Sarah Jessica Parker in News

Lauren celebrates in style

Ralph Lauren pulled out all the stops Saturday night with a fashion show and gala dinner fit for a king...of fashion. If the A-list crowd's response to the runway show was any indication, Lauren, celebrating his 40th anniversary as a designer, presented one of his best yet. "I loved it!" a chipper Martha Stewart exclaimed after the show. The domestic diva energetically snapped photos on her digital camera from the front row throughout the show. The highlight for Stewart: Lauren's Derby hats. "I also loved the floral prints, especially the orange dress," Stewart said. "And the riding pants, of course. Though I dare not wear those while riding my horses!" Following the tented runway show, the catwalk's backdrop, a mural of socialites hob-nobbing at a horse race, opened up Price Is Right-style to reveal the breathtaking dining area at The Conservatory Garden. Guests such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Diane Sawyer, John Mellancamp and Barbara Walters noshed on goat cheese souffles, leg of lamb and gourmet strawberry shortcake in the elevated dining area, neatly accented by massive chandeliers and oversized white foral arrangements. Man of honor Lauren had this to say to the elite crowd pre-dessert: "If I had to dream of a perfect night, this would be it. I'm so proud to be here. I can't believe I'm living this life." -- Alison Maxwell The look: The first part of the special presentation was decidedly Kentucky Derby with a domintrix edge. Models sauntered down the runway in black and white riding-inspired getups with touches of patent leather. Ensembles were paired with fishnet stockings and rhinestone encrusted riding sticks. The Pierces' Boring (Lyrics: Sexy boy, girl on girl, manage trois. Boring. Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin. Boring.) Phase two of the show featured printed floral day dresses in brights with cascading ruffles and hems. For the third segment exaggerated polo prints in bright pinks, greens and yellows appeared bags, shirts and jodfurs. Lauren returned to traditional elegance during the final grouping with simple evening gowns in bold yellows and purples and soft whites. He punctuated the presentation with a gold chain link red carpet-ready gown. At the conclusion Frank Sinatra's The Best is Yet to Come poured over the soundsystem and the notorious future-looking Lauren greeted well-wishers.Also spotted: Robert DeNiro bypassing the press line, but answering a resounding "Yes!" when asked if he loves Ralph Lauren. John Mellancamp puffing a cigarette and directing questions to wife Elaine. Designers Donna Karan, Vera Wang and Carolina Herrera holding court on the front row. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Robert Kennedy Jr. posing for photos with the extended Lauren family.

In Search of 'The Perfect Scent'

In his new book, The Perfect Scent, Chandler Burr follows the developments of two perfumes: one by actress Sarah Jessica Parker; the other by French perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. Burr is perfume critic at The New York Times. Â» E-Mail This Â» Add to Del.icio.us

Sniffing Out the Next Big Fragrance

Review: "The Perfect Scent" offers a portrait of the perfume industry by tracking the development of two recent products, including Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely.

Independent Films Attract Stars

The stars of "Smart People," Sarah Jessica Parker, Dennis Quaid and Thomas Haden Church, discuss how independent films have changed and why well-known actors are attracted to them. Kelsey Hubbard reports from Sundance. (Jan. 23)

A 'Sex'-y preview

Designer Patricia Field loves clothes. What she does not love, or love to talk about, are labels. 'I don’t know the labels really,” she said during a preview of the Sex and the City movie fashions today in the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Star Lounge in the Bryant Park tents. "What’s the point? Are we selling clothes or are we selling entertainment?" 'I wanted to bring four pieces from when we saw the girls together,” said the red-clad designer, standing in front of the posed mannequins. 'This (collection) is one of my favorites of the four together out." Field says that while a lot has happened in time where the four women's stories left off and the movie picks up, 'still, it’s only five years. They haven’t become somebody else.” Field was adamant about keeping each character’s styles sexy and exciting, no matter what their age. 'Sexuality...can go with you throughout your whole life.”Charlotte’s mannequin was dressed in a heavily-beaded Ferragamo floral strapless dress and a heavy gold chain. Field calls Charlotte’s style less girlish and 'a bit more Jackie O” now. 'She’s calmed down a bit, grown,” says Field. Samantha’s mannequin wore a yellow vintage Thierry Mugler power jacket over a black pencil skirt and is 'bigger and bolder” in the movie, according to Field.Miranda’s style appeared to have evolved the most. After seeing a photograph of Cynthia Nixon a few months before the movie with a 'nice, clean haircut” Field saw a new side to Miranda, and pushed the character’s style toward what she terms 'Park Avenue WASPY.” With Miranda's mannequin clad in a bold black and white print, Field called her 'still the same person - but that’s a new element.”As for Carrie, organized mayhem still rules. She was shown in a bright silk screened floral dress (of 'no particular label”). 'Carrie was always a very eclectic fashion-surprise girl,” says Field. 'Because the actress (Sarah Jessica Parker) loves fashion, so she’s totally into it.” Field called Carrie’s much-publicized bridal gown a 'very ornate cupcake wedding dress” but wouldn’t divulge any other details, for fear it will ruin the moviegoers experience. Next up for Field? Jerry Bruckheimer’s adaptation of Confessions of a Shopaholic.--Andrea Mandell