EXCLUSIVE: Read it here first...

Mirren Gives Thanks to Her Knickers

Tue., Feb. 20, 2007 11:49 AM PST by Marc Malkin

Ash Knotek/ZUMAPress.com

Helen Mirren has made no secret about how much she disdains Queen Elizabeth II's fashion choices. And this weekend she got to kvetch about it with a group of people who can really feel her pain: Hollywood's top costume designers.

Dame Mirren was honored at Saturday's ninth annual Costume Designers Guild Awards in Beverly Hills with the Distinguished Actor Award, presented by Peter Fonda.

She said she had a hard time imagining herself in the Queen's clothing. “I cried,” Mirren said. She just couldn't believe she'd be able to become “the person who wants to wear those clothes.”

But, as we all know, Mirren did quite well in the royal highness' conservative, frumpy attire. “The padded knickers helped,” she said with a laugh.

Jane Kaczmarek, who emceed the gala, had one piece of advice for the crowd of fashionistas. “Go to Sears and get yourself a good industrial strength girdle,” she said. “I have worn my girdle to every event I've gone to.”

Biggest fashion surprise of the evening? Ugly Betty's Michael Urie, who arrived wearing a dapper black suit, plaid vest and gold tie, found time to make a quick change before presenting Outstanding Period/TV Series. As he walked on stage with his Betty costars Ana Ortiz and Becki Newton, he was wearing a black evening gown with matching gloves. Newton cracked, “We are your Dreamgirls. We are here to make you happy.”

On a personal note, I must thank crocodile honcho Phillipe Lacoste, who hosted the after-party, for giving me his fashion seal of approval. Lacoste, whose late grandfather, tennis champ René Lacoste, founded the iconic label, complimented me on the light blue Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers I wore with my black suit. “See,” he said, pointing down to his feet, “I am wearing sneakers, too. I like that.”