Will It Cover Laugh Lines?
The announcement about a fashion collection with Tammy Faye Bakker’s name on it prompted us to call the Designer Boutique in Orlando, Fla., the one shop in the world that carries the label. Shop owner Ken Coppersmith told us that he and Bakker are friends and have been talking about this for some time. But, he explained, she doesn’t actually design the clothes. She gives them her OK, once they’re ready for the shop, he explained. The actual work is done by a local talent whose name Coppersmith will not reveal. He says the first Tammy Faye collection has been in his store for several weeks and includes a cloak and some casual outfits in pastel colors, priced from $70 to $160. “There’s a jumpsuit on the drawing board now,” he adds. Next is a cosmetics line with Bakker’s name on it, Coppersmith says. It will replace the one that was discontinued when Tammy Faye’s husband, Jim, resigned amid controversy from his post as the head of the PTL (Praise the Lord) television ministry and theme park.
After-Hours Shopping
There was a tap at the door. It was 6:25 p.m., and the store was already closed. Valerie Seres, manager of Fred Hayman’s women’s department, peered through the glass and recognized Meryl Streep. “Are you closed?” Streep asked. Seres replied in the affirmative, as she opened the double French doors. The actress was in search of a bottle of 273, the store’s signature perfume, which her mother had requested as a birthday gift. At the same time, Streep, who is in town making a movie version of Carrie Fisher’s novel, “Post Cards From the Edge,” treated herself to a bottle of spray cologne.
Smile While You Work Out
Apparently the Soviets get a kick out of aerobics. And they want everybody to know it. So this week at the new Mezzeplex sports complex in West Los Angeles, Soviet officials signed an agreement to participate in the International Competitive Aerobics Federation Championship in 1990. Oleg Belik, deputy head of international relations for the Soviet state sports department, was accompanied by a team of Soviet aerobicizers clad in red Reebok leotards. The kids did a rousing round of one-armed push-ups and leapfrogs, and then Belik told the audience that “Aerobics has a big future in our country, because it’s a very optimistic and democratic sport.” He referred to it as being in the spirit of the Soviet Union and added: “We are tired of gymnasts and acrobats without smiles.” Then he introduced the members of his smiling team, including perky, blond Svetlana Rozhkova, the only TV star in the group. She brought “Jane Fonda’s Workout” to Soviet television.
Eyewitness News
In the movie “When Harry Met Sally . . . ,” leading lady Meg Ryan grows older and wiser. We know, because she starts wearing glasses. Her romantic interest, played by Billy Crystal, is smitten by the look. And so are at least 322 moviegoers across the country. As of last week, that’s the number of phone messages left for the woman who supplied the frames. Cheryl Shuman, owner of Starry Eyes in Burbank, says potential buyers cared enough to track her down through Castle Rock Entertainment, the film’s production company. As for Ryan, she turned out to be as picky in person as she is in the movie. She looked at more than 600 frames and didn’t see anything she liked until she looked at Shuman herself, who was wearing a pair of vintage glasses by Robert La Roche. Now these $195 Austrian imports, with an enameled, marble-gray temple and an adjustable bridge, stand a good chance of becoming the Sally Spectacles.
Penney for Your Togs
Latino teen-agers making their social debut, their Quinceanera, might want to take a look at a special catalogue just out from JC Penney. It’s filled with clothes that meet the dress code at these lavish events--voluminous white gowns lavished with lace for the honoree, and pastel-colored bridesmaid-style dresses for attendants. The catalogue is written in both Spanish and English and represents one of the first attempts by the industry to accommodate the Latino market directly, says Patricia Asip, national segment marketing manager for JC Penney. Items offered range from $10 for a pair of finger-less gloves to $100 for a lace gown.
In and Out the Door
David Hayes tells us “a funny thing” happened to him as he was on his way out the door at Bullocks Wilshire earlier this week. Candy Spelling, wife of producer Aaron, was on her way in and up to see his fall collection. She was simply dressed in blue jeans, wore no makeup and was trying to look incognito, Hayes was told later. The ever-shy designer didn’t dash back to say hello, and he doesn’t know what she bought. If asked, he says, he would have advised her to get the silk-rayon (“Rayon’s not a dirty word anymore.”) little black dress with a jewel neckline and a dramatic hip drape. Why this particular dress? Well, for one thing, “She could wear beautiful jewelry with it.”
Fountain of Youth
Wondering what to buy the kids next? How about a bottle of shampoo? A slew of hair-care companies have introduced baby-grooming products lately, with no-tears guarantees. Paul Mitchell has Baby No More Tears, found in beauty supply stores, while Redmond Products, available in drug and grocery stores, offers tear-less Gramma Redmond’s Aussie Natural Baby Shampoo. But the most exclusive and extensive of the lot is San Francisco-based William & Clarissa’s product line, sold here at I Magnin. Bubble bath, soap oil, lotion, powder, sunscreen, lip balm and after-bath splash are available, along with the shampoo. Prices are up there--from $2.50 for the lip balm to $15.50 for a gift pack with 2-ounce splash, 2-ounce lotion and 2-ounce shampoo. But at least some parents are prepared to spring for the kiddie-luxe line. “With two-income families, most parents can afford good products for their children,” explains Karen Mann, a company spokeswoman. “Because they can’t spend the time they might like with them, they will buy them something nice instead.”
