Maserati gets all dolled up

Cliques of Italians wearing expensive suits gathered on the carpet leading up to the evening’s hot ticket, a cocktail party in the lobby of the Pacific Design Center. Inside, a crowd of mostly talent agents and their actor clients mingled with representatives of Maserati, the evening’s corporate sponsor, which, by the way, is eager to link its name to young Hollywood.

To hear the company’s CEO speak, the Italian sports car has the allure of a virile leading man. “The wedding between Maserati and cinema is a very old one,” said Antonello Perricone, CEO of Maserati Worldwide, at the Jan. 16 soiree. Grace Kelly drove one, added a company spokesman.

But for most folks in the vast space, illuminated by glowing martini bars and accented with white leather sofas, Grace Kelly was far less intriguing than Paris Hilton and Gwen Stefani, both of whom teased the roaming celebrity photographers.

At one blue-lighted plexiglass bar, Vince Vaughn leaned toward the bartender to articulate a lengthy and, from the looks of the bartender, very complicated drink order. In the center of the room, newlyweds Corey Feldman and his wife, Susie, chatted amiably about their wedding, which was taped for the new WB show “The Surreal Life.” Motley Crue’s Vince Neil sang the band’s 1987 hit “Girls Girls Girls.” “It was amazing,” said Susie.

Around 11, all eyes turned to the stage for the evening’s headliner, the ubiquitous burlesque revue the Pussycat Dolls, as renowned for its provocative routines as the celebrities who cameo in it. “That’s what it takes,” said the show’s choreographer, Robin Antin. “It takes one celebrity guest.”

Everyone clamored for a spot near the stage, including Hilton, the show’s MC. She argued with security guards to give her entourage a prime spot in the front. With a celebrity fueled by her outrageously skimpy ensembles and the glittering events she attends, Hilton was the newest member of the glamorous troupe. But unlike other star guests, who have included Stefani and Christina Applegate, she didn’t dance. She squirmed and smiled from her perch on a convertible Maserati.

Onstage, Carmen Electra writhed and strutted while backed by a dozen professional dancers, known for their turns in music videos and commercials. “Turn on MTV and it’s like every one of the Pussycat Dolls is performing,” said Antin. “It’s kind of like they’re famous.”