Modern salute for a ‘60s designer

Could it be the return of the “monokini”? Peggy Moffitt, the model and muse for 1960s-era Los Angeles designer Rudi Gernreich, has signed a deal to re-create his designs.

Moffitt, who lives in Beverly Hills, has held a trademark on Gernreich’s name since the designer died in 1985 at the age of 63.

Her partner in the venture is Rei Kawakubo, the avant-garde Japanese designer of the Comme des Garcons label, who will have full access to Gernreich’s archives, including his 1964 topless “monokini”’ swimsuit.

“Rudi absolutely changed the vocabulary of fashion,” Moffitt said Friday. “The world has picked at his bones for years, and I want him to be acknowledged for what he did.”

The Peggy Moffitt/Comme des Garcons label will hit stores in September. As an introduction, in July, Comme des Garcons will begin selling T-shirts emblazoned with Moffitt’s image.