PARTY LINES; GOWN FISHIN'.

Byline: Barbara De Witt

``It's the gown Sarah Jessica Parker wore to the Golden Globes,'' murmured one society maven to another.

That champagne chiffon gown design by Richard Tyler was the grand finale of the Blue Ribbon fashion show and luncheon held Thursday at Neiman Marcus, and it drew instant recognition and applause.

The strapless dress was part of Tyler's spring collection, which was youthful and elegantly ethereal with hand-tucked details, billowy chiffon and spider webs of crocheted lace. There were some hipster ensembles in black leather, but even the leather was thin and perforated like a paper doily.

To complete the effect, models wore their hair pulled up into romantic chignons with extra-long tendrils (obviously hair extensions) created by hair stylist to the stars Frederic Fekkai and his staff, and wore very high strappy stilettos.

Among the 400 fashion fans was actress Rhonda Fleming, who said Parker's choice was her favorite, but she also was intrigued by Tyler's aquamarine iridescent silk tulle mermaid gown. ``It was theatrical, much like the gowns I wore in films,'' she commented.

The designer, wearing a sporty beige suit with an ivory turtleneck sweater, was busy mingling with the crowd and didn't hear the comment, but he would have loved it. Earlier, he told me that the blue gown was what he'd like to see Gwyneth Paltrow wear to the Oscars. ``She'd be new Hollywood in old Hollywood,'' he quipped.

After the runway show, guests settled down for a luncheon of spinach salad, turkey, and chocolate-dipped strawberries and cake. Conversation centered on how great the Los Angeles Opera season has been this year, how the Music Center needs to have its own ballet company, and, of course, fashion trends. Jane Ackerman of Studio City, wearing Yves Saint Laurent, and her friend, Iris Bovee of Encino, in Chanel, commented on how they liked the fun direction fashion was taking, especially with all the animal prints in skirts and shoes.

Others fretted about being too old to bare their arms in Tyler's gowns, but he assured them that his gowns came with matching stoles to use as camouflage.

Spotted among the crowd of the city's best-dressed were Ginny Mancini, in a David Hayes ensemble, and Mary Anne Mobley, who said both her coat and dress were by Ellen Tracy.

The event was a benefit for the Music Center and was organized by Sachi Irwin, Joyce Kresa, Juli Miller, and Mary Milner.

Fashion, as always, was a topic of conversation at the Golden Globes gala held at the Beverly Hilton, and George Segal of TV's ``Just Shoot Me,'' struck a pose with his cigar and shared that he was wearing Calvin Klein, his favorite designer on and off the set.

Also dapper was ``West Wing'' co-star Dule Hill, wearing an Armani tuxedo with a silver vest by Jhane Barnes. Besides dropping designer names, he talked about how much fun he was having on the show. ``Sometimes Martin Sheen does his Frank Sinatra impersonations, and I tap dance ... but honest, we're serious about the show. I know it's been likened to the Clinton administration, but it isn't, and Monica Lewinsky won't be seen in a cameo. And you can say you heard it here,'' said Hill with a grin.

And speaking of guys playing president, Sheen started singing a Sinatra tune and then said, 'If I ran for president, I'd have a platform similar to that of Al Gore. But I'm a pacifist.''

CAPTION(S):

7 photos

Photo: (1) Blue Ribbon board members Betsey Applebaum, left, Diane Licht and Suzanne Marx.

(2) Ginny Mancini, left, and Mary Anne Mobley.

(3) Iris Bovee of Encino, left, and Jane Ackerman of Studio City.

(4) Fashions by Richard Tyler

(5 -- 7) no caption (models).

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer