by César Ritz (1850-1918), Swiss hotelier. 2 Rodeo Drive Rodeo Drive (IPA: /roʊˈdeɪoʊ/) generally refers to a famous three-block long stretch of boutiques and shops in Beverly Hills, California, United States, although the street stretches further north and south. , the European-looking street in Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. that is home to Tiffany & Co. and Christian Dior Noun 1. Christian Dior - French couturier whose first collection in 1947 created a style that became known as the New Look (1905-1957) Dior , would have its very own ambassador. Gregg Donovan is out there every Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6p.m., attired in his traditional ambassador's outfit that consists of a black silk top hat, red fox-hunting frock, black-and-white striped vest, white gloves and black pants. Donovan's duty is to stride up and down the cobblestone street, meeting and greeting tourists and visitors in more than 30 different foreign languages, giving directions and answering questions. And he's very good at it. Seeing two young Japanese women standing at the corner, he waves and calls out: "Konichiwa," or "Hello." "I meet more celebrities in a week than Jay Leno Jay Leno (born April 28, 1950) is an Emmy-winning American comedian, writer who is best known as the current host of NBC television's long-running variety and talk program The Tonight Show. Biography Leno was born in New Rochelle, New York. ," says the 41-year-old ambassador, in between greeting tourists and answering questions. "I just saw Christian Slater Christian Slater (born August 18, 1969) is an American actor. Biography Early life Slater was born Christian Michael Leonard Hawkins in New York, New York, the son of Mary Jo Slater, a casting executive, and Michael Hawkins, an actor who was also known as and his wife today. Donovan was hired by the management company that runs 2 Rodeo Drive as a way to direct tourists to the 21 exclusive shops and three restaurants on the curvy street. "He was hired to bring customer service to another level," said Linda Lavezzo, marketing director for Madison Marquette Retail Services, which manages the faux European street. In 1993 he was Bob Hope's personal valet at the comedian's Toluca Lake estates. It was Donovan who launched a successful campaign to get Hope, born in England, knighted. |
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