Haute Complex
The French fashion community is hoping to lure even more Italian, English and American designers to show in Paris. The French Culture Ministry and Paris’ Federation of Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear have finalized an agreement to build a brand-new complex devoted to fashion shows. The building, scheduled to open in 1993 in the gardens of the Louvre, is being designed by I. M. Pei, the architect of the controversial Louvre Pyramid, and Michael Macary.
DIAMONDS ARE A JUST REWARD: Rob Pilatus, half of Milli Vanilli, certainly knows how to celebrate. Last week he finished work on his new album for Arista Records by cruising in to Fred’s on Rodeo Drive and picking up a little bauble for himself--a 3-carat starburst diamond set in a platinum band. The ring carried a price tag well into the five digits.
TAN LINES AND TEDDIES: Stuffed in those care packages winging their way to Saudia Arabia are bath bubblies and letters that can be redeemed for lingerie. Two fashion-related companies are doing their bit for our troops on the front. Sebastian International has contributed sun and bath care products to the 100,000 Oasis Packages assembled by Phillip Morris (the tobacco giant) and Calvin Klein has sent 200 letters to armed service personnel offering to send a gift of the designer’s underwear to a loved one back home. Heckler Manufacturing & Investment Group, the licensee for Calvin’s undies, is making their offer through News Mail Call, a program that distributes unaddressed packages and letters to servicemen and women.
TALES OF PERCALES: At the house of Pratesi, makers of those luxurious Italian linens and towels, Dede Pratesi is on a crusade to get American woman out of the habit of sleeping in extra-large T-shirts. “American women are born in a world that’s a lot more practical” than Italians, says Pratesi. Italian women, she maintains, are less practical and more romantic about their bed clothes. In fact, they wear their most stupendous negligees after they’ve given birth. But, then again, many Italians also bring their own sheets to the hospital. “All my babies were born on Pratesi,” Pratesi says.
MALIGNED SEATS: In our recent coverage of spring fashion week in Paris, we reported that Michael Gross, a contributing editor for New York Magazine, made the gossip page of Women’s Wear Daily, after he traded his second-row place card with that of first-row ticket-holder John Fairchild, publisher of the fashion trade newspaper, at the John Galliano fashion show. Since then, Gross has informed us, and Galliano press attache, Danda Jaroljmek confirms, that she authorized the switch.
BABY NEEDS NEW SHOES: Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig (real life couple but married to other characters on the show “thirtysomething”) were out shoe shopping recently in Brentwood. Not for themselves, but for their children. Son Brian chose practical sneakers. Daughter Roxie went for a pair of outrageous red sparklers, the kind of shoes for which the store is named, Ruby Slippers.
RUBBING THE RIGHT WAY: After 12 years as Sly’s stylist, Bruce Wayne says the actor’s hair “is still holding up and he has hardly any gray.” Wayne, who normally hangs his shears at Umberto in Beverly Hills, is temporarily on the set of “Oscar,” making sure Sly’s hair looks slick and slightly wavy. To get the retro look (the Warners comedy is set in 1931), Wayne uses a gel, hard hair spray and a gloss. Off-screen heroes “can skip the spray,” says Wayne. And in an effort to keep their hair, they can copy the routine we’re told Stallone does at home every day. Are you ready? Message the top of the scalp with the palms of your hands and the base of your neck with your fingers. Keep at it for 10 minutes.
