A Guide to the Best of Southern California : FASHION : Twisters for Travel

The rumpled look is definitely out; the twisted look is in--in the bag, that is. Designer Hanna Hartnell’s fashions come coiled in matching bags. Each design in her signature silk and velvet collections employs a secret twisting process. “The Fortuny pleating technique is used almost solely for evening dresses, but my look is more relaxed. You can run through the surf in my clothes or dress them up with suede pumps and jewelry,” Hartnell says.

The copyrighted packaging--storing the clothes in her bags--came about, Hartnell says, because the luxuriant pleating of each piece required yards of fabric. Because the clothes would not stay coiled on their own, she decided to enclose them in bags that could double as purses.

A nature lover, Hartnell works in twisted velvet of deep, rich colors--amethyst, emerald, topaz and onyx. Some designs feature hand-painted lace accents. This season, look for a full-length hooded kimono ($600). Or a new group of iridescent cotton voiles ($150 to $350) hand-dyed in environmental hues of rain, forest and orchid. Hartnell’s silks come in vivid feather colors: parrot, peacock and flamingo.

Hanna Hartnell designs are available at Fred Segal stores, Los Angeles and Santa Monica; also at the Shoe & Clothing Connection, 17404 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 784-2810.