Lace Value
Va-voom with a view: Peekaboo black lace is a formal-wear favorite that's both naughty and nice—and a touch retro too
Mandy Moore, in Marc Jacobs, at an N.Y.C. fashion show.
Brittany Murphy, in Peter Soronen, at a Beverly Hills gala.
Faith Ford, in Chaiken, at a store opening in N.Y.C.
Scarlett Johansson, in Dolce & Gabbana, at a film premiere in Italy.
Behind the Seams
WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?
Are we seeing spots or has Naomi Campbell, at a jewelry launch party in New York City, won (or lost?) another catfight? Her leopard-laden look just screams Me-ouch!
COUNT ON THEM:
Kelly Ripa's kids Michael, Lola and Joaquin are close to their mother's heart—a few inches up and over. That's because the actress and talk show host is wearing Alex Woo's numeral 3 necklace (they're available in 0 to 9). Lucy Liu, Hilary Duff and Selma Blair are all doing a number on themselves too. Liu chose a 2 because her birthday is Dec. 2, and Duff got an 8 and a 7 because she was born in 1987....
Diamond and white-gold Alex Woo necklace, $398; www.alexwoo.com
BAG, YOU'RE IT!
How many It jeans does it take to become one of the most coveted gift bags at L.A. Fashion Week? Fifteen. Appearing for the first time together are 15 of the hottest jeans, including Blue Cult, Earnest Sewn, Levi's Premium, James and Wrangler 47, along with a pair of diamond earrings from Judith Ripka. They're being given to 12 lucky stars including Rachel Hunter and Alicia Silverstone at the Denim & Diamond event sponsored by Ripka and Cotton Incorporated....
Fifteen designer jeans, a pair of $5,000 diamond Judith Ripka earrings, C&C California tees, a bottle of Gran Centenario tequila, makeup and more are part of the Denim & Diamonds gift bag.
ARTS AND CRAFTY:
Designers love dressing Scarlett Johansson, but the actress is adorning herself these days. "I made my earrings," she admitted at the Los Angeles premiere of A Song for Bobby Long (right). "I started making jewelry with my sister recently. We got sick of spending $300. You have no idea how much money it saves. Plus, you get exactly what you want. It is a great activity for obsessive-compulsive people like me."...
MAKING IT PERSONAL:
For Jude Law's wardrobe in Alfie, director Charles Shyer was inspired by the skinny suits the Beatles wore in A Hard Day's Night. As for the laid-back hooded sweater he wears in several scenes, Law was inspired by his own closet—it's his. "It really worked," says Shyer, who sees few other similarities between Law's and Alfie's looks. "Jude has unique and inventive taste, and Alfie plays it a little more conservatively." Not to mention Alfie's a tad cash-strapped and shops at sales, while "Jude gets things for free!"
Jude Law's brown sweater stars as Alfie's.
POSH SPICES IT UP
Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham is expecting...to launch a line of premium denim for Rock & Republic early next year—and here's a first look at the impending delivery. She's going to have a baby too, but she's already had two of those. This venture includes an 11-in. miniskirt so short, you have to "be careful how you get in and out of cars," says Beckham. Plus, "Rock & Republic is known as the Wonderbra for the bottom—their jeans make anyone's bottom, even mine, look great!"
Victoria Beckham for Rock & Republic's denim miniskirt, $220, and jeans with the R&R signature back pocket, $300; www.rockandrepublic.com
Double Vision
What do fashionable Mischa Barton, at the Fox fall-season launch party in Los Angeles, and funky Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, at the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America in Miami, have in common? The actress and the hip-hop singer—who normally dress at opposite ends of the style spectrum—both look perfectly polished in gold-fringed dresses by the Australian label Sass & Bide.
Star Talk
BEYONCE
The singer riffs on beauty, bags and the sweet smell of success at a recent promotional event for her Tommy Hilfiger scent True Star.
What did you learn creating True Star?
"I visited the labs and saw how many tries it takes to get to the perfume. Tommy's always saying, 'It doesn't matter how much promotion you do, it has to smell good.' "
What's the best way to apply fragrance?
"Spray and walk into it. One reason I think this scent is so me is it's not overbearing. It's private, and only the people closest to you can smell it."
Any advice for not overdoing perfume?
"Never overdo anything—that goes beyond perfume. You never want to get into an elevator and have people say, 'Oh God!' "
How long does it take you to get ready?
"When I'm off, maybe 15 or 20 minutes. I don't like to wear makeup or comb my hair, so I'll just wear it in a bun. If I am performing, it takes an hour because I'm impatient, so [the stylists] work together. After that, I'm out of the chair!"
What's one item you'll always keep?
"Very simple gold hoop earrings. They're always in style and always brighten up your look."
Is there an accessory you're loving?
"My [Bracher Emden] bag (left). It goes with everything. I have a safety pin on the strap. It's been through so many flights, but I don't want to fix it. I kinda like it like that."
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