Blast From the Past... Remembering Biba... Jeremy Scott Hits London

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Talbots has recruited none other than “Wonder Woman” star Lynda Carter to headline its Sept. 10 Fashion’s Night Out event at the company’s Madison Avenue flagship. But don’t expect her to bust out the Lasso of Truth or to jump into her invisible plane — the Seventies TV star will be belting out songs from her new CD, “At Last.” Needless to say, Talbots is seeing to it that she won’t have to wear her star-spangled costume.

BY GEORGE: Actress Melissa George (“In Treatment,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) is venturing into the fashion business via a new product called HemmingMyWay, which she developed with her business partner, writer Kara Harshbarger. Available online now (and in retail stores soon), the clear adhesive strips sporting plastic snaps affix to hems on jeans and trousers, allowing women to adjust pants length depending on what type of shoe they are wearing. Priced at $20 for a set of four, good for use on one pair of pants for up to eight washes, the device will eradicate safety pins, hemming tape and alterations. “It’s a quick fix that allows you to go from flats to heels and day to night,” said George, who has another fashion device in the works. “We’ve tested it ourselves over 14 months of development.”

REMEMBERING BIBA: “I hate watching myself on film and I keep thinking, ‘Why didn’t I comb my hair?’” said Barbara Hulanicki after the premiere of “Beyond Biba” at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London Tuesday night. The film’s director, Louis Price, looks at Hulanicki’s history, her rise to fashion fame in the Sixties, and her role in helping to regenerate Miami Beach in the Eighties and Nineties. “Only while making the film have I realized the magnitude of the cult status the original Biba has for people,” said Price, whose mother was a buyer for the iconic Biba store and the house model for the label. “It really captured the hearts of an entire generation,” he said. The film, which follows Hulanicki in Miami and London, will also be screened at the Miami Beach Cinemateque Sept. 11 through 14 and at the Gate Picturehouse in London Sept. 20, where Hulanicki will take part in a Q&A session.

AQUASCUTUM MAKES MARK: Aquascutum may not be staging its usual runway show during London Fashion Week in September, but it still plans to have a presence. The British brand will present its spring collection on Sept. 21 at the flagship on Regent Street. Earlier this month, Aquascutum’s Japanese parent, Renown Inc., announced it was pulling the brand off the LFW schedule due to Aquascutum’s pending sale and a desire to consolidate its investment in the brand. “We will be using this opportunity to be able to show the collections in an innovative and more interactive format,” said Michael Herz, head of design, women’s wear. Renown put Aquascutum up for sale last year and is currently in advanced talks with the British brand’s Chinese licensee, YGM Trading Ltd. Aquascutum’s chief executive, Kim Winser, quit the company in May after Renown rejected her management buyout bid.

JEREMY SCOTT HITS LONDON: Jeremy Scott is joining the march to London Fashion Week. The Los Angeles-based designer, who has recently shown his collections during the Paris ready-to-wear shows, will show his spring collection in London in September. Scott, who’s known for his cartoonish creations, will show Sept. 22 at the British Fashion Council tents at Covent Garden’s Somerset House. As reported, labels including Burberry, Pringle of Scotland, Matthew Williamson and Jonathan Saunders will return to London to show their collections in September, to mark the BFC’s 25th anniversary.

ALVIN VALLEY ARRIVES IN L.A.: New York clothier Alvin Valley opened his first stand-alone store in Los Angeles’ Westfield Century City shopping center on July 11, where he signed a two-year lease with an option to extend the stay. Valley said while opening his flagship may be a risky move given the ongoing recession and perilous retail climate, he opted to take a chance since rents were low for the first time in years. “I needed to open somewhere strategic to increase brand reach — now’s the time to be bold and not shrink back — and L.A. fit that,” Valley said. “There’s a lot of celebrity culture there in L.A. so that’s a huge part of getting the exposure.”

WAITING FOR THE CALL: Ozwald Boateng is hoping to woo President Obama with his Savile Row threads. The London-based, Ghana-born tailor hand-delivered two suits to the American ambassador’s residence in Ghana during Obama’s recent visit to the African country. Boateng whipped up two looks: A navy day suit made from mohair and wool, and a black evening suit with tails and a white bow tie. Boateng describes Obama as “a symbol and example of the hopes and dreams of our ancestors.” A Boateng spokeswoman said the White House has not confirmed whether Obama has worn the suits.