Slip Into Summer”It reminds me of that...
Slip Into Summer
“It reminds me of that whole feel of gardening, staying at home and visiting flea markets for old, beautiful things,” says L.A.-based designer David Dart about his current collection. His antique kimono floral print pieces (left) typify this best in staple silhouettes that have been altered just enough to make them stand apart from other labels. Take his long slip dress featuring an empire waist ($156). “I chose red for the print,” Dart adds, “because it’s what comes to mind with summer.”
Time to Go Under
Ten billion dollars worth of nighties, panties and other unmentionables? That’s what the Intimate Apparel Council estimates industry sales to hit by 1997. So the folks at Clothestime decided to offer their, uh, support with the opening of Lingerie Time. Stores in Anaheim Hills, Huntington Beach, Dana Point and Placentia debuted this last week stocked with Christian Dior, Lily of France, Maidenform, Warner, Natori and other brands at 30% to 70% below regular price. “The neoclassic environ is like nothing we’ve done before,” says spokeswoman Jane Whaley.
Fear in Demand
What separates London’s hip young things from L.A.’s? Fashion-wise, very little. We tend to be more radical with things like body piercing, and while our surf wear stays at the beach, it reincarnates into club wear in the rarely sunny UK. Stussy struck great success that way, and now San Diego’s No Fear is seeing similar appeal. Beanies with the in-your-face company name top house fans--who likely have no clue to the label’s origins.
Wrist Action
Swatchees pressed to wear both the chronograph and scuba models on their wrist can now wear one watch--the Swatch AquaChrono ($85). “It has all the functions of both watches combined in an oversized look that’s a big fashion statement now,” says spokeswoman Amy Edelson. The new timepiece (right) is water resistant to 200 meters--because, reminds product copy--the earth is 70% water. If one Swatch is still not enough, wrap around a blue, green, red, black or silver one. The latter two are winning fashion slaves whose only jungle gym is the urbanscape, adds Edelson.
