Tradition of Yves Saint Laurent continued

Today, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche belongs to the Gucci Group,

with Tom Ford as chief designer and creative director. Ford is a

great admirer of Yves Saint Laurent, who introduced pret-a-porter in

the early 1970s, so he brings back the rich heritage of Laurent’s

designs in a modern way. Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche focuses on

fashion and color -- very feminine and sophisticated elegance.

Ruffles, rusching and fluid silhouettes are made from beautiful

fabrics: silk georgettes, cashmere and cottons. Women’s and men’s

lines available including handbags, shoes and accessories. The

hottest handbags for spring are the Nadja, with flower flap in suede

and Napa leather from $845 to $915, and the Mombasa horn handle bag

from $695 to $795. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; from

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Level 2, across from Versace, South Coast Plaza. (714) 429-0101.

NEW NAME AND STYLES

B. Magness, a women’s boutique at Newport North Shopping Center,

has changed its name to Bella Mare, meaning “beautiful sea.” It still

carries all of the fashionable lines that B. Magness was known for,

while introducing new European designs. To celebrate the name change,

Bella Mare will have a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. June 5. The event

will include informal modeling, a trunk show of the latest summer

fashions, refreshments and door prizes. Also, a portion of sales from

Thursday, June 5, through Saturday, June 7, will be donated to the

Sophisticates, which supports Assessment and Treatment Services

Center in Newport Beach. The shop’s new owner, Nancy Olson, is the

president-elect of this nonprofit group, which provides professional

evaluations and counseling to at-risk youths and their families. The

latest spring fashions and resort wear are offered here, in feminine

fabrics and colorful prints. Chiffon dresses to casual athletic wear

are available. Summer looks will arrive soon. Bella Mare carries

designs by Votre Nom, Buffalo Jeans, Allen Allen, City Lights,

Essendi and Wayne Rogers; dresses by Rebecca Taylor, Nicole Miller

and Sharagano, a fashion-forward line from Paris; and shoes from

designers such as Onyx, Sacha and Diego Deluca. The shop is at 1280

Bison in Newport Beach (949) 644-4477.

HIGH LUXURY SHEETS

Newport Beach-based Between the Sheets, a high-end linen boutique,

now offers unprecedented 1,000-plus thread count sheets. The

oversized sheets (118 inches wide compared to the standard 106

inches) have a 1,020 thread count -- referring to the number of

horizontal (weft) and vertical (warp) threads in one square inch of

fabric. Sandra and Paul Marx, who own and operate Between the Sheets,

say that thread counts in most sheets range from 180 to 320. “We

worked closely with mill operators in Italy to develop this product

line that features the finest in luxury, comfort, beauty and

durability -- it’s really the ultimate woven Egyptian cotton product

in the market,” Sandra Marx said. There are also duvet covers and

shams with the high thread count. The linens have a distinctive

double hemstitched style, available in white and ecru and in

California and eastern king, queen and extra-long twin sizes. The

linens should be machine washed and dried. Since 1986, Between the

Sheets has offered the world’s finest linens. The sophisticated

clientele here choose European quality sheets, bedding, tablecloths,

napkins, bath towels and accessories. Personalized services include

altering/tailoring, monogramming and custom linen designing. Open

from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Ground level, Atrium

Court at Fashion Island, Newport Beach. (949) 640-9999.

www.betweenthesheetsinc.com.

NICE PRICE FOR SHOES

Cathy Jean, one of the oldest stores at Fashion Island, carries

its own brand of women’s shoes under the Cathy Jean label. Prices are

reasonable for the quality, comparable to Nine West or Charles David.

There are weekly promotions for extra savings on select styles. Close

to one hundred choices of casual to formal shoes. Open 10 a.m. to 9

p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. (949) 640-7680.

FOR THE KIDS

Imaginarium, now a division of Toys R Us, remains a specialty

store for educational toys. It’s ideal for children 6 months to 8

years old. An extensive preschool selection offers building kits,

games, dress-up accessories, Legos, Thomas the Tank Engine and Groovy

Girls items. Books, music and science-related kits are available,

too. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to 7

p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Fashion Island,

Newport Beach. (949) 644-0788. www.imaginarium.com.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA

92627; or by fax at (949) 646-4170.