TINSELTOWN SPYWITNESS.

Byline: Elizabeth Snead and Jenny Peters

FUR SURE: Darn good thing that animal activist/vegan Alicia Silverstone was distracted by the gaggle of cute ballet dancers at the Center Dance Association's L.A. gala for the New York City Ballet last week. ``They're really nice, they're cool,'' the former ``Clueless'' cutie giggled. < And they definitely kept her from noticing all the fur-wearers at the party. Former supermodel Cheryl Tiegs towered over the crowd in a plush mink jacket. Several other female dance supporters were wrapped in fur stoles of every color and origin.

Silverstone was decked out in a shocking-pink knee-length Jil Sander dress with bright turquoise Stella McCartney shoes. ``I'm a big fan of ballet, I love ballet,'' she gushed. So did everyone in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion who watched Peter Martins' ballet troupe perform three of George Balanchine's classic works.

Afterward everyone crowded upstairs for cocktails, dancing and an appropriately fall-themed dinner (roast beet and goat cheese salad along with short ribs) catered by Patina.

Famous ballet fans filled the gala: Don Johnson and his wife, Kelley (whose Valentino tent dress made one wonder ``What was she thinking?''), exercise guru Jake Steinfeld and classic movie water babe Esther Williams.

Sean Young brought her kids for cultural exposure. But Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin left their little ones at home. So did ``7th Heaven'' star Stephen Collins. But the cultural event, complete with Hollywood stars and L.A. bigwigs, was definitely the hottest ticket in town. Even with all the fur!

THERE IS NO ESCAPE: Leonardo DiCaprio has a craving for one. Cameron Diaz lusts for it. And Julia Louis-Dreyfus is simply dying for one.

But none of these stars can get their hands on Hollywood's hot new green status symbol, the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV. Yet.

Forget the low-riding Toyota Prius. Everyone who is anyone now wants the taller Escape. Lisa Kudrow even auctioned one of the environmentally friendly machines off for $32,000 at Ford's Getting Tied to the Cause Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Bel Air Hotel last week. The lucky winner was Kelly Meyer, wife of Universal Studios honcho Ron Meyer.

But even winners have to wait. And the waiting list has more than 10,000 bold-faced names on it.

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SILVERSTONE: Ballet booster