Mr Goldstein is a multi-millionaire who catches your eye with his magnificent way of dressing. Needless to mention, designers beg him to sit front-row in their fashion shows! You will certainly notice him out of a crowd: with him, you cannot miss the party, as this man IS the party!

Legends are rare. You find them either in old 20th Century Fox movies or in books, but you rarely get the chance to meet or even have a conversation with any of them. I was more than lucky to have met a man who is without a doubt a living legend and whose interviews are extremely rare and sought-after. I met a highly impressive and cordial person with a brilliant sense of humour. My interview with James Goldstein was definitely one of my personal highlights as a model-writer and I would like to thank him once more for taking time for 160g, for his charming attitude and his will and patience answering all my curious questions!

His signature luxuous rock-style look consists of a tight suit and a flamboyant hat made of exotic skin, preferably combined with the season’s hottest designer boots. One day I spotted him at Berlin Fashion Week where he was wearing an elaborate studded outfit by Versace (Spring/Summer 2013), combined with a hat of exotic skin. “He has a true love for fashion,” says John Galliano, whose shows in Paris James Goldstein has attended for years. Mr. Goldstein has indeed a true passion for fashion, that goes along with his excellent sense of style.

He is fond of high-fashion, architecture and is possibly the NBA’s biggest fan. “James Goldstein is our largest investor in NBA tickets in the world,” says David Stern, commissioner of the NBA. “And he is the most unlikely dressed fan.” James Goldstein attends between 110 and 120 games per year, including travelling to cities. Apart from that, he attends 95% of all home games of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. He states he does not have a favourite team, but he is a fan of the NBA in general. A long list of well-known basketball stars can be found among his friends.

His house in L.A., an example of American Organic Architecture, is one of John Lautner’s legendary residential properties. Lautner’s buildings are made of bold geometry and are known for their exciting use of materials. Mr. Goldstein’s house, which he bought in 1972 has appeared in several Hollywood movies, such as The Big Lebowski, Charlies Angels and Bandits. Architectural reviews of the house have been featured in well-known magazines such as The New York Times Magazine, Architectural Digest and House & Garden.

As I read in a previous interview for GQ, he said: “Sometimes people come up to me and say, ‘Are you a rock star?’ or that kind of thing. More often people will come up to me and recognize me from the games and say ‘What game are you going to tonight?” So I made sure not to ask Mr. Goldstein whether he is a rockstar and went straight ahead asking for an interview appointment.

Sussan Zeck: Mr. Goldstein, may I ask you for an interview appointment?

James Goldstein: For what magazine?

S.Z.: For Paris-based 160g Magazine.

J.G.: Right now! (smiles)

S.Z.: Wonderful! (James Goldstein is walking straight to the lounge at the top of the fashion week tent, view to Siegessaeule).

J.G.: Beautiful! What a sunny day, what a beautiful view!

S.Z.: Yes absolutely, the golden angel at the top of Siegessaeule is shining in the sun! It looks so beautiful!

J.G.: Wow yeah, I love Berlin….(smiles)

S.Z.: Mr. Goldstein, to start our interview, I have noticed you visited numerous European fashion weeks and they all love to have you there. What is your favorite of all European Fashion Weeks?

J.G. Paris, as it is the capital of the mode…I think in fashion, it is the most important city in Europe!

S.Z.: That is right, Paris is the crème de la crème! Apart from talking about fashion, what European city do you like especially?

J.G.: I love Paris, it has a special flair…

S.Z.: How did you like Berlin Fashion Week?

J.G.: I like it a lot, it showed many great collections and the people were very friendly and welcoming. I like the European mentality.

S.Z.: What other cities would you recommend?

J.G.: I love Stockholm as well!

S.Z.: In what way has the fashion business changed?

J.G.: Many things have changed with the internet. That is a total new way of handling business, things go and spread super fast.

S.Z.: Yes, it’s super fast, you can find out everything and it doesn’t forget anything…

J.G.: Yeah…(smiles)

S.Z.: Is there any collection which has been your favorite?

J.G.: I loved many collections, for example the last show we have just seen has been very impressive. But many of the other shows I saw very amazing too. The general quality was pretty high.

S.Z.: I heard you and Karl Lagerfeld are in a very good connection and are close friends, is that true?

J.G.: I know Karl Lagerfeld from Paris and whenever we meet, we know each other, which is nice. He is a very nice person.

Photo of James Goldstein, credit: Mikael Jansson, photographer

Goldstein House pool and bedroom view, credit: photos by Woolf Haxton www.vhf.la

20 July 2012 Leave a Comment