A Sly ‘Grand Slam’ for Designer Donna Karan

The Scene: Hollywood-style adulation at the fashionable feet (strappy black platform boots) of New York design star Donna Karan, who brought her new men’s collection, women’s collection, DKNY collection and lingerie collection to Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills Tuesday night to benefit Aids Project Los Angeles.

Overheard: “Grand slam, darlin’. Over the fence,” Sylvester Stallone told Karan after the show.

Who Was There: Karan’s movie star-handsome sculptor husband, Stephan Weiss, who cuddled with her during the entire show; Donna Mills; Anne Archer; Luther Vandross; Linda Gray; Vidal Sassoon; Judy Ovitz; Suzanne de Passe; Wendy Stark; Patti Cappalli; Joel Silver; Nina Blanchard; Paul Bloch; Stallone steady Jennifer Flavin, who was working on the runway; plus Neiman Marcus top brass, including President and CEO Terry Lundgren.

Who Wasn’t There: Barbra Streisand, Karan’s gal pal, who was rehearsing for Wednesday night’s big Bill Clinton fund-raiser.

Quoted: “It’s an homage to Donna Karan. She put the noir in black,” said Allure magazine West Coast Editor Peggy Orr, explaining why practically everyone, herself included, showed up in black.

Fashion Statement: Karan wore all black knit--long skirt and a shoulder-baring top similar to the ones she designed for Liza Minnelli (Academy Awards) and Candace Bergen (Emmy Awards). She also tied a black cardigan around her waist.

The Buzz: Hemlines and platforms. The new mid-calf and longer skirts with raised shoes arrived with a vengeance, although there is still confusion and resistance. “I say no--but you always say no in the beginning,” said de Passe. “Then, you know, an urge to fit in overtakes you and there it is.” While Lundgren reported that the new length is so hot the store has already placed reorders (“I think we undershot the opportunity”), Ronni Chasen, a petite Hollywood publicist in a short skirt, predicted: “Long skirts are going to be a big flop. They’re going to be the biggest fashion disaster in 10 years. You’ll see.”

Freebie Factor: High. Men received Donna Karan neckties; women, Donna Karan sunglasses and Donna Karan perfume.