Salma Hayek debuted a Gucci couture line, wearing an asymmetrical deep-red gown from the Italian luxury giant's new made-to-measure line, at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival in France.

The fashion house said the Mexican actress' deep-maroon sheath, with a single beaded strap, was from the label's exclusive Gucci Premiere line.

Couture gowns are made-to-measure by just a handful of mostly Paris-based houses. They are wildly expensive, often costing as much as one or even several cars.

Hayek wore the gown at yesterday's premiere of Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood."

HEPBURN GRACES NEW POSTAGE STAMP

Katharine Hepburn, star of such classic movies as "The African Queen" and "Little Women," took her place on a U.S. postage stamp yesterday.

The 44-cent stamp was dedicated in ceremonies in Old Saybrook, Conn., and is on sale nationwide.

The actress becomes the 16th star honored in the postal service's Legends of Hollywood stamp series.

Hepburn won four Academy Awards, the first for "Morning Glory" in 1933.

MICK JAGGER BOOKED ON 'LARRY KING LIVE'

Mick Jagger will be jamming with Larry King next week.

CNN said yesterday that King will interview the Rolling Stones singer about his career, the re-release of the Stones' album "Exile on Main Street" and the new "Stones in Exile" documentary.

The "Larry King Live" interview with Jagger will air Tuesday night.

PENN SENTENCED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE

Sean Penn pleaded no contest to vandalism yesterday, effectively ending a case in which the Oscar-winning actor was videotaped kicking a celebrity photographer.

Penn, 49, was not present in court and entered the plea through his attorney. He was sentenced to three years of informal probation and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.

He also was ordered to undergo 36 hours of anger management counseling and stay 100 yards away from the photographer.

Penn was charged in February with misdemeanor battery and vandalism for the October dustup and could have faced up to 18 months in jail. The photographer, Jordan Dawes, has sued Penn in civil court. That case remains active.

RAP WILL RULE AT NEW YANKEE STADIUM

What could be better than New York's own Jay-Z playing the first concert at the new Yankee Stadium?

How about fellow rap superstar Eminem alongside him?

The two titans of the hip-hop world attended last night's New York-Detroit game at Detroit's Comerica Park to announce they'll play at the Yankees' ballpark Sept. 13.

Eleven days before that, though, Jay-Z will be in the Motor City to play with Eminem at the latter's hometown ballpark, Comerica.

— Advertiser News Services