Columnist Kate Maddox: Akashia made a name for herself

Kate Maddox

Friday, Nov. 16, 2001 | 9:14 a.m.

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

Her work here is done. After a very successful year, V Bar General Manager and one-name-wonder Akashia is packing it in and heading back to New York. Friends say it isn't because the British-born beauty is unhappy in Las Vegas, but because she came, she conquered and she's going home.

Most V Bar regulars agree that the pint-sized powerhouse was the key to the snooty club/lounge's popularity. Her ability to work the velvet rope, hide celebs in the VIP area, charm most of Vegas' glitterati (and occasionally provide patrons with a little furniture dancing from time to time) made V Bar one of the fastest-rising see-and-be-seen spots on the Strip.

But insiders agree that the once happy-go-lucky, night-clubbing spirit of Akashia has declined noticeably in past months. Some speculate that Vegas has simply lost its luster, while others blame a failed and messy romance with another local nighttime personality. Whatever the case may be, don't cry for Akashia.

One pal says the fashion-forward hostess will be switching careers upon returning to the Big Apple. Akashia has apparently landed a job as a stylist for a major record label, where she'll be dressing rock stars for a living.

On Thursday afternoon one of pop culture's current fixations, Paris Hilton, was getting ready to make an entrance at the Palms opening -- an event expected to be 4,000 strong. The 20-year-old blonde aristobrat (Paris is an heir to the Hilton hotel fortune) from New York was scheduled to wear a million-dollar dress made of gaming chips. (Do you dry clean that? Or are you just reeeeal careful? How does that work exactly?)

Hilton, often seen partying panty-less with her younger sister Nicky, 17, was invited to wear the special frock by designer Cornell Collins. The dress will be made of $100, $5,000 and $25,000 Palms chips sewn to the bodice of a black corset. And if you've ever read anything on the Hilton Sisters -- the pair have made a career out of shocking Manhattan's old-school social set -- don't be surprised if Mademoiselle Paris peels off a strategically placed chip or two hands them to someone old enough to roll the dice. The last time Paris paraded through town she was topless at the Hard Rock Hotel pool, being chased by boys just begging to place her bet.

Yes, that was our governor, Kenny Guinn, ripping off his tie and handing it over to the bossy bar-babes at Coyote Ugly on Wednesday night. The governor's neckwear was just one of a handful of items auctioned at a crowded GOP fund-raiser. (Someone actually paid $300 for it. Go figure.) Guinn's supporters ditched the old, stuffy ballroom cliche and opted for the sexy saloon at New York-New York as the perfect place for a rowdy, $500-a-head, re-election bid bash.

Guinn, who didn't seem to mind the scantily clad bartendresses, posed for pictures, shook hands and mingled -- tieless -- for hours.

And what's a Friday without a little Siegfried & Roy? On Tuesday the Clark County Commission will vote on a bill to add the magicians' names to the street signs on Koval Lane between Sands Avenue and Flamingo Road. (Above the regular street name will appear "Siegfried & Roy -- Entertainers.")

The commission is expected to approve the additional signage as a tribute to the duo's commitment to Las Vegas. So how much does a few blocks' "tribute" go for these days? The additional signs will cost the county 4,000 smackers.