Fashion Victim: Hair-raising trends in the heart of Hollywood

Jul 17 2008 by Emma Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

IMITATION is the sincerest form of flattery, you know. I cannot tell you how often I heard that gubbins as a child every time my skinnier, taller, blonder but younger sister wanted to get the same dress/bag/earrings/haircut/boyfriend as me (OK, I was only kidding about the boyfriend).

Luckily, by the time she reached her teens, we had about as much in common sartorially as Jackie O and Jordan, and similarly differing bustlines, so it was no longer a problem.

But that earlier period left its battlescars. So I think I know what Victoria Beckham must be going through right now.

Let me explain. For those of you not addicted to trashy magazines like moi, the latest Stateside photo missives reveal that actress Eva Longoria has lobbed off her luxurious locks and appears to be sporting a “Pob” a la one Victoria Beckham.

So what, you may think – the girl got a haircut. But it is much more serious than that because, as anyone following the real-life soap that is the Beckhams Go to Los Angeles will tell you, little Eva just happens to be the former Spice Girl’s new Hollywood best friend.

Now it is one thing for a member of the great unwashed to go copying an A-listers’ hair/make-up/shoes/ – after all, it is highly unlikely that Nicola, the nurse from Netherley, is ever likely to find herself seated next to Mrs Beckham as she tucks into a plate of edamame beans at The Ivy.

In fact, being copied is the ultimate affirmation of your status as a style icon, just ask Kate Moss. She had that much of her wardrobe ripped off by women the country over that she started flogging it herself in Topshop.

But when your fellow stars, who also happen to be your friends, copy your signature style, isn’t that just a bit weird?

It is not even as if Eva is the first woman in Posh’s inner circle to succumb to the power of the Pob. Long before the Latino lovely took her trip to the salon, Posh’s other Hollywood homegirl Katie Holmes was in there, presumably brandishing a photo of the singer turned soccer mom and saying “Make me look like that“.

Single White Female anyone?

Further inspection of Eva’s haircut reveals it probably bears more of a likeness to Katie’s than Victoria’s, given that it has a slight fringe and more of a swing than her more severe straight style, but maybe I am just splitting hairs (sorry!).

According to Ken Paves – celebrity crimper extraordinaire – Eva actually had the snip for her role as the scheming Gabby, in Desperate Housewives.

There is as yet no word from Mrs Beckham herself on what she makes of her latest celebrity clone. But you can’t help but wonder whether her new BFF could find herself for the chop.

I personally just can’t wait to see the first pic of the trio out to lunch together with their matching barnets. Do you think they will call each other first to ask: “What are you wearing?”