Gaultier Searches for a Cast of Characters

Jean-Paul Gaultier, the Paris designer whose men in corsets, women in bare-backed suits and poodles in fishnet pantyhose have raised a few eyebrows, had his West Coast contact inform us that he wants fire eaters, contortionists, flame throwers, rockers, surfers and other local talents to model in his first Los Angeles show. Don’t panic: There’s bound to be a few pin-stripe suits to wear onstage. Next to underwear, he likes them best. The casting call is Sept. 21, 5 p.m., at 6001 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood. And yes, this is for real. But no, not all the models will be circus acts. Dr. Ruth and Raquel Welch have signed up, as have a couple of classic cover girls and some Hollywood biggies. Look at it this way: If you don’t make the cut, you’ll have to pay $40 to $500 for a ticket, depending on where you sit in the jumbo Shrine Auditorium. The show is Sept. 24 and is a fund-raiser for AmFAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research).

* FATHER KNOWS BEST: He may be Rod Stewart to you, but to Sean Stewart, he’s Dad. And he sounded just like one the other day at Fred Segal on Melrose Avenue. The object of discussion was a car coat--a hot item for a young man’s “urban” wardrobe, according to menswear manager George Grimball. The preteen’s first choice reached to his knees and was deemed too long by his father, who asked: “Are you going to be on ‘The Arsenio Hall Show’ with this thing?” They settled on a shorter version--glen plaid with front zipper and black nylon sleeves--that hits mid-thigh and obviously doesn’t have that talk-show look.

* THE KEY TO HER JEWELRY: Devotees of NBC’s sitcom “Blossom” know that star Mayim Bialik wears scads of jewelry. They may not know that the 16-year-old, a famed fashion plate on- and off-screen, designs and makes some of it. After she saw some pricey versions of earrings and necklaces with tiny locks at Grau on Melrose, Bialik purchased raw materials from Kit Kraft in Studio City to make her own. So far, the trinkets are not for sale. “I actually thought about that,” confesses Bialik, “but that really takes away from their down-homeness. Giving them away is the real fun.”

* VAMPIRE HOURS: Traditionally, L.A.’s flea market crowd rises before dawn to search out treasures. Tonight, the night owls get first pick. Chic & Cheap’s monthly flea market at 110 N. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, starts at 5 p.m. and goes to midnight, in addition to the usual Saturday and Sunday daylight hours. While shoppers search for old motorcycle jackets, cowboy boots and doodads for the home, free champagne will be served. But don’t expect Dom Perignon, says organizer Ziza Brown. Cheap champagne will match the bargain prices.