FASHION / Style Notes

NEXT YEAR, Vivienne Westwood's son Joseph Corre is opening an emporium of 'accessible good-taste erotica', selling everything from clothes to carpets - a sort of M & S of S & M. Until recently the UK's only claim to rubber fame has been as the world's second-biggest producer of branded condoms. Now rubber clothing seems to be turning into a great British export. Not long ago, Jack the Rubber, a London-based company, got their first fax in Cantonese, from a shop just over the border from Hong Kong; in Europe, our rubberwear is well established. During New York fashion week six British rubberwear collections were flown out by a German magazine for an event called 'The Best of British Rubber'. According to Tim Woodward, organiser of the recent Rubber Ball, 'the reputation of British rubberwear is expanding. Soon the British will have to stop pretending they're not into this type of thing, because abroad they know we are]' But will rubberwear lose its appeal once it loses its shock value? 'Treated imaginatively,'says Martin Bastow of Jack the Rubber, 'rubber is just another great fabric that mainstream fashion can embrace as wholeheartedly as Lycra.' Its level of acceptability was put to the test recently when a London features agency asked Jack the Rubber to get a girl wearing one of their dresses to try to walk into the Savoy Hotel. 'The photographers were desperate to get a shot of outraged old ladies and the doorman barring her entry,' says Bastow, 'but he just opened the door and said, 'Good evening madam.' 'Simon Miles

IT SEEMS that these days you either have to be a grandmother or pre-pubescent to find success as a model. French designer Corinne Cobson took the trend for model waifs to its extreme in her Paris show. Albertine and Lisa, daughters of friends of Cobson, made their catwalk debuts at the tender ages of 8 and 10, in long punky T-shirts and nightie-style dresses.

CATHERINE DENEUVE, France's favourite Ice Queen, got hot under the collar recently. America's favourite lesbian magazine is called Deneuve. As editor Francis Stevens explains, the name comes from 'Da nerve]' - that is, the guts - to face up to being an 'out' lesbian. One reader spotted the ice queen at an LA party and asked her to autograph her magazine. Deneuve saw the subject matter and tossed it aside in fury.

LINDA McCARTNEY has provided the photographs for the latest scarf collection from textile designers Timney Fowler. The silk and velvet scarves and wraps will be printed in black and white as well as earthy colours. Prices start at pounds 84 for georgette and crinkle silk to pounds 150 for velvet. From Liberty, Regent Street, W1, and Timney Fowler, 388 Kings Road, SW3.

MEN WILL be pleased to know that at Next they are getting more attention than women. They can already have clothes made to measure; now the chain is offering a dress hire service for men only. Starting this month, selected branches are offering a comprehensive service, with trained staff giving customers individual attention. Classic morning suits and Highland dress for weddings are available, as well as dinner jackets. Prices for a morning suit start at pounds 49.95 a day (call 0533 849 424).

A SAPPHIRE and diamond brooch that belonged to Audrey Hepburn is to be auctioned by Christie's in Geneva on November 18. The proceeds (estimate pounds 14,000- pounds 18,000) will go towards providing accommodation and medical assistance for actors in need. Two of her paintings will be sold in London to benefit the Red Cross and UNICEF. And on December 4, the furniture, silver and works of art of Hepburn's favourite designer, Hubert de Givenchy, will also come under the hammer. The sale, organised by Christie's, in Monaco, is expected to realise over pounds 12 million. The furniture being sold consists mainly of Louis XIV Boulle pieces; three have estimates of around pounds 1 million each.