Survival of the Coolest
NEW YORK--For 39 days, Ethan Zohn, the $1-million winner of CBS’ “Survivor: Africa,” unabashedly paraded on the tube in basic shorts and not much else. But when it came time for Zohn, 28, to change into Perry Ellis wear for his first modeling gig on a runway, the shy guy hid behind a rack of clothes.
“It’s pretty daunting being back here,” Zohn said after the show about the experience. “This is the last place on Earth I’d ever thought I’d be--but the clothes are very cool.”
Not much of a clotheshorse, Zohn, a professional soccer player, prefers sportswear off the field too. “During ‘Survivor,’ all I was allowed to pack was one T-shirt, one pair of shorts, one pair of pants, one sweatshirt, one hat and two pairs of socks.”
Zohn still likes to keep his look simple. “I just wear what’s comfortable--not much. Besides, what I really liked I never was able to afford.”
But, hey, you’ve got a million bucks now, buddy.
“That money is in the bank,” he said and then quickly added, “but there are some pretty nice suits back here I’d like to take a look at.”
Taking Time to Stop
and Wear the Flowers
She’s portrayed Maria Callas, Wallis Simpson, Marie Antoinette and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman--not exactly your shy types. But Jane Seymour was almost speechless at the debut of her first apparel line at an intimate gathering at the Sherry Netherland Hotel on Fifth Avenue.
“I’m more nervous today than for any movie,” said Seymour, who personally designed 45 outfits for the Crossing Pointe catalog and Web site (www.crossingpointe.com) operations of direct marketer Blair Corp.
Priced from $22 to $100, the spring-summer collection of chiffon floral dresses, beaded denim separates and cocktail numbers, in sizes from petite to 22, are inspired by one of Seymour’s other passions--painting. Her floral artwork has been copied into fabric patterns or refigured into embroidery and beaded details.
A few days after her event, the actress, who favors Escada, Valentino and Chanel, was spotted at Gen Art’s show, wearing one of her own designs: A $70 violet bouquet print silk chiffon dress and shoulder wrap. Just call her Dr. Quinn, Designing Woman.
Bush Speak
Means No Speak
Just before the start of Zac Posen’s show, Secret Service agents escorted one of the First Twins, Barbara, to a front row seat. Posen, a family friend, invited Barbara to the show but she politely refused to talk to anyone.
Question: “Aren’t you Barbara Bush?”
Answer: “Yes, but I’m not allowed to talk.”
Q: “You’re not allowed to talk?”
A: “I don’t talk.”
Q: “You can’t talk?”
A: “No, I can’t talk.”
She speaks but she doesn’t talk.
Herold Hospitalized,
Cancels Show
“I had to throw in the towel,” said designer Oliver Christian Herold via cell phone from his hospital bed at Beth Israel, referring to dropping out of Fashion Week.
A stockbroker by day for Quick & Reilly/Fleet Securities Inc., Herold, 30, checked himself into the hospital a week before his Tuesday show after suffering sharp pains in his stomach and coughing up blood.
“I just started shaking like crazy at work and went home, where I thought I could sweat it off.” Herold had been directing show preparations from his hospital bed while receiving food and medicine intravenously. When he learned the doctor’s diagnosis, acute pancreatitis, he canceled the show.
“My health matters most right now, “ said Herold, who says he will need time to build his strength for gall bladder surgery March 1. “I think we had a fantastic collection to show this time but I just couldn’t delegate anymore from the bed. It became too overwhelming.”
He says he’ll investigate the possibility of showing during Los Angeles’ Fashion Week in April. “This just took me by storm,” he said. “But I’m not giving up. Like they say, the show must go on and somehow, it will.”
Sexy Little Number
Right Off Melrose
Freddie Rojas, who last presented a collection here four years ago for the now-defunct F-8 label, is back showing his first collection for Private Clothing, whose Barcelona-based parent company Milcap Media Group is best known for its adult entertainment videos.
The 28-year-old L.A.-based designer’s line includes tasseled fringed tops, fleece bustiers and ribbed low-slung pants. Already, Rojas said, Britney Spears has bought a sexy number he has tagged his “little hooker jacket” even though the line isn’t in stores yet.
The West Covina High School graduate, who claims celebrity clients such as Janet Jackson, Madonna, Mary J. Blige and Christina Aguilera, said that on March 1 his Melrose Avenue shop, called Rojas, which has been selling his signature collection, will become the Private flagship store.
“I grew up in this business,” he says, referring to his parents, Amparo and Arturo Rojas, who both worked in the bridal industry. “I’d help my grandma Antonia put pearls on wedding gowns while we watched television together. Or I’d cut up pieces of fabric or take sleeves off of shirts and glue them back differently.” He pauses and then adds: “I’m still doing that.”
Celebrity Sightings
Around Fashion Week
Rev. Al Sharpton and music mogul Russell Simmons at the Baby Phat show; John Corbett of “Sex and the City” at the Douglas Hannant menswear show at the trendy Theo lounge and restaurant; Kevin Bacon of Broadway’s “An Almost Holy Picture” and wife Kyra Sedgwick at the Chaiken show; Ellen Barkin, Susan Sarandon, Derek Jeter, Jessica Alba and Cheryl Tiegs at the Diane Von Furstenberg show; “Saturday Night Live’s” Jimmy Fallon at the Kenneth Cole men’s show; and Laura Elena Haring of “Mulholland Drive” at the BCBG Max Azria show.
