TOO SEXY FOR THIS SHIRT
L.A. Fashion Week may just be another excuse to party (from The Cabana Club to Chateau Marmont to TheRoosevelt Hotel to Citizen Smithto Little Radio Warehouse, there was some kind of fashion fête nearly every night), but that doesn’t mean the actual runway shows, held at Smashbox Studios, didn’t have moments of glamour and excitement, too. For many designers to make an impact, it’s more about the famous lookers in the front row than the looks coming down the catwalk, and this year brought out Smashbox’s biggest smattering of celebs ever: Hilary Duff at the Antik Denim show; Eveat Taverniti; Jack Nicholsonat daughter Jennifer’s show; and plastic pretties Courtney Love (with daughter Frances Bean Cobain— who looks more like Kurt every day!) and LaToya Jackson at Bebe. At that last one, rumored guest Madonna never showed, though the diva’s ’80s cut-off-at-the-knee-nylons look was on all the Bebe babes. Start snipping, ladies . . .
CUISINE COUTURE
Speaking of divas, local fashion- (and fat-) conscious ones should dig Fred Eric, Don Camachoand Andy Camacho’s new Tiara Café and marketplace, a sunset-hued eaterie featuring healthy grub on the bottom floor of the New Mart downtown. Friday’s opening-night bash, which spilled onto closed-off Ninth Street, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony (complete with the UCLA Marching Band playing in the background) and performances by magic man Christopher Wonder, singer India Dupré and estrogen-driven rockers Vagenius. The Food Network’s “Surreal Gourmet,” Bob Blumer, was on hand mixing cocktails on his mobile drink bar (a bicycle with a blender attached to the seat), and homemade doughnuts (doughnuts? Healthy?) and hors d’oeuvres were served inside. Glossy pamphlets covering Eric’s “culinary philosophy” made us realize how far the foodie fella’s come since the days when he used to make DIY fliers — complete with anarchy crossword puzzles and rock-themed word searches — for the punk karaoke nights at his former eaterie Vida.
WIGGIN’ OUT
Nightranger has witnessed at least three dudes starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch onstage, but the prize goes to Donovan Leitch— not only does he nail the German tranny role vocally and dramatically, he just may be the prettiest Hedwig we’ve seen. Sunday’s opening night at The Roxy, co-starring Bijou Phillips, offered solid music and acting, plus puh-lenty of La-La Land references. (Beverly Hills–adjacent = BJ, Heidi Fleiss got a round of applause, and L.A. Weekly even got a shout-out!) While not as compelling as Dono, Phillips had a couple of shining moments, though we didn’t see too many of her famous friends cheering her on; her reserved table was empty save for Dean Factor(Smashbox sponsored the event)... After this Friday’s performance, Leitch should keep the makeup on and check out Club Deluxe at The Factory, a monthly glam-o-rama from the Miss Kitty’s Parlour cats. This time out, Deee-lite-ful guest deck mistress Lady Miss Kier will be spinnin’ grooves from the heart. We still heart her!
