SHOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE
It was a shopper’s paradise at the Barker Hangar, as fashionistas, celebs and other high-profile people gathered for that annual buying spree known as Divine Design. The place was transformed into a 35,000-square-foot bargain basement piled to the rafters with designer duds. The evening kicked off with a private VIP preview party. They were certainly catering to the right crowd. There were fashion statements aplenty; from Bohemian chic to Southwestern, to neo-80s flamboyant. One young lad dolled up in a floor-length lace up brocade coat could have passed for Louis XIV-or at least Elton John.
Bartenders were busy fixing up cream soda martinis made from Vanilla Absolut, while servers made the rounds with asparagus spears and lemon caviar-dipping sauce. Performance artist angels wearing skin-tight Spandex slinked through the crowd. DJs were doing the remix while Bugs Bunny and Tweetie Bird rocked out to “YMCA.”
The fashion extravaganza is a treat, with just about everything you could imagine on sale-Buttery Dole and Gabanna bomber jackets, dazzling Sue Wong gowns and sexy shades from LA Eyeworks. A pricey Monique Huillier floral evening dress that normally sells for $5,995 could be yours at half price. From Cole Haan fur totes to Frederick’s of Hollywood rhinestone push-up bras, there was something sensational everywhere you turned. Paris Hilton would be in heaven! Verrry hot!
“I heard a fur coat went for $1,000,” Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart said. “I want it.” Hart looked sexy in her body-hugging Nicole Miller creation. “I’m thoroughly strapped in,” she assured. “No danger of a wardrobe malfunction here.”
Whether you were shopping for yourself or playing Santa, chances are you’d find it here-plus you never know who you will run into in the communal dressing room. “This is really for a size four,” sighed a statuesque former model trying on a beaded jacket for size. “But it is gorgeous.”
There were Polo shirts, sumptuous black and gold brocade pillows, Hello Kitty TV sets, fuzzy flannel jammies, flapper hats, rapper caps, high-heeled jellies, neon sneakers, see-through teddies, satin clutches, silver frames and ever so much more. “I could spend a lot of money here,” sighed Rich Fox, eyeing a fine selection of Brooks Brothers ties. Fox had a blue plastic shopping bag filled with Ralph Lauren and classic DVDs. Soon we had to make our purchases because it was party time. We made our way into an angelic all-white party tent, complete with swags, chandeliers, plush-white carpeting, white orchid centerpieces and frosted tableware.
Now, I don’t know about you, but you can’t really think about Puff Daddy without thinking of … Jessica Lang? But yes, those very different celebs were this year’s honorees. Ryan Seacrest introduced Sean Combs and filled us in on his impressive resume. Yes, the rap mogul; yes, the music; yes, the clothes … but a recent Broadway debut in “A Raisin in the Sun?” Who knew?
Looking sharp in his steel gray velvet suit, P. Diddy said he was honored to be this year’s “Man of Style.” “When I grow up I want to be just like Project Angel Food.”
Eric McCormick worked a tough auction crowd, selling off items like a trip to the City of Lights and a Christopher Radko Christmas tree.
Jessica Lang was introduced by Malibu pal Ed Harris. “It’s great to receive this award and especially to receive it from Eddie,” she said. “I got involved with Project Angel Food 15 years ago. There are so many wonderful people and I dedicate this award to them.”
The annual shop-a-thon helps provide home-delivered meals to thousands of people throughout Los Angeles. Since 1989 the spending spree has helped raise more than $12 million. Now that’s divine!