Fashion and Style

Jennifer Aniston, right, and Adam Sandler appear together before Super Bowl XLV n Arlington, Texas on Sunday, February 6, 2011. (Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News/MCT)

Just in case her romantic life doesn’t pan out and her movies flop, Jennifer Aniston will still have her very own scent.

Um…I mean her new eponymous fragrance, which debuts this week in the U.S. (she bowed in the United Kingdom last July).

Jennifer Aniston – the fragrance – is in Sephora stores with 1 oz. going for $39; 1.7 oz. for $55 and 2.9 oz. for $70. Sephora has the exclusive for three months and then the collection rolls out to other retailers.

She worked with International Flavors & Fragrances to give the scent some personal notes. Her childhood in SoCal for example is represented with using jasmine. There are some woody base notes to conjure up the smell of wood fires burning in good friends’ homes. The top notes are citrus grove and rose water with a heart of blooming jasmine, wild violets and amazon lily. The drydown is sensual musk, golden amber and sandalwood.

Her latest film is “Just Go With It” co-starring Adam Sandler. The movie premieres on Friday, Feb. 11, which also happens to be her 42nd birthday. Early word is so bad the studio isn’t doing movie critic screenings.

She also is putting the finishing touches on “Wanderlust” with Paul Rudd and Malin Akerman and “Horrible Bosses” with Jason Bateman and Colin Farrell. Aniston is working on a project with Lifetime TV called “Five for the Cure,” where there are five short films concerning breast cancer with a tentative air date of October.

Okay, we’re far enough into the year 2011 to start some serious fashion forecasting.

We’re not talking about lofty, high-style seen on designer runways, but reality – y’know, like at the mall or on the street.

And by “we” I mean of course New York-based experts at JWT (a mega-marketing communications brand with offices in 90 countries) and the Tobe Report (an international fashion and retail forecasting consulting service).

Here’s what the soothsayers and oracles say will be all the rage this year:

Nautical stripes on Las Olas Boulevard this past summer. Photo by Robert Duyos

No More Rules: You can wear white whenever you want to; you can sport shorts in the winter, you can sashay in leather in the spring. It’s your world girl, do your thing.

Nail It: Yeah, we know that lipstick is the traditional treat-of-choice for women during economically uncertain times, but this year nail polish will become a serious “it” accessory. Look for the unusual from leather nails to on-purpose chipped nails. Volvo is offering polishes that match the color options for the new S60…no joke.

70s Nostalgia: The disco duds are poised for a comeback. We’ve already got the haircuts, now look for groovy scarves, chevron stripes and flared trousers.

Sensible Shoes: Hard to imagine this trend gaining ground in sexy-or-die SoFla, but nose-bleed-high-heels are allegedly giving way to Oxfords, loafers, wedges and hidden platforms.

Temp Tattoos: You can thank Beyonce Knowles and her partnership with Temptu for this one. Now Chanel is into temporary skin art (limited edition, so hurry). In Dubai the temp tats are done in real gold.

Get Mobile: Smart phones make a breeze of price comparison, accessing product reviews and purchasing. You can save big bucks with just a few inexpensive apps. Also F-Commerce – buying directly through Facebook – will take off this year (so far it’s only Victoria’s Secret, Flowers.com and Delta Airlines).

More sensible shoes - like this lady wearing sturdier wedges on Fort Lauderdale Beach - will be fashionable instead of mile-high heels in 2011. Photo by Amy Beth Bennett

Earn Your Stripes: Nautical stripes will continue to be popular from last year, but in 2011 look for unexpected color combinations.

Crayola Colors: Bold, happy hues in shoes and handbags will pack a powerful punch this spring.

Costly Cotton: Drought in China, floods in Pakistan, trade restrictions in India – it all adds up to price increases in cotton. We’ll all start to feel the effect this year.

Fast Fashion: Already looks seen on the red carpet or on designer catwalks are showing up – seemingly overnight – in mass retailer stores (interpreted in less-expensive fabrics and with fewer details). This will obliterate the seasons-based model fashion has been using throughout its history. Adding to the speed will be luxury labels expanding into developing markets with different yearly weather patterns that the Western world.

Virtual Mirrors: A camera displays the customer’s image on a screen, when then overlays different types of makeup which allows the shopper to preview products and play with options. You can then share the look through Facebook, smart phones or email with your friends to get their opinions. Walmart is testing this technology with EZface.

Slim Shiny Suits: Forget about skinny jeans, the skinny suit with a bit of sheen has moved from high fashion to men’s wear mainstream.

Suits have a slimmer fit and just a bit of sheen in men's wear like this guy at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Photo by Amy Beth Bennett.

Flared trousers spotted in the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Photo by Amy Beth Bennett

Accessories will be bright and bold in color for 2011 like this lady's on Las Olas Boulevard. Photo by Robert Duyos.

Plus-size clothing line Beverly Drive from Sears

Sears today announced the launch of a new clothing line for curvy women called Beverly Drive.

The plus-size clothing line – sizes 16W to 24W – includes work-to-weekend separates in tops, bottoms, dresses and denim and is available in Sears stores as well as online at Sears.com. The line targets women ages 25 to 45.

“Beverly Drive was designed to provide customers the latest emerging silhouettes that will flatter a real woman’s body at any size and for any occasion,” said John Goodman, a spokesman for Sears. “We’re striving to make Sears a fashion destination for all women. That goal includes meeting the demands of the plus-size market—and providing our customers with the best selection of beautiful and accessible clothing, period.”

Sears also made news recently by saying “I do” to the David Tutera Bridal Jewelry Collection of wedding bands and engagement rings. Tutera stars in “My Fair Wedding” on the WE cable channel and is a frequent guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Diane von Furstenberg as she greets the crowd during Fashion Week in New York last September with her right-hand man Yvan Mispelaere.

Diane von Furstenberg will start New York Fashion Week with a broken nose and a black eye.

The iconic fashion designer (and president of the all-powerful Council of Fashion Designers of America) was skiing in Aspen last week with her billionaire hubby Barry Diller when she was waylaid on the slopes.

Fashion Week starts Wednesday, Feb. 9th. Furstenberg has a broken nose and facial fractures.

The 64-year-old was airlifted to UCLA’s hospital and emailed WWD: “Barry and I were skiing happily. Some Brazilian man, who could not ski, lost control and went straight at me, hitting me badly on my face and ribs (with his camera). I went to the emergency room and then flew to UCLA. I look like Mike Tyson on his worst fight. Broken nose and some light facial fractures. At home in L.A. now waiting to heal. Will be staying here the week because I have my children and grandkids. I guess it could have been worse…but it does NOT look pretty.”

Local jewelry designer Ed Rosenberg is going to be a big player during Super Bowl.

He’s heading to Dallas with his contemporary metals bling-brand Edward Mirell.

The Deerfield Beach-based company will be a part of Big Game Weekend’s The Suites, a two-day gifting and hospitality venue for athletes and celebrities.

“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Edward Mirell to be seen by a market that is typically hard to reach,” said Rosenberg, a third generation jeweler. “If the Big Game Weekend goes as well as the lead-up to it, we’re in for one heck of a ride.”

Items to be gifted include the Edward Mirell ladies multi-drop Rain necklace; the men’s Signature Cable cross and the Tuxedo pendant.  All the pieces feature the company’s patented Black Ti as well as gray titanium and retail between $185 and $450.  Rosenberg anticipates giving out over 100 pieces of jewelry.

For more information, visit EdwardMirell.com.

Ladies multi-drop "Rain" necklace

Men's "Siganture Cable" cross

"Tuxedo" pendant

Santa Lolla Peep-toe high heel. South Florida shoppers can now browse the brand’s boots, clogs, flats, peep toe, platforms, pumps, wedges and accessories, including wallets and belts, without a flight to Brazil.

Feb. 3: Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour will hold an Etro Spring 2011 trunk show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Designer Collections on Two. There will be informal modeling from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call (305) 865-1100, ext. 5292.

Feb. 4: Santa Lolla, the Brazilian footwear and accessories brand, will open its first US location in the Town Center at Boca Raton from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The first 50 customers  get a complementary Santa Lolla beach bag.

Eunice W. Johnson with Yves Saint Lawrence. (courtesy of Ebony Archives)

Feb. 10: Macy’s Fashion Store in Aventura and Ebony magazine present an opening reception for an installation called “Eunice W. Johnson and The Love of Color.” The retrospective exhibit unlocks the vaults of the Ebony Fashion Fair, showing off the decades of couture Mrs. Johnson collected for the traveling fashion show sponsored by her husband’s publishing empire. Macy’s will welcome Jeanine Collins of Johnson Publishing, who will give insight about Mrs. Johnson’s life and her contributions to the beauty and fashion industries. The exhibit – one of Desiree Rogers’ first projects as the new CEO of Johnson Publishing – will remain on the 2nd floor until Feb. 14. The reception on Feb. 10th starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit Macys.com/celebrate.

Feb. 11: Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour will conduct a Wacoal Fit For The Cure bra fit clinic all day in Intimates on Three. Receive a complimentary fitting in a Wacoal or b.tempt’s bra from a fit specialist. For every woman who participates, Wacoal will donate $2 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure toward breast cancer research and community outreach programs (an additional $2 donated for every Wacoal bra, shapwear piece of b.tempt’d bra purchased). Guests will get a tote bag with an $80 Wacoal purchase, while supplies last and one per customer. For more information, call (305) 865-1100, ext. 5228.

Feb.12: Coral Square Mall will have a “Beary” Special Kidgits Valentine’s Day Party from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Center Court. Kids can create a teddy bear-themed Valentine’s Day card, a Dachshund puppy craft and a magnetic photo frame. Bearemy, the Build-A-Bear mascot will make an appearance. The membership fee for Kidgits Club is $5 (which gets you a membership card and a T-shirt. For more information, visit Simon.com/kidgits.

Feb. 18: Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour will have a Donna Karan Spring 2011 trunk show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with informal modeling from 1 to 4 p.m. in Designer Collections on Two.

Feb. 10-11: The Angela Moore Boutique in Palm Beach will host a Manuel Canovas trunk show from 1 to 5 p.m. each day. For more information, call (561) 833-3503, email palmbeach@angelamoore.com or visit AngelaMoore.com.

Feb 11: The Old Davie School Historical Museum will host “Fused Fashion Preview 2011 – Your invitation to the Front Row” starting at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 (VIP seating $40). The Museum is at 6650 Griffin Road in Davie. Call (954) 797-1044 or visit OldDavieSchool.org for more information.

Feb. 11-12: Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour will have a Roberto Coin trunk show from noon to 5 p.m. in Jewelry on One. For more information, call (305) 865-1100, ext. 5258.

Feb. 16: Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour will host the Armani Collezioni Caravan from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Designer Collections on Two. For more information, call (305) 865-1100, ext. 5292.

Feb. 16: Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour will host a personal appearance by Dr. Gregory Bays Brown, founder and chief of creative services for ReVive. The plastic and reconstructive surgeon launched the skincare line with Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), a molecule originally used for healing burn victims. The event is from noon to 4 p.m. (1st seminar is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and the 2nd seminar is from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.) in Designer Collection on Two

Feb. 18: Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour will host the launch of La Prairie Cellular Power Infusion from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Beauty on One. Receive one 0.26 fl oz bottle as a gift when you purchase one set of four. Call (305) 865-1100, ext. 5443 for more information.

Feb 25-26: Town Center at Boca Raton will present “The Heart Truth Red Dress Tour.” The kick-off event is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 25. Tickets are $30 and are available by calling Kimberly M. Read at (561) 955-4142 or emailing her at kread@brrh.com. The party will include “The Red Stiletto Strut,” a competition for the hottest highest designer red heels. Souvenir photos of participants’ fancy footwork will be available for $5. Proceeds benefit the Christine E. Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute of Boca Raton Regional Hospital. The Red Dress Tour showcases red-hued designs from the likes of Betsey Johnson, Carmen Marc Valvo and Badgley Mischka.

Feb. 25-26: Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour will host the Giorgio Armani A-Team Event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Beauty on One. Giorgio Armani Beauty national face designers Rhona Samuels and Francisco Zacharias will demonstrate the newest spring 2011 makeup trends. For more information, call (305) 865-1100, ext. 5185.

Feb. 26: Local couturier Victoria Lopez Castro – who has dressed Gloria Estefan, Vanna White, Rita Moreno and Cristina Saralegui as well as tennis aces Mary Jo Fernandez and Monica Seles - will have a spring/summer runway fashion show at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale starting at 7:30 p.m. to benefit the American Red Cross Broward County Chapter. Tickets are $100 (VIP tickets are $150) by calling (954) 797-3816, emailing BrowardredCrossEvent@usa.redcross.org or visiting SouthFloridaRedCross.org.

Maharani-style necklace from around 1980. This is a copy of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' Van Cleef and Arpel's necklace given to her by Aristotle Onassis as a wedding present in 1968. Photograph by Erik Gould, courtesy of the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design and Kenneth Jay Lane.

Jeweler-to-the-stars Kenneth Jay Lane is all about the show.

His costume jewelry is known for whimsical showiness. Shows from “Sex and the City” to the Oscars’ red carpet specials regularly feature his pieces. His shows on QVC have had tongues wagging for 20 years. And now his work is getting it’s own show in an exhibit – “Fabulous Fakes: The Jewelry of Kenneth Jay Lane” – at The Norton Museum of Art from Feb. 3 through May 1. And on Sunday, Feb. 6 the curator Henry Joyce will give a public talk starting at 3 p.m.

His fans today include Mischa Barton, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears and Sarah Jessica Parker while in the past he’s been a friend and go-to-glam-guy for everyone from Andy Warhol and Christian Dior to Nancy Reagan and the Duchess of Windsor (he laughs off the rumor that Wallis Simpson was buried in a jeweled belt he created for her: “At the Sotheby’s auction after her death there were about 28 pieces; not as much as Jackie had though,” said Lane).

A social animal, Lane fits right in with the party-hearty people on the style-isle of Palm Beach, staying with his many friends of the Park Avenue set. “If they made films in Palm Beach actors and actresses would be much better dressed,” he said almost immediately in our telephone interview.

Later on  - after regaling with gossipy stories of diamond merchants from India, how the lawyers at QVC blanch when he he says “you’ll live longer” by buying his baubles and being inspired by Mae West in his youth – we ran through a list of his most famous clientele for his impressions:

Barbara Bush – “An intelligent nice woman. I am very fond of her. She was a very proper First Lady. She did it very well. And of course the three-strand pearl necklace that I did for the inauguration is in the Smithsonian now…forever.”

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – “A normal lady. She was a good girl.”

Snake bracelet, 1960s. Rhinestone along its body with a gilded base-metal head and green glass eyes. Photograph by Erik Gould, courtesy of the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design and Kenneth Jay Lane.

Elizabeth Taylor – “Extraordinary. I remember being at an Academy Award party, the one thrown by Swifty Lazar, and I was sitting with Audrey Hepburn. Liz came over and sat down with us. Audrey noticed her earrings. Liz said, ‘The earrings are Richard Burton but the necklace is Michael Todd.”

Audrey Hepburn – “She’s a dream. I can remember being in St. Tropez with her and she was staying with Givenchy. This was before the paparazzi and we just walked around all day and no one bothered us. I even had breakfast at Tiffany’s with her while she was making “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.’”

Diana Vreeland – “The great guru. You know, she was not all about fashion. She had amazing philosophies about life. She was a positive thinker. And she was the only person who knew where to get rhino horn in New York. She told me it was the only way to polish waxed calf leather John Lobb shoes.”

If you go

What: “Fabulous Fakes: Jewelry by Kenneth Jay Lane”

When: Feb. 2-May 1; exhibition galleries open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays

Where: The Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach

Admission: $12; $5 for visitors ages 13-21 and free for members as well as kids younger than 13

Information: 561-832-5196; Norton.org

Freed slave and abolitionist Olaudah Equiano, in referring to the black diaspora, once said, “We are almost a nation of dancers, musicians and poets.”

He might have simply used the term “artists.”

Today, more than 200 years later, two exhibits will be in South Florida for Black History Month, paying homage to that creativity Equiano spoke of.

ELIZABETH CATLETT EXHIBIT AT ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDEN IN WPB

As a granddaughter of slaves, artist Elizabeth Catlett was born in Washington D.C. in 1915 and grew up in the middle of racial strife. Her work in lithographs and sculpture reflected the stories she heard from grandmother and social-worker mother and led her to become on of the most prominent black figures in 20th Century art.

Elizabeth Catlett's "Triangular Women," (1994) Amber Onyx from local collector Dr. Catherine Lowe in West Palm Beach

The Ann Norton Sculpture Garden (in a partnership with The Palm Beach County Cultural Council) will exhibit her work from February 2 – 27. The show “The Art of Elizabeth Catlett – Sculptures and Prints” comes from a private collection recently exhibited at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA. There are a few pieces included from local collector Dr. Catherine Lowe of West Palm Beach.

“We’ve been trying to bring this show here for two years, ” said Cynthia Palmieri, executive director for the museum. “This exhibit was preceded by ‘Color Town/Overtown — 1947 Dade County, Florida’ a photographic journal by Max Waldman. I think her sculpture may be lesser known than her print work, but she was a very important female sculptor and Ann [Norton] was a female sculptor so it’s a nice match, even though Catlett’s work is far more delicate than Ann’s.”

Catlett won a scholarship to Carnegie Tech but was refused enrollment when the prestigious school realized she was black. After attending graduating with honors from Howard University in 1935 and teaching art in the Jim Crow South, she studied with painter Grant Wood (“American Gothic) at the University of Iowa, eventually becoming the first African-American student to receive an M.F.A. in sculpture from the school.

In 1946 she fled to Mexico and married painter Francisco Mora, eventually having three sons including film director Juan Mora. Her granddaughter is Naima Mora, winner of cycle four of “America’s Next Top Model.”

“I think it must have been a difficult time to be a woman and to be an artist period,’ said Palmieri. “And we were a segregated nation. All of that plays into her persona and into her work.”

Admission to the Garden, located at 253 Barcelona Road (at the corner of Flagler Drive) in West Palm Beach, is $5. The exhibition galleries and artist studio are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (561) 832-5328 or go to ANSG.org.

AFRICAN “MASKS, MUSIC, WARRIORS” IN DELRAY BEACH

Alyona Ushe remembers exactly where she was when she realized she wanted to present the exhibit “A Journey Through Africa: Masks, Music and Warriors” in Delray Beach.

“I was sitting in the library at Lynn University and all around me students were sitting around these amazing works of art,” said Ushe, executive director of the Creative City Collaborative (CCC). “Students were just sitting around these treasures. This was something you would see at the Met. I was just blown away by it. I knew there was nothing like it recently, not in Delray.

So Ushe – working with Kevin Ross, president of Lynn University in Boca Raton – managed to spread the collection over two venues for maximum exposure to the public: the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and the Delray Beach Public Library.

At Delray Beach’s West Atlantic Public Plaza there will free events throughout the month including master storyteller Baba Adekemi Lyons, African fusion band Positively Africa and African films presented by Women’s International Film and Arts Festival.

The exhibit presents the works of 14 tribal groups from nine geographic regions of Sub-Sahara Africa with everything from ceremonial masks and sculptures to musical instruments and furniture. For more details on the exhibit and community events throughout Black History month, go to DelrayBeachArts.org.

The Delray Beach Public Library is at 100 West Atlantic Boulevard in Delray Beach. Free. Open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. (561) 266-0194.

The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is at 170 NW Fifth Avenue in Delray Beach. Admission is $5 (seniors is $3 and students/members are free). Hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (561) 279-8883.

The West Atlantic Public Plaza is on the corner of S.W. 5th Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. Free. The kick-off event is Feb. 3rd from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Donald Trump speaks to his guests prior to a special screening of Golf Channel's new celebrity reality series, Donald J Trump's Fabulous World of Golf on March 31, 2010 at Trump Towers in New York, New York. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for Golf Channel)

Donald Trump – the Daddy Warbucks of the digital age – will reboot Trump Hollywood on Thursday, Feb. 3rd.

The ocean-side, 41-story condo went into foreclosure last year and is now being relaunched by New York investment firm King Street Capital Management and Miami-based developer BH III LLC (“BH3″).

The 200-unit property will get a splashy fete with 300-400 guests.

But it was the mega-developer’s television presence we wanted to talk about in a brief telephone interview. On Monday, Jan. 31st  “Donald J. Trumps Fabulous World of Golf” returned for its sophomore season on The Golf Channel.

On, Sunday, Mar. 6th “Celebrity Apprentice 4″ debuts with a cast that includes La Toya Jackson, Gary Busey, Dionne Warwick, Lil Jon, Meat Loaf, Jose Canseco, Star Jones and Fort Lauderdale model Niki Taylor.

In a quick Q&A from his New York office Friday morning, Trump dished the dirt on the famous faces and the fierce fighting on his reality TV series:

I can’t figure out what the winners of Celebrity Apprentice – Piers Morgan, Joan Rivers, Bret Michaels - all have in common. What does it take to win “Celebrity Apprentice?”

The Trump Hollywood, an condominium residence development by the Donald Trump and Jorge Perez, of the Related Group of Florida, on Hollywood beach in Florida. Deanna Dent, Sun Sentinel

“Well, aside from intelligence you have to have stamina. A lot of people just can’t do it including many athletes. But then a 76-year-old woman  like Joan Rivers can do it. She never got tired.”

Spill the dirt on this season’s cast; who shocked you?

“We just finished taping so I can’t give anything away, but I think this is the best cast we’ve ever had. Gary Busey is definitely different. He is just an amazing character. You know, I think people might be surprised but La Toya Jackson is very smart and cunning. But it’s NeNe Leakes [Real Housewives of Atlanta] and Star Jones that really fight. I mean they really battle it out. They make Omarosa look like a kind person.”

Tell me about Trump Hollywood’s new plans?

“It’s a great building – something really special. These new people bought it essentially and they’re really fantastic. This is sort of a relaunch. I think it’ll be phenomenal. Anything you have on the ocean will do well, especially now.”

Are you taking over the iconic restaurant Tavern-On-The-Green in New York’s Central Park that closed in 2009?

“I think it’s a phenomenal restaurant. I just signed a deal and now it’s up to the city. Everyone loves it and wants to see it open again.”

You have another show on The Golf Channel, right? It’s called “Donald J. Trumps’ Fabulous World of Golf” and retuning for a second season I believe.

“Yeah the first season it was six episodes and they renewed it for 17 episodes, which is the first I think that’s ever been done. It’s really great for highlighting my golf courses. I’ve got 12 great courses all over the world including right there in Palm Beach.”

Douglas Hannant at Michael R. McCarty's eatery in Palm Beach in 2005 (photo by Rod S. Hagwood)

Douglas Hannant is the go-to-guy for trust-fund babies, fashionable philanthropists and other Palm Beach/Park Avenue regulars.

So much so that the dapper designer is debuting his first fragrance in Palm Beach this Friday (Jan. 28) at Neiman Marcus on Worth Avenue with a trunk show/parfum launch from 1 to 4 p.m.

The night before (Jan. 27) the “Prince of Park Avenue” will stage a fashion show of his 2011 spring collection for a pre-event leading up to the Sixth Annual Caron Renaissance Gala on Feb. 26 at Mar-A-Lago Club (with disco queen Gloria Gaynor in concert). Then the couturier will dash back to Manhattan for his New York Fashion Week fall 2011 catwalk extravaganza on Feb. 10th at the Payne Whitney Mansion on Fifth Avenue.

Hannant’s super-luxe dramatic looks have graced the likes of Charlize Theron, Beyonce Knowles, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Garner, Celine Dion, Halle Berry and Sarah Jessica Parker.

The fragrance is called Douglas Hannant de Robert Piguet, a light floral created by perfumer Aurelien Guichard of Givaudan in Paris (making it a genuine French parfum). Keeping with his couture sensibility, each bottle is hand-poured and is individually sealed with a silver thread.

We managed to catch up with Hannant for a quick emailed Q&A as he was putting the final touches on his fall collection:

Why do the launch in Palm Beach?

Douglas Hannant de Robert Piguet comes in a parfum ($210 for 1 oz.) and two eau de parfums ($85 for 1.7 oz. and $120 for 3.4 oz.)

“Palm Beach is an important city for the Douglas Hannant.  Many of our customers live there.”

Your Park Avenue/Palm Beach clientele must have been clamoring for a fragrance from you. What elements did you include that targets them specifically?

“I wanted the fragrance to be modern, clean, and fresh.  The fragrance opens with orange blossom, pear, and gardenia; tuberose is then revealed, and finally a seductive base of jasmine, sandalwood and musk.”

I know you and [business partner] Frederick Anderson believe in growing your business slowly and surely since your start in 1996; is that why this is your first fragrance?

“Yes- we’re a niche brand and so is Robert Piguet who embodied true luxury and created classic fragrances that continue to endure today.”

Tell me why you chose this collaboration with Robert Piguet Fragrances?

“They chose us as we share the same couture ideals.”

I understand that the fragrance complements your couture in that it’s hand-poured and has a seal of silver thread; how did that come about?

“This comes from the Robert Piguet Parfums brand heritage.  The fragrance is a genuine French parfum and is created and packaged the same way as Piguet’s original fragrances in the 1940’s.”

Designer Douglas Hannant and models on the runway from his Palm Beach show in 2005 (Photo by Lucien Capehart)