Memories of Josephine

Jody Watley’s got a new hair cut with wavy bangs and a short, cropped back that looks like the style jazz singer Josephine Baker wore in the ‘20s. Listen met up with Watley at a fashion show in Rachel London’s Melrose Avenue store and asked her if she’s trying out for the movie about Baker, now in the works. Watley wouldn’t say. She did tell us that her flower-power outfit--bicycle-length jumpsuits in black ribbed spandex with silk flowers at the neckline and the wrists--is a London creation. There were more flowers on the toes of her gold-heeled sling-back shoes.

Condition Update

Our Paris connection tells us that designer Patrick Kelly, the Mississippi native now part of the French fashion big league, still has the rumor mill buzzing more than a week after he abruptly canceled his spring show. (Kelly pulled out of the ready-to-wear shows due to an illness as yet unspecified by his spokespeople.) Now, Listen hears, he may have been hospitalized as long ago as last August. And there will be no spring ’90 Kellys shipped to stores. The designer has made no public statements or appearances since he cancelled his show. A scheduled launch party for a new line of sunglasses he created for Aurore, a licensee, will take place in Paris today ) as planned. But Kelly is not expected to be there.

Jailhouse Stock

Mr. Blackwell, best known for his annual Worst-Dressed List, brought some of his favorite “flashy, glitzy, campy costumes” to prison Tuesday night to entertain 320 inmates of the Sybil Brand Institute for Women. Enjoying the risque gowns and humor was 86-year-old Sybil Brand, who said she had been to every Blackwell jail-performance. (He’s done them regularly for the last 12 years.) Clowning his way through the event, Blackwell tried to convince the audience that a black strapless cocktail dress would be the perfect replacement for their blue uniforms. And, unable to resist a worst-dressed critique, he sneered at the “dear, comfy” shoes and hairdo (“whoever cut your hair should be sued”) he spotted on one prison official. For all the fun and fantasy, Blackwell was given a commemorative plate made on the premises. He, in turn, treated a lucky inmate to a 15-minute make over (performed backstage by one of his models) and gave her the rainbow-colored, silk-chiffon gown she wore briefly on stage.

Fairer Than Fairchild

Be prepared to see an all-new Morgan Fairchild when she makes a guest appearance on Monday’s episode of “Murphy Brown” on CBS. Cristophe ) of Beverly Hills tells us the big difference is the actress’ updated hair, which has gone from a very-blond Hollywood lion’s mane to “a much more classic, elegant style.” Fairchild is so hooked on her new image, she had Cristophe take off even more inches this week . She is now a shoulder-length “medium blond with a few highlights.”