The Mirror archives: The daily style item from Image staff

August 16, 2007

THE MIRROR

'Superbad' talent shows that dressing up can be good

With summer's biggest blockbusters come Hollywood's sloppiest stars.

August 8, 2007

THE MIRROR

Hendrix scores a gig at Altamont - 38 years late

The worst part about being a departed celebrity (besides the whole "departed" thing, we suppose) is the inability to come back and throttle the clowns who have licensed your legacy for something like dancing with a Dirt Devil (Fred Astaire) or contorting yourself to the tune of AC/DC's "Back in Black" for the Gap (Audrey Hepburn).

August 7, 2007

BEAUTY

You too can be a Showstopper

The red carpet is generally a place where celebrities dazzle in a blinding pop of paparazzi bulbs and beaded gowns.

August 3, 2007

THE MIRROR

Et tu, Barneys?

In fashion, there are two major seasons: spring and fall. In L.A., there's one season that eclipses them both, known simply as awards season. To kick-start the current Emmy race, Barneys New York in Beverly Hills is bringing fashion, entertainment and 44 B.C. together by putting the costumes from the HBO show "Rome" in its store windows.

July 27, 2007

The Mirror

T-shirts for healthier bodies

In Spain last year, models whose body mass index fell below 18 were banned from the runways at Madrid fashion week, and in London this season, catwalkers younger than 16 may not get to strut their stuff either. While the waifs await their fate for the Spring '08 season, one clothing company is splashing the message for more meaty models across T-shirts.

July 26, 2007

THE MIRROR

L.A. Fashion Award nominees announced

Members of the Los Angeles fashion community converged on the Standard Hotel in West Hollywood last night to find out (as Heidi Klum might say) "who's in and who's out" of the running for the third annual L.A. Fashion Awards

July 26, 2007

THE MIRROR

Made-to-order skirts you're unlikely to see elsewhere

Shoes have it. Jeans have it. And now, skirts have it — an Internet shopping site devoted exclusively to a single category of fashion.

July 23, 2007

THE MIRROR

An A-list love fest welcomes the Beckhams to L.A.

The Beckhams' crash into L.A. last week didn't always smell like roses, what with Posh's prime-time special blasted by the critics and Becks' team failing to score in his first game Saturday. But that didn't mean the hosts of their Hollywood-style welcome bash — the Cruises and the Smiths — nixed the hundreds of blood-red rosebuds scattered under glass tabletops at their Sunday night party downtown.

July 23, 2007

THE MIRROR

Some tasty inspiration feeds the costumes in 'Hairspray'

Perhaps because of the years "Hairspray" costume designer Rita Ryack spent creating wardrobes for Broadway musicals, she approached her latest project like a choral director — a food-obsessed one.

July 20, 2007

THE MIRROR

When 'fabulous' goes to your head

The California tradition of going hatless, gloveless, tan and scantily clad goes back to the '30s, but fans at Opening Day in Del Mar still have a hankering for the Old World custom of wearing hats to the horse races. But of course, these aren't hats that Her Royal Highness would wear.

July 19, 2007

THE MIRROR

Vend it like Beckham

Posh may have been the center of the fashion frenzy since Team Beckham rolled into town, but there's at least one store trying to capitalize on her sweatier half. Alpha, a men's boutique in West Hollywood, has dedicated its window display to Becks (whose sarongs, pony tail and penchant for manicures tagged him as the classic metrosexual when that word was at the height of its popularity).

July 17, 2007

THE MIRROR

Proenza Schouler has plenty to celebrate at local parties

A deep tan and a little pug? Could that be the future of Proenza Schouler? That's what everyone teasingly demanded to know, as Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, the dynamic duo behind the line, blew into town for a series of parties — including two on Wednesday night alone.

July 15, 2007

THE MIRROR

Jolie helps locally made clutch score a 'Knockout'

It's the bag that lived up to its name.

July 12, 2007

THE MIRROR

Vans hits a Homer with 'The Simpsons Movie' shoe tie-in

Movie tie-ins aren't always a good fit (the Mirror's personal favorite will always be the Jar Jar Binks shaving cream spotted at a local CVS around the time "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" hit theaters), so it's nice to see a film with the blockbuster potential of "The Simpsons Movie" — which rolls out like a giant pink doughnut on July 27 — partnering with Vans for a series of limited-edition footwear.

July 13, 2007

THE MIRROR

Happy (Hawaiian) Birthday, Mr. President

What could be a better birthday present for President Bush than to stamp images of all his favorite things on a shirt that just screams, "Vacation!"

July 4, 2007

THE MIRROR

Call it the French flip-flop

There was the summer of Keds, the summer of Supergas, the summer of velcro Reebok high-tops, and in Paris this is the summer of the Bensimon. Ked-like, these simple canvas shoes have rubber toe caps and come in lots of pastels and at least two styles — one is a slip-on, the other a lace-up. Though the chic way to wear the lace-ups is sans laces.

July 3, 2007

THE MIRROR

Alber Elbaz for Lanvin really doesn't need that runway

I'm in Paris for the couture shows, the biggest of which is the Dior extravaganza on Monday night at Versailles to celebrate 60 years of the house. The longest runway in the world, a who's who of models from past and present, an all-night party afterward in the garden — I can hardly wait.

June 25, 2007

THE MIRROR

That essential summer accessory

In the summer, you have decide between hat hair today, or wrinkles, lines and age spots tomorrow. But finding a hat that can withstand the rigors of active summer life can be tricky: You need great sun protection from a tightly woven or specially treated fabric; a wide, ray-blocking brim; and crushability so you can stuff it in a tote bag or suitcase. Oh, and of course, great style.

June 22, 2007

THE MIRROR

Paper, plastic or Hindmarch?

Three hours.

June 20, 2007

THE MIRROR

A stylish robot in disguise

You remember those playground squabbles over who got to be Optimus Prime in a recess reenactment of "Transformers?" Well, anyone who wants to relive their primary school power trips can suit up as their favorite autobot or decepticon with an adult-sized "Transformers" jacket. The jacket converts into a backpack or a pillow, should you want to take an impromptu nap or suddenly need a soft seat. Just hope you're not cold and sleepy.

June 19, 2007

THE MIRROR

Dance is in style at Saint Laurent-sponsored fundraiser

The sunset sky was the perfect shade of Yves Saint Laurent violet as guests sat down poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday night for a chic fundraiser sponsored by the French fashion house for Center Dance Arts.

June 15, 2007

THE MIRROR

We'll always have Paris (as a marketing opportunity)

Paris Hilton's detour to the house of many doors may have put a crimp in her celebutante lifestyle, but it's proved an irresistible marketing opportunity. The Mirror discovered this first-hand on a recent visit to its favorite card store.

June 11, 2007

THE MIRROR

Feraud and Gas Bijoux boutiques open

Weeks after the entertainment industry landed on the shores of Cannes, two fashion companies based in the south of France opened the doors to their first West Coast boutiques, here in Los Angeles.

June 7, 2007

THE MIRROR

Elie Tahari has the look of love

Elie Tahari is in love. No, not with himself, like other fashion designers. He's in love with his wife, Rory, and from the moment he met her on the night of his 46th birthday nine years ago, he was a changed man.

June 6, 2007

THE MIRROR

The cool thing about E-Boost

When Americans discovered the vitamin supplement Berocca, it was strictly de rigueur for a certain young jet-setting crowd.