A RED-LETTER DAY FOR DESIGNER NOLAN MILLER.

We've all heard the story of how Lana Turner was discovered at a soda fountain, but few of us knew costume designer Nolan Miller was discovered while working at a flower shop.

Miller, who has designed costumes for numerous TV series, including trend-setting ``Dynasty,'' said it was a customer by the name of Aaron Spelling who gave him his big break. So it wasn't too surprising that both Miller and Spelling were honored this month at the Costume Designers Guild Awards held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

What was a surprise was the number of Miller's fans in attendance, including Sophia Loren, who was stunning in a Miller design. ``Red is my favorite color,'' she told me, referring to the classic gown with a plunging neckline. Later at the podium, she thanked Miller for always making her feel glamorous. Then she kissed him on both cheeks and presented him with the Rit Color Award, a gold statuette designed by Bulgari jewelers.

A tearful Miller quipped, ``Barbara Stanwyck always said if you stay around long enough, you'll get an award ... and I guess it's true.''

Spelling claimed he was the luckiest guy in the world as he received his Distinguished Producer Award from Joan Collins. Although his wife wasn't in attendance, Spelling was escorted by children Randy and Tori, who said, ``I'm humbled by my dad's accomplishments. He knows all about fashion and spots trends before I do.''

Awards for excellence in costume design for film were presented to Julie Weiss for ``American Beauty,'' who commented that ``a costume designer's job is to get a merger of the soul and the gown ... so that hopefully at the end you can close your eyes and remember the words.'' And also to Oscar nominee Colleen Atwood for ``Sleepy Hollow.''

Brooke Shields presented ``Sex and the City'' designer Patricia Field with an award for best contemporary TV costumes, and Selma Blair presented Shay Cunliss with the award for best fantasy costumes in the TV special ``Annie.''

The evening was sponsored by Angels the Costumiers, Us magazine, Ferragamo, Rit Dye, Swarovski Crystal and Universal Pictures. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Valley-based Motion Picture and Television Fund.

Back in the '70s, young women scoffed at the ladies who lunch, calling them well-dressed dinosaurs without jobs. But the species is thriving on the social circuit, according to society maven (and more) Betsey Bloomingdale.

Chatting at the Colleagues Valentine's Day Luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Bloomingdale looked at the crowd and exclaimed, ``I think it's incredible that a ladies' lunch not only still exists today - but can be a sellout event.'' She was referring to the 700 tickets sold for what has become the luncheon highlight of the year, as well as the Colleagues' major fund-raiser for Children's Institute International, a 94-year-old organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and strengthening the family.

The Colleagues' luncheon has a certain cachet, of course. First, there's the chance to meet its annual honorary chairwoman Nancy Reagan, who, by the way, still looks very chic and still wears her trademark red suits.

Then there's the celebrity crowd it attracts, including former California first lady Gayle Wilson, actors Ricardo Montalban, Stefanie Powers and Rhonda Fleming, and also some high-profile designers.

This year, the design duo of Mark Badgley and James Mischka presented the fashion parade, and it was a youthful blend of trash and class with sparkling gowns and beaded pants embellished with pailettes, a large spangle that they said is the next trend in sparkle attire.

Other trends spotted were long, wavy 'dos (courtesy of Vidal Sassoon Salon); the return of fluid pant legs and longer jackets; and ballgown skirts that were ultra-full thanks to gored instead of gathered fabric. According to France Pollack of Encino, ``All that fabric is a sure indicator the economy is up like it was in the '80s.''

The event also honored former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico John Gavin, who quickly said he was there because he's just the ``fella who accompanies the White Fish, Mo., nightingale.'' He was referring to his wife, Constance, and her work with Project Connie, a service organization created to aid impoverished children and adults in Mexico.

Organizing the luncheon that concluded with heart-shaped chocolate boxes filled with chocolate ice cream and raspberries (served during a violin serenade) were Marion Jorgensen, Erlenne Sprague, Anne Johnson and Bloomingdale, all of Los Angeles. Saks Fifth Avenue underwrote the entire affair, enabling all proceeds, which were in excess of $200,000, to benefit abused children in Los Angeles.

At another Valentine's Day-themed luncheon, the members of Childhelp USA named 17-year-old Lara Urrutia-Wenzel of Beaumont as t the Year. Lara, a nationally recognized musician who is a member of the Junior Philharmonic Orchestra of California, was honored for her charitable activities, which included entertaining children at Childhelp's Village West. After she accepted her award, she sat down at the piano and played ``Flight of the Bumble Bee,'' among other pieces.

``She was terrific, playing both classics and jazz,'' said Sherman Oaks member Mattie Krecsy, who was also impressed to learn that the teen also plays the violin, accordion and flute.

The event was held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, where president Loretta Sturla of Northridge and committee members Thyra Boeckmann of Encino and Maria Michel of Sherman Oaks carried out the holiday theme right down to the old-fashioned lacy valentines and candy for the 150 guests.

Opening night of ``Jitney,'' the drama by Pulitzer- and Tony-winning playwright August Wilson at the Mark Taper Forum, drew a major crowd, including Oscar nominee Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Neil Simon, Don Cheadle, Melissa Joan Hart and Chris Noth. The play about African-American cabbies in the 1970s had everybody buzzing at the cast party about how it was sure to do well in New York. Among the fans who stayed for the late-night cast party at the Impressario at the Music Center was Bassett, who was seen hugging ``Jitney'' star Paul Butler throughout the evening.

It was a play with soul, said guests, and it obviously inspired the menu, which also created a lot of buzz. Passing on the usual ``rubber chicken'' fare, the cast requested sweet potatoes and ham, beer-batter chicken, white cheddar grits, collard greens with bacon and English trifle for dessert.

``Jitney'' runs through March 19. For tickets, call [phone].

Las Floristas, the organization that raises money for the handicapped children's clinic at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, had its annual premiere party at the Jonathan Club in Santa Monica, and it turned out to be a glittery gala. Literally.

Gold glitter was everywhere, from the floral arrangements to the edible golden flakes on top of the ice cream ball served in a pool of chocolate sauce for dessert.

And the point? It was a clue to the theme of the upcoming Las Floristas Headdress Ball, which will be titled ``All That Glitters,'' said president Patricia Frandson of Sherman Oaks. The event will be held April 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and Fernando Award winner David Fleming will serve as honorary chairman.

Other announcements included the names of the mannequins who will wear those elaborate floral headdresses that Las Floristas is famous for: They include Meg Carper and Gail Reeves of Encino, Linda Bolton of Pasadena and Maggie Sims of Toluca Lake. For ticket information, call [phone].

The Pasadena Symphony has a reputation for throwing great parties, and this year ball chairman Jim Watterson had honoree Alyce Williamson make her grand entrance on a horse with a witty and lyrical biography of the honoree performed by vocalist Ina Lewis. Williamson, who was singled out for her generous support of the arts, also received a framed baton from symphony conductor Jorge Mester as a reminder of her stint as a guest conductor.

The Symphony Ball 2000 was held at the romantic Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel in Pasadena and included a fashion show of futuristic fashions, which must have been fun for Watterson, who was Robinsons-May stores' fashion director for many years. The event was sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank and ended with dancing to the music of Art Deco and His Society Orchestra.

Back in the Valley at the Warner Center Marriott, the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce was doing the party scene. It was the chamber's annual Silver and Gold Gala, and before the night was over, master of ceremonies Lee Kanon Alpert helped install Lyle Greenberg for his second term as chairman of the board and honor 23 local businesses for their dedication to the chamber and the community. Among them were two members celebrating their 50th anniversary with the chamber - attorney Milton Davidson and Barbata's Steak House.

Also honored was Rose Goldwater, who received the Joseph Staller Memorial Award for Excellence for her 30 years of business leadership and service to the Valley, and the Valley Cultural Center's Jim Kinsey, who was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award.

CAPTION(S):

8 photos

Photo: (1) Paul Butler, left, Chris Noth and Padma Lakshmi at the opening night party for ``Jitney.''

Craig Schwartz

(2) David, left, and Jean Fleming of Studio City with Patricia and Charles Frandson of Sherman Oaks at the Las Floristas Premiere Party.

Berliner Studio

(3 -- color) Ricardo Montalban and Rhonda Fleming at the Colleagues luncheon.

(4 -- color) Designers James Mischka, left, and Mark Badgley at the Colleagues luncheon.

(5 -- 6 -- color) Glittery pants and gowns by Badgley Mischka are shown off at the Colleagues luncheon.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

(7 -- color) Nolan Miller's sketch of Sophia Loren's gown for the Costume Designers Guild Awards.

(8 -- color) Honoree Nolan Miller and Sophia Loren.

Adam Timrud