Multi-colored tires flank the runway at Heatherette’s over-the-top production  at Smashbox Studios Adrian Grenier without his  entourage/ with Hillary Atkin  at Evidence of Evolution Just what the world needs:   another picture of Paris Hilton  (at Petro Zillia)

It’s never going to be New York or Paris, but LA’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios has really come up in the world. Compared to its chaotic beginnings just a few short years ago, it’s well on the road to becoming a well-oiled machine, with the frenzied aspect almost fun—in stark contrast to the incredibly annoying wannabe scene it used to be.  Nearly impenetrable security prevents almost all but the most blustery crashers—usually men looking to pick up models-- from entering and taking up space in the bar line. The shows run like clockwork—an hour late.  The parties are thick with camera crews from a proliferation of media, most of which you’ve never heard of. Almost refreshingly, celebs are few and far between, and mobbed by cameras when they do appear (Jaime Pressly, Kirstie Alley, Bai Ling, Adrian Grenier, Paris Hilton.) An entertaining sideshow: watching random people crash the front row and steal gift bags, only to be busted by earphoned security and returned to their place in the standing section. Chutzpah.  Show highlights: Heatherette’s war and grease paint on the models and outré outfits for gals and guys—those metallic Speedo-type things got a huge reaction—Chick by Nicky Hilton’s blue stiletto print short and sweet dresses, Dina Bar-El’s satin charmeuse, sexy, colorful red-carpet gowns and cocktail dresses, Evidence of Evolution’s up to there minis—butt cheeks, anyone?—the models with attitude at Jeremy Scott and their road sign dresses with tire belts and white garbage can hats, the crazy frizzy huge hair with jewel-tone silk chiffon gowns at Petro Zillia, where guests also got handed a quiz to see “how LA” they were and fittingly, poster child Paris Hilton took it all in.    While all of these established designers had something to say, it was an added bonus to discover some of the fresh items from up-and-comers at the Design Suites, like Dan Sara’s gorgeous embellished and studded boots—each pair a work of art (available at Metro in Brentwood/check danssara.com for other stores). Anna Kosturova’s hot crochet bikinis already made Sports Illustrated; now she’s making sexy silk cover-ups, tops, skirts and dresses.  Zova L.A. does slinky jersey tops and dresses from all organic fabrics that will make you feel green all over, Blue Tattoo mines the graffiti-inspired look for hot jeans and tops and Smooch Jeans goes for bias-cut denim and cords with a bootylicious fit. Junior jeans line YMI kicked off FW festivities with a well-received fashion bash/runway show at Boulevard 3, and Gen Art tented the Petersen Automotive Museum’s parking lot for its 10th annual Fresh Faces in Fashion show, showcasing 12 emerging talents including Suh-Tahn, Orthodox and Endovanera.

 Lift: open 22/7 (closed between 4-6 am)
A few blocks away, in the renovated Hillview Apartments building, Lift is serving up a seasonal menu from chef Keith Silverton, formerly of Stars in San Francisco and Chez Panisse offshoot Fourth Street Grill in Berkeley.  The innovative menu features fare like lobster mac ’n’ cheese, Sonoma duck confit hash and oatmeal crème brûlée—plus more traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner items. It’s a coffee shop bucking to become a Hollywood institution, when the only time you can’t get served is between 4 and 6 a.m. Not sure though what’s up with the name, the British term for elevator…maybe after we’ve gotten higher. 
Lift, 6533 Hollywood Blvd., 323.469-1848 

MADISON PROJECT: UNDER THE RADAR
Santa Monica College has just opened the first stage in its still-under- construction Madison campus Performing Arts Center, a 99-seat venue called Second Space. Kicking off a free concert series--seven Saturday or Sunday night events through 12/15—was the Los Angeles Tango Ensemble, a group of talented musicians made up of mainly transplanted Argentinians passionate about playing. Upcoming shows include opera, bluegrass and Latin Jazz. Free, but rezzies required. The main 550-seat concert hall is set to open next spring with a season beginning next fall. 
SMC Performing Arts Center, SM Blvd. & 11th St., 310.434-3414
 
 

THE SWEETEST THING If your idea of sugarholic heaven is frosting, you will love Mrs. Beasley’s new cupcakes, each topped with a 3-inch swirled dome of the stuff, many coated in chocolate. For those not wanting to get cupcake comatose, there are mini-versions about 1/3 the size, called poppers. A sick treat at any size, and we mean that in a sweet way. Custom decorating available. Not a dime a dozen, try $30: Mrs. Beasley’s oversize gourmet frosted cupcakes (top) and mini poppers www.cupcakes.mrsbeasleys.com

MOST TASTELESS PRESS RELEASE
“Introducing Sex Bombs: Get Explosively Sexy,” read the ridiculously inappropriate headline for a product (whose name will not be disclosed in order to spare further embarrassment—but you know who you are), on a day when more than 100 people died in a Pakistani bombing. But on any day post 9/11, um, no, not what we want.

MOST CREATIVE MOVIE MARKETING CAMPAIGN
A couple of thick postcards with no return address came TAR’s way, with a schedule of events in DC, Milan, Sydney, Prague and LA, all in the same day. Turns out the website, anywhereispossible.com, links to a trailer for a movie called Jumper, opening next February. That’s some advance campaign, Fox! In order to enter a contest for a trip for two anywhere in the world, people must link the trailer to their own website. Talk about seeded viral marketing. Very clever.