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| February 2008 »
 Once again, the ever increasing appetite for celebrity worship and gossip has caused horrible table manners. EW.com reports that both "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider" have finally decided not to run obtained footage of Heath Ledger allegedly snorting cocaine at the Chateau Marmont. (A commenter notes that Ledger is not shown using drugs at all.)
It's not as if the "news" outlets bowed out for moral reasons -- they even teased the segment on the show. Apparently, Ledger's publicist and others pressured ET to "let this grieving family bury their son in private and with dignity." I suspect that a few A-list Aussie stars -- Nicole, Naomi, to name a few -- threatened to boycott the shows if they ran the tasteless footage.
It was ten years ago -- on January 2nd -- that Chris Farley died of a drug overdose and the media frenzy wasn't nearly as rabid. Of course, Farley wasn't an Oscar-nominated movie star, but he had his following. Our society's obsession with famous people is growing faster than the national debt. Civilization could crash, alongside the economy.
I pity whomever sold the videotape to ET for huge bags of cash. Most likely, this person is one of those sycophantic Hollywood hangers-on who attaches himself to a rich celebrity. No doubt, the tape went for six figures. What do you do with blood money like that? Go to Maui for a week? Buy a Bentley?
Photos: Getty Images; ET.com
 Hey, want to see what it takes to make chic everyday? Tyra Banks is developing a new show for the CW that will determine who's got the goods to be an assistant at a fashion magazine. Over at Vogue, I hear that Anna Wintour loathes girls with puffy ankles who undervalue the importance of a good blow-out. I have a friend who interviewed with Wintour and later heard that she didn't get hired because her belt was "off."
I can't wait to see the challenges Tyra and co. cook up for these poor plebes. Here's one: Walk seventeen city blocks in these YSL platform pumps -- and bring back a fat-free soy latte that's still piping hot. Move!
 Got a great story about being abused as an assistant? Tell us EVERYTHING, doll face!
Photos: "AbFab," BBC; YSL pumps, neimanmarcus.com; girl, ViewImages.com
So begins a new daily feature in which The Rage reports on style news that's worthy of a quick read. Expect links to tasty news tidbits, a sale item of the day that merits consideration, and a style quote that should be memorized.
Sassybella reports that the ever cuddly Karl Lagerfeld will soon be huggable. Steif (the German toy maker known for its yellow tag) is creating a teddy bear in the likeness of the designer. Read on here.
Pieces from the highly anticipated Halston line--which will debut on Monday at Fashion Week--will be available at net-a-porter.com on Tuesday. This is BIG news in fashion circles because typically, clothes spotted on a runway aren't available for six months. If you would rather read about the
Halston deal than buy the goods, check
out the story on WWD.
Over at Luxist, it's "rare" day and they're looking at exotic pets, foods, and other ephemera. Here's a rare cat known as an "Ashera" that sells for $20,000. What do you feed this cat? Caviar and heavy cream?
Sarah Jessica Parker will co-produce a Project Runway-like show in which artists will compete to create, says Variety. And you thought fashion designers were wacky? Just wait.
Sale pick of the day: This lip palette from Nars includes favorites Dolce Vita (sheer dusty rose), Tobago (taupe-grape with shimmer), and Captiva (sheer currant). Sells  for $30 instead of $55 at Sephora.com.
Jane Birkin once said:
"My mother was right: When you've got nothing left, all you can do is get into silk
underwear and start reading Proust."
photos: Lagerfeld, WireImage; Ashera, lifestylepets.com; Birkin, The Paris Times.
 This morn, Reuters reports that a consumer group, Public Citizen, is lobbying U.S. authorities to strengthen the health warning on Botox (made by Allergan) and its kin, Myobloc (Solstice Neurosciences). They would like to see a "black box" warning -- think similar to the warning on cigarettes -- on boxes that contain the substance.
Bad idea. Anyone who has ever gotten Botox knows that all you see is a needle coming at your forehead. No doctor shows you a "Botox box." Though you do read about safety concerns on a sheet prepared by the doctor before you get your shots.
The group studied 180 reports submitted to the FDA and noted that the botulinum toxin had caused 16 deaths -- four of those fatalities occurred in patients under 18.
What? Who would inject a teen with Botox? Adolescence may be tough, but it can't furrow a damn brow. I can't imagine any Mom allowing her daughter to get Botox injections -- though I do know that Botox is used on kids with cerebral palsy to weaken spastic muscles.
I just called over to Beverly Hills Physicians and was told that "my daughter" would have to be 18 to get any sort of lip filler or Botox treatment. Over at Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery, they told me that they wouldn't treat anyone under 21. But at Cosmetique Med Spa in Culver City, the doctor got on the line and said that he would see my "17-year-old daughter" who was complaining about lines around her lips. He said it was up to me to consent to her treatment.
I bet that resourceful teens in L.A. could figure out how to get Botox. My guess is that there are plenty of crazy parents in this town who would allow it for their children too. Plastic surgery among teens, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is on the rise too:
In 1994: 10,000 procedures were performed on adolescents.
In 2006: 244,000 procedures were performed on patients between 13 and 19 years old.
Those stats, like, totally scare me.
Photo images: shuttterstock.com; "Heathers," New World Entertainment
 Not sure about you, but the whole skull trend always made me retch. It lost its edge early on and nothing depressed me more than seeing middle-aged dads wearing bedazzled skull hoodies. If you have to advertise that you're a bad ass, you're probably more of a pompous ass.
Anyway, I am thrilled to report that designers have abandoned their faux macabre ways for spring. In other words, a flower hath bloomed out of the empty eye socket of every skull we saw in past seasons. Gaultier (left), Armani, and Christian Dior showed floral concoctions at the recent couture shows in Paris. Prada, Balenciaga and Marni are using flora in various forms.
Burying skulls and unearthing flowers makes me wholly optimistic. Maybe the Democrats will even win this election? Perhaps I will lose a few pounds and be able to wear pants again? Peace in the Middle East? OK, I'll stop.
But seriously, the trend is easy to access. This jersey dress from Tibi (right) at netaporter.com is a veritable garden on your sleeve ($420). The cut is modern and flattering; the color will buoy any spirit.
If you want to ease into the look at a smaller price point and less fanfare, check out  this cute purse from J.Crew.com ($58). It has a Marni feel to it with the chunky block print and it reminds me of Bermuda bags that I carried back before I incurred major sun damage.
Finally, this floral silk scarf imported from Japan at UrbanOutfitters.com at $28 makes the perfect blooming accent to jeans and a tee. Contrast the feminine element with a tomboy-ish get-up. Now, use your head and get rid of all those skull-emblazoned bags, shoes and sweaters.
Photo credits: Gaultier, style.com; dog hoodie, fuzzytogs.com
 Clearly, actresses miss the red carpet. How else to explain the high-octane glamour seen at last night's SAG Awards? Sequins, chignons, scarlet lips and fishtailed gowns dominated on an afternoon that could only be described as sullen and downcast.
It would seem that only Ellen Page ignored the unspoken edict to pretend that there is no such thing as a WGA strike. Page -- who lost to Julie Christie (thank God!) -- wore a simple black sheath that highlighted her gamine frame.
My rule for the red carpet? Don't wear an outfit that would allow you to climb a tree or play short stop in a pinch. Page could scale an oak in seconds flat in this dress.
Photo credits: WireImage
 In "La Vie en Rose," Oscar-nommed actress Marion Cotillard plays legendary chanteuse Edith Piaf. From her inky ringlets to her crimson smirk and stingy brows, Piaf embodied the look of a sultry, half-starved artist. She was known as the "little sparrow."
Piaf was born in 1915 in Paris -- but, of course. Her Italian mom sang in local cafes; dad was a street acrobat. It all sounds like a merry, old time until you hear that they abandoned her. Afterward, she stayed with her grandmother and the local prostitutes often looked after her. Now that sounds like a sitcom to me. Like "One Day at at Time" set in a Parisian brothel, right? 
Back to Piaf. Her style matched her moods: theatrical, glamorous and  brooding. She mostly wore black, with lace accents or animal-print cuffs. Think cabaret meets red carpet. She never stepped out into the rue without her signature cherry lips and hair meticulously coiffed. The little sparrow always minded her feathers.
Taking a style cue from Piaf is pretty easy. Her chic look works for anyone and it's romantic in a sexy, self-empowered way. This is a woman who hung out with Marlene Dietrich, people. I like the bateau neck and lace overlay of this Notte by Marchesa dress ($850) at netaporter.com. The ribbon belt and full skirt make it slightly retro in all the right ways -- not to mention, flattering to any body type. The lace arms will show just the right amount of skin and  help create a lean silhouette.
For shoes, I dig these Bruno Frisoni pumps for two reasons: A) They're on sale, dammit and B) they run big, so you can order a half-size smaller than usual. The satin pumps -- trimmed in lace -- are now $310.90, down from $777 on saks.com. Oh, and Saks is offering free shipping on all orders over $150 -- just put in the code "Valentine" when you purchase.
Finally, you're nothing without red lipstick. I have experimented with many vermilion pouts and I always return to "Coco Red" by Chanel -- $26; Bloomingdales.com. There's something about this blend that makes teeth look whiter -- I think it has a touch of blue -- and its creamy base doesn't dry up. There's nothing worse than those dried flecks of red lipstick that make you look like you bit off the head of a squirrel en route to your date.
Finally, here's an Edith Piaf quote that you should repeat like a mantra: "As far as I'm concerned, love means fighting, big fat lies, and a couple of slaps across the face."
Um, bon.
Photo credits: Cotillard, Picturehouse; netaporter.com; saks.com; bloomingdales.com
 Q: I joined Facebook three months ago. I'm an indie film publicist, and it seemed like a good way to network with people in my business. Plus, I figured that I could hook up with some old friends. Wrong. Every day, I get a request from someone who wants to be my friend. So far, I haven't denied anyone, and I am already up to 231 friends. I don't even know some of these people. Is it rude to blow people off? And what about co-workers? Half of my company is on my Facebook page, and it's bad enough having to banter at the water cooler.
Dear L.G.,
In order to empathize over your embarrassment of riches, I joined the 55 million members of Facebook last week. As of today, I have exactly three friends. Clearly, I am in no position to deny anyone -- even a recent ex-con or a contrite sex offender -- as a potential e-pal. A barren Facebook page is a lot like a brand new passport. Both seem to scream, "I haven't left my basement since they invented fat-free Pringles."
People who do share your dilemma, however, have no remorse about rejecting unwanted friends. "Ignoring a request is like not calling someone back," says Shawn Sachs, chief executive of publicity firm Sunshine, Sachs & Associates. "I don't like to do it. But usually, people get the hint." FYI: Sachs, who's well-connected on both coasts, has 542 more friends than I. He can afford to turn amigos away.
Looking for a more humane way to snub a chum?
Rather than just "ignore" the request via Facebook's automated system, you could send a quick personal message that reads: "My psychoanalyst says I can't forge new relationships" or "I'm traveling abroad on business." Of course, the only caveat is that your cyber-stalker could check back and tally your number of contacts to see if you're actually limiting your social circle.
When colleagues come knocking, it's a whole different story. Sachs says that he would never deny someone he has to walk by every day at the office. But Russell Binder, president of Striker Entertainment, thinks colleagues shouldn't be using Facebook to socialize during business hours. "There's got to be a level of professionalism," he says. "As an employer, I feel like if you're not on the phone and making deals, why are you here?"
True. Besides, your CFO needs more beans to count if he's constantly seeking new buddies. Still, it's risky to snub a business colleague in incestuous Hollywood because the friend you turn away today could be your boss tomorrow.
 You're better off accepting co-workers and allowing them access to a limited profile. Make that the one that lists basic personal information and doesn't show your friends. Certain agents and producers cruise profiles to poach contacts.
If you do ignore someone and he or she refuses to relent, you can always choose to "block" that person. According to Facebook, that person "will not be able to search for you, see your profile or contact you."
Or you could always send that person my way and I'll have a whopping four friends.
Do you have a social woe or an etiquette issue? Send questions to the Mannerist at monica.corcoran @latimes.com
Photo credits: "Little Darlings," Fox; "Friends," NBC Universal; "Bad News Bears," Paramount
 Nice to see that Sly Stallone made some time for the li'l people at the premiere of "Rambo" in Las Vegas last night. This woman came, saw, and conquered. It doesn't look like Stallone had much choice but to accept the fierce embrace.
As for his look, I would have liked to have seen Rambo in a camo tux -- with some sort of grenade for a bow tie. Maybe a bloodied cummerbund?
Love this shot of Sly at Spago by Ron Galella in 1983.
Photo credits: WireImage
 If I had to sum up this year's film festival, I would probably quote DJ Spooky or DJ Whoo Kid or even DJ Vice. Sundance 2008 was more about the guy spinning vinyl at a party or club than any one director. How else to explain the fact that I counted 12 DJs mentioned in press releases and see 23 pictures of celeb-u-spinner Samantha Ronson posted on WireImage.com? Compare that to 20 shots of Daniel Barnz, director of "Phoebe in Wonderland."
Never mind the fact that no movies--except for the Roman Polanski docu--sold in the first weekend. (Other films sold later, but it was by no means a spree.) The buyers market may have been icy, but the scene inside Hyde and Marquee and Teddy's was hot. Um, that's DJ Ruckus to the left. He probably flew first class to Park City and got VIP treatment at Sundance. I have heard that a famous DJ can make up to $25,000 working a few nights at Sundance.
Hey, they don't call it "Sunwatch" now, do they?
photo credit: WireImage.
 The iconic red underbelly of a Christian Louboutin shoe has long been its calling card. That flash of crimson has become as much of a status call out among those in the know as the boucle of a Chanel suit or the weave of a Bottega Veneta bag.
Now, Versace is seeing red too. The image (left) is part of the new ad campaign starring Gisele Bundchen. The shoes I have seen so far are beautiful, but that red undersole is a direct rip-off of Christian Louboutin (right). With all these designers speaking out on counterfeits and copycats, it seems declasse for Versace to nab a competitor's signature.
Is all fair in love and war and fashion?
Photo credits: Versace; Louboutin
 Shirley MacLaine (left) is interviewed by WWD on the set of her new Coco Chanel biopic in Paris. In the article, she says that it was Audrey Hepburn who first suggested that she play the iconic designer. Here's the comment:
"When we worked together she said to me, 'You should think about doing Coco Chanel when you're older,' " recalls MacLaine. "That was in my 20s. I said, 'You should do Coco Chanel.' She said, 'No. You.' I've thought about it all that time and then this came up. I couldn't believe it."
Now, a quote from the real Coco (right): "Fashion has become a joke. The designers have forgotten that there are women inside the dresses. Most women dress for men and want to be admired. But they must also be able to move, to get into a car without bursting their seams! Clothes must have a natural shape."
Photo credits: MacLaine, Dave Yoder; Coco, the Metropolitan Museum of Art
 Never underestimate the power of a statement coat. The perfect coat -- a must-have staple for every woman -- shows that you can make adult decisions.
A coat is a lot like a tattoo. No one wants to commit and regret it later. Lucky for us, Hautelook.com -- a sample sale website that offers premiere designers at up to 75% off -- has coats by Gryphon (see right) on sale tomorrow, starting at 5:00 a.m. With that kind of savings, you needn't worry about pangs of post-purchase depression.
The designs, a few modern trenches and white swing coats, are perfect for crisp L.A. days and nights. Oh, and a statement coat is the best camouflage for a blah, boring outfit.
Set your alarm and crack those knuckles. I predict a frenzy on Hautelook.com in the morn.
Photo credits: Audrey1.com; Hautelook.com
 Even more sad news on the untimely death of actor Heath Ledger.
His ex, Michelle Williams, is in a new movie at Sundance called "Incendiary" (see still, left). In the film -- which is receiving excellent reviews for her performance -- she plays a woman who loses her husband and son to a bombing at a soccer game in London.
Here's wishing Michelle Williams and her daughter sympathy and best wishes during such a horrible time.
Photo credit: "Incendiary," Sundance.org
 "The Hills" are alive with the sound of Lagerfeld. According to WWD, the Chanel designer paid homage to hormones in his spring couture collection shown in Paris yesterday. Models wearing skirts short enough to sway any Catholic High School sophomore paraded down the runway; Chanel logo ballet flats -- a fave among the teen set in Beverly Hills and Bel Air -- were also seen.
This past September, I went shopping with a few wealthy Brentwood teens and both of them told me that Chanel was their favorite designer. I was floored. Back in high school, my logos were big Bs for Benetton and Lacoste gators. I wore Yves Saint Laurent red lipstick just to have something by the designer in my trusty nylon Le Sport Sac.
Here's a bit of the reporting I did back in September for my story on teens and luxury goods. The truth is: designers have seen the future and it's, like, moody and twirls her hair and might just hate her parents.
Here are some facts from my story:
Designer labels make up about 15.3% of purchases by 13- to 17-year-olds, according to a recent study by New York-based marketing research company NPD Group. Five years ago, that figure hovered at 9.6%. Increasingly, luxury brands are catering to younger customers.
Also: The women’s media website Jezebel.com recently tallied the prices of the merchandise featured in the editorial content of the September issue of Teen Vogue to a total of $74,458. Per their research, Cosmopolitan — not CosmoGirl, mind you — rang in at just $27,636.64.
What does this all mean? I just pray to God that when my husband and I start a family, it's a boy!
Photo credit: Women's Wear Daily
 Just back from single-digit weather in Park City -- I am more congested than the 405 at rush hour, thank you very much. But I managed to see a few great movies at Sundance and my favorite film was a documentary called "American Teen."
The filmmaker -- Nanette Burstein -- spent a year in Warsaw, Ind., and shot 1,000 hours of footage at a high school. The results are priceless and as of yesterday, there was talk that Paramount Vantage might buy the film. (Left is Jake, the band geek, who broke my heart.)
I wrote about "American Teen" and interviewed the director for our Calendar section and so, I will post my story here:
High school doc a hot property
PARK CITY, Utah -- So far, the buyer's market at Sundance has proved to be as frigid as the temperatures in Park City. There's been some buzz here and there but no direct heat surrounding any one film.
All that changed when a documentary called "American Teen" screened on Saturday. It was clear that the film had generated interest by the flashes of blue light in the audience, as acquisition folks frantically texted their business affairs departments to start negotiations.
In a phone interview Sunday morning, the director, Nanette Burstein, said that she had been "in talks" until 4 that morning with potential buyers. "It's been surreal in a good way," she said. "I just want it to find the right home."
Miramax and Fox Searchlight were among those in the early bidding, but they dropped out as the sales price for North American rights climbed toward $2 million. No deal had been closed by Sunday afternoon, but a potential sale (other parties included Paramount Vantage) was expected before today.
This isn't Burstein's first successful foray at Sundance. Her last documentary, "The Kid Stays in the Picture," premiered at Sundance in 2002 and went on to be a commercial and critical success.
To make "American Teen," she spent the 2005-06 school year shooting footage of four seniors at Warsaw Community High School in Indiana. She scouted 10 different schools in three states before setting up camp in the Midwest.
"I wanted a town, with just one high school, that was economically mixed," says Burstein, who then interviewed all of Warsaw's incoming seniors for 20 minutes before selecting her stars. "I just picked people that I really liked."
In the end, she chose quintessential archetypes that used to collide in every John Hughes film. There's the band geek named Jake whose acne flares with each romantic rejection and the jock, Colin, who is as affable as a golden Lab. Hannah is the quirky Molly Ringwald-esque misfit with dreams of becoming a film director, while the rich, blond queen bee named Megan wages psychological warfare on anyone who threatens her power.
For the 37-year-old Burstein, gaining the teens' trust took a few months. "They're very protective of their lives and suspicious of adults," she says. Working with one camera crew, she maintained daily contact with the four students to stay abreast of their lives. "I was constantly on call, texting and i-chatting. "
In "The Kid Stays in the Picture," Burstein used photo animation to flesh out the life of Hollywood producer Robert Evans. This time around, she worked with Blacklist to create vivid animation sequences that convey the fantasy lives of each teen. The results are poignant, though predictable: The geek gets the girl; the jock scores the winning shot.
"You don't get that wish-fulfillment in real life," says Burstein of the animated vignettes. The most haunting sketch -- which feels like a macabre take on "Alice in Wonderland" -- reveals Hannah's fear that she will inherit her mother's mental illness. "I spent a lot of time talking to them about their secret fears and fantasies."
In some ways, the film feels as choreographed as an episode of "The Hills." The popular girl predictably reigns like a despot and turns on her best friend. The jock's father, an Elvis impersonator who hoped to play pro ball back in the day, pressures his son to make 12 rebounds at the big game. Around Park City, there have been whispers that Burstein may have scripted the doc.
"It's not scripted and I didn't make any arrangements with the kids to act a certain way," says Burstein, who shot 1,000 hours of footage. "I don't want to sound arrogant, but it plays like fiction because it's so moving. Maybe it speaks to the polish of the film."
Or to the fact that Hollywood truly is like high school.
Photo credits: Nanette Burstein
 When Paris Hilton -- dressed in a pink Paris Hilton ski cap and a T-shirt bearing her image -- causes more of a manic panic than Robert Redford at Sundance, you know this film festival needs an overhaul. The fact that she had a movie to promote, "The Hottie and the Nottie," is utterly irrelevant. (The film was not officially part of the festival, but merely piggybacking on the vast exposure of the annual event in Park City.)
Paris, wearing her frothy Paris togs, represents everything that is now wrong with Sundance. The festival has become a hot bed of branding for everything and anything. (Even Sundance itself teamed up with designer Paul Frank to hawk its own festival branded merch this year, but, hey, they deserve to make a buck.)
Movie parties are sponsored by vodka brands and speaker companies. Magazines like Bon Appetit open ad hoc eateries to host catered luncheons for visiting talent. (Full disclosure: I attended a lunch for the cast of "The Wackness" at this venue and watched Sir Ben Kingsley chew his beef tenderloin from across the room.) When an agent approached to introduce me to a film director but got waylaid by a PR rep who was touting a Napa Valley Chardonnay, it was clear to me that there's too much heat in the kitchen.
Photo credits: Paris Hilton, Wire Image; 'Sundance Woman,' 20th Century Fox
 Anna Wintour, unlike Karl Lagerfeld, has no love for Hillary Clinton. She says, in her latest editorial in Vogue:
"The notion that a contemporary woman must look mannish in order to be taken seriously as a seeker of power is frankly dismaying. How has our country come to this? ... This is America, not Saudi Arabia."
Precisely, Anna. Right on. Just because you're chapped off that Clinton backed out on your recent Vogue cover, you go and make some silly, snitty statement that plays right into the right wing's criticism of our first female presidential candidate. Read more about it on Jezebel.com.
This type of girl-on-girl action is the very reason that we may never have a woman president. You go, Anna!
Photo credit: Getty Images
 Off to Park City to cover the Sundance Film Festival. According to weather.com, it's 21 degrees there, with a slight chance of flurries. Makes me wonder how all those swizzle-stick-sized actresses will stay warm.
Me? Parka, black tights under wide-leg Joe's jeans, equestrian boots with a sturdy heel, and thin black turtlenecks beneath vivid peasant blouses. I am aiming for the look of a bohemian yeti.
Expect flurries of commentary when time allows.
Photo credit: WireImage
 THE "it" bag, a status purse that costs more than a round-trip ticket to Paris and a favorite among stylish affluent women, is officially dead. "It" always refused to reveal its age but first hit the scene in the early '90s and was most prominently seen swinging gleefully from toned arms in the last five years.
The "it" bag was often known for its vibrant hides, large-toothed zippers and flamboyant  hardware. Designers like Louis Vuitton, Chloé and Fendi all vied for the prestigious title with seasonal offerings of hobo bags and zaftig satchels -- all gifted to celebrities, of course.
The species did not die of natural causes. Fashion authorities suspect that a recent "it" bag -- the Yves Saint Laurent Muse -- is mostly responsible for wiping out the trend of women coveting one brand of designer bag ad nauseam.
The Muse, a jaunty and haughty take on a bowling bag, was the Palme d'Or among accessory addicts. Like a slain stag slung across the roof of a pickup truck, the Muse signified that a woman had bagged the right bag. Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and other starlets reserved the cozy crooks of their arms for the popular purse.
These days, life pales for the Muse. The newest gray-felt version of the YSL handbag was last seen sheepishly lurking on discount retailer Bluefly.com. It was priced at 20% off. (Muse's distant cousins -- the Burberry Edna and a patent leather satchel by Fendi -- are currently selling at Costco.)
Much like the popular pretty girl who always dies first in a horror film, the "it" bag was a victim of its own ambition.
"A bag is only an 'it' bag when it's not accessible to everyone," says Christos Garkinos, the co-owner of local designer consignment store Decades Two, who admits that he is currently harboring a few secondhand Muses in his shop. "When Banana Republic and Forever 21 came out with a version of the Muse, it was suddenly everywhere."
 Not to mention the coy Muse clones sold by Guess, H&M and almost every counterfeit purse hustler from Canal Street to Santee Alley. Muse-carrying studio execs and talent agents were horrified to see their assistants rifling through their very own Muses. Beverly Hills socialites mistakenly grabbed the wrong white Muse after a few mimosas.
"I ordered one when I was in New York, but then came home and saw everyone carrying it," says Jessica Wu, a chic Los Angeles dermatologist with an A-list clientele. "I sent it right back without even opening the box."
The Muse's noxious ubiquity has spurred the most fashionable women to stray from the retail herd mentality. A purse touted as the next "it" bag holds as much cachet as a VIP Blockbuster membership.
"There's a backlash because women feel betrayed by the fact that a company calls a bag 'limited  edition' and then makes 100,000 of them," says Milton Pedraza, chief executive of the Luxury Institute, a retail research firm in New York. "That's deadly."
The "it" bag -- in all its incarnations -- will be fondly remembered. The Muse is survived by its sister, the YSL Downtown bag, and offspring including the Muse charm bracelet, Muse wrap sunglasses (left) and Muse sandals.
Photo credits: Kate Moss, Splash; coffin, cemetarybroker.com
 Dear Katie,
Not for nothing, but who are you? I see Carol Channing and I see Anna Wintour, but I don't see the girl who once smirked non-stop as Joey Potter and blew me away in "The Ice Storm" and "Go."
The oversized sunglasses are too conspicuous -- screaming, "Look at me! Don't look at me! The bridge of my nose is killing me!" And the black gloves feel, well, aspiring strangler on-the-go.
But it's that expression -- Posh told me to purse my lips and then slightly uplift at the corners. Am I doing it? Do I look like Victoria or a stroke victim? Purse lips, pout, uplift. Or was it pout, uplift, purse lips? -- that troubles me most.
Remember an easier time when you didn't feel compelled to mimic a mannequin? Hell, you didn't even brush your hair back then. Your mantra was "Braids or doo-rag? Maybe both!"
Well, some of us miss the old Katie. Don't you? Come home.
Photo credits: WireImage; Columbia TriStar
 Or is she surrounded by a pair of guys who forgot to call and say, "Hey hot stuff! We're going casual." The event was the premiere of the "Air I Breathe" last night in Los Angeles.
It's too bad that Brendan Fraser wore, in essence, a statement jacket over a tee shirt. Oversized leather jackets remind me of pot dealers. Andy Garcia paired some baggy jeans with a blazer (at least!) and a scarf tied in that European knot.
Then, there's Buffy. Her dress--I believe it's by Temperley--is gorgeous and I am damn glad that she went all out. The intricate scrolled detail at the collar and color bring to mind a foo dog (right). Next time, her co-stars should make some effort too.
Do you think stars should dress up for premieres?
photo credit: Wire Image.
With the red carpet exposure for designers rapidly shrinking, fashion publicists are taking no chances on losing a shred of credit. They are now alerting us fashion writers -- before the fact -- of actresses who might possibly wear their designs. (Typically, editors and reporters receive breathless dispatches from publicists that read "Keira Knightley Chose Chanel" or "Angelina Jolie Dazzled in St. John" as the actresses stroll down the red carpet.)
Here's the release that went out:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ELLEN PAGE IS EXPECTED TO WEAR DOLCE & GABBANA AT THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW AWARDS
(New York, NY January 15, 2008) – Ellen Page will be wearing Dolce
& Gabbana at the National Board of Review Awards as she is
nominated for break through performance by an actress for the movie
“Juno”.
Ms. Page will keep it simple and sleek in a black cocktail dress by Dolce & Gabbana.
Clearly, Dolce & Gabbana hopes to get a jump start on the coverage. But it sounds a bit desperate -- much like when I told my friends that Jamie Collins just might possibly be thinking of asking me to the dance in 4th grade. And it shows that actresses have even more of an upper hand than before in who they deign worthy of wearing. It sounds to me like Home Skillet wouldn't commit to the D&G folks before the event.
Luckily for Dolce & Gabbana, she did wear the black dress. (see above)
photo credit: Wire Image
 First, local restaurants offered striking writers discounts on plates of pastas and filet mignons. Some--like La Cachette--even waived their valet fees. Now, the retail community has stepped up to the plate to entice strikers with deals. Undefeated (http://www.undftd.com/), the cool sneaker emporium, is currently giving WGA members a 15% discount. For those who have been picketing and pacing regularly, it may be about time for some new kicks.
Other shops offering a little retail therapy include: 
The Apple Store at the Grove - 15%
Billion Dollar Brows - 20% off brow shaping and 10% off retail items
Point De Vue Salon - 20%
The Shave - 20% off services and 10% off retail items
Ma Jolie - 25% off all non-jewelry items
Hand Made Galleries Boutique - 10%
Native Clothing Store- 15%
Two Tomatoes (home decor) - 10%
In this week's Times, I write about the awkward situations that ensue when Hollywood colleagues are forced to bunk together at the Sundance Film Festival. I am heading up for three days this week and I will blog from there daily.
Here's my piece:
 STRAGGLERS crash on couches, while assistants bicker over who takes up more space in a twin bed. Colleagues who never discuss weekend plans are suddenly complimenting each other's pajamas -- over bowls of Lucky Charms. Or fighting over who finished the soy milk. For Hollywood types, Sundance is like camping without the s'mores.
You could join in and hop a flight to Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival later this week. Too bad there'll be no place for you to stay.
Come Thursday, about 45,000 parka-wearing people will flock to this tiny, former mining town nestled in the Wasatch mountains. But according to the visitors bureau, there are only 23,000 "pillows" for all those well-coiffed heads. And these lopsided lodging logistics cause more confusion and headaches than the altitude sickness.
"You know how important you are by the size of your bed in the company condo," says Jose Martinez, a publicist with Fingerprint Communications who's also known for his wit and gilded Rolodex. "And if you're sharing a bed with a co-worker or a fax machine, you're really low."
To avoid pecking-order uproars or interoffice peccadilloes, most studios, such as New Line, HBO and Miramax, rent large condos that can be divided among colleagues. Ideally, everyone gets a private bedroom. Ideally.
"We're going to see movies from 8 in the morning until midnight every day for six days," says Guy Stodel, senior vice president of acquisitions and co-productions for New Line. "People get cranky. People start crying. We don't share bathrooms."
For those with less equitable accommodations, nabbing the primo room in a company condo is tantamount to bringing enough business cards. The general rule dictates that the highest-level employee commandeers the master bedroom with private bath. Rooms with fireplaces and king-size beds go to the next level. You can trade your hot tub privileges for an upgrade to a corner room with a balcony. A bedroom with a big plasma TV trumps most amenities.
"The interns and first-timers usually get the sofas," says Jeff Vespa, cofounder of photo agency Wire Image, who booked condos for his staff of 85, making sure his bed count exceeds his head count. "It's not good for morale if people are sleeping on the floor."
But when no hierarchy prevails, the natives get ruthless. "I once worked at a studio where people were booking earlier flights to arrive first and get the master bedroom," says Arianna Bocco, vice president of acquisitions and production for IFC Entertainment. "You get there and you stake your claim right away."
That totem pole mentality -- the bigger the title, the bigger the bed -- trickles down to other household functions. Even in a remote mountain town, Hollywood functions as predictably as a complex marine ecosystem. No one wants to be taking a bath when the CEO wakes up and needs a shower. The less powerful agent knows he can't hog the outlet to charge his BlackBerry.
Sometimes, however, a rogue organism disrupts the flow. "I had a co-worker who wanted to throw after-parties at our condo every night," says one film publicity executive, who asked to remain nameless. "I was like, 'It's almost 4 a.m. Are you making breakfast for people?' "
Like contestants on "Survivor," the colleagues glowered behind her back and arranged for a tribal meeting. "Frat girl" -- as she was secretly called by her roommates -- was told to stop playing hostess to the hangers-on.
House rules, or anything goes
OTHER domestic disputes haven't ended with such civility. One publicist recalls suitcases being thrown out in the snow. An ex-producer says he heard about an agent who stoked a fire with a rival agent's down parka.
In short, a house needs to decide unanimously on its status as a work bunker or a destination for blowouts. Word of a party at Sundance spreads quicker than a nasty flu in a sweat lodge. The most exclusive fetes -- think live music and ruggedly handsome bartenders -- happen at private chalets leased by talent agencies such as Endeavor or companies such as Ray-Ban. Invitations go out weeks beforehand, but on that night, anything goes.
Stories abound of inebriated and/or amorous revelers overtaking couches, bearskin rugs and bathtubs as impromptu sleeping quarters. Rumor has it that Paris Hilton showed up with a suitcase a few years back and crashed in a different condo every night, leaving a trail of forgotten makeup in her wake.
Jeff Hill, head of International House of Publicity and a seasoned Sundance vet, recalls the one year when he hosted a bash in his company condo. "We couldn't get the door open to a closet in the morning because a couple was still in there," he says. That may have been the same year that someone broke the bed. "I don't think we got our deposit back that year."
But it's not all horror stories. The forced democracy and domesticity has a sweet, folksy upside too. Usually, the first co-workers to arrive hit the local Albertsons supermarket to stock up the fridge and pantry in the company condo.
"Last year, we found Warner Independent's grocery list in the produce section when we were doing our shopping," says Michael Lawson, senior vice president of independent film publicity firm, mPRm. "It was so Sundance to read 'Get health bars for me' and 'I want root beer.' "
Lawson says his team of seven has a general rule to "be respectful" in the three-bedroom mountain house with the "stereo from 1972" that they rent out every year. There's also a sleeping annex upstairs that he likens to "the orphanage in 'Cider House Rules' with a row of beds along the wall."
Of course, you won't find Harvey Weinstein sharing Hot Pockets with his work brethren. Like most CEOs and power players, he stays in a suite at the posh Stein Ericksen lodge. Cassian Elwes, a William Morris agent who heads up the agency's independent film division, opts for a hotel room on Main Street. "I don't want to tell you which one because I want to be able to get a room next year," he says.
In coming years, the great divide among power brokers and struggling directors will widen when the St. Regis opens in 2008 and Montage resort follows in 2010. Between the two new properties, there will be at least an additional 500 rooms available in Park City, and they will book up faster than the Hotel du Cap during Cannes.
Will this sliver of democratization imposed on Hollywood melt away soon? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, it's survival of the smoothest. "I just had a friend who's a cinematographer ask if he can crash with me next week," says Sharon Swart, a senior editor who covers the indie film scene for Variety. "He said, 'I will stay on the floor and give you foot massages.' "
Photo credits: Sony Home Entertainment; Park City, Mark Maziarz
Every now and again, I take a litmus test on the latest style trends and report back. The insane ones --like daily colonics and implanted eyelashes -- are best left to the crazies. Here are a few easy, quick and sane fads suited for everyone.
Crystal Pout
 Lips color trends veer from matte red to sheer nude overnight, but the latest look —clear gloss — has got to be the easiest to master. Both Cameron Diaz and Mary-Kate Olsen have been spotted wearing just transparent shine on their pouts. The fave in Hollywood? C.O. Bigelow Mentha lip shine in the green tube ($7.50; bigelowchemists.com). Peppermint oil freshens breath and they just came out with a gloss with a slight hint of pink too. 
Iron Maidens
Say so long to kinky stars. Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, and Beyonce have all been spotted with pin-straight hair. The style begs for more dramatic make-up because the look can be severe, so play up your eyes if you decide to go straight. The Sephora purse-sized cordless straightening iron ($225; sephora.com) will come in handy if you need to flatten your locks on the go.
Purple is the New Black
When it comes to nail color anyway. YSL's new Black Tulip ($19;  yslbeauty.com) and OPI’s Siberian Nights (opi.com) are both vamp-y takes on the midnight hue. Mandy Moore likes a plum onyx blend called Branwen’s Feather by Butter London Free 3 ($12; butterlondon). Keep nails short and square if you try this look or you'll resemble a corpse.
Photo credits: C.O. Bigelow; Kidman, Getty Images; OPI.com
When Marc Jacobs announced that Victoria "Posh" Beckham would be his next "it" girl, folks were shocked. Jacobs -- known for his penchant for girls as shy and gangly as newborn foals -- has broken his own mold by using a virtual blow-up doll of a dame as the face of his new ad campaign, shot by Juergen Teller.
Here's a peek at the first image -- with Beckham's legs askew.
Icky, right? Even offensive. It would seem that Victoria Beckham is either dead inside of a Marc Jacobs bag or that she is being born from a shopping bag. Now that I think of it, a shopping bag would probably best represent the womb for her.
WAIT! Now, I get the subtext of this racy ad. In showing Beckham with her legs spread in post-coital slump, Marc Jacobs is clearly telling us that shopping is better than sex. And frankly, I might agree. The mere glimpse of a shoe sale rack makes my knees buckle with anticipation. (Looking for my actual size could be considered foreplay.) When a pair of pants fit me well, I practically orgasm with relief.
And if I hate myself in the morning, I just go back and return everything.
Photo credit: Juergen Teller for Marc Jacobs
... for her sense of style. Or, actually, her calculated lack of style. In a great article about the relevance of a politician's panache in WWD, the cryptic designer for Chanel says:
 "My favorite is Ms. Clinton because you have no real idea what she is wearing. She is so clever and so brilliant that you see only her face — but also what she wears is right, you never really look at it because one is fascinated by her intelligence. But there is never a gimmick or bad detail either."
The article goes on to note how too much Botox or a $400 haircut can affect a stumper's image. I think there's much too much attention paid to Hillary's pocket squares and pantsuits. Will the hem of her pencil skirt affect her ability to reduce our debt? Would she be more focused on healthcare reform if she dabbled in lace?
We don't need our candidates or our future president-to-be tottering around on Lanvin platforms or sporting a Missoni tunic. Don't we have enough style role models with Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Kate Moss? Let the celebrities play fashion plates and the politicians play foreign policy.
Photo credits: Lagerfeld, Vogue; Clinton, Hillary.org
 Simon Doonan, in his New York Observer column, writes about the hazardous edge of fashion. Not creative missteps, but the actual injuries inflicted by certain trends. For Doonan, who is Barney's creative director, it was a man purse that got him down. Clearly, David Beckham (left) and Joel Madden (right) had better watch their backs. Literally!
Doonan says: "I was felled by a man-bag, a Goyard man-bag at that. It happened right before Christmas. After two or three years of lugging round my luxe accessory by the handles — à la runway — I incurred a nasty case of bicep tendinitis. Though not quite on a par with Isadora Duncan’s silk scarf/sports-car-wheel strangling — the ne plus ultra of fashion injuries — mine is a painful and immobilizing condition involving months of rehab."
Ever been tortured by fashion? I have a pair of Christian Louboutin black satin heels that make my feet feel like POWs. I wore them to a black-tie event recently and told my husband that I would rather sleep under the table than have to walk across the ballroom to the valet stand. If I wore these shoes for a week, I would probably need to have my shins amputated.
Photo credits: Beckham, Getty Images; Madden, WireImage
 Q: "What is the standard for women for dressing for a black tie/evening attire event? I am going to an inauguration ball for my town's new mayor and I have no idea what type of dress to wear. I am a plus sized woman so nothing too slinky." -- T.C.
Dear T.C.
When it comes to political events, the rules are fairly simple: Go easy on the cleavage and don't try to upstage the First Lady. In this case, the mayor's wife. A "black-tie ball" calls for more than a chic cocktail dress. A few women will arrive in short dresses that fall just below their knees, but I would rather that you not be one of them. Instead, opt for a dress or gown that grazes the ankles. Even a hem that comes to mid-shin would work, but it's not the most complimentary cut, as it bisects  your legs.
Right now, metallic rules and it's a great shade for going dramatic without wearing a vivid color. It's also a hue that works for any age and flatters any complexion -- unlike green, yellow and a few other tricky colors. Lastly, metallic flatters any body size. (Laura Bush wore a silver sequined dress to the 2005 Commander in Chief ball. Hillary Clinton prefers gold, apparently.)
Here's my pick for you. This Tadashi copper metallic dress in plus sizes up to 3X ($495; saks.com) is ruched around the waist to flatter and the front pleat creates a lovely, long silhouette. I also like the sexy but sophisticated neckline and three-quarter sleeves -- sometimes, our upper arms can be our worst enemies. If you're not sold on this one, go to therosedress.com to see their extensive line of plus-size formal wear.
Be sure to get a simple clutch and a pair of high sexy sandals -- black would be great -- to complete any formal look.
If anyone else has an idea or resource for T.C., don't be shy.
Photo credits: Smithsonian.com; Clinton, amnh.com; Tadashi dress, Saks.com
Thinking about the coming year forces you to reevaluate your priorities and set some personal goals. At the very least, it forces you to turn off the TV or step away from your BlackBerry and examine life as only you know it. Here is my Style Manifesto for 2008. I encourage you to comment below and even come up with your own personal Magna Carta.
10.  Stop wearing tight jeans that leave an indented ring around my waist that looks deceptively like pie crust and makes me hungry for dessert.
9. <
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Once again, the ever increasing appetite for celebrity worship and gossip has caused horrible table manners. EW.com reports that both "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider" have finally decided not to run obtained footage of Heath Ledger allegedly snorting cocaine at the Chateau Marmont. (A commenter notes that Ledger is not shown using drugs at all.) 
show. Apparently, Ledger's publicist and others pressured ET to "let this grieving family bury their son in private and with dignity." I suspect that a few A-list Aussie stars -- Nicole, Naomi, to name a few -- threatened to boycott the shows if they ran the tasteless footage.
