Columnist Kate Maddox: Fashion show at Fashion Show a hit

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, May 23, 2000 | 9:54 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Las Vegas' fashionistas turned out Monday night for a private runway show featuring the designs of Las Vegas native Randolph Duke. The party took place under an air-conditioned tent set up adjacent to Desert Inn property.

Models, flown in from L.A., worked on the runway to a thumping soundtrack and a high-tech video display. The crowd, which included Steve and Elaine Wynn, Tommy Tune, Wayne Newton and wife Kathleen, and Golden Globe-winning actress Angela Bassett, mingled before the show and applauded Duke's fashions.

The event was designed to kick off the expansion of the Fashion Show mall, which is anchored by such high-end retailers as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy's. The addition of a much-touted Las Vegas Nordstrom was announced (finally! shoes!) at the end of the show. The store is expected to open for business when construction is completed on the expansion in fall 2002.

Duke, who helped coordinate the show and took the requisite bow on the runway afterward, is known for his sexy, sequined ensembles -- favorites among celebrities, including Minnie Driver, Hillary Swank (who wore one of his creations to this year's Oscars), Geena Davis, Angelina Jolie and Kim Basinger.

Highlights from the show, the stunning Ms. Bassett notwithstanding, included the best of Duke's fall 2000 collection and a handful of one-of-a-kind haute couture pieces -- liked the sequined low-rider pants myself. Look for the ladies of Las Vegas society to pack it in and shell out big bucks when the clothes hit the racks this afternoon at Neiman Marcus.

Early word on the Strip entertainment scene has Dame Shirley Bassey returning to the Las Vegas stage in the fall. Bassey, who was a hit when she was at the MGM for a short stay earlier this year, will likely sign a contract for 10 weeks a year with one of Las Vegas' higher-end hotels. Rumors have her negotiating a deal at a very intimate and classy room with less than 500 seats. Bassey would likely be in town about six times a year to perform.

Steve Schrippa, who physically left his post as Riviera entertainment director last month (although he continues to do the job via telephone) has launched an impressive acting career. Schrippa, who co-stars on the HBO hit "The Sopranos," moved to New York temporarily to be closer to filming for the mob series. These days however, before shooting begins for next season, Schrippa has been biding his time doing movies in Hollywood.

He's just wrapped up work on a movie starring "Saturday Night Live" alum David Spade. Schrippa co-starred with Roseanne, Gary Busey, Christopher Walken and musician Kid Rock.

Now he's about to start production on an independent film (they're all the rage now, you know) titled "Sex and a Girl."

When things are wrapped on the movie sets, Schrippa's off to New York to settle in with the tough guys of the award-winning "Sopranos," which starts filming a new season of episodes on Aug. 1.

Frank Marino came home to a bloody robbery scene this week. The "La Cage" star drove up to his house to find his driveway covered with blood and one of his plaster lions -- a gatekeeper along with a few other large statues -- smashed to bits.

A thief, and a strong one at that, managed to make off with most of Marino's outdoor accoutrements. Luckily the house itself is secured with a high-tech alarm system, but the crook only had eyes for Marino's statues, about six or seven of them.

Unfortunately for the robber, one of the hulking lions must have slipped out of his grasp and shattered, somehow cutting him. Marino was shocked to see the crime scene, saying "All it needed was a pair of Bruno Magli shoes and it could have been Brentwood."

The items are still missing. Check the neighbors' yard.