Sighting the Fashion Ghosts of Proms Past
If you thought it was tough choosing a festive frock to wear to your office party, consider the dilemma for guests invited to Mossimo’s holiday bash last week in Santa Ana. The invitations, in the form of backstage passes, encouraged “Swank Attire.” The terribly trendy folks translated this to mean “the ghost of proms past.” Men wore chinos or baggy jeans with ruffle-front tuxedo shirts unbuttoned to the waist to expose skinny Ts underneath. The women wore long Barbie-like dresses and high-altitude platform shoes. Ice Cube, Tone Loc and a duo from En Vogue were seen among the multitudes.
* POSERS: The Fly Girls, those dancing machines on Fox Television’s “In Living Color,” are breaking new media. They are offering their services as print models, and their day rate can’t be beat--they’re posing for free. Although the four women, ranging from 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-7, are not model stature, the New York Times magazine and USA Today have booked them, says their representative, Steve Belgard of Bender, Goldman & Helper, a Los Angeles PR firm. And magazines Rolling Stone and Hip Hop have expressed an interest in their mannequin services.
* MOVIE DRESSING: Alexander Julian is the latest designer to enter the custom business. He’s launching his custom collection in Los Angeles because his New York office was besieged by requests from West Coast customers wanting suits like those made for actor Tim Robbins in “The Player.” “The film made a very visible impact, particularly on California turf,” he says.
Profits from the new venture (his custom-made suits range from $1,400 to $2,000; suits in his signature collection sell for about $650) will go to Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang summer camp, for kids with cancer and blood diseases. Appointments can be made through Alexander Julian’s Manhattan office.
* RED-RIBBON DAY: For three years Skyler Thomas has sold gay-themed T-shirts. This holiday season, the West Hollywood manufacturer has raised almost $60,000 for AIDS research through sales of a red ribbon, symbolizing support for AIDS sufferers, inside a clear glass ornament. “Miracles Happen” is inscribed on it. Thomas, who recently opened Don’t Panic on Santa Monica Boulevard, said he wanted to give something back to the gay community for its support of his business. Proceeds from the $9.95 ornaments go to the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
* NORTH TO ALASKA: If you watch the CBS television show “Northern Exposure,” perhaps you’ve noticed the commercials for a $24.95 “Northern Exposure” sweat shirt. The moose-embroidered shirt is but the tip of the iceberg of spinoff merchandise. Among the offerings are T-shirts, hats, baseball caps, sleep shirts, pajama sets, denim shirts and long underwear ($16.95 to $59.95) emblazoned with the show’s name or famed moose. Some of the clothes are finding their way into JC Penney and Suncoast stores. A dollar from the sale of each sweat shirt (phone orders (800) 841-1300) goes to the World Wildlife Fund.
* THE PHOENIX FILES: Ronaldus Shamask, the New York-based, Dutch-born designer, has emerged from the ashes of his fallen empire as a creative consultant to Revlon. The agreement calls for Shamask to lend a hand in designing Revlon cosmetics, fragrances and packaging but frees him to continue his work on a men’s line sold exclusively through Barneys.
* ALL AGLOW AGAIN: Bill Whitten, private sequin- meister to headliners such as Neil Diamond, Doc Severinsen and Michael Jackson, went public almost two years ago with a store on Melrose Avenue, then abruptly disappeared. He has resurfaced at Maxfield, another Melrose Avenue store, with a signature line that includes hats, jackets and beaded dresses. He takes custom orders through Maxfield. And Whitten’s extravagant clothing will soon be available at Henri Bendel in New York and Ralph David in San Francisco.
