Charmed Circles
Looking to find the neck's best thing? Check out the funky pendants on beaded chains decorating the decolletage of such trendsetters as Sandra Bullock, Téa Leoni and Cindy Crawford. Pendants are "hip, pretty and fun," says celebrity stylist Deborah Waknin, who recently selected a lightweight, carved rose by L.A. designer Geordi Jiminez for Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar. Plus, she adds, donning one of the edgy necklaces "makes a statement without being ostentatious." Often crafted from down-to-earth materials like wood, amber and semi-precious stones, the baubles "have a very positive energy and a personal vibe to them," notes designer Sage Machado, whose vintage hand-painted dragon pendant is a favorite of Susan Sarandon's. Best of all, "pendants don't have an age," notes L.A. jewelry designer Erica Courtney, who points out that stylish stars both young and old are snapping up the trendy style. But make no mistake—the bold beading and eye-catching colors of the necklaces "take the traditional into the 21st century," says L.A. boutique owner Jennifer Kaufman. "This is not your grandma's pendant."
with N.F. Mendoza in Los Angeles and Marisa Wong in New York City
behind the Seams
Forget staggering around on stilettos. As a busy wife and mom, Sharon Stone insists on surer footing these days. That's why the actress stocked up on four pairs (three flat, one wedgie) of espadrilles during a recent stop at Stuart Weitzman in Beverly Hills. Stone needs the shoes for her trip this month to the Cannes Film Festival, where she will serve as a judge. After taking a pair of the $138-$162 tulle and canvas shoes out for a whirl, Stone reports they passed the orthopedic test. "I wore them for the first time last night [May 2], and boy, are they comfy," she says. "Comfy, comfy, comfy."...
The chance to fuse two of her passions—theater and clothes—made supporting New York City's Naked Angels Theater Company a no-brainer for Sarah Jessica Parker. When the actress, a card-carrying member of the troupe, learned Naked Angels was teaming up with Jockey to create a T-shirt as a fund-raising effort, she volunteered to sport the $30 white top—with the word Naked emblazoned in black letters on its front, and Angels on the back—on an upcoming Sex and the City episode. But that was before Parker learned she had a baby on board. Jockey has since whipped up a stretchy version for the sexy mom-to-be....
When it came to receiving a trinket for participating in the 50th anniversary of American Bandstand, stars such as Alanis Morissette and Brandy accepted the $1,000 silver and gold cabochon link bracelet from the show's organizers with a simple thanks. But a delighted Michael Jackson had to invite the bracelet's designer, Scott Kay, to his trailer for a show and tell. Turns out Jackson felt his offspring, Paris, 4, and Prince, 5, could use some accessorizing. The doting dad wound up ordering two silver treble-clef pendants from Kay for the kids...
Seen: Winona Ryder, sporting long locks and red highlights, hitting alt rocker Paul Westerberg's show in Hollywood in a black bustier and five-pocket Joe's Jeans.
J. Lo Lands a Model Lookalike
After a six-week search, Jennifer Lopez has found the perfect model for her hip J. Lo clothing line. And guess who she looks like? "It was so difficult to pick just one girl," Lopez told reporters concerning Natalie Martinez, 17, who was plucked from over 4,000 wannabes. Though Martinez knew she resembled Lopez, the 5'6", 115-lb. Miami native says her win "was a total surprise." Martinez, who will be featured in one magazine ad (its success will determine if there are others), isn't being paid. But before a press conference, she and five finalists did get to hang out with Lopez in a Manhattan hotel room trying on J. Lo togs. "She's really cool," says Martinez, who hopes to be a nurse someday. "She likes what she does and seems to be a very happy person."
What was she thinking?
Melissa Joan Hart defied the odds when she bet on a long white dress and fluffy chapeau for the Kentucky Derby. It was a losing proposition. "She's definitely in the tradition of the Kentucky Derby by wearing a hat," says Darshan Gress, an MTV stylist. "But as far as the dress, I'm not sure what tradition she is trying to go with." Maybe it was just for the frill of it?
Knockout Ponchos!
Stars like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Heidi Klum are happily on the fringe now that designers have given the poncho a fresh slant. "It's cut like a top with a neckline and armholes," explains L.A. designer Lotta of her beaded and painted creations she calls "bohemian chic." Talk Soup's Aisha Tyler, who owns a $325 Lotta, appreciates the style, she says, because "you look really sexy without having to try too hard." In fact, the tops work for "every body type," notes L.A. stylist George Blodwell, making them a great summer cover-up. "Throw it over a bikini, with a sexy pair of heels," he says, "and you're
drop-dead gorgeous."
presto change-o
Charmed star Rose McGowan clipped and colored her locks to a butterscotch hue. "I'm tired of looking like myself," she said. Who does she look like now? "It's a Rita Hayworth style," says Jay Diola of L.A.'s Goodform salon, who did the deed. "It's real retro."
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