JUST GIMME A SHIMMY
The annual Macy’s Passport event, which has raised more than $25 million for HIV and AIDS organizations, always brings the glitz. Last year, P. Diddy and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa strolled the runway with Bon Jovi-worthy pyrotechnics exploding at their backs. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary, and the glam wattage has only intensified, with burlesque superstar Dita Von Teese scheduled to close the show with one of her trademark performances, dressed in a silver gown adorned with 200,000 crystals. While she shimmies, models will strut the stage in one-of-a-kind silver creations from designers who’ve participated in the event during the last quarter decade, including Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Ecko Unlimited, Anna Sui, Elie Tahari and Michael Kors. Before Von Teese hits the stage, Spirit of Uganda, a dance troupe of AIDS orphans from the East African country, will perform a traditional dance, then join a group of local kids for an upbeat performance choreographed by Brian Friedman (“So You Think You Can Dance?”) and Peter Kasule of Spirit of Uganda. Elizabeth Taylor, the event’s founding chair, will be presented with the Humanitarian Award for AIDS activism and will give her annual “State of AIDS” address. Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica; 5:30 p.m., cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Passport Lounge; 8 p.m., event. Tickets are $75, available at www.ticketmaster .com or www.macys.com.
OPENINGS
Steve & Barry’s: The New York cheaper-than-cheap-chic retailer has opened at Santa Monica Place with a two-level boutique that shows off its new celebrity lines. Look for jeans, wovens and suit separates from Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten; printed hoodies, tanks and stretch jeans for girls from Amanda Bynes’ Dear and, of course, the tracksuits, jerseys and lifestyle merchandise for men, women and kids from Stephon Marbury’s Starbury, which made the store a household name on the East Coast. Did we mention that everything is under $20? Up next: a line of tennis active wear called EleVen by Venus Williams. 103 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, (310) 260-2341, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; www.steveandbarrys.com.
BCBG Max Azria: Azria opens yet another boutique in Los Angeles -- his 12th -- this time channeling an enchanted forest. Inside the Melrose Avenue shop, just a stone’s throw from Melrose Place, meander under a metallic thicket of leaves and branches and check out BCBG’s dramatic fall collection: super cute sweater dresses ($140 to $788), gold metallic burnout dresses ($358), a quilted tote ($496), and black mid-calf, leather boots ($325). 8400 W. Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 782-0238, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; www.bcbg.com.
The Post Office: Brentwood’s Post Office Substation No. 1, a working post office inside the Brentwood Country Mart, has been transformed into a retro-loving goodie outlet, thanks to Mart owner Jim Rosenfield. Coined the Post Office, the store was inspired by Old West dry goods stores, which featured wall-to-wall shelves filled with essentials (marked with hanging signs). In the Brentwood space, the fabled barrels of sugar and coffee have been replaced by fashion and lifestyle items that have stood the test of time, including Levi’s dark-washed jeans, white Tretorn sneakers, Petit Bateau tees, Leica binoculars, and classic candies and games such as Twister. 225 26th St., Santa Monica, (310) 458-0476, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and to 3 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday; www.brentwoodcountrymart.com.
BEAUTY
Pola Kirei: This stone-and-wood space may only be the second Pola Kirei Salon in the U.S. (after the Beverly Hills flagship), but Japanese women have been using Pola’s creams for over 78 years. At the L.A. outposts, skin is assessed for hydration, oiliness, sensitivity and discoloration, and a custom skin care program is designed from the Pola AP line. 1511B Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 587-3502, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday; www.polakirei.com.
EVENTS
P.G.D. Style Luxury Clothing Collection Party Thursday: Former Baywatch star Melissa Biggs was in the middle of creating P.G.D., her line of tees, tanks and tops, when she was diagnosed with a respiratory disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Now Biggs is hosting a charity bash and fashion show at Smashbox studios, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Caring Voice Coalition, an organization that helps those with chronic respiratory disorders. Smashbox Studios “Big Box,” 8549 Higuera St., Culver City. To buy tickets, $200, call (818) 762-3911, 7:30 p.m.
Young Survival Coalition Day Thursday: Shop at one of Southern California’s 13 Loehmann’s stores and get 20% off your total with a $5 donation to the Young Survival Coalition, which benefits young women living with breast cancer. Bonus: Donors are also eligible to win a $1,000 shopping spree. Visit www.loehmanns.com for store locations.
EXHIBITS
Do It Now: Live Green Through Oct. 20: The Otis College of Art and Design shows fashion from earth-friendly lines including Linda Loudermilk and Levi’s Jeans. Fashion students also collaborated with “handmade arts” advocate Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin to create pieces featured in the exhibition. Ben Maltz Gallery, Otis College of Art and Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 665-6800, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, to 7 p.m. Thursday; www.otis.edu.
TRUNK SHOWS
Carolina Herrera Resort Collection Thursday through Saturday: Herrera’s column dresses, white button-downs and crisp suits are instant classics, perfect for dinner at Cut or a brief jaunt to Turks & Caicos. By appointment only. 8441 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, (323) 782-9090, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Anna Maier-Ulla-Maija Bridal Collection Thursday through Saturday: Devotees of decadent Italian silk duchess won’t want to miss the spring collection from Anna Maier-Ulla-Maija Couture, at Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 887-5509, by appointment only; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, to 5 p.m. Friday, to 4 p.m. Saturday.
SALES
Fred Segal Santa Monica Thursday: The half-off sale that’s a yearly tradition for bargain-hunting clothes horses just got better by benefiting Angels at Risk, a Westside substance-abuse nonprofit helping at-risk teens and their families. Shop early, then often. Prices drop over the two-week event, which ends Oct. 14, to savings as much as 70% off. 500 Broadway, Santa Monica, (310) 395-5718; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Bliss Spa Blowout Sale Monday through Sept. 30: Holiday gifts and skin-care treats are up to 80% off at Bliss Spa Los Angeles, 930 Hilgard Ave., second floor, Los Angeles, (323) 930 0330, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week; www.blissworld.com.
