Stars Sweeten Up for a Night of Serious Stylin'

Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

RSVPs:  Jennifer Lopez, Carmen Electra, Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Simpson…
When:  Apr. 26
Where:  Sugar 

A new Hollywood club usually brings out a hot clientele. But when Brent Bolthouse is throwing the opening in celebration of  the Us Weekly Hot Hollywood Style Awards, the scene is pure mayhem. When I pull up to Sugar, previously XES, cameras are flashing nonstop, and there's already a fire marshal telling about 50 young twentysomethings they'll have to keep shivering in their minidresses because the venue's at capacity. And it's only 9:30!

Luckily, I'm able to squeeze my way through just in time to see Ashlee Simpson ditching the press line. The winner of the Swan Award is far from the ugly duckling in a gray bubble dress with sexy red heels. But I gotta wonder what she's hiding behind that demure smile. Maybe her tonsils are just tired from playing hockey with Pete Wentz, who's also being honored tonight with the Punk Rock Preppie Award. Already a veteran of women's makeup, Pete is now delving into girlie clothes by helping design an upcoming DKNY line. "It's cool, because I don't understand that aspect of fashion at all," he tells me. "I wear hoodies and stupid stuff all the time, so I loved working with women." Watch out, Ash.

Inside, the venue looks like any other nightclub, except for the wall decorations made of real sugar. The confection theme has been carried into the food as well, with servers dispersing cupcakes, chocolate-covered strawberries and rock-candy lollipops. Aside from the fare, the girls tonight are looking sweeter than ever, especially Lauren "L.C." Conrad, who’s sporting a faux bob. “People are telling me it’s cute,” she says of the hairstyle, which she created simply by pinning up her long locks. “But I don’t want to be cute.” Maybe she should continue taking Audrina Patridge’s advice and buy more leather jackets to spice up her rep.  

Speaking of spicy reps...Paris Hilton is in the house. But unlike Paris’ leader-of-the-pack status at last weekend’s Sunday Funday, tonight her former BFF Kim Kardashian is taking the spotlight. While Paris sits on a couch with a couple of anonymous girls, Kim parties at a table with sister Courtney, a very skinny Lindsay Lohan, Brody Jenner and Brody’s date, the not so lucky girl who won an evening with the Prince of Malibu through an Us magazine contest. Awful Truth's Cristina Gibson tells me Brody walked the red carpet solo, and he’s not paying too much attention to his date inside either. Guess if a babe can’t help him get famous, Brody loses interest fast.

A friend tells me Style Icon of the Year winner Jennifer Lopez is about to arrive, so I rush outside just in time to hear people from the neighboring apartments yelling, “Don’t wear fur! Stop killing animals!” J.Lo avoids any red-paint tossage by arriving in a fur-free white Ralph Lauren suit. “Now I'm kinda more into a classic, sexy, Jackie-O, Ava Gardner type of thing,” says, with Marc Anthony by her side. “Whereas before I was more kind of sexy and had a street vibe to my style.” I liked Jenny from the block, but I love this curve-hugging ensemble.  

Even though she doesn’t stay too long, it’s really cool to see J.Lo up close in person. Considering the Latina superstar supposedly had her booty insured for $300 million, I would have expected her to request a private room, but her table is mere feet from the rest of the crowd. Also perched at a table is Pinup Next Door Award winner Carmen Electra, who gives me a preview of tips from her upcoming book, How to Be Sexy. "It's really just being comfortable with yourself and focusing not on what you don't like but what you do like.” That’s easy for her to say. What’s not to like?

I see Rose McGowan on the other side of the room but have to make a pit stop on the dance floor before talking to the winner of the Edgy Princess Award. Dancing with the Stars competitors Joey Fatone and Ian Ziering are having a dance-off in front of their pals, including Joey’s former bandmates JC Chasez and Lance Bass. Feet begin moving and sweat starts flying, as the two illustrate what they’ve learned in the competition so far—and I must say it’s a whole lot. “I think I won,” Ian tells me after the impromptu performance. “But Joey thinks he has won.” And I gotta say they were both so impressive I have no clue. I’ll just have to wait for America to decide.

Back on track, I’m finally able to investigate Rose McGowan’s intricately beaded Dolce & Gabbana dress that everyone’s been talking about. The coral accoutrements are truly stunning, though not Rose’s favorite color. “I love pink,” she says, “but I have to watch out, because [if I wear too much] I look like a deranged Easter egg.”

Maybe Rose should unleash those words of wisdom to Avril Lavigne’s hubby, Deryck Whibley—then after he finishes partying with his buds, he can relay it to his wife, so she doesn’t commit last week’s fashion disaster ever again.

I slide past Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Ali Larter, David Arquette and Kathy Griffin before I’m able to get some air. Kimberly Stewart is chatting with some gals, and Justin Chambers is having a smoke on the couches. The photo booth line has shortened, so I get in the queue with some friends. But right before it’s our turn, America’s Next Top Model crazy girl Lisa D’Amato jumps behind the curtain. “Wasn’t she on the show, like, forever ago?” I hear someone say behind me. Guess Lisa hasn’t given up on modeling. She’s just taking the photography into her own tattooed hands.

With J.Lo long gone and Lindsay, Paris and Kim all dispersing to separate clubs, I decide to call it a night. Outside, the people in the apartments above have reverted to binoculars to get a paparazzi-worthy view of the exiting guests. Fame can be as sweet as sugar sometimes.
—With additional soiree scoping by our fete froshy Kristin Ornelas