After making a name for herself in the United States, Pennsylvania-born fashion designer Paula Hian has gone on to do much of her work from Paris.

	Paula Hian designed a gown of navy silk and velvet for Judge Marjorie Rendell. Click photo for larger image.

But she recently was back in the commonwealth to design the inaugural ball gown for Judge Marjorie O. Rendell, wife of newly re-elected Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.

Collaborating with Judge Rendell, Ms. Hian designed the dress to complement a diamond-and-sapphire necklace Gov. Rendell had given his wife. The off-shoulder, floor-length frock is made of navy silk and velvet and has a fitted bodice, trumpet hemline and a center panel embroidered with silver scalloped detail.

Judge Rendell wore the gown to the inaugural ball Tuesday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. She has worn Ms. Hian's designs before, and the two have known each other about two years.

Ms. Hian said she designed the frock to allow others to see Judge Rendell's "great figure."

"She has a model's figure," said Ms. Hian. "And I don't like things that are too poofey and too froo-frooey."

Judge Rendell adored the gown.

"I love her elegant, contemporary work," she said of Ms. Hian, "and as a fellow Pennsylvanian, it's a great source of pride to showcase one of her creations."

More for McPhee

The critically acclaimed "Dreamgirls" performance of American Idol cast-off -- and recent Golden Globe winner -- Jennifer Hudson is one sign of how reality show contestants are becoming an increasingly significant part of American entertainment.

Now, 2005 "Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee is getting more exposure. Next month at New York fashion week, she'll be among famous women modeling in the Red Dress Collection show that raises awareness about heart disease among women.

And she was just announced as the first celebrity spokeswoman for Sexy Hair Concepts. The pretty chanteuse will appear in ads and other promotional materials as part of a two-year, multimillion-dollar contract with the California-based company.

In fact, you'll probably see the California brunette shilling Sexy Hair's new Chocolate SoyMilk Shampoo, a sulfate-free formulation that contains chamomile, nettle and horsetail extracts to make hair shiny and smooth, and sunscreen to help prevent color fading. It's for all hair types and is $15.95 at JCPenney salons and other beauty salons in Pittsburgh listed at sexyhair.com.

Express your style

As fashion-related reality shows grow in popularity, so does the number of contests where fashion designers toiling in obscurity -- or just wannabes -- can get some recognition and cash.

The Daily/Bacardi Limon Express Your Style two-phase design competition is looking for applicants at least 25 years old and living in the United States. Entrants must submit original fashion sketches of men's and women's eveningwear. The winner gets $5,000 and an apprenticeship with a fashion designer or fashion magazine.

Contest rules are posted at the Web site www.fashionweekdaily.com. Deadline for entries is Feb. 16.

Miss Black Teenage Pageant

Applications are available for the 35th annual Miss Black Teenage Pageant. Contestants participate in a seven-week self-improvement and educational program on Saturdays that culminates in a public pageant on Mother's Day, May 13, at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland.

Among prizes are $1,000 for the winner in the 13-17 age category and $500 for the Miss Princess winner among girls 10 to 12. For more information and applications, call 412-361-6591 by March 5.

The program has groomed 1,737 girls from Southwestern Pennsylvania and awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships and grants. Retired journalist Jean Bryant of Stanton Heights created the volunteer-run pageant and directs it.