Short Wave
The micromini may be short on substance, but boy, does it have legs. The teeny tog, big news on the runways for spring 2003, is already appearing on Hollywood's thigh and mighty like Halle Berry and Heather Graham, who are optioning the look for fall by pairing it with knee-high boots. A few little tips worth considering: "Remember to wear a heel," says celebrity stylist Eric Berg. "The whole point of a mini is to make your legs look long and lean." Top off a high hemline with a cropped blouse or jacket—nothing should be longer than the skirt. Make sure to practice sitting with knees to-ether and legs uncrossed. "And for God's sake," warns Berg, "don't drop anything. If you do, you'd better hope there are some really gallant men nearby."

behind the seams

What was she thinking?
Never the queen of subtlety, Roseanne Barr went into accessories overload at an L.A. benefit, pairing daytime shades and sporty Louis Vuitton bag with a furry stole. Add retro '40s hair and a big tattoo? A tad too much!

Julia Roberts was in gift-giving mode recently, dropping $6,500 on 100 scented candles at Manhattan's Jo Malone to bestow on invitees to her 35th-birthday party. A like-minded Mary J. Blige snapped up 47 bottles of Malone's grapefruit bath products and cologne ($35-$75) for her nearest and dearest....

Perhaps responding to the box office failure of her film Swept Away, Madonna is going back to doing what she does best—striking a pose. At a dinner in L.A. for Costume National designer Ennio Capasa, talk was that Madonna's upcoming cover story in W magazine will be a buzz-worthy visual assault. Words like "important photographs" were tossed around along with a hint from a Madonna confidant that the singer's new look is dance-inspired. Madonna in a tutu? Brace yourselves....

Designer Jeremy Scott thought it would be a kitschy kick to have Miss Piggy in the front row of his Nov. 2 L.A. fashion show. After hearing the snout-nosed diva's demands—including a $10,000 appearance fee plus first-class travel and lodgings for the porky one's puppeteer—Scott's reps told Miss Piggy and Co. to stay put in Muppetland.

presto change-o

Amanda Peet recently got a bang-up do, taking inches off the front for a sweet, sassy look. Fringe benefit: more attention on her pretty peepers.

High Times

A dramatic alternative to loose, flowing evening hairdos is raising its head on the red carpet. This modified pompadour is high in front, like Elvis's famed forerunner, but more slicked back on the sides for a "modern, aggressively sexy look," says hairstylist Danilo, who created Heidi Klum's updo for a New York City awards gala. The burden of pouf falls on the proper products, adds Danilo, who uses styling spray while teasing and setting the front, followed by hairspray for hold. "The sky's the limit when it comes to height," he says. "Just wear it with confidence and elegance."

I really LOVE my...

Self-designed jeans: Pamela Anderson so loves denim, she's creating—and is often seen sporting—prototypes of her own yet-unnamed line of jeans, due out next fall. The actress's favorite look: rolled to the knee and paired with boots. A fashion crime? Heck, no. Cuff 'em, Pam!

Shirt Tales

The last word in tops among trendy stars is hand-stitched message tees by Minnow. Queen Latifah and Halle Berry bare their "Soul," Jennifer Love Hewitt likes to "Sing," while Debra Messing says "Grace." Notes designer Kelly DeMartino: "It's a conversation piece." And a fashion statement.

Minnow tees, $95-$l45 at Kitson, L.A.; 310-859-2652.

Danilo recommends Bumble & Bumble Does It All, $18 (bum bleandbumbie.com) and Physique Volu-mizing Hair Spray, $7 (physique.com).

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