Black Beauties

Want to cast a fashion spell? Then join celebrities like Debra Messing and Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen in weaving a web of black lace. "It's the ultra-feminine fabric," says Manhattan designer Mark Montano. "We use it to seduce." And just like seduction is always in style, black lace "doesn't go away," says Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. "There is nothing sexier." Fortunately, says Buffy the Vampire Slayer costume designer Cynthia Bergstrom, even an understated woman can tap lace's magic powers "by going for something with a neutral-colored underlay." As for accessories, celebrity stylist Danna Weiss advises pairing modern jewelry with vintage lace, and vice versa, because a faux pas is sure to be noticed. "Lace is a striking fabric," Weiss says, "so being overlooked is just not going to happen!"

with Tina L. Redwood and Samantha McIntyre in New York City

behind the seams

Jennifer Lopez has some unbilled costars in the upcoming (May 24) thriller Enough: the wigs she sports as a wife who changes her looks to keep under the radar as she flees her abusive husband. Like the screen queen herself, the man-made manes received the full star treatment. The toppers—which range from a streaked shoulder-length coif to a dark brown gamine style and cost about $4,000 a pop—were created by New York City theater and movie wig master Paul Huntley. Then Lopez's hair guru Oribe clipped the wigs to give them some J.Lo oomph. But could a permanent tress r transformation be in Lopez's future? "She's often talking about cutting it all off," Oribe whispers....

Many Hollywood glamor girls are keen on borrowing gems for splashy red-carpet entrances, but not Gwyneth Paltrow. I hear the star has quietly purchased from Los Angeles estate jeweler Neil Lane the silver-and-gold 19th-century chandelier earrings and 18th-century diamond necklace—both believed to once have bedecked European royalty—that she wore to last month's Oscars. Hmm, could the gems be a little pick-me-up after the drubbing she received for her Goth getup that night? Or maybe Gwynnie doesn't take slings and arrows to heart....

Mickey Rourke, fashion diva? Turns out the macho man knows from his designer dungarees. While perusing the racks at trendy L.A. boutique Billy Martin's, the actor spied a funky pair of women's decorated jeans. Determined to score a pair for himself, Rourke tracked down the designer, Christina Helm, then asked her to apply her magic touch to 10 pairs of his own denims. Helm obliged, studding them with Swarovski crystals and patches of vintage kimono fabric. The cost: $300 per pair....

Seen: Nicolas Cage in black leather biker jacket and jeans dining with a buddy at Chaya Venice ' in Venice Beach, Calif., and splurging on a $750 bottle of Harlan Estate '94 wine.... Renée Zellweger in casual khakis, loose gray tee and Adidas flip-flops, darting into the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Beverly Hills.

star talk

What do you like to wear when you go on an audition?

Roberta Flack
"A black suit, because it's very flattering when you have the type of body shape that I have."

Selma Blair
"I wear the thinnest gold ring with a little uncut ruby in it. It's good luck because it's the first thing I bought myself. And a necklace my mom gave me when I was 6."

Heather Graham
"I like to wear jeans, so that I feel like a mixture of myself and the character, not phony."

Just Shoot Me's Wendie Malick
"I usually keep it simple—a great color with the simple silhouette of a cocktail dress."

The View's Lisa Ling
"It's almost always a pantsuit. I don't know how to be formal."

Mandy Moore
"A pair of jeans, pointy black shoes and a Gucci black cashmere sweater."

Leelee Sobieski
"All peach things are good luck!"

winner's circle
Diane Sawyer breezed into spring (and a recent awards ceremony) in this Giorgio Armani stand-up-collar suit, scoring extra style points for her color confidence. "It's that nice combination," says stylist Rachel Zoe Rosenzweig, "of strong and feminine at the same time."

Making Scents
When the sweet smell of success isn't enough, stars like Courteney Cox Arquette Arquette, Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher turn to Alora Ambiance home fragrances. "I can't live without it!" says The West Wing's Kris Murphy, who fancies the floral-scented Uno, one of the line's trio of aromas. "I have three dogs, and you can't detect that an animal lives in our house." Alora delivers its olfactory oomph via wooden sticks inserted into a glass bottle filled with fragrant oils like vanilla and jasmine. They last up to six months. Good thing, given that the scents—which sisters and co-creators Ann and Therese Gibbons whip up on their family's Minneapolis farm—sell for $70 for 16 oz. Still, says Barney's New York buyer Cindy Chua, "they blow off the shelves!"

DOUBLE VISION

Seems Madonna and Naomi Campbell have had a case of wanderlust this season. Both were spotted recently in Versace's gypsy-inspired white leather coat. "I focused on the elements rather than the styling or a look," says designer Donatella Versace of the $5,000 cover-up's crochet inserts and laces. "It translates into something romantic and results in a softer, more luxurious look."

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