AS Carrie Bradshaw in the TV series, Sex And The City, she thrilled women for six years across the world with her flamboyant style and to-die-for outfits.

As Sarah Jessica Parker, though, she is getting a mixed response, after appearing at the world premiere of the Sex And The City movie in an outrageous, horticulturally-themed hat.

It looked like a plant growing out of her head, commented one website, and it had some style watchers poking fun at the star.

Website Hollyscoop.com suggested that Parker, 43, looked like 'a human garden' while its site editor dubbed it 'horrendous'.

'Crazy Hat Lady', was FoxNews website's headline.

The actress's headpiece was a 30cm-high Philip Treacy confection with butterflies, flowers and an acorn stem.

It also had feathers from an assortment of birds - peacock, chicken, goose and turkey.

The hat grabbed so much attention at the Monday event in London that it even put her designer dress - a tulle and feather creation by Alexander McQueen, with stilettos also by the British designer - in the shade.

Treacy told The Irish Independent: 'It's a hat for a fashion icon. I've known her for a few years and she's a fantastic person to work with.

'She loves fashion. She's the ultimate fashion animal.'

The Irish hat-maker was reportedly still putting the finishing touches to the hat just hours before the event.

Her appearance led to near hysteria among fans, reported The Daily Mail.

Parker's three co-stars looked similarly dazzling, said reports.

Kim Cattrall, 51, who plays PR executive Samantha Jones, was in a red Vivienne Westwood dress and Gucci sandals.

Kristin Davis, 43, who plays the married Charlotte York, was also in red and, according to the BBC, she 'visibly blanched' when she stepped out of the car and saw Cattrall's dress.

The red carpet surprise was the usually conservative Cynthia Nixon, 42, who plays lawyer Miranda Hobbes.

She was in a plunging dress by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, worn with Gucci peep-toe shoes.

The dress barely concealed her chest and left little to the imagination, commented some reports.

This article was first published in The New Paper on May 14, 2008.