People

By Michele Orecklin

MARTHA MEETS HER MATCH

Last week OPRAH WINFREY released the premiere issue of O, the Oprah Magazine. It seems remarkably similar in look and style to that other eponymous publication, Martha Stewart Living. But, of course, the journals have very different content.

[Oprah Winfrey] PICTURES OF HERSELF: 14 TELLS HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN: stationery PERSONAL REVELATIONS: She loves wearing gingham MAY 12 CALENDAR ENTRY: "Ask yourself what you're really afraid of in life."

[Martha Stewart] PICTURES OF HERSELF: 1 TELLS HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN: doormat boot scraper PERSONAL REVELATIONS: She loves waking up to the trilling of canaries MAY 12 CALENDAR ENTRY: "Wash greenhouse windows; put up shading."

THE NEW GARMENTO

With so much sartorial attention directed at girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, SEAN (Puffy) COMBS' own stylish penchant for white diamonds and furs can sometimes get lost. And the presentation last February of his menswear line, Sean John, featuring well-tailored pimp wear, was almost overshadowed by his indictment on charges of illegal weapons possession. But Puffy's fashion knack was finally recognized last week when the Council of Fashion Designers of America nominated him for the Perry Ellis Award, which recognizes rising young talent. The degree to which Combs actually sketches and sews is questionable, but his influence on the collection, which offered fox-fur ankle warmers and rhinestone-studded jeans, cannot be denied.

POLITICAL THEATER

The world has already learned too many prurient details about the spouse of New York Senate candidate Hillary Clinton. Soon it will also be exposed to some sexually explicit pronouncements by the spouse of her political opponent. On May 30, DONNA HANOVER, wife of New York City Mayor and Republican Senate hopeful Rudolph Giuliani, will assume the lead role in the off-Broadway show The Vagina Monologues, which deals with such issues as orgasms, sexual fantasies and rape. Hanover has already appeared in the movie The People vs. Larry Flynt and currently hosts a program on the Food Network. Asked about the casting, Hanover's spokeswoman said, "Donna makes her own professional decisions." It certainly wouldn't appear she sought the role at her husband's suggestion: the playwright, Eve Ensler, is a friend and political supporter of Hillary Clinton's.

FEUD OF THE WEEK

NAME: Marshall (Eminem) Mathers AGE: 27 OCCUPATION: profane rapper BEST PUNCH: On his new single, makes lurid insinuations about Aguilera's activities with MTV VJ Carson Daly and Limp Bizkit lead singer Fred Durst

NAME: Christina (Genie in a Bottle) Aguilera AGE: 19 OCCUPATION: precocious singer BEST PUNCH: After first considering a lawsuit for slander, Aguilera denounced the lyrical allegations, calling them "disgusting, offensive and above all untrue"

WINNER: Britney Spears, because it diverts speculation about whether or not she has implants