Project Runway’s Olympic Designs versus The Real Olympic Designs.

With 15% of the world watching, the opening night ceremony at the 2008 Olympics has got to be The Ultimate Catwalk. So it was a kick to compare the recent Project Runway designs to the real-life designs sported by 204 countries during the Parade of Nations. Style elements that were sometimes tunked by Runway judges — like Jerelle’s hat — turned out to be virtually de rigeur in Beijing. Hats, in fact, turned out to be the It fashion accessory, especially the traditional Panama, maxed out by the Peruvians to a hat and half.

The preppy theme dominated the night as well, with legions of Olympians in yards of piping, crests and classic blazers, looking like escapees from the Ralph Lauren Country Day School. Jerelle also nailed another uber-stuffy, strangely unsporty trend: the ascot.

One look I wished we’d seen: Suede’s flirty, flouncy short skirt, which would have made all of those hot Olympian legs look (if possible) even hotter than they are.

No surprise that Leather Queen Stella’s signature leatha was missing-in-action.  Maybe in 2012 Stella’s Olympic design dream will come true: To represent the country in a bad ass way.

Oops! WOM Beats The Pundits Again. Sex and The City Glams Its Way To A $55 Million Opening.

Hollywood pundits underestimated the massive femme power of the SATC franchise, with many predicting opening box office in the typical chick-flick realm of $20-30 million. Some wisely hedged it on higher, but always with the disclaimer that their usual methodologies were not jibing with word-of-mouth.

Therein lies the issue with traditional research tools — Word of Mouth, particularly in the realm of female fashionistas and passionistas, wields power like nothing else.

In Santa Monica, the SATC showings at Mann’s theater were sold-out from 6 until midnight Friday night.  Thanks to a savvy friend, we were lucky enough to sneak in at six, beating the line of giggling girlfriends — some in their Carrie-best — that snaked around the block.

Inside, it was a blend of focus group, pep rally and the annual Nordstrom spring sale. The target-specific satisfaction was palpable.

Reviews. Schmooz. It’s all about the shoes.