Styles & Scenes

Lindsay flashes, Britney pops and Dakota poses

Hollywood is deserted. Everyone's either at the Toronto Film Festival seeing Oscar-hopeful films or at New York Fashion Week seeing what the 2007 Awards Season trends will be.

Everyone except me.

And since Hollywood is navel ring-drop quiet, I have absolutely nothing to report. I promise there will be a photo-heavy insider story on celeb shopping, Who Sat in the First Row at the New York Shows, on Friday.

But until then, I've been reduced to reading celebrity gossip blogs for amusement. Yes, it's come to this....

So the big question today is: Is Perez Hilton hooked on Firecrotch? Or does he just have friends with too much time on their hands and really cool Photoshop software?

'Cause I find it pretty hard to believe that Lindsay Lohan forgot her underwear again. She may lose a designer bag filled with expensive jewelry in the London airport from time-to-time but gosh, who doesn't? Underwear? Never.

Not that she forgot it the first time. I got an email from Lohan's super chic stylist Rachel Zoe who confirmed that Lindsay was definitely wearing undies under her green chiffon Prada frock at the Venice Film Festival.

So grow up, people. Just say no to Photoshopped celebrity cooch.

According to National Enquirer's breaking news desk, there's a new Tater on the block. And nearly 1-year-old Sean Preston (born Sept 14) and his Caesarean-born new baby brother will be able to celebrate their B-days together. Think of the money Britney and Kevin will be able to save on trailer park barbecue birthday parties. Those clowns, petting zoos and batting cages can mount up.

Teen Vogue snagged Dakota Fanning for her first editorial fashion spread. And they let the child keep a pair of Marc Jacobs boots. This is how it all begins.

And finally, the real reason why Jude Law left his first wife Sadie Frost.

We get it now, Jude

Photo Credit: Photoshop this, PerezHilton! Let's see the blogging crotch-mongers try to make Lindsay's Venice frock -  a lady-like Marchesa gown -  into something lewd and lascivious. 
WireImage/Jeff Vespa

The many faces of Cojo

Covering Hollywood's red carpets has definitely taken a toll on Steven Cojocaru, the flamboyant fashion reporter usually endured on Entertainment Tonight.

The style sniper used to be a dead ringer for hip hairstylist-to-the-stars Sally Hershberger.

But at the recent Emmys, Cojo appeared to be morphing into talk show hostess Ellen DeGeneres.

And you thought Joan Rivers was scary…..

Photo Credits: WireImage

Where were all the nominees?

A few stray stars showed up for the Academy of Televison Arts and Sciences party to honor the Emmy nominees  at the Pacific Design Center Friday night.

"Rescue Me" star Denis Leary wandered in with his wife Ann. The couple looked around horrified and grabbed a quick nibble from the seafood bar. Cloris Leachman did a longer seated chow down and Jane Kaczmarek ran in and out at the last minute.

This made the highlight of the party the official Emmy sponsor Dove Chocolate display – spinning chocolate trays and a box that opened like a snapping treasure chest – complete with bags for guests to scoop up lotsa chocolate and take it home to stuff their faces.

The far more star-studded affair that night was the Gersh Agency’s annual Emmy nominee bash at the Sunset Towers, sponsored by the numero uno high-end tequila Grand Centenario.

Held out by the pool overlooking the twinkle lights of LA, the movers-and-shakers mixer honored Gersh’s big E nominees Debra Messing, Chris Meloni, Elizabeth Perkins, Kyra Sedgwick, Megan Mullally, Kelly MacDonald, and Jeffrey Tambor, along with several "Project Runway" designers such as Nick, Santino, and Raymundo.

Also enjoying the view:, Mary McCormack, Holland Taylor, James Vanderbeek, Balthazar Getty, Kevin Bacon, Jeff Goldblum, Kevin Nealon, Jonathan Silverman, Robin Tunney. Blythe Danner, who’s not even with the agency,  came by  to catch up with Messing. Which makes sense. Remember she played Will’s Mom on “Will and Grace” and they’ve both won Women in Film Lucy Awards.

Messing, chatting with Santino, introduced the fledging fashion force to Warren Littlefield, former head of NBC, saying, “And now I want you to meet the man who responsible for my entire career.” At which point, a grateful Santino hugged Littlefield.

Gosh, moments like those are just priceless.

"The Girl in the Cafe" nominee MacDonald ("Nanny McPhee") told me that her dress that night - a sweet, old-fashioned beige frock - cost just $9.99. Turns out it was purchased in a little clothing shop in New Mexico and reworked by costume designer Mary Zophres on MacDonald's just-wrapped Cohen brothers film, “No Country for Old Men.”

The film, based on a Cormac McCarthy novel, stars Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson. “Yeah, I know,” Kelly said, with that adorable Scottish lilt. “What a bunch of no-talents.”

At the Emmys, Kelly will wear a slightly more upscale frock from Elsie Katz Couture. “They were so lovely and showed me two dresses. The first was kind of a white flapper dress and it was very pretty but the alternate was the one I really loved.”

And no, I’m not going to spoil the surprise and give away any more details. You’ll just have to watch the show to see it.

Photo Credits: Denis Leary and wife make a pit stop at the official Emmy nominee party Friday night.Apparently, no one told that that one goes to it.
WireImage/Mark Sullivan

Photo Credit: Kelly MacDonald - seen here at the London premiere of "Nanny McPhee" - will wear an Elsie Katz design to today's Emmys.
WireImage/Ferdaus Shamim

Lindsay's NOT late to EW Emmy Bash

The hot topic at Saturday's Entertainment Weekly Pre-Emmy bash at Republic on that once-quiet little WeHo street known as Melrose Place?

Is poor maligned Lindsay Lohan POed with William H. Macy for calling her out in People about her constant “rude” tardiness on the set of “Bobby?”

Seems she was also late a lot on that film, as well as on the set of “Georgia Rule,” which also stars Macy’s wife Felicity Huffman. So yeah, let's forget about all those “dehydration” excuses.

But Miss Lohan was all smiles - clad in leggings, loose white top and multiple bracelets - arriving with her pal Samantha Ronson, who was actually not late to work for her DJ duty that night.

“Why do they play the music so loud at a party where all people come for is to talk to each other?”  wondered one guest trying to find a spot to stand without blasting ear-drum destroying speakers.

In between screaming and/or struggling to read lips, guests grabbed Revlon lipsticks (even Blythe Danner, who looked like she could use some), scads of really big TV stars, anxious publicists and happy-to-be-invited anywhere civilian guests ate ice cream, checked out the new Chocolate cell phones and grabbed EW mags strewn about the warehouse-sized club.

One issue had "House" doc Hugh Laurie on the cover. So natch, he was there. The other issue’s cover peeps were “Project Runway”’s perpetually pregnant Heidi Klum and her PR costar Tim Gunn.

Hot babes included Allison Janney, posing with Mariska Hargitay,  in a brown jacket/black jeans, Lisa Edelstein, Kate Walsh,Maggie Grace, Rebecca Gayheart, Sarah Chalke and Angie Harmon.

Tina Fey, Lauren Graham and a tan and actually hot-looking Matthew Perry posed together for photos. Cheryl Hines and Kim Raver, looking tres sexy in a fitted white dress with a bit of black bra showing, were in the house, as well as Lisa (“my lips are so real”) Rinna and Harry Hamlin.

“Rescue Me” nominee Denis Leary showed up with his whole darn family. He and his wife hit the by-contrast rather subdued official Academy of TV Arts and Scienes cocktail party on Friday night at the Pacific Design Center, which was I think is supposed to be like the Oscar nominees lunch.

There’s one big difference. Slim nominee pickings. More may have showed up after I left for The Gersh Agency’s big Grand Centenario-sponsored star studded bash at the Sunset Towers pool bar. But I only spotted Leary, Jane Kaczmarek, Cloris Leachman and Alfre Woodard.

Tip: For better attendance, try throwing the official cocktail party BEFORE the awards ballots are due back, like the AMPAS does. Trust me, it works every time.

Photo Credits: Lindsay Lohan does EW's Emmy bash and she's NOT late! Okay, is that a peace sign Samantha's giving us or some new alternative lifestyle double bird? WireImage/John Shearer
Photo Credits: Blythe grabs some Revlon lipstick. Let's pray the Earth Grandmother wears some to the Emmys.  WireImage/Eric Charbonneau
Photo Credits: Just because Heidi's preggers and Gunn may be a little light in the loafers does not mean that they cannot behave like total EW Publicity Hos. WireImage/John Shearer
Photo Credits: Allison Janney takes a break from swag shopping (thank God) to squeeze her Emmy competition to death. Hey, Allison, is that a knife in my back or are you just glad to see me? WireImage/ Michael Caulfield

Hey Kyra, show us your Choos!

I know you've all been holding your breath until you found out which actresses may wear Jimmy Choo heels to Sunday's Emmy Awards and the after-parties.

Here is your long-awaited list of Choo-Junkie nominees, presenters and guests:

Kyra Sedgwick,  Ellen Pompeo, Katherine Heigl, Heather Locklear, Calista Flockhart, Evangeline Lilly, Kelly MacDonald, Cheryl Hines, Candice Bergen, Jaime Pressley, Jaime King, Megan Mullally, Jenna Fischer, Leslie Bibb, Jacelyn Smith, Tina Fey, Kelly Carlson, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Judy Reyes.

Hopefully, some of these gals will be sporting those shorter skirts we've been hearing about so we can finally see these darn expensive, sexy shoes.

Photo Credits:. Kyra Sedgwick looks elegant at the Loverboy premiere in New York in June. Bet she looks even better at Sunday's Emmy Awards. But wear a short skirt, we beg you.
WireImage/Jim Spellman

Ah, the Emmy Suite Life!

Seen on the Suite Scene:

"West Wing" Emmy nominee Allison Janney was spotted picking out two rings from Space Mermaid, a new line of jewelry that also got Paula Abdul’s attention at the GBK gifting/pampering suites at the newly revamped Sofitel Hotel.

Paula admired three necklaces (mother of pear/coral sea horse, gold sea horse/starfish, a long gold charm one) and a quartz crystal and copper wire-wrapped ring.

And she was so darn nice, fledgling jewelry designer Stephanie Carbone gave her all of them. "She took the time to talk, giving out hugs and encouragement. She couldn't have been any sweeter or more generous with her time."

That's probably why they call Paula "the nice one."

The GBK invite put the Gift Bag at "$30,00 and growing." But it wasn't limited to just high-end items. Although folks did seem to covet the gold-plated BizBuzz Nokia phone ($2,500) more than a bottle of Ed Begley’s eco-friendly Best Cleaning Product or the really practical dog leash with a built-in flashlight and poop bags.

Janney was spotted gobbling up several designer chocolates before stopping, telling the maker, “I still have to fit into my Emmy dress.”

In the hills, Emmy nominee Debra Messing picked out a new watch from designer Charlie Lapson at the “Iced Out” Emmy suite, held at a private home above Sunset Plaza. You remember Charlie. ALL the "Housewives" carry his fab purses and they'll love his new watches that pass as fine jewelry.

Messing also snagged a pair of Cameron Diaz’s fave super-soft jeans designed by David Kahn (you can pay for yours at Nordstrom). And she stepped out in two free pairs of Stuart Weitzman heels, one in a red/brown color recommended by stylist Vivian Turner because It matches your hair!” Yeah, that’s how I choose my shoes, too.

Nicollette Sheridan grabbed some free Weitzmans and posed provocatively wearing her spiky new heels. Larry King popped in with a bright turquoise shirt and his wife Shawn. Geena Davis got a new Lapson bag and picked out a diamond necklace from WhiteFlash, billed as a conflict-free diamond company.

What’s a conflict-free diamond, you ask? Well, according to the Diamond Industry, they all are now, thanks to the self-regulating Kimberly Process. But groups like Amnesty International aren't so sure. Trust me, you’ll be hearing more about the whole conflict-free bling business when Warner Bros.’ new film “The Blood Diamond” is released in December.

Tip: anyone who wants a conflict-free diamond is advised to do a lot of research and not simply trust a diamond company’s ad copy. 

Star suite updates: "Closer" Emmy nominee Kyra Sedgwick and Allison Janney (does this woman have time for anything but suite shopping this week?) will attend the fabulous Silver Spoon Hollywood Buffet Thursday (that's today) at a private residence in Hollywood.

And "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Emmy nomie Mariska Hargitay is scheduled to stop by on Friday.

No, I don't know what time. And no, I’m not going to tell you where the Silver Spoon is being held. Get a life, Stalker Freaks.

Photo Credits: Debra Messing poses with jeanius denim designer David Kahn jeanius at the "Iced Out" Emmy Suite
WireImage/Katie Hawkins
Photo Credits: Nicollette Sheridan does a little lap dance on a trapped Stuart Weitzman shoe rep at the "Iced Out" Emmy Suite.
WireImage/Katie Hawkins

Britney lacks support at the Teen Choice Awards

Will someone please tell Britney Spears that she's no Heidi Klum?

Britney - pregnant with her 'Irish twin' - turned up Sunday to support hubby Kevin Federline at the Teen Choice Awards.

But she forgot an essential maternity tool - a dependable bra - and wore a pink chiffon minidress that could barely contain her lactation devices. And the short frock revealed far too much enlarged thigh.

As all style-conscious pregnant women know, it's a pair of still-shapely legs or an increased bustline, never reveal both at once.

Britney introduced her ersatz rapper, saying "This show has been very good to me and my career over the years. I'm hoping it will be as good to our next performer."

K-Fed proceeded to prance around the stage, dancing, grabbing his... bling, and singing "Lose Control" from his new album. After watching Fed's not-so-fancy footwork, one has to wonder, "He was one of Britney's backup dancers? How is that possible?" If you missed it, click here to see Kevin get down in flames.

According to USA Today, Fox network lost control and bleeped him many times for language that was not TV-PC. Even "American Idol" Paula Abdul, who praises anyone who can carry a tune in a bucket, wasn't impressed with K-Fed's vocal abilities. 

No sign of Brit and Kev's infant son, Tater Tot.  Brit must have left him at home with a suitable sitter. Or maybe the little lad was waiting in his parent's idling limo. Let's just hope they cracked the window.

I hear the expectant mother stopped by the Backstage Creations Celebrity Retreat during the show. What caught her eye? A big stuffed Hello Kitty and a My Scene Fab Faces doll wearing a pink satin gown, white fur and diamond necklace.

It's unlikely those pink girly playthings are for little Tater Tot. So is it possible that Britney and Kevin's next joint project might be a baby girl? Your thoughts?

Photo Credits: Britney Spears needs to put away the spaghetti straps for a while.
WireImage/Kevin Mazur

Photo Credits: Britney picks out a suspiciously estrogen-loaded toy at the Teen Choice Celebrity Retreat. Get ready for a little sister, Tater Tot.
WireImage/Mark Sullivan

Do Hollywood Swag Addicts need an IRS intervention?

It's okay. You can all relax. Looks like Oscar presenters, performers and nominees won’t have to pay back taxes on their past gift baskets, after all.

According to a release from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, they've reached a “mutually satisfactory agreement” with the IRS settling the tax obligations on gift bags up until 2005.

What a relief. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been losing sleep about this ever since I heard rumors that Academy swag bags filled with goodies, fabulous trips, services, designer stuff estimated at $75-100 grand, might be dubbed additional income and could cause a slight tax hike for celebs.

Because I’m sure these poor stars who make $10-50-100 million per movie don’t have accountants who can hide a gift basket or find a charity contribution to offset a measly hundred grand. I've also been worried about what the elimination of goody bags might do to the Hollywood re-gifting habit when all that unwanted swag is handed out on birthdays/holidays to loyal servants, maids, gardeners, hairdressers, personal trainers, manicurists, stylists, pet-sitters and yes, even friends.

C’mon, guys. You know you do it.

But gift bags will continue. And the recipients of the Oscar gift basket given at the 2007 awards will be issued appropriate informational tax forms by the Academy and will be responsible for satisfying their income tax obligations.

“We appreciate the Academy’s leadership on this issue,” IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson says in the release. “The gift basket industry has exploded, and it’s important that the groups running these events keep in mind the tax consequences.”

“We are happy to have reached an agreement with the IRS which works to the benefit of the gift basket recipients and the Academy,” said Academy president Sid Ganis.

Ganis said that it was unclear as to when the practice of thanking Academy Award presenters and performers with baskets began, but that it was well established by the early '70s.  The major stars who present awards on the show are not paid for that service, and the performers receive only the minimum union payment.

Over time these so-called “thank-you gifts” – call them incentives - became more elaborate as hotels, resorts and high-end clothing lines vied to associate their services and products with Hollywood’s most famous names.

In April, the Academy Board of Governors voted to discontinue the practice of thanking Academy Awards presenters and performers with gift baskets.

And publicity about the baskets led Everson to issue a press release three days prior to the 2006 Academy Awards broadcast which focused on gift baskets and pointed out that “movie stars face the same tax obligations as ordinary Americans.” 

“The Commissioner worked some movie titles into his reminder that gave it a humorous spin,” Ganis said, “but the basic message was clear:  the contents of the baskets, however much we may have been inclined to view them as mannerly thank-yous, in fact constitute taxable income.  And since we didn’t want any of our presenters to get hit retroactively for a gift we had given them, we asked the Service if there was a way for us to take on the tax obligations and they were very willing to work with us.”

Whew. Well, at least that’s over with. But somebody should tell IRS Commissioner Everson that this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is more work that must be done. He may not realize that the Oscar gift basket created a virus of freeby fests that sprout up all year round in Hollywood.

And trust me, it’s reached dangerous and toxic levels...

Photo Credits: Hollywood life imitates "Sopranos" art. Michael Imperioli makes off with his goody bag stash at the VHI Big in 2002 Awards. Bet Tony doesn't want it!
WireImage/Jeff Vespa

Fur will fly at Emmy parties

The Emmy Awards party scene will be missing a VIP - Very Important Puppy - a trend-setting teacup Yorkie named Junebug.

Last Awards season Junebug was seen kissing Paris Hilton at the Gay Idols of Hollywood bash and being petted by “Scrubs” star Zach Braff at the InStyle Golden Globes bash.

She appeared on CNN, the TV Guide Channel and E!, and planned to make her first red carpet appearance with Joan and Melissa Rivers at the upcoming Emmys.

Sadly, Junebug, just one year old, died recently during what should have been a routine spay procedure by a vet reputed to be a small dog expert.

“She was on her way to becoming the next Benji,” says her owner, Jake Dynnis, Hollywood’s canine couturier, who designs Jackrocketwear, an exclusive line of upscale made-to-measure cashmere sweaters, gowns, tuxedos, crystal-studded T’s, as well as doggie spa products and cookies.  

Devastated by Junebug's sudden death, Dynnis tried to bury herself in work. But she'd also lost her best fit model. Most of the hand-made clothes were for Junebug. Even Dynnis' new pet bed – the Junebuggle Bed – was ready to be shown to the pet world. Her dog line has appeared in People, In Touch and InStyle and her doggie spa products were included in the 2006 Golden Globes gift basket. And her celeb clients - Natalie Portman, Mariah Carey, Adrien Brody, Lindsay Lohan, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Sharon Osbourne, Jessica Simpson, Nic Cage, Tori Spelling and natch, Paris Hilton - were clamouring for new duds.

Despite her grief, Dynnis got back to business and searched the Yorkie Universe to find a new Yorkie girl named Coco.

Junebug’s breeder, Renotta Oliver, says her website has been flooded with requests for her pocket-sized pups after news of Junebug’s glamorous life and untimely death spread.

Oliver plans to fly to LA and attend a few Emmy parties with Dynnis and Coco. So if you see a new foxy furball - Coco - looking fierce in her Jackrocketwear designer duds, just wave and say "Grrrrr."

Photo Credits: Paris Hilton was caught kissing Junebug earlier this year.
Courtesy of Getty Images.

Photo Credits: Coco, relaxing in her Junebuggle Bed, will make her debut at some Emmy parties. 
Courtesy of Jackrocketwear.com

Lindsay wins Zit War, sets Emmy party fashion trend

Even though Lindsay Lohan was recently scolded by a studio head for staying out late, partying like a rock star and being rushed to a hospital (again) for dehydration, she still manages to look fantastic.

How does she do it?

First off, she’s young. At that tender age, everyone bounces back fast, even after a week of late nights.

Plus she has major hair peeps, makeup artists and stylists who keep her looking good, even on two hours sleep. Heck, she can probably get in some shut-eye sitting in the chair while they work their hair/makeup magic.

Natch, rumors are that her "glow" of late is due to her new love interest, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino heir, Harry Morton.

Now Harry's cute and all. But the truth is, it's the zit cream.

Seems the once-troubled skin star is now endorsing the anti-acne line called Proactiv Solution, a line she claims to use faithfully. And she's even on the pimple-fighting line’s new national TV advertisement.

But it's not as low rent as it sounds. Past Proactiv endorsers include Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson and Diddy. Yes, that Diddy.

“My skin, thanks to Proactiv, is clear all the time,” chirps Lohan on the infomercial. “Proactiv heals acne, but the best thing is that it’s super gentle, so it works every day like skin care. That’s how I use it, and it works.” 

Keep using whatever detox stuff works, Linds. Cause you're gonna need spotless skin for the upcoming Emmy party scene.

If Lindsay's Emmy party line-up is as crowded as her last Oscar bash sked, she'll be one busy fashionista. On Oscar night, Lindsay wore a different frock to three Oscar post-parties, setting a new Awards Season quick-change record.

Will Lindsay's Oscar fashion show spark a new trend? Will we see other young actresses pulling a Lohan and wearing a different dress - perhaps a Chanel (not vintage, thanks), an Armani, some YSL, a piece of Prada and a decadent Dior - to the TV Guide, EW, ET/People and HBO Emmy after-parties? 

It's highly possible. One Hollywood style insider mused, "That's a lot of frocks for just one night. But who knows? It sounds totally insane but when you think about it, its a great way for these girls to satisfy several designers and not offend anyone."

And if those nasty "pay to play" rumors are true (actresses being financially compensated for wearing designer dresses to awards shows and parties), it's also a great way to make a few extra grand so you don't have to stoop to doing zit cream infomercials.

Photo Credits: Is Harry Morton the cause of Lindsay's glow? Or is it her Proactiv pimple cream?  We may never know. But her skin is on high beam at the Saturn Vue X-games party on August 2
WireImage/Barry King