Fashion people

Reading Time:3 minutes

Published: 12:00am, 19 Mar 2000

Star wars Only a week to go before Oscar Sunday, and the world's top fashion designers are embroiled in a bit of a gush-fest. Nominees such as Hilary Swank (Boys Don't Cry) and Janet McTeer (Tumbleweeds) were nameless nobodies in Hollywood this time last year; this week, everyone is desperate to dress them, throwing breathless compliments - not to mention an unlimited choice of dresses - their way. We're told Valentino, Gucci and Armani rank especially high, but lesser-known designers are making their pitch.

Harry Winston jewels, Concord watches and accessories from Tod's have also been offered profusely, although as someone from Tod's admitted: 'We never know until the night who's wearing what'. Amid this high-fashion furor, a small LA-based accessories designer is hoping someone will carry a bag she has created in memory of the victims of World War II. Kathrine Baumann has designed a heart-shaped gold bag embellished with diamonds and amethysts, and needs a big name to tote it down the red carpet.

The bag is worth US$15,000 (about HK115,500) and Baumann is hoping to auction it for charity afterwards.

Get toned Yoga is one fad that shows no signs of disappearing. Made ultra fashionable by the likes of Madonna and Christy Turlington (who was so inspired by the discipline she brought out her own fitnesswear collection called Nuala), yoga is being eagerly embraced by Hong Kong stress fiends who need to chill out. A top instructor from San Francisco, Tony Briggs, is coming to Hong Kong next week to give lessons to anyone who wants to learn the coolest fitness thing going.

Organised by the Hong Kong Yoga Society, the classes start next Sunday (March 26) and run until April 2. There is a choice of times and venues (Hong Kong Park, Yoga Central in Wyndham Street, and the Cricket Club, Wong Nai Chung Gap Road), and all levels are catered for. To qualify for the advanced and intermediate classes, however, you must be able to stand on your head for five minutes. The sessions are long - three hours each - and cost anywhere from $350 to $500 each. We're told the classes are filling up fast, so budding yogis should call Kathy Cook at the Yoga Society on 2857-7274, or email her at [email protected] House work This would have to be the height of self-indulgent frippery. Bulgari is all set to launch a home collection - something many fashion-jewellery-perfume houses are doing. Later this year, the company whose Green Tea fragrance has been a bestseller will parlay that success into a collection of yummy-smelling products for the home. The Bulgari Eau Parfumee Home Collection includes large candles, perfumed paper and scented pencils - once you're done sharpening, you can use the shavings as pot pourri. Prices will range from around $250 to $650; watch out for the line in stores this summer.

And for the baby who has everything, Bulgari has brought out a suncare range called Petits et Mamans, which is designed to protect and soothe sensitive baby skin after a rough day in the rays. Infants have their own sunblock cream, face-stick and after-sun lotion.