Archive: October 31st, 2008

Evan Agostini/AP

When Eva Mendes launched her bedding line Vida with Macy’s last month, the fledgling designer didn’t have to go it alone, enlisting the help of her boyfriend George Augusto. At the 150th birthday celebration for the department store in N.Y.C., the actress told PEOPLE that partnering up for the collection of Latin-inspired bedding was natural to the couple. “We redesigned two houses together,” the actress explained. “He’s a film producer, but we collaborate on this.” And just as with any great design team, each brought their own skills to the table. “He’s great at being practical,” she said “And mine, is being bold.” Eva reveals that her interest in design was born out of her upbringing. “I grew up in a working class family,” she says. “The sofa didn’t match the love seat. And the dining room table and chairs didn’t match. I was constantly trying to make the house beautiful for my mom. I would paint the apartment different colors.” And she looked to that experience when creating the collection. “I want beautiful design at an affordable price, so that people who don’t really have that much can live beautifully.” Click here to see special pricing on the collection now. –reporting by Jeffrey Slonim

Matrix/Flynet

Before jetting back to the U.S.A. (she left London yesterday), Paris Hilton made sure to stock up on some British favorites. The heiress — who spent a month in London shooting her British Best Friend reality TV show — hit the boutiques in Notting Hill with pals Lamis Khamis and Sam Pemberton of Secret Circus Clothing, which launched earlier this year — Hilton has been spotted in London wearing the label’s $1,000 “Royal Highness” sweater. The trio hit celeb favorite Coco Ribbon, where Hilton’s haul included the shop’s own brand cashmere berets and wrist warmers, a black “Lexi” top, a $650 floor length blue silk chiffon “Saskia” dress, a $698 short blue flapper “Fringe” dress, a $430 tiered blue one-shouldered “Manhattan” dress, a $470 little black “Garbo” dress, and a $630 pewter sequin “Twinkle” dress. She also picked up a pair of $312 Love from Australia classic black long Ugg boots. She then hit Questionair, where she picked up more dresses and Secret Circus cashmere hoodies. Then the shopped-out heiress and pals hit Bumpkin restaurant and relaxed over a two-hour lunch. -- Courtney Rubin