STYLE : NEW HORIZONS

A man’s gray flannel business suit by Donna Karan. A woman’s jacket and skirt by Joseph Abboud. What’s wrong with this picture? Nothing at all. Designers who’ve made a name for themselves creating clothes for one sex are simply crossing over into fashions for the other.

Isaac Mizrahi, renowned for simple yet imaginative women’s designs, branched out a few seasons ago with the debut of his line of casual menswear. Now Karan is following suit. Known for introducing a subtle sexiness to career dressing for women, she hopes to do the same for men. Says Karan: “The ‘80s were all about putting women in men’s clothes. Now I want men to feel absolutely luxurious and comfortable the way women do.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Abboud has been gaining ground in women’s wear. Long known for exquisite tailoring and fabrics in his men’s collections, he borrowed those elements last year, softened them with interesting textures and colors and came up with his first line for women.

Crossover designing may eventually redefine femininity and masculinity in fashion. At the moment, it’s producing great style for everyone.