Columnist Kate Maddox: Stylist’s career hits a big snag

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, July 24, 2001 | 8:27 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

It's a bad day when Las Vegas social somebodies can't get an appointment with their hairstylist because he's tangled up with other clients.

It's a worse day when they find out he's been deported.

Such has been the case this week as local media types, society wives, entertainers (what's Rick Springfield going to do now?) and glitterati got the word that stylist Philippe Bevan was on an, ah, unscheduled and extended vacation in his native France. Bevan was artistic director at the tony Salon at Canyon Ranch Spa Club. Some of Bevan's clients, including Robin Leach and Susan Anton, had been with him since his early days at Los Angeles' Prive salon and, more recently, his brief stint at Salon Bellagio.

Turns out Bevan, who has reportedly lived stateside on and off for the past 20 years, forgot (repeatedly, according to sources) to renew his visa privileges and got word early last week that his stay in America was up for good. Bevan's wife was also sent packing.

A spokeswoman for Canyon Ranch said that as far as the company is concerned, Bevan is only on summer break in France and is scheduled to return to the Venetian in September. One friend of the stylist is saying if Bevan ever makes it back to America it will be "a miracle."

In the meantime, Canyon Ranch has swiftly brought in a celebrity stylist to maintain the 'dos of Vegas' A-listers -- at least until Bevan's "return."

Darrell Redleaf Fielder, personal stylist to Helen Hunt, has tended to the beauty needs of Cameron Diaz, Christie Brinkley, Lisa Kudrow, Keanu Reeves, Debra Messing, Julia Roberts and Gywneth Paltrow. Fielder's credentials should pacify Bevan's clients, he's done covers for just about every major fashion mag in the world and currently divides his time between California and Las Vegas. Haircuts with the Salon's new (interim) artistic director will put you back $150.

Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted hobbling around town over the weekend. The actor, who recently underwent knee surgery, was with pals on Saturday night at Bellagio's casino and later at Caesars Palace, where the star reportedly took in the "Sugar" Shane Mosley-Adrian Stone bout.

Maybe it's me, but I don't get the DiCaprio attraction. The guy looked like he hadn't showered in a week: His hair was long and greasy, his beard was scruffy and he was wearing a dirty T-shirt and shorts. And in a town where tank tops and tacky Bermudas are de rigueur, it's difficult to actually look worse than your average tourist. Congratulations, Leo.

Magic Johnson, Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns, David Tua, Clint Holmes and wrestling's The Rock were also in attendance at the Mosley-Stone match-up at Caesars Pavilion. Mosley celebrated his victory with family and friends on the Strip at the Harley-Davidson Cafe.

Britney Spears has chosen Las Vegas as the site for her upcoming HBO concert special. Pop's princess will go live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in November and, according to People magazine, be joined onstage by Cher. (Spears, who famously tried to wrangle a duet with Madonna, has apparently had to settle for another diva.)

Spears is among the celebrities expected at 'N Sync's after-concert party at Ra at the Luxor on Friday night. Red-carpet action for that bash is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m.