SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 29, 2001-There was nothing plane–er, plain–about the Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hanger on the night of Divine Design, one of Hollywood’s favorite annual AIDS fundraisers.
Mixing style and substance during the busy holiday season, the four-day event offers designer merchandise at up to 50 percent below retail, with all sales benefiting Project Angel Food, a Los Angeles charity which delivers free life-sustaining meals to over 1,000 men and women and children disabled by AIDS.
“AIDS charities are at the top of my list because I lost a very close acting teacher to AIDS,” said Will & Grace star Debra Messing, who has co-hosted the event for the last three years with her TV co-star Eric McCormack.
In a sleek black sheath and carrying a Chanel clutch, the stylish-as-ever Messing was more than ready to hit the discount racks, which were stuffed with clothes from the likes of Anna Sui, Baby Phat, Coogi, Eddie Bauer, Esprit, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Kenneth Cole, Lucky Brand, Oliver Peoples, Polo Ralph Lauren, Rampage, Richard Tyler, Todd Oldham and XOXO.
When I asked how much of the season’s shopping she’d completed, she didn’t miss a beat: “I’ve done NONE! I’m going right now!”
McCormack, too, said he was going to check off a few items from holiday shopping lists: “My wife’s and mine,” he said imperiously.
Also working the racks with discerning eyes were Allison Janney and cute-as-a-button Jennie Garth, whose overflowing tote seemed to indicate a successful shopping spree.
R&B diva Mary J. Blige was also trying to trim down her list, shopping for “my sister, my little brother–and myself.” Her top style tip: “Before you get dressed, know that you’re going to be comfortable in it. Put it on, try it on, make sure your shoes don’t hurt, because when your shoes hurt, everything is off.” And from the looks of it, her Prada boots fit just fine.
Other stars on hand included Judith Light, Sharon Lawrence, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Deirdre Hall. Although she wasn’t comparing prices, Anjelica Huston was also in the house, appearing at the private gala dinner to collect the Woman of Style award for the absent actress and noted AIDS activist Sharon Stone.
