THE WORD ON WHAT’S HIP AND WHAT’S HYPE
Vested Interest
Women go for her sassy silhouettes, but Nicole Miller has gained much attention lately from men for her limited run theme ties. Also a hit are her matching vests, cummerbunds, hankies and boxers. That was evident last weekend at Nordstrom South Coast Plaza, where frenzied fans snapped up her menswear. Miller was on hand to personally sign each piece. The secret to her successful prints? “I focus on all men’s obsessions and vices,” she says. Her latest include coffee paraphernalia, pin-up girls, sports and a shark pattern for lawyers.
Inexpensive Extravagance
When socialite Pat Dunlap found too many women skipping charity galas due to the high cost of outfitting themselves, she got a very ‘90s idea. “There are so many tuxedo shops but no quality places to rent beautiful dresses,” she says. Rave response to her La Jolla-based A Night on the Town led her to open a branch in Costa Mesa last month. Cocktail dress rentals start at $40, and an exclusive designer gown rents for $400--one-fifth its retail price. Society mavens, pageant contestants and prom queens have been going for the latest Mackies and Cassinis. And the IRS says working women can write off rentals worn to a company affair.
Chain Gang
No longer just an accessory of blue collar rebels or motorcycle hellcats, biker wallets seem tucked into about everyone’s back pocket these days. Teens and twentysomething club-goers are especially fond of flaunting the silver chains from their belt loops. “Thicker is better,” says Jason Fortner of Huntington Beach. “It’s also a cool anti-theft device.”
Looney Leather
Artist and cartoon aficionado Ron Lee was licensed to make leather jackets in a limited edition series--200 of each style, numbered for authenticity. Only one place in Orange County carries them: Decker’s Custom Jewelry & Collectibles in Orange. The gallery has the first five made: Bullwinkle, Popeye, Yosemite Sam, Betty Boop and Woody Woodpecker. More than 100 pieces of the softest dyed leather go into a character, from intricate outfits to their eyelashes. Land one for just $2,200. That’s all, folks.
