Home
Yikes, yanks! And there's plenty of 'em over there, now that England is Hollywood's latest power trip. In the last year, L.A. royals have laid claim to the sceptered isle: Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are still there shooting Eyes Wide Shut; George Lucas was holed up at Leavesden Studios for the next trilogy; and William Morris has a new contingent in Soho. Even before this L.A. invasion, London was known as ''cool Britannia,'' thanks to the Spice Girls and designers John Galliano and Stella McCartney -- whose dad made the city swing 30 years ago. Given all this transatlantic trendiness, we thought it time for a high-tea showdown between London and L.A.'s power styles. Eat your heart out, New York.
POWER UMBRELLA LONDON: A tote of the Underground, when you can't find that fur-trimmed Gaultier brolly. L.A.: The Telescope beach umbrella from Berk's in Santa Monica -- where Meg Ryan shops.
POWER COCKTAIL LONDON: Ask for Chilean red wine. L.A.: Tinseltown's favorite temptation is an Adam's Apple martini at Lola's.
POWER WATCH LONDON: Spice Girls use Baby G-Shocks. L.A.: Angelenos keep time with ticking high-end vintage models (Michael Crichton and Tim Roth both have Rolexes).
POWER HOOD LONDON: Notting Hill is the city's hippest hamlet (it's also the setting for an upcoming Julia Roberts-Hugh Grant comedy). L.A.: Amalfi Drive in Pacific Palisades, where Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Whoopi live, has a vista that almost rivals the Amalfi Coast.
POWER SUIT LONDON: Savile Row tailoring with '90s flair from Timothy Everest (who's dressing Cruise for Eyes Wide Shut). L.A.: Giorgio Armani Black Label, natch, a fave of Mel Gibson and George Clooney.
POWER HOTEL LONDON: The Metropolitan, where Brad Pitt and Jewel hail Britannia. (Runner-up: Blakes, where Patsy Kensit -- Mrs. Liam Gallagher -- nests.) L.A.: Hotel California means a suite at the Mondrian (but the keys are ugly).
POWER TEA LONDON: Brits steep lively in the pyramid power of PG Tips. L.A.: Swedish Berries rules at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, where Courteney Cox oft sips.
POWER SHOE LONDON: Brits step lively in navy-strap court pumps from Jimmy Choo in Knightsbridge. L.A.: Manolo Blahnik's black Armida is the perfect fit.
POWER PERK U.K.: A party at 10 Downing with Tony Blair. Ask Noel G. L.A.: A sneak peek at the yet to be opened Getty Center. Ask David Geffen.
POWER SHADES U.K.: Sold by Connolly, the same leather-goods company that does Rolls-Royce interiors. L.A.: Matsuda No. 10617 in Cherry Berry with blue lenses.
POWER PUP U.K.:A beagle saved by Paul and Linda McCartney, who rescued a pack of pooches from research experiments. L.A.: A beagle saved by Kim Basinger is true canine cool.
POWER WHEELS U.K.: Liam G. buzzes about on a Vespa. L.A.: The Audi A8 is Seinfeld's new drive.
POWER ROYAL TREATMENT U.K.: Champneys spa at Le Meridien hotel, where the massages are fit for a king. L.A.: A dosha body wrap at Kenneth George Sanctuary makes everyone feel like queen for a day. MOST L.A. PLACE IN LONDON (and vice versa) U.K.: The mega-minimal Met bar. L.A.: London's calling at Santa Monica's Ye Olde King's Head, where the court includes Hugh Grant, Rod Stewart, and Cruise/Kidman -- when they're not in jolly old England.
-- Tricia Laine and Degen Pener, with additional reporting by Gabriele Marcotti
