• October 27, 2003
• Vol. 60
• No. 17

Style Watch

Black Magic
There's a blackout going on in Tinseltown—but one that's generating lots of electricity. At the moment, leading ladies are stepping out in fanciful little black dresses adorned with ruffles, feathers (Kate Bosworth, Hilary Swank) and seductive lace (Lucy Liu, Salma Hayek). Why the black-lash? "There's a chicness and mystery to the black dress," says Bosworth's stylist Jessica Paster. "If [Kate's] dress had been pink with feathers, it would have been vulgar and tacky. In black it was fun and sassy." And who doesn't shine brighter against a blackdrop?

Behind the Seams

WINNER'S CIRCLE
A funky, downtown girl in Pieces of April, Katie Holmes looked strictly uptown at the film's New York City premiere on Oct. 8. Wearing a Carolina Herrera georgette gown with tasteful décolleté, she opted for sleek hair and delicate earrings. A grown-up look that's still as fresh as...April.

NATURAL HIGH
Vegan hair-care products? Tofu shampoo's still on the drawing board, but Alicia Silverstone and her gleaming locks are proof that granola heads are on to something. Seems the vocal vegan (now in NBC's Miss Match) is mad for the all-natural PureOlogy hair-care line. The product she really craves? The RootLift styling mousse with sunflower-seed extract. Almost good enough to guzzle, though not quite a soy milkshake....

PureOlogy RootLift styling mousse, $16; 800-331-1502.

MARSHALL ART
Where was designer Roberto Cavalli—creator of red-hot looks for sexy celebs like J.Lo and Jennifer Garner—on Oct. 13? Right on New York City's Fifth Avenue, grand-marshalling the Columbus Day Parade. Although stellar Italians including Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra have helmed the extravaganza, Cavalli is the first designer to grab the honor. The fearless leader surrounded himself with a fleet of 20 Ducatis, some ridden by models in his biker-inspired designs. Next year: Donatella Versace leads the pack?

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Daily Glossing
Cameron Diaz, Jessica Simpson and other hip chicks are tapping the kitschy spirit of Jacqueline Susann's boozy, speed-spiked '60s with Valley of the Divas—a "pill case" with a sextet of tempting glosses. With combos called Beauty Binge and Lip Trip, "Divas" may be just the thing for sharing with other dolls over daiquiris. Cheers, darlings!

Too Faced Cosmetics' Valley of the Divas, $18.50; www.sepnora.com

SILVER MUGS
Now framing famous faces (and the ones they love): Elegant photo holders inspired by vintage silver compacts and cigarette cases. Created by photographer Monica Rich Kosann, the keepsakes (some jeweled or enameled) have been snapped up by J.Lo, Madonna, Sharon Osbourne and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It's the perfect prop for screen sirens—and stylish moms.

Monica Rich Kosann imagecases, $200 to $8,000; www.mrkphoto.com or [phone]

(Re) Born to Be Wild
The classic motorcycle jacket is once again revved up and ready to roll. Sleeker than the hardware-intensive, punked-out leathers of seasons past, the new cropped model amps up casual pants (Holly Hunter, Monica Bellucci) as well as designer dresses (Karolina Kurkova). "The proportions make it really fresh and modern," notes Hunter's stylist Wendy Schecter. Ladies, start your engines....

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