I've added to my collection this photo of the gorgeous Jane Seymour, captured on a day when Hollywood and London truly merged. On the back, the inscription reads: "March 17, 1991. Jane Seymour at the BAFTA Awards (British Oscars, Hollywood ceremony held at the same time as the one in London) held at the Bel Age Hotel in Los Angeles."

The photo captures Seymour on the rooftop of the Bel Age, a location that was once the epicenter of high-society events in West Hollywood. At the time, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) hosted a simultaneous satellite ceremony in Los Angeles to accommodate the many British stars living and working in California. It was a bridge across the Atlantic, and Jane Seymour—an actress who effortlessly navigated both British prestige and Hollywood stardom—was the perfect embodiment of that connection.

Jane’s beauty in this shot is nothing short of ethereal. Dressed in a sharply tailored blazer with contrast trim and sleek leather details, she perfectly captures the transition from 80s opulence to 90s chic. Her radiant smile and the natural flow of her hair against the Los Angeles skyline remind us why she was often referred to as the "Queen of the Miniseries" and a "Bond Girl" icon. She possesses a classic, porcelain elegance that seems untouched by time, standing against the ornate wrought-iron railings of the hotel terrace.

The 1991 BAFTA ceremony was a fascinating moment in entertainment history, marked by a mixture of technological ambition and global tension. While the main gala was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, the gathering at the Bel Age Hotel in Los Angeles was far more than just a satellite "viewing party"—it was a fully integrated, live broadcast event.

The primary reason for the bifurcated ceremony (LA and London) was actually the first Gulf War. At the time, there was a significant fear of international travel among American celebrities due to security concerns. Rather than lose the presence of their biggest stars, BAFTA decided to bring the ceremony to them, creating a glamorous "Hollywood outpost" at the Bel Age.

Because the ceremony relied on a complex satellite link-up across eight time zones, things didn't go perfectly. During the presentation of the Best Actor award, the satellite contact with Los Angeles was completely severed due to a power failure. The London host, Noel Edmonds, had to ad-lib for several minutes until the link was restored. Eventually, they got back to LA to announce Philippe Noiret (for Cinema Paradiso) as the winner.

The Los Angeles portion was hosted by the legendary Scottish comedian Billy Connolly. While the London ceremony was traditional and scripted, the LA segments at the Bel Age were described as "loose and spontaneous." Connolly’s energy turned the Hollywood event into a lively, late-night party atmosphere that many critics felt actually outshone the formal proceedings in the UK.

The night was a massive sweep for Martin Scorsese and Goodfellas. In a unique visual, when the film won for Best Adapted Screenplay, the award was accepted via two different satellite feeds: Nicholas Pileggi was in New York, while Scorsese was in Florida. Jane Seymour herself stood on stage in Los Angeles alongside veteran actor Karl Malden to present that very award.

Key Winners That Night

• Best Film: Goodfellas

• Best Actress: Jessica Tandy for Driving Miss Daisy (Presented by Timothy Dalton and Whoopi Goldberg).

• Best Supporting Actress: Whoopi Goldberg for Ghost.

• Best Supporting Actor: Salvatore Cascio, who was only 12 years old at the time, for his role in Cinema Paradiso.

DESIGNED to grow with your family. This house can be built in three stages. First floor is a complete, luxurious home. Expansion attic can be finished later with two enormous extra bedrooms, dressing rooms and second bath. Breezeway, sun deck and garage can be added as desired. Note divided bath and powder room. Built-in cupboards in dining room. Turning open stairway from living room. Seven closets on each floor.

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source: 53 house plans for 1953 by Rudolph A. Matern

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Capturing a piece of Hollywood history is always a thrill, and my latest find is a true gem. I’ve recently added this stunning vintage photograph of the legendary Jane Seymour to my collection, and it’s a breathtaking reminder of why she has remained a global style icon for over half a century.

The physical photograph carries a charming piece of history on its reverse:

"March 20, 1991. Jane Seymour at the 43rd annual Writers Guild of America awards held at the Beverly Hills hotel in Beverly Hills."

The event itself was a prestigious gathering of the industry’s greatest minds. The 43rd Annual Writers Guild of America Awards took place at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel—the "Pink Palace"—which has served as the backdrop for Hollywood’s most intimate and glamorous moments since 1912.

That evening in 1991 was particularly special, as it featured the WGA's first-ever female emcee, the brilliant comedian Elayne Boosler. The room was filled with the year's top storytellers; notable winners that night included Callie Khouri for her groundbreaking screenplay for Thelma & Louise and Ted Tally for the chillingly masterful The Silence of the Lambs. Amidst this sea of literary giants, Jane Seymour shone as a beacon of classic Hollywood elegance.

In the photograph, Jane is the epitome of 90s sophistication. Clad in a striking black ensemble with dramatic, sheer voluminous sleeves, she perfectly balances the era's love for bold silhouettes with her own innate grace. Even in a candid black-and-white shot, her radiant smile and piercing eyes—one of her most famous and beautiful features—command the frame.

Often referred to as the "Queen of the Miniseries" during this era, Jane was just a couple of years away from her iconic run as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Looking at this photo, it’s easy to see why she was a favorite of photographers and fans alike; she possesses a rare, "ageless" quality that feels as fresh today as it did thirty-five years ago. This photo isn't just a piece of paper; it’s a frozen moment of glamour from one of Hollywood's most legendary venues. 

TRUE TO ITS NAME this living room is a place to be lived in. Two-way fireplace, flanked by book shelves and snack bar, juts out into the room and lacks only bedroom slippers for complete comfort. Wall opposite perfect for television. Exceptionally large kitchen and breakfast nook full of windows — That means light and sun. Three bedrooms and bath off center hall. Exterior glamour: long window and cheerful window box on living room wall.

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source: 53 house plans for 1953 by Rudolph A. Matern

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I’ve recently added a true gem to my collection: an original 1972 press photo of the radiant Jane Seymour. The inscription on the back tells a thrilling story: "4 Nov 1972, Heathrow, London. Jane Seymour, 21, leaves Europe for New Orleans to star in the new James Bond film, alongside Roger Moore."

When Jane Seymour boarded that flight on November 4, 1972, she was a 21-year-old actress leaving behind a steady role in the British drama The Onedin Line. By the time she landed in New Orleans, she was entering the "Bond machine," a transition that would permanently alter her career trajectory.

• The "Fillet of Soul" Restaurant: Located at 826 Chartres Street, this was the site of a tense confrontation between Bond and Kananga’s men.
• The Opening Jazz Funeral: The haunting opening sequence was filmed at the intersection of Chartres Street and Dumaine Street.
• The Legendary Boat Chase: Much of the film’s action took place just outside the city in the Louisiana Bayous, specifically around Slidell and the Irish Bayou, where Bond’s famous speedboat jump over Highway 11 was staged.

SUBSTANTIALNESS and warmth of the country pervades the exterior of this house. Indoors, all the suavity of a city apartment in the dropped-floor living room. Large floor-to-ceiling bay with small panes and the fireplace seem early American. Dining room, one step up, with a honey of a glassed-in sun porch and its indoor-outdoor garden and sliding glass partition — ultra modern. Equally smart; dining alcove, large pantry, walk-in closet, two baths, one with built-in vanity.

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source: 53 house plans for 1953 by Rudolph A. Matern

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