Styles & Scenes

Blurrr! It's awards season leather weather

The 2007 Awards Campaign Season has officially begun.

And just in time for all those Guild, BAFTA and HFPA Q&As, comes  a leather line - Blur- so soft and light that A-list actresses are already tossing the sweater-soft jackets over trendy tent dresses and  trapeze tops.

Blur leather is the latest LOC (leather of choice) for award winning actresses Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett and Sandra Oh. But it’s not all young fashionistas. Even Jane Fonda has a Blur jacket. Go to the Blur website to see photos of these actresses and more.

Bologna-born designer Claudio Cristofori designs and creates these edgy leather jackets by dying them in wooden barrels, natural drying and hand polishing. Each intricately detailed piece – shirts, cropped motorcycle jackets, long trenches and blazers -- has wrinkles, colors and imperfections that are totally unique, something all stars appreciate.

And turns out that Blur owner Farshid Javaheri is married to Hollywood’s hottest hair colorist, Negin Zand, who works at Sally Hershberger’s celebrity-strewn salon on Melrose Place, where you’re likely to stumble over Kim Basinger, Meg Ryan,  Britney Murphy, Rene Zellweger, and Ashley Scott getting colors, cuts and extensions. Not coincidentally, many of Negin’s regulars include some of those same sun-kissed babes who are also into Blur leather.

Javaheri notes: “In the same way that Negin does hair color - high and low lights - but doesn’t damage the hair, Blur’s distressing techniques also don’t destroy the leather, just makes it smooth and comfortable, kind of like a cashmere sweater.”

Blur's been featured in  O, Lucky, WWD, Angeleno and Instyle. And the lux leather line is sold at chic boutiques like Max Field, Fred Segal, Tracey Ross, Madison, Traffic and Curve. It’s available online too. And Blur just started making bags and newly single Jessica Simpson was one of the first stars to snatch one.  And here’s the real scandal: she bought it at an actual store. Go figure.

When stars are willing to actually pay for something, you know it's good. "Sex and the City" style-setter Sarah Jessica Parker loved her Blur Panama crop jacket so much that she called to order five more in different colors. And she declined the offered freebies and paid for her leather jacket collection.

We salute you, SJP!

Photo Credits: Here's the Blur jacket that Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Sarah Jessica Parker literally can't get enough of. AND she paid!
Courtesy of Blur Leather.
Photo Credits: Sarah Jessica Parker took off her Blur jacket for the launch of her new Lovely fragrance in New York. Love the return of that wild sexy hair, SJ.
WireImage/Dimitrios Kambouri

Jaime gets glazed for the Emmys

Top LA hair colorist Negin Zand’s clients include oh, just a few famous  females with fabulous hair: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Scarlett Johansson and Mariska Hargitay.

So she clearly knows a little something about coloring hair but keeping it healthy. Her trademark is highlights and color that looks completely natural using Bailage, not foils.

So what’s going to look new on the Emmy carpet Sunday?

“I don’t think any actress is going to make a big change right before a big event or an awards show. It’s not the time. Plus it’s the end of summer and not yet fall so it’s a strange time for a color change.”

But Zand, who works at Sally Hershberger's Salon on Melrose Place, does suggest John Frieda’s new Luminous Color Glaze, the first and only at-home glaze treatment that adds a touch of color, a boost of shine and a smooth silky feel in just three minutes.

“It’s genius,” Zand raved Thursday at the John Frieda Pre Emmy Suite in the Roosevelt Hotel penthouse suite, where she’d been glazing Jaime Pressley, Ming Na and Tia Carrera’s hair.

“There’s never been a product like this for home use. It will keep your color fresher longer with just a hint of color and a lot of shine.”

So now you know why Pressley's hair will look so darn shiny on Sunday. She's been glazed!

Photo Credits: Jaime Pressley gets glazed by  top colorist Negin Zand at the John Frieda Pre- Emmy Suite on Thursday.
WireImage/Lester Cohen

Penelope sees Suri! Bet Nic's PO-ed

Penelope Cruz - Tom Cruise’s ex-girlfriend and Katie Holmes' stunt double - has followed Scientologist Leah Remini and Hubbard fan Jada Pinkett Smith by blabbing to People about having seen Cruise's mythical daughter Suri.

Cruz is not, I repeat, not a Scientologist. That she refused to join the church was rumored to be one reason behind the couple's split. Of course, there were also nasty rumors that the Spanish actress received a career boost and financial compensation for doing three years of Tom time.   

Okay, does anyone else find it odd that a short-lived ex-girlfriend would be given the famous infant look/see? What about Cruise's ex-wife and mother of his adopted children, Nicole Kidman? What is she, chopped liver?

And where exactly did Penelope spot Suri, who has not been seen in public since her birth on April 18? At Tom's California mansion or his huge Colorado pad?

Penelope gave no details to press peeps at the London premiere of her new film, “Volver.” And to be honest, stripped of her Cruise connection, few reporters would have bothered talking to her at all.

She was also asked about her split from Matthew McConaughey but she got all teary and refused to discuss it. Oh, please, Chiquita. You are way better off without them, both the creepy control freak and the boozing bongo-banging party animal.

Anyway, there are rumblings that People may soon publish photos that will prove the existence of Baby Suri. She may not get as much (a reported $4 million) as Baby Shiloh did. But there are modes of payment other than mere moola. Like, fer instance, lots of favorable stories/good publicity in People, something the couch-jumping Cruise could certainly use to boost his image after "MI3"'s dismal box office.

Last week it was reported that Cruise's longstanding 13-year deal with Paramount Studios has been allowed to, well, lapse, to put it politely. The studio, which paid close to $20 million a year as part of the agreement to get first shot at Cruise's film projects, has not renewed the sweet deal.

So smile pretty, Suri. C'mon, smile for Daddy!

Photo Credit: Tom Cruise warms up by practicing his publicity pose with Penelope Cruz - Katie Holmes stand-in - at a pediatric AIDS fundraiser back in 2002.
WireImage/Lester Cohen.

Keira Knightley takes the plunge

One of Oscar nominee Keira Knightley’s fave British designers - Jenny Packham - will have a special fashion show in Los Angeles in October, just in time for  2007 award season shopping. The show will be sponsored by BAFTA/LA.

Packham, who usually parades her wears on London and Paris runways, has been dubbed "the first lady of partywear" by British Vogue, who certainly should know.

No doubt a few of her fervent fans like Nicole Kidman, Mandy Moore, Kate Moss, Mena Suvari, Brittany Murphy, Heidi Klum and Scarlett Johansson, who just wrapped the new Woody Allen film "Scoop" in London, will show up for Packham's show.

Knightley and Packham just worked together on a photo to aid Fresh2o, a campaign to promote WaterAid, which provides African and Asian communities safe domestic water supplies. In this eerie underwater shot by aquatic photographer Candice, Knightly (gulp) manages to hold her breath beautifully in a frothy cream Packham gown.

Just so you know, Knightley, who walked the red carpet wearing white Chanel at Saturday's premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest" at Disneyland, flew back to jolly old England the very next day to keep filming Ian McEwan’s “Atonement,” which has, to say the least, an impressive female cast.

On the "Atonement" roster: Emily Watson, Brenda Blethyn, Vanessa Redgrave, Kristin Scott Thomas and... Betty White.

Yes, that Betty White, best known for playing sexually voracious Sue Ann Nivens on the '70s TV series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and for her loveable ditzy Rose on the early ‘90s  hit series, “Golden Girls.” Who knew?

Photo Credits: Keira is a bathing beauty for charity in a Jenny Packham gown.
Courtesy of WaterAid.

Every dog has it's wedding day

Rumors are swirling about the Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes pre-nup that will guarantee Katie $3 million a year and a Montecito mansion, if she stays married to the Scientologist star for ten years. After ten years, community property laws take over and she gets half his everything. But better ask Nicole Kidman how that ten year bit works, Kate. Remember Nic got the boot just before the big fat pay-off. 

Anyway, it’s refreshing to hear about one Hollywood couple who didn’t need no stinkin’ prenup and had a small, sweet ceremony at a friend's beach house with just one paparazzi.

The bitch - I mean, the bride -  Emma Ball, was radiant in a white chiffon gown adorned with white roses. The handsome stud - sorry, groom - was Bob Bernholtz-Williams and the couple tied the leash - sorry, knot - last week.

Darn, you figured it out. Yup, they’re dogs.

Bob belongs to Andrea Bernholtz, president of Rock & Republic, the hot and hip denim company. And Emma belongs to Michael Ball,  Rock and Republic CEO and head designer. Irony Alert: Katie is a fan of R&R jeans and sat in the front row at a recent runway show.

Doggie nuptial details: There was a 3-tier wedding cake from Three Dog Bakery, the place that did Pamela Anderson’s dog’s wedding cake. Party favors included cool stuff like Chewy Vuitton furry purses and I-Paws squeaky toys. After the ceremony, the couple was whisked off on a motorcycle that read “Just Married.”

No info on the honeymoon because word is Emma is already one month pregnant.

Wow. That is like so Hollywood.

Photo Credit: Studly Bob and his blushing bride Emma before exchanging tender butt sniffs at their beachfront wedding ceremony. Photo courtesy of Think PR.

Vera Wang curries fashion favor at the Oscars

Now that the Oscar dust has settled, which designer was the most popular on the red carpet?

You could call it a tie. Dior dressed two big names: presenter Charlize Theron and the adorable first lady of the evening, best actress Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon.

Theron’s forest green silk gown with a benign tumor-sized shoulder bow didn’t win over most style seers. But Witherspoon’s honestly vintage 1955 beaded Dior frock was a major thumbs-up, despite criticism that the gown was "too much dress" for the petite actress.

But Vera Wang also dressed two important ladies — both best actress nominees — and both of her creations were wildly hailed. "Brokeback Mountain" nominee Michelle Williams wore a Wang curry-hued '30s-inspired chiffon gown. And "Pride & Prejudice" nominee Keira Knightley looked to-the-manor-born in Wang’s fishtail hem burgundy gown.

And here's a surprise: Versace, usually deemed a bit too racy for the Oscars, came in third, designing for three presenters: Jessica Alba's gold gown, Salma Hayek's blue wrapped gown and Hilary Swank's strapless black number.

Other fashion forces at the 2006 Oscars:

Photo: Michelle Williams won fashion favor at the Oscars for her curry-colored Vera Wang chiffon gown.
(Steve Granitz / WireImage)

Forget the beef. Where's the Chanel?

Reese Witherspoon and Charlize Theron in Dior. Jessica Alba in Versace. Keira Knightley and Michelle Williams in Vera Wang. Amy Adams in Carolina Herrera. Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga. Naomi Watts in Givenchy.

Hey, wait a minute. Where’s the Chanel?

Good question.

International fashion experts are buzzing about the fact that for the first time in almost a decade, there was not a single Chanel creation on the Oscars red carpet.

Was Hollywood slapping Chanel’s liver-spotted hand for having handed “Walk the Line” Witherspoon a very previously worn vintage gown to wear to the Golden Globes back in January? She won only to find out that her dress had been sported by Kirsten Dunst to a Golden Globe Awards party in 2003?

Mon Dieu!

The resulting comparisons between Reese and Kirsten (who looked better?) wearing the same sparkly Chanel frock became an embarrassment for Witherspoon’s camp and a horror for Chanel, who had no real explanation for why the mix-up had happened. Say what you will about how silly this big brouhaha was — but for a designer to dress a Golden Globes winner in a recently worn dress — not to mention one that was worn by another blonde twenty-something actress at the same awards just two years prior — was deemed simply unforgivable.

Even though Witherspoon's publicist issued a public statement "forgiving" the luxury house, many remained skeptical. "We all knew there would be some kind of retribution," whispered a Los Angeles-based fashion rep.

Observers recall a major Chanel statement at the 69th Academy Awards with Celine Dion in a sparkly silver gown. And Chanel haute couture really made headlines with Julianne Moore's stunning black gown at the 72nd Oscars. Recently Kidman was almost a CC regular, wearing Chanel to the 74th and 76th awards.

“Since 2000, Chanel has always been present at the Oscars and the house has always been very select and discerning with their red carpet placements,” says Oscar.com’s longtime fashion expert Tom Julian. “It was quite obvious that the label was not present on Sunday night.”

Why? Everyone has theories.

“Perhaps actresses — or more importantly, their publicists — were still reticent over the Reese Witherspoon debacle. Maye they did not want to generate press for Chanel since they might also come under close scrutiny for wearing a previously worn dress. But whatever the reason, it was obvious that many of the nominees have moved on this year.”

Some style seers say the snub was unintentional. "Designers' presence on the Oscar carpets is always cyclical and the timing of Chanel's disappearance is merely a coincidence," says Mariiyn Heston, who represents Elie Saab, Thomas Wylde, Bebe and others.

Others say the deeper problem is a loss of fashion faith. “It all comes down to trust. If you can’t trust a luxury fashion house to provide your client with a unique gown for an event as big as the Oscars, well, then there is no point in having a relationship with them,” sniffed one top Hollywood personal publicist. Ouch.

What can Chanel and other fashion houses learn from this?

“It’s a very important lesson,” Julian says. “Never take this world too lightly and always have a strategy in place — otherwise negative press and bad fashion buzz will get you. And always remember that the celebrity has to protect their fashion reputation and standing, not yours.”

Some stylists note that it may be smarter for major designers to continue to work selectively and closely with actresses who are tied to their commercial campaigns.

One thing is certain. Chanel must slowly rebuild a relationship with Hollywood. And some insiders predict that major payola — a pay-to-play routine — will be a big factor in Chanel getting any gowns on the 2007 awards carpets.

Photo: Now this is a dress for the Hollywood history books. Reese Witherspoon is elegant, classic and feminine in a 1955 vintage Dior gown. Take that, Chanel!
(Kevork Djansezian / AP)

Nicole Kidman raises the Oscar fashion bar

 
Finally, a  real Oscar fashion veteran!

Glamour is now guaranteed on the red carpet with today's announcement that Nicole Kidman — Oscar-winning actress and fashion world dahhling — will present at the 78th Academy Awards show on March 5.

Kidman, nominated twice for an Academy Award, took home her best actress Oscar in 2003 for portraying Virginia Woolf in "The Hours."

So what will she wear this year? Oh, please. Like she's gonna spill those style beans this early.

But looking back, a fresh-faced Kidman accompanied Tom Cruise to the Oscars in 1994 wearing a black velvet Valentino design.

She did a pale lilac Prada high-waisted frock in '96, an Asian-inspired chartreuse John Galliano gown in '97 and a Christian Dior gold lamé goddess gown in '98.

In 2002, she went girly wth a feminine pink chiffon Chanel couture design. But in 2003, Kidman accessorized her more dramatic Jean Paul Gaultier draped black dress with a gold Oscar.

And in 2004, the actress was elegant in an ice blue crystal beaded Chanel couture gown, designed by Karl Lagerfeld and reputed to have taken 400-plus hours to complete.

Chanel is probably a fashion front-runner and Kidman is still the highly paid face of Chanel's No. 5 fragrance. But it's by no means a lock. As her PMK rep Catherine Olim has repeatedly noted, "Nicole has working relationships with several designers."

Let's just hope she acessorizes with her hot Grammy date, Aussie rocker Keith Urban.

Photo: Was Nicole Kidman thinking about her Oscar attire at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Honors for Rupert Murdoch in New York last month? Oh, probably not.
(Stephen Lovekin / WireImage)

Mr. Blackwell should skip the Grammys

Next week, Mr. Blackwell, that arcane and increasingly anachronistic clothing critic, will release his 46th annual best- and worst-dressed list.

Last year, the fashionable fop stuck the Simpson sisters, Lindsay Lohan, Nicollette Sheridan, Courtney Love, Paris Hilton, Serena Williams, Paula Abdul, Britney Spears, Anna Nicole Smith and Meryl Streep on his Nay list. No major arguments there, although picking on Streep seems a bit below the belt.

To his credit, his 2004 thumbs-ups included these Red Carpet hotties: Natalie Portman, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Annette Bening, Scarlett Johansson, Teri Hatcher and Jennifer Garner, many of whom will show off their style sense at the 2006 awards shows in the next few months.

Blackwell’s 2005 list goes out on Jan. 10. But this week, the doddering ascot wearer sent out a press release about his "updated criteria" for selecting winners and losers.

"It is important to note that the criteria for style has changed with each new generation. The standard exemplified by the Lana Turner's and Deborah Kerr's (huh?) has been replaced by a modern sensibility influenced by a changing social attitude."

He maintains "Despite the encouraging fact that so many film sirens blossomed into fabulous fashion-plates, the style-challenged music biz overcompensated in a cavalcade of camp." Uh, what?

And he reveals that the finalists who won a place in his Worst Dressed infamy did so "on the basis of their wardrobes — or lack thereof."

Guess there’s no point explaining to this poor old codger that modern music stars’ state-of-undress has nothing to do with taste and everything to do with selling CDs, ringtones and podcasts. Or, as he might call them, "33, 45, and 78 RPMs."

Memo to Blackwell: If seeing all that exposed fresh flesh is so upsetting, just stop watching the darn Grammys! Try the Turner Classic Movie Channel instead.

Photo: Fashion critic Mr. (Richard) Blackwell reveals his true colors at a 2004 LA.com gala.
(Lester Cohen / WireImage)

Star Watt-age at the Aussie Designer Showcase?

Talk about good timing.

With Naomi Watts poised for awards nods for her heartbreaking heroine in "King Kong," there couldn't be a better year for the Australian designers to make a big splash in the Los Angeles market.

That's no doubt why the Australian Designers Showcase, presented by Hardy Wines, will take place at the Hollywood Palladium on Jan 18, 2006. Top Down Under designers Toni Maticevski, Aurelio Costarella, White Suede, Gail Sorronda, Wheels & Doll Baby, Dogstar, and It Girl will present their wears to media, stylists, buyers and stars, as part of G'Day LA: Australia Week's official sked. The Australian designers have high hopes to dress stars for red carpets and land product placements in films and TV shows.

Hey, Marissa and Summer's designer duds on "The O.C." could sure use some international input. And how about reviving Gabrielle's fagged out wardrobe on "Desperate Housewives?" Hold your PC horses. According to Australia's national dictionary, the Macquarie Dictionary, that means "completely exhausted" in Aussie slang.

Simon P. Lock, managing director of IMG Fashion Asia Pacific and founder of Mercedes Australian Fashion Week boasts, "Australian designers are world-class and international showcases such as this event will cement our reputation for breeding truly innovative and professional fashion business and dynamic brands."

Expected stars will include Nicole Kidman and her new beau Keith Urban, Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Rachel Griffiths, Melissa George and Olivia Newton-John. Watts may show up too, schedule permitting.

Oh, and there's a promised "stylish and upbeat" cocktail party after the show, where there'll no doubt be plenty of shrimp on the barbie.

Photo: Naomi Watts, seen at the Paris "King Kong" premiere, may hit the Australian Designers Showcase next month in Los Angeles.
(Tony Barson / WireImage)