Something for Everyone

Hollywood designer Nolan Miller admits “it’s difficult to live down” the lavish clothes he created for naughty, haughty Alexis Carrington Colby and rags-to-riches Krystle Carrington on “Dynasty.” But he hopes there’s not a trace of them in his first attempt at ready-to-wear, which recently debuted at the Bistro in Beverly Hills to a small, star-studded audience. The entire cocktail and evening collection, priced from $800 to $2,000, went down very well with the celebs, including statuesque Esther Williams, who opined at the show’s end: “He’s made something for all of us.” Petite Jane Seymour had jotted down “all the good dresses,” which didn’t include Miller’s “nice prints because I can’t wear those. They would drown me.” And Seymour couldn’t wear one of her custom-made Miller dresses for the occasion “because they’re all long.” So she wore a black velvet cocktail suit by Bruce Oldfield.

On the Mend

Patrick Kelly, the American-born, Paris-based designer who was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness that forced him to cancel his spring ready-to-wear shows, seems to be doing better. His business partner, Bjorn Amelan, reports from Paris that Kelly was released from the hospital on Saturday. “Patrick is having daily treatments and should be totally out of danger in a few weeks,” says Amelan, who declined to give the nature of the illness. “That is up to Patrick to say.” Recent rumors are that Kelly suffers from tuberculosis. “He will hold a press conference in the near future, and we expect him back to work in January,” Amelan explains.

The Royal Life

Princess Diana’s bow-shaped tiara is pretty, but it gives her a headache. Dutchess of York Sarah Ferguson’s ruby ring was a gift to the royal family when they ruled India and “the maharajah handed out gems like sweeties,” we’re told by Suzy Menkes. The London-based journalist was at Bloomingdale’s in New York this week, launching her book, “The Royal Jewels,” and dropping plenty of insider tips about how they handle the loot. Most of it is community property, stored in an air-raid shelter on the family grounds and included in “the jewel pool” that family members are free to borrow from. But everyone has a few personal baubles. The queen keeps hers in velvet-covered chests, in her private rooms.

Sole of Motherhood

“Barefoot and pregnant” usually sounds like a good idea to expectant mothers with swollen feet. But some new, wider-cut shoes by O.B. Gees intend to change that. The soles are designed to adapt to a pregnant woman’s changing posture as her center of gravity shifts and help accommodate the mobility challenge presented by the last months of pregnancy. Track shoes, beware. Gees styles range from flats and sandals to sneakers and boots, in a variety of colors. They aren’t in stores yet but are available by phone, (800) 877-6437, at about $35 to $85 per pair, plus postage.

Minnelli Fit to Be Tied

Instead of going with Halston to design the clothes she’s wearing on her European concert tour, Liza Minnelli is doing herself up in black tie. Last week, she consulted with the Beverly Hills Hotel retailer, Amir, at his menswear store, also called Amir. Minnelli told him she wanted to look classic--no flash. Her order: three custom-made tuxedos, including two in black (one double-breasted in wool, one single-breasted in silk), and a single-breasted white silk dinner jacket with black silk trousers. Each tux comes with a matching vest. Approximate price: $2,500 per suit.