Now and then, a TV show comes along that dictates the fashion trends of a given city.

Take, for example “Miami Vice,” “Sex and the City” and “The O.C.”

The latest entry in this category of programming is USA Network’s “The Starter Wife,” which premiered Friday and stars Emmy Award-winning actress Debra Messing. Based in Los Angeles, the show turns the spotlight on Beverly Hills’ fashionable trophy wives, with their large diamond-stud earrings and casual designer daywear punctuated by Jackie Onassis-style oversize sunglasses, handbags and high-heeled boots.

“Clothing is a huge part of identifying a ’starter wife’ or any woman married to a power broker in Hollywood,” e-mails 40-year-old Messing, whose glamorously imperfect Molly Kagan used to belong to this society of women.

Molly is divorced from her Hollywood hotshot husband now, which makes her an insider even if she no longer gets to enjoy the luxe life.

Still, she never misses a beat when it comes to keeping up appearances.

During the course of the series, her wardrobe evolves from conservative and monochromatic to bolder styles of dress in jewel tones that stay in lockstep with Molly’s character development.

It’s her personality and style – ranging from corporate couture and elegant after-dark to fashionably loud, chic and edgy – that has inspired designer Lauren Merkin to create the “Molly,” a chic amethyst croc clutch that the show’s heroine will debut in the season finale.

It’s sold exclusively at www. laurenmerkin.com for $295.”Molly is ‘very done,’” writes Messing, who collaborated with costume designer Agata Maszkiewicz on creating her character’s outfits that would help tell her story. “Every detail is thought through, every accessory is coordinated; the look is always cohesive.”

Anyone might say the same about the bohemian-inspired Messing, who is always a standout on the red carpet.

“I delight in the whole process,” she admits. “Otherwise, I am all about comfort. I am a mom, so I wear things that are easy, simple, washable and allow flexibility so that I can get down on the ground with my son. For me, making an effort in my daily life is putting on one of my Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses and a heel of any kind.”

To dress her character, however, Messing turned to the expert pages of Vogue, Elle and Women’s Wear Daily.

Maszkiewicz came with a presentation, too. She borrowed looks from the runway toand the real-life wealthy clientele who frequent shop along Rodeo Drive and La Brea Boulevard.

While the characters on “The Starter Wife” boast the latest fashions by top designers such as Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Zac Posen, Maszkiewicz says women can re-create these looks from pickings at local shopping malls and boutiques.

“I think this show and the attainable looks will appeal to the everyday working woman and mother who has lost a sense of her style and needs a boost to find it again,” she says.

“The layered L.A. look and constant use of accessories is something that anyone can incorporate into their style.”

“The Starter Wife” is broadcast at 10 p.m. Friday on the USA Network.