Sticking Point

Because Los Angeles is Trend Central, Social Climes has a lot of tolerance for the wacky, zany and kooky things Angelenos do in the name of fashion. Baggy pants with the crotch around the knees, baseball caps on backward, pierced lips--hey, it’s all part of life in the Big City.

It’s when trends start hitting the mainstream that we worry. Just the other day, we spotted temporary tattoos (you know, the rub-on, wash-off kind) selling for about $4.50 at Bullock’s Beverly Center of all places, right next to the hair accessories. A couple of days later we saw them at a 7-Eleven. We figure that when they start showing up as the prize in a McDonald’s Happy Meal, it’s time to run for the hills.

Numbers Game

The Carousel of Hope Ball, that recent mega-social event featuring every celebrity known to humankind, kicked off with a two-hour silent auction and cocktail party. Social Climes had a swell time going around the room to see who had signed up for what.

Among the more interesting items was “Armani Amore,” which included a trip to Milan to see the Armani couture show and two of the designer’s tuxedos from his Beverly Hills store. And who should be bidding $7,000 for that package but Paul Marciano, one of the brothers who owns the Guess? clothing company. (Seems like an expensive way to check out the competition.)

A date with Brigitte Bardot look-alike Claudia Schiffer was definitely a hot seller. Takers included Susie Field (ex-wife of producer Ted), who offered $3,000 and scrawled on the bid sheet next to her name, “FOR SOMEONE.”