THE WORD ON WHAT’S HIP AND WHAT’S HYPE

The Sole of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Taking a cue from rockers and their whimsical street fashions, footwear designer Marc Jacobs has made his fall Perry Ellis line ultra-eclectic. His wild, 16-inch Western boot with lace-up styling was co-created with Justin, Ft. Worth’s legendary boot-makers, and is available by special order at Thieves Market. Take your choice: black calfskin, metallic gold or silver kidskin for $250, leopard or zebra prints or black-hair calfskin for $500.

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Right on the Nose

Nose piercing has crossed over from the alternative-music set and become the summer rage for some mainstream teens. Now you can find guys such as 17-year-old Gordon Smeed in mild-mannered Lake Forest who did it “because it looked cool. It kinda made my parents and teachers mad at first, but they don’t really care anymore.” Smeed favors small silver or gold hoops. Gals opt for diamond studs. South County school officials say they will wait out this fad as long as it doesn’t become distracting.

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Armani per Bambini

Only one place offers the Giorgio Armani junior line to West Coast kids. That distinction goes to South Coast Plaza’s Emporio Armani boutique, where the well-heeled can clothe their 4- to 14-year-olds in style. But would anyone buy a tiny Armani sweat shirt for $110? Oh, yes, says sales supervisor Kitty Casale. The shop can’t keep them in stock. “Parents have been very responsive,” she says. Petite women even buy size 14 items to wear themselves.

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Cosmic View

New Age eye wear? That’s what Adrienne Meredith is hawking from her Rodeo Drive showroom. It’s not about selling glasses, she says. It’s about “making glasses a spiritual tool.” Working with clients, she can “enhance their quality of life through eye wear by working within their aura.” This can happen, she explains, because clear Lucite works as well as a crystal, spiritually speaking. And color can “resonate the same feeling and power as precious stones.” Got it? If not, you can to get it--for $150 to $350.