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

Who had the better bash? Scarlett or Ben?

There was a real Hollywood flashback this week with the premieres of “The Black Dahlia” and “Hollywoodland,” both held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills.

Both period movies deal with unsolved Hollywood deaths, the brutal murder of a wanna-be actress named Elizabeth Short and the strange suicide of TV’s “Superman” star George Reeves.

But there was no comparison between the films’ after-parties.

The rumblings at the low-key “Dahlia” post party in the main lobby of AMPAS ranged from polite congrats to Scarlett Johansson- wearing a Chanel frock and a Streisand do-  and her on-and-off-screen beau Josh Hartnett to one woman loudly announcing “I want that two hours of my life back!” and getting quite a few “Me too” responses. Director Brian DePalma didn’t bother to stay for the bash. And Hilary Swank, who was one of the film’s hilarious highlights, was also a no-show.

But the “Hollywoodland” bash at the historic Beverly Hills Hotel was a far more upbeat, lavish and star-studded affair. The party was poolside with lots of bouquets on tables inside cabanas, white coated waitiers, cigarette girls, a brightly lit “Hollywoodland sign,” displays of Chopard jewelry (including Reeves' watch seen in the film) and half a dozen vintage cars deposited stars in front of the hotel.

Not only were all the film's stars in attendance - Bob Hoskins, Adrien Brody, Robin Tunney, Diane Lane and others - but Ben Affleck, who plays Reeves, brought his wife Jennifer Garner, his brother Casey, his pal Matt Damon with his wife, Luciana Barroso.

It was nice to see the best buds -  who burst on the Hollywood scene in ‘97 with “Good Will Hunting,” grabbed a Best Screenplay Oscar and made headlines by dating two hot actresses Gywneth Paltrow and Winona Ryder -  now look like mature, happily married family men. What a difference almost a decade makes.

It was clearly Ben’s big night. The actor was affable, charming and relaxed, the way he was pre-J-Lo, just hanging with his friends and family, chatting with well-wishers and even talking to reporters about the role that some partygoers were dubbing his “comeback.”

“It’s a great role and that was obvious to me from the start," Affleck admitted. “George is an icon, but a tragic figure, a kind guy and a sad guy. He represents one thing to the nostalgic consciousness of the American TV watching audience. And now they get a chance to see his perspective on the show and it's quite different from what you’d expect.”

But he was also relieved that he’d managed to dump the pounds he packed on to play Reeves. “At least I’ve finally lost all that weight. It would have been so embarrassing to show up at the premiere, five months after the film was shot and still be carrying all that around.”

Producer James Schamus could not be more pleased with Ben’s performance, which some insiders say could nab him a Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

“Getting Ben was the luckiest thing that has happened to us in a long time,” said Shamus. “This guy is a gem. And not only is he a fine actor who is also a movie star but he’s one of the most intelligent and the kindest guys in this business.”

“We’d heard that Ben was interested in the role and we just kept coming back to his name,” explained director Allen Coulter. “He was so right physically. He also has an aura about him and he’s very charming. There were a lot of names on the table but when I met Ben for breakfast, it was Game Over. I met him that morning and had lunch with Diane (Lane) and I called Focus and said,"They're who I want. There’s no point looking any further.”

The "Hollywoodland" premiere party, sponsored by Chopard and Volkswagon, also drew almost every Hollywood Old Timer who was still mobile: Mickey Rooney,  Eva Marie Saint, Jerry Mathers (“Leave it to Beaver”), Cyd Charisse, George Takei (“Star Trek”) Lesley Ann Warren, Loni Anderson, Peter Graves, Robert Culp, (“I Spy”) and Ann Rutherford as well as Ed Harris, Amy Madigan and comedian Kathy Griffin.

Even Jack Larson, the actor who played Jimmy Olsen with Reeves in the original “Superman” TV series was on hand.

And the old folks haven't lost their sense of humor. They roared when Shamus introduced the film that night by saying, "This is a film that I think celebrates our Hollywood heritage and values; debauchery, greed, paranoia, substance abuse and adultery, all the things that make us special.”

But the highlight of Coulter's night was hearing how much Larson/Jimmy Olsen loved the movie. The men discussed the Mannix mansion and the Reeves home. Coulter explained that the Reeves house was not the real one, but a similar house whose owners let the filmmakers reconfigure it to match the Reeves layout. Larson, who had been to George’s house many times, was impressed by the accuracy of houses, the acting, writing and what he called “the compassionate portrayal of George.”

“That’s a nice thing,” said Coulter, quietly, after Larson left.  “That means a lot. I mean, he was there. He knew George.”

Photo Credits: The "Hollywoodland" bash at the Beverly Hills Hotel was the hot party this week.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau
Photo Credits: A stunning Scarlett Johansson, with another grizzled old-timer director at low-key "Black Dahlia" premiere.
WireImage/Jeffrey Mayer
Photo Credits: The Matt and Ben Show is back on! Hey, how about an Oscar race this year?
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau
Photo Credits: No more famous couple carpet antics. Ben Affleck sticks close to his nice-and-normal wife Jennifer Garner outside the AMPAS  Thursday night
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau
Photo Credits: "Hollywoodland" hotties Diane Lane, Adrien Brody and Ben Affleck. Will they nab a trio of nominations?
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

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

Scarlett's sporty new look

Scarlett Johansson showed off her ability to climb up on a podium at the New York press conference for her collaboration with Reebok on Tuesday.

Her new sportswear line will be called "Scarlett 'hearts' Rbk.' But you probably already knew that.

Wearing a billowy Stella McCartney frock, her hair gelled and braided and sporting pale glossy lips for a tres sportif look, she told reporters that she was really looking forward to designing athletic clothes that she and her friends, who are built like real women,  could wear.

Okay, Scarlett is unquestionably a very talented actress and a sweet, lovely person. But if you believe she’s going to be “designing” or “consulting” or doing anything other than cashing a big fat paycheck for posing for ads and endorsing Reebok’s clothing/shoe line, well, then I have some exclusive naked photos of Baby Suri to sell you.

Anyway, Scarlett’s new movie  “Scoop” -  her second collaboration with dirty old man, er acclaimed director, Woody Allen - also happens to be opening this weekend.

Which is coincidental timing, I assure you. No, really.

I haven’t seen "Scoop" yet. But I heard Scarlett wears a swimsuit in one scene and looks very fit, toned and with an admirably flat stomach.

But then again, she’s also wearing a one-piece suit which – and I think you’ll all agree with me on this - is cheating. Some of those maillots have enough hidden Lycra girdle control to make Queen Elizabeth look like she has a waist.

Photo Credits: Scarlett Johansson sprints for the finish line at the Reebok press conference at XChange in New York.
WireImage/Theo Wargo

Scarlett Johansson fleshes out new Reebok role

What do Scarlett Johansson, Allen Iverson and Donovan McNabb have in common?

Inexplicably, the four-time Golden Globe nominee (“Match Point,” “A Love Song for Bobby Long,” “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” “Lost in Translation”) will join the Philadelphia 76er and the Philly Eagles quarterback in endorsing Reebok.

Okay, guys. Who made this brilliant marketing call? And who was the runner-up, Patricia Arquette?

No question the talented buxom blonde actress oozes sex appeal onscreen. Just ask Scarlett's "Match Point" director Woody Allen. Their second film, “Scoop,” opens July 28 and he told reporters last year that the pillow-lipped starlet is so divinely sexy that she’s been “touched by God.” 

But let’s face it. Johansson's voluptuous image is way more bedroom than weight room. She just doesn’t fly as a fitness role model. Certainly not when compared to buffer babes like "Charlie's Angels" Cameron Diaz, "X-Men"s Famke Janssen, "Fantastic Four" femme fatale Jessica Alba or even Tomb Raider Angelina Jolie. 

Miss Scarlett won’t be appearing in Reebok's "When Did I Know" campaign or in the “I Am What I Am” campaign which has featured the equally uninspiring and unathletic-inclined actresses Maggie Gyllenhaal and Christina Ricci.

Wonder if Reebok knew that a few years ago Ricci's former Hollywood trainer - who shall go unnamed - fired her, making her the only actress client he's ever dumped, because she smoked cigarettes between workouts and missed her morning training sessions due to late night partying.

Come to think about it, the only Reebok poster actress who made sense was Lucy Liu. She'd at least been a believable kick-butt babe in films like “Charlie’s Angels” and “Kill Bill” and looks like she might wear Reebok sneaks and duds somewhere other than a photo shoot.

Anyway, Miss Scarlett's multi-year contract will have her posing for "Scarlett “hearts” Rbk," a "fashion-forward athletic-inspired footwear and apparel collection" aimed at the international sportswear company's young female customers. The line will debut in spring 2007 in high-end department stores and boutiques.

According to new prez/chief executive officer Paul Harrington, Reebok will make marketing changes after being gobbled up by Adidas earlier this year. So expect fewer music figures like Nelly, Jay-Z and 50 Cent and more pretty Hollywood faces like Johansson.

There is one consolation to their latest choice.

At least Reebok chose a healthy-looking actress with a body fat level over 10% and didn't sign up one of Team Anorexia's bony babes Nicole Richie, Kate Bosworth, Mary-Kate Olsen or Keira Knightley.

Photo Credits: Woody Allen admires Scarlett's astonishing athletic achievements at the LA "Match Point" premiere.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

Photo Credits: Wonder if Reebok saw Scarlett's graceful sprints on the set of "The Nanny Diaries" before they signed her to a multi-year contract?
WireImage/James Devaney

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.

Buy Bond's, James Bond's, birthplace

Want a bit of Bond history?

We’re not talking Sir Sean Connery’s autograph or a Bond DVD box set. We’re talking a $1 million Beach Cottage - or maybe just a $700 grand Cove Hut - at Goldeneye, Ian Fleming’s private Jamaican hideaway where he wrote all his 007 spy thrillers.

Goldeneye - owned by legendary music industry empresario Chris Blackwell and his Island Outpost resort corporation - will evolve over the next two years from a small, reclusive resort property into a large exclusive resort village taking up a significant chunk of Jamaica's north shore.

Countless music, fashion and film stars are already frequent guests of Blackwell’s lush, laid-back Goldeneye resort. Johnny Depp is a regular. Scarlett Johansson and beau Josh Hartnett were just there. Naomi Campell even owns one of the Goldeneye villas  - the Royal Palm – that you can rent. Other visitors include Bono, Steve Winwood, Bob Marley, Sting (he wrote “Every Breath You Take” there), Harrison Ford, Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss. Two cinema Bonds – Sir Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan - have also idled there. Connery, according to Roger Brown, Island Outpost developer, has even expressed an interest in the new Goldeye Resort property. No sign, so far, of the new 007 Daniel Craig whose “Casino Royale” is due out in November. 

But Blackwell was in LA this week looking for a few select Hollywood high rollers who might like to be residents of his revamped Goldeneye. At a party Monday in a Santa Monica home, an elite group including Angelica Huston, former Mamas and Papas singer Michelle Phillips, music industry honcho Peter Asher, Malcolm McLaren (c'mon, you remember the Sex Pistols) and record producer Richard Perry sampled Jamaican fare and fruity rum drinks while looking at plans for the new Goldeneye, scheduled for completion in Winter 2007.

As well as private homes of all sizes, the plans include a thalassotherapy spa, clubhouse, tennis courts, fitness centers, pools, restaurants and doctors offices. There will also be 30 ocean-front rental apartments, named for Bond characters like Q, Miss Moneypenny, Goldfinger, Pussy Galore, etc. “But the suites will be tastefully done,” points out Brown. “Not like Disneyland.” Darn. We were kinda hoping for a naked gold-painted blonde sprawled on the king bed. 

And, as the promo pamphlets point out, you could even retire there. But the price? Okay, it ain’t cheap. The tropical decored two-story Lagoon Villa (5230 sq ft) starts, we repeat, starts at $3 million. But chill, mon. The promo packet proposes music to play while reviewing the purchase documents included in the colorful tie-dyed gift bags given to each party guest.

Just a few ditties by Steve Winwood, Muddy Waters, Bill Withers, Neil Young, Prince, Traffic, Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac and The Wailers should make signing that hefty deposit check much easier.

A little Goldeneye history came to light throughout the evening...

Photo Credits: Goldeneye, Ian Fleming's Jamaican hideaway, is about to spawn an exclusive resort village. Courtesy of Island Outpost.

Star Wears: winning awards garb

The 2006 award season may be officially over. But red carpet couture will live on.

C'mon, admit it. You're just dying to slide into Heidi Klum’s Vanity Fair Oscars party frock. How about Pamela Anderson's vintage Bill Blass Golden Globes gown? Or maybe you'd like to unbutton Oscars host Jon Stewart’s Ralph Lauren tuxedo?

Now’s your chance.

Clothes Off Our Back is doing another one of their inexplicably successful online auctions in which stars donate their ABW (already been worn) award show clothing and people actually bid good, hard-earned money for the celebrities' used duds, money that goes to marvelous causes supported by the various celebs. Just check out clothesoffourback.org.

Other award show-worn garments on the block: Peter Jackson's Kenneth Cole dress shoes worn to the Globes, Ellen DeGeneres' Grammys sneakers, Joss Stone’s Grammys gown worn onstage to perform (hopefully dry-cleaned); Joaquin Phoenix’s Globes tux, Jessica Alba’s Golden Globes dress and last — but most certainly not least — Scarlett Johansson’s red Jimmy Choo heels worn to the Globes.

Too bad the offer isn't Johansson's spectacular red Globes gown. In case you don’t remember, that particular couture creation got foppish fashionista Isaac Mizrahi, E!'s current red carpet critic, into deep doodie.

Mr. Miz got scathing reviews for his impertinent questions to Ms. Scarlett about her strapless dress and a verbal hand slap from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for daring to reach out and touch her treasure chest during their carpet chat. As a result, he was noticeably reined in — at least in manners — for the Oscar carpet.

In Style magazine and Clothes Off Our Back children’s charity founders “Malcolm in the Middle” star Jane Kaczmarek and her “West Wing” husband Bradley Whitford, showed off all the to-be-auctioned awardsware last week at Republic restaurant in Los Angeles. And to sweeten the pot, Saturn tossed in a 2007 Sky roadster customized by fashion designer Richard Tyler.

But just because you weren’t invited to their show off party, do not despair. You can still bid on all this stuff — including the car — until March 31.

Just one word of caution when buying celebrity cast-offs: These people are very, very small. Klum's gown, for instance, is a size 2-4. Anderson is also a size 4. Most women may have better luck fitting into Camryn Manheim's size 18-20 Mon Atelier Globes gown.

Photo: For a good cause, you could look just as "smokin'" as Heidi Klum does in this Michael Kors gown at the Vanity Fair Oscars bash.
(Eric Charbonneau / WireImage)

The best supporting award goes to Victoria's Secret

So you’re all dressed up in a totally hot low-cut gown at the Vanity Fair Oscar party and some jerk comes by, checks out your décolletage, and says, ‘Hey, nice chicken cutlets!”

Don’t deck him.

He may actually be a jerk. Or he may have just heard about Victoria’s Secret latest secret weapon — what the VS PR gals call “chicken cutlets” — cleavage-creating Sensual Shapers inserts.

The VS reps at the Beauty and the Boudoir Oscar lounge at Frederic Fekkai’s Beverly Hills salon actually referred to the rubbery flesh-colored inserts as “Chicken Cutlets” because, well, that’s exactly what they look and feel like; raw chicken breasts — with nipples. And there are two Sensual Shaper sizes, the discreet one-cup increase and the vavoom two-cup increase ($28 and $48).

These VS raw materials were displayed for all the celebs who were visiting Fekkai’s before the Oscars for facials, blow-dries, mani-pedis, Botox and consults with plastic surgeon David Sayah, to touch, feel and try on.

Other Oscar gown-boosters included the VS Bare Attitude bra ($24), a backless and strapless mold that literally sticks to your chest for an advised 4 to 6 hours. Wow. If the Oscars run long and you’ve got three parties to hit, you could be in deep trouble.

On-site to explain the importance of Oscar gown support was Chantal Thomass, the legendary French fashion designer who was the first to pull lingerie out of the underwear drawer and onto her Paris runways in 1975.

Photo: No, Scarlett Johansson is not wearing Victoria’s Secret “chicken cutlets” at the Weinstein Co./Glamour 2006 Golden Globes after-party. Pretty impressive, huh?
(Albert L. Ortega / WireImage)

Who are you wearing? Marchesa by Weinstein, of course

As Harvey Weinstein swept through HBO's pre-Globes bash at the Chateau Marmont, he screeched to a halt to say a big bonjour to famous French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier.

“Patrick, I want you to meet my girlfriend,” said Weinstein, gesturing to his slender, striking brunette date, Georgina Chapman, who has been dating the recently divorced former Miramax movie mogul, 53, for a respectable amount of time.

But little did Demarchelier know that this young woman was about to cause major red carpet burn this awards season.

In suspiciously swift record time, Chapman, a British model-actress-designer, and partner Keren Craig have hit big time celebrity pay dirt with their new Marchesa clothing line.

The line's name is an homage to eccentric clotheshorse and party girl Italian aristocrat Marchesa Luisa Casati — (1881-1957), who sounded a bit like a proto-Paris Hilton when she intoned: “I want to be a living work of art.”

Anyway, let's play connect-the-Marchesa-dots. First, Renée Zellweger wore a Marchesa creation to the “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” London premiere. Zellweger (remember these connections because there may be a pop quiz) happened to star in "Cold Mountain" and "Cinderella Man", both linked to Miramax for production and distribution. Then Cate Blanchett wore a Marchesa sari to the Rome premiere of "The Aviator,” a film that Miramax helped produce and distribute in the U.S.

Are you with me so far? Good. Next up, Scarlett Johansson — soon to star in "The Nanny Diaries," a new Weinstein Co. production — wore a Marchesa design on a red carpet. Then came Penelope Cruz, who starred in the 2000 Miramax film "All the Pretty Horses", wearing a pale pink Marchesa at the 2006 Golden Globes.

For a grand finale, Felicity Huffman — star of "Transamerica," Weinstein's big post-Disney/Miramax-muddle hit — wore a white Marchesa frock to pick up her best actress Globe at the show and dance the night away at the after-parties.

“Harvey asked those actresses, including Felicity, to wear his girlfriend’s dresses to their premieres or to an important awards show,” sniffed one longtime Hollywood style insider. “And it was a ‘favor' that Felicity really couldn’t refuse.”

True or not, Huffman certainly felt she owed Weinstein one. Accepting her Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in early January, a Huffman doled out heartfelt thanks.

“This movie wouldn't have been seen by anyone if it were not for Harvey Weinstein. And Harvey wouldn't have seen the film if William Macy (Hoffman's husband) hadn't called him up, got him on the phone and convinced him to come to a screening the next day. That’s a good boyfriend to have, huh?”

Interestingly, hubby Macy also starred with Cruz in "Sahara." Hmm. Did a Macy call to Cruz return Weinstein's "Transamerica" favor? Was that how Cruz, who favors Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta, discovered the fledging Marchesa line?

We may never know. But the fashion fairy tale is far from over. Spotted at Marchesa’s recent fashion show at the Rainbow Room during New York’s Fashion Week: Josh Hartnett (who is, ahem, dating Johansson), Anne Hathaway, (she voiced a character in Weinstein Co.'s animated film, "Hoodwinked") Huffman's "Desperate Housewives" pal, costar Nicolette Sheridan and Marchesa-in-the-making Nicole Richie.

Not that the lovely Marchesa gowns don't deserve attention. But the line's success has come so fast that it's making other designers — who've struggled for years to get stars to wear their gowns — turn chartreuse with envy.

Photo: Have you met my fashion designer girlfriend? Glamour mag editrix Cindi Leive (left) and Georgina Chapman talk with Harvey Weinstein at the Weinstein Co./Glamour 2006 Golden Globes after-party.
(Lester Cohen / WireImage)

Will an actress wear a Marchesa to the upcoming Oscars? Probably. But the big question is: who? And the answer may lie in the Weinstein Co.'s 2006-2007 movie slate. Could the next Marchesa model be...