Girls Gone Gilded: Malibu Bimbos Burble for Direct-Marketed Baubles

At a clambake celebrating the Lia Sophia jewelry line at the so-called Project Beach House in Malibu on Sunday, July 13, a chilly coastal wind blew so hard that the fledgling starlets present spent much of their time holding their skirts down.

This surely didn’t bother Girls Gone Wild kingpin Joe Francis, who said he came to the event because he was in need of “a beach day.” Wearing baggy cargo shorts, a worn blue T-shirt and flip-flops, Mr. Francis, who was released from a Nevada jail in March, seemed a bit befuddled by the festivities, asking, “What does Lia Sophia do?” and later remarking that he loves “Santa Barbara this time of year.”

But actress, model, DJ and pizza heiress Caroline D’Amore—wearing a revealing backless black-and-white striped bikini top from her swimwear line and clutching her Chihuahua, Billie—knew exactly where she was and why. “They look very ’70s, like they were in your mom’s closet and you stole them,” she gushed of the chunky fake-gold knotted necklaces and enamel arm cuffs on display.

Later, R&B singer Christina Milian mugged for cameras by the pool in a long black gown embellished with swirling metallic designs. “I think this is H&M,” she said, before quickly switching the subject to, well, Lia Sophia. “They have matching sets so you don’t have to spend much time thinking about what you’re going to put on.” God forbid.

The baubles, often worn by the klassy Kardashian family on their reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, are “about female empowerment,” said company owner Elena Kiam. “Thirty thousand women around the country sell it at parties—it’s like Tupperware. And it’s got a lifetime guarantee; it’s not gonna turn your neck green.” Phew.

jgelt@observer.com