Off the Rack

Maxppp /Landov

What was premier milliner Philip Treacy thinking when he designed that love-it-or-hate-it hat Sarah Jessica Parker wore to Monday night’s world premiere of Sex and the City: The Movie? “Well, his mother kept chickens and geese, so he loves feathers and manipulating feathers,” Treacy’s spokeswoman Nina Farnell-Watson explains to PEOPLE. Treacy was approached last week about making the hat — not, says Farnell-Watson, by film stylist Patricia Field but “by someone else.” He received photos of her Alexander McQueen dress and then met with the actress at her London hotel Sunday for about an hour. She tried on some different hat shapes and “found the one she loved,” says Farnell-Watson. Treacy then worked for two days straight and “very late into the night” trimming it with peacock feathers he got from McQueen. (They’re the same plumage used to trim her dress.) Parker — who had no idea what Treacy was planning — first saw the finished hat about two hours before the premiere. “Quite brave of her,” notes Farnell-Watson. “It’s the most beautiful crazy hat and it’s so great that she wore a hat to a British premiere. The hat is such a quintessentially English idea, but it was done in such a Carrie Bradshaw way.” And yes, Parker gets to keep it.

MJ Kim/Getty

The Sex and the City movie is the cinematic fashion event of the summer — a rumored 81 costume changes for Sarah Jessica Parker alone! And from the looks of the world premiere in London today, the fashions are going to be just as over-the-top on the red carpet as on the big screen. Parker arrived in a full-skirted Alexander McQueen confection and Fred Leighton diamonds with an amazing Phillip Treacy hat, complete with green roses and yellow butterflies. Only SJP — and her celluloid alter-ego Carrie Bradshaw — could even contemplate pulling off a look that involves winged insects and feather trim. We’re more thrilled than ever to see the movie! Tell us: Are you more excited to see the movie or the girls’ premiere outfits?

Splash News Online

Lindsay Lohan announced her leggings line back in March, and it looks like it’s full steam ahead! The actress-designer hit the streets of L.A. this weekend with models to shoot images for her upcoming line. So what can you expect as the Lohan touch on this wardrobe staple? Ankle zippers, quilted knee-pads and shimmer. We’ll keep you posted on when the line hits stores — prices have yet to be announced. Tell us: Are you looking forward to Lindsay’s leggings line?

courtesy of Rootstein

While cosmetics contracts and high-profile runway shows are trophies in the modeling world, one of the rarest honors is to be immortalized. . .as a mannequin! Following in the footsteps of icons Twiggy, Pat Cleveland and more, British It-girl Agness Deyn is being unveiled as Rootstein Mannequin’s latest model on May 20th. Rootstein Creative Director Kevin Arpino explains the choice, “Rootstein has had a long history of predicting the decades most influential visages and we felt that Agyness embodies the look of the first decade of this century. Her style and mannerisms both on and off the runway, as well as her fabulous physique, made her the perfect choice to be immortalized as a mannequin.” We agree — we love the model’s edgy fashion choices and fun personality.

Richard Young/Startraks

Here at StyleWatch, we love Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s more affordable line Elizabeth + James, and we aren’t the only ones. Just this week, fashionista Nicole Richie and designer Lauren Conrad were sporting some of the line’s Spring looks. Then when we caught Nylon’s sneak peak on what to expect for fall, we had to share it with you. With prepster plaid skirts, bright colors like electric pink, flannel and more we couldn’t help but think Gossip Girl. Nylon rightfully calls it “trust fund babe goes to a rock concert”. We love it! Take a peek at all the new stuff then, tell us: What do you think of Elizabeth + James’s fall collection?

Courtesy Instyle

Christina Applegate’s chic, relaxed style has won her our vote as one of our favorite Hollywood fashionistas — and now we know all her secrets to staying stylish. For In Style’s latest issue, which hits stands tomorrow, the Samantha Who? star reveals her favorite fashion tips. “I love sophisticated fashion, and I also love to be funky,” she tells the magazine of her ongoing style evolution. But, she reveals, “I don’t follow trends. I like things that are a little bit off and a little bit interesting.” And, in her quest for a distinctive personal style, being able to feel good in even the most casual clothes is one talent she’s perfected. “I have a friend who always calls me a chimney sweep because I tend to dress like one,” she jokes. “I don’t like doing my hair, so I wear the same cap every day–an ugly tweed old-man’s golfer’s cap.” Yet regardless of whether she’s dressed up or down, Christina knows that looking good is all about dressing for your body. “I think that if you’re wearing something that isn’t you, you’re just uncomfortable. I know what is going to look good on my body. I don’t want to be concerned all night about whether or not it fits or if my backside is hanging out.” And her favorite go-to items to cover that backside? “I believe in black pants because anything goes with them. I also think it’s important to have great jeans that fit your body. I can’t do the skinny jean. I just don’t have the body.” Get the full story tomorrow — and learn how she stays so fit! — in In Style’s new Look Your Best issue or watch a video with her on Instyle.com now.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Not to be outdone by Cavalli or Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier is the latest designer to lend his couture expertise to create custom-made costumes for a singer. The designer has created eight haute couture looks for Kylie Minogue’s “X” world tour that kicked off last night in Paris. Kylie opened the show in a purple chiffon gown from Gaultier’s 2006 collection that was completely couture modified to fit her. Some of her other dazzling outfits include a blue and white “K” logoed cheerleader- and football-inspired outfit complete with padded top, shorts and high heel sneaker shoes. She also showed off a long red satin dress, an equestrian-inspired look that included a black long tailed coat with fringe and over-the-knee leather boots, a sexy Geisha outfit with long Swarowski crystal mesh sleeves, a long turquoise gown with coral heart embroidery, a navy sequin sailor outfit, and finally a crystal embroided corset and black satin pants. With all these amazing costumes, we can’t decide which one is our favorite — maybe the Geisha? Tell us: What costume sounds best to you?

Click through to see one of Jean Paul Gaultier’s original sketches. . .
Read the rest of this entry »