The Thong Is Over in Florida
Those bottom-revealing bikinis called thongs, the one’s with only a tiny sliver of fabric in back, were banned this week in Sarasota, Fla., state parks, just at the time when thong bathing suits are finding an appreciative national audience. Los Angeles-based swimwear designer Brenda Welch has seen her production of thong-style suits double in the past year, a trend that prompts her to remark, “The woman who wants to wear a thong should have the right to. Let’s just hope she looks good in it.”
TRACY TIME: Who wants a Dick Tracy watch? Julio Iglesias, that’s who. Carol Chase, co-owner of Arlene Altman Designs in Beverly Hills, says she sent two of the $38 Timex timepieces to the entertainer and avid watch collector in Florida this week. Chase, whose personal comic-watch collection includes a Dick Tracy model from the ‘40s, says the latest batch of four designs compares favorably. Iglesias was sent the Breathless Mahoney model and one with a Dick Tracy face.
SELECTIVE AUTHENTICITY: A few liberties have been taken with the 1970s-style dance costumes for the Los Angeles production of “A Chorus Line.” Director/choreographer Danny Taylor and co-director Steve Bellin insisted on duplicating the show’s original look (right down to those funky beige, brown and burgundy-colored leotards). Fortunately, costume designer Laura Stamatkis lucked out at Karabel’s Dancewear, where she found some unworn, flare-legged slacks that had been sitting around since the ‘70s. Period leotards though were given an ‘80s-style French cut. Explains Stamatkis, “We wanted the costumes to look attractive to the eye.”
UPSTAGED BY THE AUDIENCE: The small crowd attending the summer-into-fall fashion show at the Benetton store on Melrose Avenue was so young some guests had to produce identification to get a glass of the alcohol-laced punch. In true European style, there wasn’t a pair of panty hose in the house. All the bare legs were supported by high-vamped, high-heeled pumps, topped with miniskirts and long jackets. The real fashion show wasn’t nearly as much fun to watch. Blanket-patterned wool jackets and vests with coordinated backpacks for both sexes (leggings and Tyrolean-inspired scarfs added for women) were the most attractive items of the night. But we couldn’t help wondering if all that heavy wool would ever sell in L.A.
POETIC LICENSE: The theme was “Fashion Passion and Terminal Cool” at a recent Tuesday night’s “Poetry in Motion” at Palet restaurant. Anne Beatts was among poets who offered their evolving perspective on the subject. “I was always a dedicated follower of fashion,” Beatts began, recalling the joy of wearing capes and sunglasses at night in the ‘60s. Now she’s launching a revolt, in free verse. “I don’t want to wear black or any colors any magazine has ever described as new,” she read from her poem.
