Look for the Local Label

Tuesday night at Roxbury in West Hollywood, John Paul DeJoria threw a dual-purpose party--for his John Paul Mitchell hair care products and to introduce his new business partner, local designer Lane Davis. The event brought out the celebs--Iman, Polly Draper, Cheryl Ladd, Young M.C. and Finola Hughes all put in appearances. DeJoria’s sartorial style in Davis’ custom suits prompted Iman to ask Davis for a man’s suit tailored to fit her. Since moving to Los Angeles a year and a half ago, Iman tells Listen, she prefers to wear things from local designers. “I don’t want a label that says ‘Made in the USA,’ but only ‘Made in L.A.,’ ” she said. While Davis’ menswear is a custom-order business, her women’s clothes can be found at Madeleine Gallay in Los Angeles and Buffalo in Santa Monica.

IT’S BEEN DONE: Think Southern Californians have a monopoly on vanity? Take a peek at “Let There Be Clothes” (Workman Publishing). Author Lynn Schnurnberger chronicles 40,000 years of fashion and beauty--from fig leaf to catsuit--in her new 415-page tome. Icebreaking tidbits to be used at holiday cocktail parties: In 1800 BC Babylonian men powdered their hair with gold dust as a power symbol. Ancient Egyptian women considered the veins on their legs and breasts sexy and outlined them with blue dye. Speaking of breasts, anti-gravity breasts were a big deal even in the real old days. Pre-interment, Egyptians would plump them up with wax and sawdust to prevent embarrassing afterlife sag.

BETTER THERE THAN HERE: If you think L.A. commuters have been deluged with bus ads and billboards for Introspect, a new young men’s sportswear company that has spent millions daring its wearers to “Make a Statement,” then you can imagine how New York drivers must feel when they see the same advertisement blown up to the size of a small mountain. Owned by Los Angeles-based Paul Davril Inc., Introspect is now making a larger-than-life impression on the Bruckner Building, which boasts the largest billboard in the world--76 by 180 (average is 14 by 48)--and rests adjacent to the Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx.

WITH THIS RING: If you want a unique engagement ring, you might consider a one-of-a-kind design from the 15th Century or perhaps the 21st. Examples of 48 betrothal rings spanning the centuries are in the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” exhibit, through Tuesday, at Crescent Jewelers in Westwood. The collection was assembled by the Diamond Information Center for a six-city U.S. tour, and this is its final fling.

HARD WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT: The good news is she was getting paid. The bad news is she stood forever on a small platform under a hot spotlight in two layers of winter clothing. It should also be noted that boyfriend Sylvester Stallone was absent. But actress-model Jennifer Flavin wowed the crowd at Tuesday night’s opening of the Etro boutique in the Two Rodeo complex. Flavin was upstaged once during the evening--by Cybill Shepherd, who arrived in an Etro paisley silk jacket and black wool miniskirt. But after the media fuss, Shepherd disappeared inside to nibble hors d’oeuvres, and Flavin was back in the spotlight.

PASSING THE EMPTY HAT: How do the British say, “Thanks, but I gave at the office”? The newest brushoff phrase employed by ambivalent Londoners to relentless cause peddlers: “Thanks, but I’ve already got the T-shirt.”