Dare to Compare: the Heidi and ‘Babydol’ Sites
Now that Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss and alleged Toluca Lake madam Jody “Babydol” Gibson are both plying wares on the Web, I thought the sites https://www.heidiwear.net and https://www.babydol.com screamed out for a comparison. I know that’s very Entertainment Weekly, but bear with me.
Both sites feature mugs:
Heidi: A collection of five handmade coffee cups made while she was in prison. (“The day-to-day lifestyle was so stressful and hectic, this gave her peace of mind,” according to the site.) The cups, in a “beginner ceramics class” sort of style, will be auctioned, starting at $1,500.
Babydol: Photo mugs ($13.95) with busty pics of her to gaze at while sipping.
Shockingly, neither site sells lingerie, but both offer accessories:
H: Black beanies with “HeidiWear” logos for $15.95.
B: Handmade faux-crocodile suspenders, $74.95, modeled topless by Babydol. (As she writes on the site, “No two are exactly alike.”)
Both sites could use a good copy editor:
H: “Heidi’s personal financial situation (bankruptcy) will not affect the prompt delivery of T-shirts, sweatshirts, boxer shorts, or any other items on our web sight [sic].”
B: “Free temporary tatto [sic] with every CD purchase.”
Although Heidi’s site tips the scale with a message board that has attracted postings from “imlonelyguyscallme” and “baaadkitty2000” among others, Babydol scores with a pitch for her legal defense fund. Those who contribute $50 or more will receive an autographed photo!
*
Back in the real world . . . L.A.’s Fashion Week, which begins Friday, seems more organized than ever this season.
The Coalition of Los Angeles Designers (CLAD), a group of up-and-comers, will host a runway show at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the SoHo Nightclub in downtown L.A. Second-generation celebrity China Chow will host the event, which is open to the public at no charge. Other multi-generational celebs who have RSVP’d include Tori Spelling, Balthazar Getty, Drew Barrymore and Sofia Coppola.
“Each designer is making this their most glamorous event of the year,” said CLAD spokeswoman Alisa Loftin. “Instead of looking for recognition from everywhere else, we are recognizing ourselves.”
CLAD members Alicia Lawhon, Monah Li, Anna Huling, Josephine Loka, Rojas and others will present their fall collections at Monday’s event. (Information: [323] 666-5031.)
More established L.A. designers such as Eduardo Lucero, Michelle Mason and Grey Ant are hosting runway shows at museums, art galleries and clubs around town.
Invitations for the Estevan Ramos show Friday at the Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture in L.A. are mounted on miniature Mexican rugs--and even have a space for row and seat assignments. Which can only mean one thing: Now that L.A. has the makings for a catty pecking order at its fashion shows, we’re really getting to be on par with the New York scene.
For all the hoity-toity New York editors who can’t snag front-row seats, the L.A. shows will be cyber-cast on https://www.vidnet.com in the next few weeks.
Booth Moore can be reached at booth.moore@latimes.com.
