Nightie Nights
When Johnny comes marching home again there will be more than beer in the refrigerator to welcome him. Frederick’s of Hollywood reports lingerie sales have increased as much as 300% among stores located near military bases. Recent demand for teddies, bustiers and thigh-high stockings has been so great that Frederick’s airlifted in supplies to some stores. One of the hot spots is the Carlsbad store, which serves shoppers from Camp Pendleton in Oceanside and the Miramar Naval Air Station near San Diego.
* THE M LIST: When jewelry designer Michael Dawkins opens his newest M Gallery in the Rodeo Collection May 1, the guest list will include recent customers Christy Turlington, Anjelica Huston, Elizabeth Montgomery, Jasmine Guy and Janet Jackson, he says. All the ladies recently shopped the Sunset Plaza store, some looking for baubles for the Academy Awards ceremony. Dawkins says super-model Iman will host his grand opening, and nearly 2,000 “celebrities and other good clients” will be A-ticket holders.
* THE BUZZ: As if it wasn’t already short enough, Glenn Close walked into the Umberto Salon, her dog Gabby tucked under her arm, and told stylist Charles Ferderber to take it all off. “Not even long enough to put a part in it,” is how salon manager Babette Beja described the newer, closer haircut. It’s for her next role, Beja explained. Close will portray a cancer patient in “Brooklyn Laundry,” a play by Lisa-Maria Radano opening this spring in Los Angeles.
* THE SHOP PRO: Who was that raven-haired woman shopping in Ice last week? Surely not Cher. At the Beverly Center? Buying flower-print dresses? Sure enough, there she was buying feminine frocks by the armful. Cher’s known to have a black belt in shopping and, according to a store spokesperson, her latest foray yielded: four Beth Schaefer sheer dresses, some hats by Louise Green, a couple of Ice’s private-label jackets, another jacket by Los Angeles designer Mimi Cox, who does the Opera line, and some Artwork sweaters.
* SWAP MEET: Fred Joaillier is about to make Nancy Reagan, Barbara Sinatra and Betsy Bloomingdale very happy, says Bonnie Steves, a spokeswoman for the Rodeo Drive retailer. The store has agreed to donate more than $22,000 worth of slightly damaged crocodile and ostrich shoulder bags, beaded evening purses, tiger’s-eye ashtrays and gem-encrusted letter openers to the Colleagues’ fund-raiser, to be held April 28 in the parking lot of its Santa Monica office. The socialites, who serve on the organization’s board of directors, have been seeking donations, which will be used to raise money for abused children through the Children’s Institute International.
* GREEN PIECE: Paula Abdul, singer-choreographer and sizzling star of the latest Diet Coke commercials, has taken on a new role--spokeswoman for Little Green, an environmental writing and arts program for children ages 6 to 12 sponsored by Sebastian International. The first step is a worldwide contest in which the winners will receive tickets and backstage passes to Abdul concerts, a $5,000 savings bond and a trip to the Amazon rain forest. The deadline is April 12; entry forms are available at Sebastian salons.
