Born Under the Star of Last-Minute Shoppers

Candice Bergen admits to being a notorious last-minute Christmas shopper. She does so in the opening pages of a new Spiegel catalogue where she also lists her 42 last-minute holiday gift ideas. Among her favorites are a silver-plated makeup set and a turquoise flannel shirt that reminds her of her Uncle Lou who lived in a cabin in the Adirondacks. The popular star of “Murphy Brown” isn’t the first to speak for the company. Bianca Jagger and Jacqueline Bisset already have. But she is the first to guest-edit her own catalogue. “She’s a great role model,” explains Rob Logendyke of Spiegel, about the choice. Other changes at Spiegel include plans to carry clothing by several of New York’s leading younger designers, including Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis, Charlotte Neuville and Carmelo Pomodoro, all of who will be photographed by the famed Scavullo for their Spiegel portraits.

Oh Giorgio! Strutting Their Armani Stuff

Jazz pianist Harry Connick Jr., whose rendition of “It Had to Be You” made him the musical sensation of “When Harry Met Sally,” gave a concert at the Wiltern Theatre last weekend. And between tunes he admitted to having an incurable fashion disease--”Armani-itis.” Strutting across the stage in a gray wool suit by Italian designer Giorgio Armani, he added, “I’m broke, but I sure look good.” The post-concert dinner celebration looked like a meeting of the similarly affected. Columbia Pictures President Dawn Steel wore an Armani single-button jacket and pants, actor D.B. -Sweeney wore a suit from the Italian designers Emporio line, and Armani-philes Billy Crystal,

Michael Keaton and Matthew Modine also dressed the part.