Down Under Style to Carmel
POP SINGER Olivia Newton-John may have given up promotional tours touting her latest record releases, but she has definitely not abandoned show business.
For the better part of Tuesday morning, Oct. 17, and a portion of that afternoon, Newton-John's presence in Carmel rivaled that of former mayor Clint Eastwood.
Joining the festivities was Lisa, an 8-year-old Wallaroo (a cross between a wallaby and kangaroo), transported to Carmel from Salinas in order to add a taste of Down Under to the proceedings.
Indeed, the still-fresh-faced, 41-year-old, Australian singer of such hits as Physical, Have You Never Been Mellow, and I Honestly Love You, caused traffic to stack up at the corner of Mission Street and Sixth Avenue, as tourists and residents stood in a single-file line waiting for her limousine to arrive.
The cause of such a commotion? The opening of Koala Blue, a trendy women's and girl's sportswear store with creations by Newton-John and her partner Pat Farrar. Los Angeles businessman David Sidell serves as a silent partner for Koala Blue, which saw retail sales exceeding $14 million last year.
Locally the store is licensed by Judy Jordon, and is one of about 40 Koala Blue franchise stores worldwide.
Newton-John told The Pine Cone that Koala Blue will soon begin to market women's cosmetics, as well as children's clothing.
It's not the ideas, we've got lots of ideas,
she said before an invitation-only fashion show at La Playa Hotel. It's just getting them produced.
Newton-John and Farrar seem to be cursed
with the problem of moving a little speedier than the mainstream population.
She's the only one who can do things as fast as I can,
says Newton-John, referring to her relationship with Farrar, which began in the mid-'60s when the vocal duo performed as Pat and Olivia
in London.
That familiarity now enhances their business dealings.
We're so alike and we've known each other so long we have the same traits,
says Farrar, who is married to Newton-John's record producer John Farrar. She trusts me and visa-versa.
Newton-John's latest musical effort, Warm and Tender, is slated for release later this month, and was recorded in Australia. Warm and Tender, her 17th album, was inspiried by the birth of her daughter, Chloe, almost four years ago.
It totally changed my life,
says Newton-John. It put everything into perspective -that's what's important is my family and children and friends. I did the album for my daughter and my friends who have children and every parent and child.
INCLUDED ON the album are the ballad standards The Way You Look Tonight, Over The Rainbow, When You Wish Upon A Star, and Mozart's Cradle Song.
In accordance with her new-found priorities, Newton-John says she will not conduct a traditional promotional concert tour to push the album.
I don't really want to tour anymore,
she explains. The last time I toured was 1983. It's very exhausting. Luckily, with the media, such as television, I don't know if it's necessary.
That's not to say that Newton-John makes her way to the Van Nuys offices of Koala Blue each day. In addition to her involvement in the clothing operation, she dedicates much of her time to environmental causes.
This dedication is nothing new - in the late '70s, she cancelled a tour of Japan to protest the slaughter of dolphins by Japanese fishermen.
It's imperative that we all, change,
she says. I used to think I could go to a remote farm in Australia and be safe. But the wind blows, the smog and the pollution catches up with the world. We all end up in the same boat.
In 1989, she participated in the making of the Spirit of the Forest record, a project to help save the world's rain forests. The liner notes for Warm and Tender include 10 tips on what people can do to make a positive difference for the environment.
As a result of her work, Newton-John was recently named United Nations Ambassador for the Environment.
It's all well and good to preach but you have to set an example,
she says. It's our children who are going to suffer the consequences and hopefully will be the answer.
By David Leland
NOTED POP singer Olivia Newton-John brought her penchant for environmental causes and, incidentals, her Koala Blue clothing store, to Carmel last week. Here she's seen with model Alison Eastwood (yes Clint's daughter)