James Mischka

Some fashion designers know they've hit the big time when their clothes land in top stores, magazines and on hot celebrities. But New York evening wear designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka add another marker to that list. "We chart the pronunciation capabilities of our name as time goes by," said Mischka, the blond half of the team Badgley Mischka (BADGE-lee mish-KA).

The decision by Academy Award organizers to move next year's Oscar ceremony up four weeks has sent the fashion world into a tizzy. Although New York Fashion Week will be over by then, the Milan and Paris runway shows will not. Which will leave many of the European houses that traditionally dominate the Oscar dressing derby in the lurch, unable to send their people to L.A. to court celebrities. "Too bad for them," New York-based eveningwear designer James Mischka said devilishly.

The decision by Academy Award organizers to move next year's Oscar ceremony up four weeks has sent the fashion world into a tizzy. Although New York Fashion Week will be over by then, the Milan and Paris runway shows will not. Which will leave many of the European houses that traditionally dominate the Oscar dressing derby in the lurch, unable to send their people to L.A. to court celebrities. "Too bad for them," New York-based eveningwear designer James Mischka said devilishly.

Some fashion designers know they've hit the big time when their clothes land in top stores, magazines and on hot celebrities. But New York evening wear designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka add another marker to that list. "We chart the pronunciation capabilities of our name as time goes by," said Mischka, the blond half of the team Badgley Mischka (BADGE-lee mish-KA).

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tom Arnold, Natalie Cole, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Francis Fisher, Kenny G, Lisa Rinna, Bill Maher and Sidney Poitier are among the celebrities confirmed to attend a May 8 event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel benefiting Nancy Davis' Race to Erase Multiple Sclerosis foundation. The event, which includes cocktails, dinner and dancing, will include a fashion show featuring the West Coast premiere of Mark Badgley and James Mischka's fall 1998 runway collection. The 7 p.m.

Nobody really dresses up for Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards, because whether they are entertainer, presenter or honoree, they know they are likely to  be wearing a coat of slime by the end of the evening. Among those slimed at this year's event on Saturday were Pitbull, Sandra Bullock, Kristen Stewart (picking up a coat of green goo when she hugged Bullock) and Neil Patrick Harris. [Los Angeles Times] Selena Gomez, who picked up the award for favorite television actress, managed to avoid the goo. She looked summery in a sheer blue top and white shorts by Oscar de la Renta, Gucci heels and a Diane von Furstenberg bag. [Just Jared Jr.]

Leaves don't change color much in Los Angeles to signal the arrival of fall. Instead, invitations arrive for new store openings and designer clothing previews. This week, New York designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka celebrated the opening of their first-ever store. The multilevel boutique at 2 Rodeo Drive features their entire collection, including shoes and luxury sportswear. At 346 N.

When Gucci held a reception recently for "Parallax," a show of contemporary photography at Venice gallery Sandroni Rey, the fashion house might have loaned some clothing to owners Tara Sandroni, 30, and Kristin Rey, 34. But there was no need. "We were set. We already had our own," said the statuesque copper-haired Sandroni, who was wearing Prada's kitten-heeled sandals. "We probably should have said we didn't have a thing to wear!"

Badgley Mischka, a brand that's walked more red carpets than Nicole Kidman and Cameron Diaz combined, has finally opened the store its two designers ? Mark Badgley and James Mischka ? have always dreamed of. The new Badgley Mischka boutique, on storied Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, is the second L.A. store for the New York-based label (the other is in West Hollywood), but it's the first to feature the breadth of the brand's offerings, said the designers. "The new store is fantastic because of its size," said Badgley.

The election is just days away, and for political junkies, it's a nail-biter. "I'm a wreck," said former Clinton White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers, standing near the bar at the book party for "Vanity Fair's Hollywood" in Los Feliz the other night. "I can't believe it's this close," she said. But whatever happens Tuesday, there's always "The West Wing." The show more than satisfies my weekly craving for liberal schmaltz, but I have to say, its portrayal of women is wearing thin.

The event: A fashion show with New York designers-to-the-stars Mark Badgley and James Mischka to benefit the the Orange County Museum of Art. About 400 of the county's art- and fashion-conscious gathered recently for dinner and the show at Sutton Place Hotel in Newport Beach. Guests saw the Badgley-Mischka spring evening collection. Next month, you may spot some of the gowns on celebrities as they sweep into the Academy Awards ceremonies.

Saddleback Heart Institute and Wellness Center, Feb. 4. Some Enchanted Evening gala will raise money for the heart institute to buy an echocardiogram machine. 6 p.m. at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station Officers Club. $125 per person. (714) 452-7232. Children's Hospital of Orange County, Feb. 7 and 8. "CHOC Follies" musical benefiting the hospital. 8 p.m. at the Chapman University Theatre, Orange. $50 and up. (714) 532-8690. Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County, Feb. 7.