Sartorial Sit-down With Entourage’s Emmanuelle Chriqui

Of all thefashionable celebrities I had the pleasure to meet this past week, Entourage’s Emmanuelle Chriqui waswithout question one of the most sincerely interested in—and knowledgeableabout—the world of RTW fashion. After literally bumping into her backstage atYigal Azrouël’s show last Friday morning, she graciously agreed to submit to aQ&A about her Fashion Week schedule, her Emmys dress (hint: that’s her withdesigner Reem Acra), and how in her upcoming movie, Women in Trouble, Sloan she isn’t in little more than purple chapsand a cropped red wig.Which shows did you attend thisFashion Week?I attendedYigal Azrouël, Vivienne Tam, Reem Acra, and Marchesa.Whose shows do you usually try to attend?I try tochange it up. I like seeing new designers and new collections. I have seenYigal and Vivienne twice, though. They were my first taste of NY Fashion Week,and we have since become friends.Did you see any looks you knowyou’ll be wearing next Spring?I actuallysaw several looks I would love to be wearing next Spring. Basically, Yigal’sentire collection blew me away. From the casual everyday looks to the redcarpet dresses, and even the bathing suits. He nailed it! Vivienne had this amazing‘70s-inspired theme, which is bulk hair my favorite time period. There was this onecream-colored suede pantsuit that was just ridiculous. I also fell in love withseveral dresses at Reem [Acra] and Marchesa.You have the Emmys coming up thisSunday, and I assume you’ve already chosen your dress. Any hints?My tinyhint is that it is by Reem Acra. It’s classy, beautiful and sophisticated—justlike her! When you’re not on a red carpet orbeing photographed at a fashion show, what are you usually wearing?I have tobe honest, I am a true jeans and t-shirt girl. I think when you do the red carpet fairly often, you really don't wantto think about it the rest of the time. Besides, I feel my best in an old pairof my favorite jeans, a nice soft t-shirt, great pair of heels or boots, a pairof hoops, and voila!After seeing a lot of celebritiesup-close this week, I have to say you have the most beautiful, natural look. Doyou usually wear such minimal makeup?Thank youso much! That is such a lovely compliment. The truth is, even for a naturallook it takes full make-up. I just prefer a natural look on me. Once in a bluemoon I will do a super smoky eye or dark lip, but my absolute favorite isglowy, dewy, and natural.Is Sloan’s style similar to yourown? Are you allowed any input on hair bulk your Entourage wardrobe?Sloan and Ihave the same red carpet style. She is far more glam in her everyday than I am.though. My wardrobe designer Amy Wescott is amazing.After all these years, she knows what I love and what suits my body. At thebeginning of each season, we have a good pow-wow of how we want Sloan to look.She is an amazing collaborator and will never put me in something I don't love.You have a new movie coming out inNovember—tell me a little bit about it and your character, in particular.I have afilm called Women In Trouble. I am soproud of this movie. The director, Sebastian Guiterrez, is a very dear friend,as is the star, Carla Gugino. The film follows nine very different women, andby the end you see how all of our lives connect. My character is a high-classcall girl named Bambi. She has a tough exterior but is a pussycat at heart. Mybest friend and sidekick is Holly Rocket (Annie Palecki), a famous porn star, who happens to be dumb as a brick.The banter between our characters is chinese remi priceless. We shot this film in 12 daysfor hardly any money, and honestly, I have never had so much fun. Sebastianencouraged us to go nuts and take risks. I mean, I am sporting shiny purplechaps and a short red wig—when will I get to do that again??What kind of character have you yetto play that you’re dying to?I am dyingto play something down and dirty. What can I say? Most actors want to sinktheir teeth into amazing material. It's hard to come by, but I know that roleis somewhere out there. Hopefully, I will surprise myself and everyone else.Back to fashion for the final question:you have $5K to spend on clothes and accessories in NYC—where do you go, andwhat do you buy?Ok, notsure where I would go, but I would definitely buy a pair of Brian Atwood boots,a killer leather jacket (most likely from Yigal), yummy super soft cashmeresweaters, insane black leather pants, a long camel colored cashmere coat,and…uh-oh I think I am over the $5,000 limit!Photos: with Acra: Getty Images; Chriqui solo: Claudette Barius/HBO