A Fantasy Philanthropic Photo Diary

by Shahrnaz Nancy Southwick
photography by Deborah Anderson
Book produced by Diana Jenkins
Book published by Daab

Diana Jenkins and Deborah Anderson met each other four years ago through mutual friends. It was synchronicity. They came into each other’s lives to fulfill a purpose and to conceive an unprecedented project. Diana was inspired to bring awareness to her charitable commitments. Deborah, the constant creator, was ready to sink her teeth into a project that was close to her heart. Out of this connection and mutual respect, the book Room 23 was born.

Room 23 was produced by Diana Jenkins and features art direction and photography by Deborah Anderson. This photography book is a glorious realization of these two strong women’s desires to produce something that has never been done before. Room 23 depicts “a year in the life of a hotel room” — the Penthouse suite at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. It features 100 celebrities including George Clooney, Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum, Sir Elton John, Kid Rock, Rachel Hunter, Donald Sutherland, Dennis Hopper, Minnie Driver, James Blunt, Larry King, Hayden Panettiere, Sharon Stone, and Ashanti.

Its current activities focus on the uses of law in deterring, ending, and redressing genocide and mass human rights abuses around the globe. The Sanela Diana Jenkins Human Rights Law and Technology Clinic is developing the world’s first human rights “fire alarm” device of its kind, enabling witnesses of human rights violations to upload information to a new Web site. The resulting database will be used as an early warning system of unfolding atrocities and as a repository of evidence and witness statements for potential prosecution. Diana Jenkins is committed to stopping global war crimes and human rights violations. She was recently appointed as special adviser to Bosnian President Haris Silajdzic, backing his efforts to raise the country’s image and to attract foreign investment.

Born and raised in Sarajevo, Jenkins fled the horrors of war, but she lost her brother to it. In 1993, she escaped with her life by running barricades into Croatia, eventually making her way to the United Kingdom where she put herself through City University London. Diana founded and managed a successful financial company, later relocating to Los Angeles. Diana is an entrepreneur, humanitarian, dedicated wife, and devoted mother. She truly is an enterprising wonder woman with a quick mind for business. After relocating to Los Angeles, she invested in popular high-end swimsuit line Melissa Odabash, created the groundbreaking nutritional beverage Neuro, and got involved in feature film.

Not only is she a go-getter, she is also a go-giver. Highly successful in business and a respected fixture of high society, Diana gives back in tremendous ways by serving on boards of various charitable organizations and bringing awareness to important humanitarian institutions. She has such a benevolent character, an optimistic attitude toward life, and an infectious spirit. Diana said, “In life, you have to focus on the good. Keep pushing, prepare, and then look for opportunity.” Deborah Anderson is an accomplished multimedia artist with critically acclaimed photography and music to her credit.

As the art director for the Gansevoort Hotel Group Deborah is currently working on the new Gansevoort Park Hotel project in Manhattan (due to open 2010). Her passion for photography was nurtured at a young age by her mother, also a photographer. Deborah took photos as she traveled the globe while on tour with her father, Jon Anderson, legendary frontman of the 70s rock sensation, YES. Deborah said her major influences are Klimt, Egon Shiele, Helmut Newton and Peter Lindbergh, and she has found a unique way to combine those inspirations with her art, fashion, and photography talent.

Her photographs are sublimely iconic. The images are sensual, provocative, and at times a bit voyeuristic — especially in her portrayal of strong and sexy women. As a natural director, Deborah makes her subjects feel safe, portraying them in a whole new light and inspiring them to be more open, intimate, and provocative than ever before. This beautiful photographic journey of Room 23 was a labor of love. The celebrities that gave their image and name to this book were involved because they understand their power in society and their ability to change lives. They all cared deeply about Diana and Deborah’s vision for the book and were happy to help make this beautiful work of art a reality.

Room 23 is available at locations throughout 120 countries and online at Amazon.com. For more information, visit www.Room23thebook.com.