THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 21, 1996 TAG: 9603200143
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By KIM WADSWORTH, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 130 lines
Imagine creating wardrobes from the all the color swatches at a paint shop. Designers have done something like that this spring, offering a wide spectrum of colors from icy pastels and nearly neutral tones to vivid brights.
Black is still with us, but it's largely relegated to the background. This season's fashions are alive with color, from muted to vibrant - all the color of life.
And, this being a season of few rules, all that color comes in many forms.
For Yves St. Laurent, refined style and classic interpretations are strong. Karl Lagerfeld ventures into suburbia, offering khaki as the fabric of the moment. Donna Karan's choice of color takes her collection in an earthy direction.
Both relaxed and conservative looks can both pass for chic this year. Hemlines are all over the place.
Lively prints, shapely sheaths, two-piece ensembles, cigarette-slim pants, hip-hugging everything - these are just some of the elements in the fashion picture.
Call spring ``open season.''
``It's alive, it's bright, and anything goes,''says Kathleen Mitchell, merchandising assistant for J.C. Penney, Lynnhaven Mall. ``We have such rich contrast in our color palette this season that everything seems to work with everything.''
In a season brimming with color and style options, one local boutique owner senses that women will feel the freedom to try new looks.
``Women aren't forced into a fashion choice they way they were years ago. After all, there isn't just one style in fashion,''says Mansour Amiri of Mansour Boutique at La Promenade in Virginia Beach.
Fabric, as well as color and form, comes in multiple-choice options. Linen, seersucker, gingham, denim, silk and floral chiffons make strong showings. Other fabrics offer shimmery iridescence, allowing them to move from day into night.
All these choices means no one look will take center stage. Women seeking the current style will face fewer must-haves than ever. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
BILL TIERNAN/The Virginian-Pilot
LEG UP (LEFT)
Vibrant red contrasts sharply with a short and strappy sundress
designed by Anthony Turner, $204. Open-toe, retro look shoes by
Donald Pliner, $130. Fashions available at The Cage in Virginia
Beach.
MAD ABOUT PLAID (ABOVE LEFT)
Lisa sports the latest look in a khaki pantsuit. Jacket is $179,
pant $99. Raw silk Madras plaid shirt screams the full color
spectrum, $59. Daisy and dot scarf, $12, white straw hat $28. All
fashions from The Limited.
FASHION CREDITS
Fashion coordination and styling: Kim Wadsworth for Wadsworth
Style
Fashion assistant: Cornita Cole, Norfolk State University
Hair artist: Donald of Bodywaves
Makeup artist: Penny McKown of Bodywaves
Models: Lisa Renee, Lyuba Shur and Steve Sobie courtesy of
Glamour Model and Talent Ltd.
Dorian Banks, Alane Kelley and Natasha Radyushkin courtesy of
Wright Models
Facilities: Church Point Manor House Bed & Breakfast in Virginia
Beach, Norfolk Botanical Garden.
FRUITOPIA (ABOVE)
Lime green steals the scene in a tightly knit cotton cardigan
that bares the midriff by Max Studio, $119. Silk sarong with
citrus-fruit motif by Gruppo Americano, $148. Silver earrings from
Line One, $27. All available at Levys, Virginia Beach. Model: Lisa
LIVING LUXE
An inviting setting for tea at Church Point Manor House. Lyuba
wears the pales of spring in a light weight ensemble designed by
Apriori. Jacket, $385. V-neck shell with baring midriff, $100.
Flowing print sarong, $195. Pearl necklace, $89, is paired with
earrings, $95. All fashions from Mansour Boutique, Virginia Beach.
FLORAL EVENT (LEFT)
Feeling the mood of spring, Natasha wears a
polka-dot-and-flower-print dress, $44, topped with pale yellow
sleeveless tunic, $34. Both by Mix It. Black gloves, $12, offer a
necessary accessory. Crystal earrings, $24. Fashions available at
J.C. Penney.
CALL OF THE WILD
Alane in sophisticated separates by Kenar. White mesh T, $28, is
layered under denim shirt with concho buttons, $88. Linen navy
blazer, $178.
Floral-design skirt is $78. Swarvorski crystal earrings, $118.
All fashions from NYFO, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
MADE FOR THE SHADE
Wearing all the sherbet flavors of spring, Dorian strikes a pose
in pale lemon blouse, $29, paired with floral print skirt, $38.
Coral vest, $26. All designed by Mix It. Straw hat with pansy, $16.
Rhinestone frog pin, $35, and earrings, $15. Fashions from J.C.
Penney.
TUTTI FRUTTI
With black as a backdrop, Alane wears a full-length dress with
splashes of color in the form of fruit and flowers throughout.
Designed by Nicole Miller, $305. Wide-brimmed hat with black trim by
L.D. Trends, $44. Red hand-stitched leather pouch by Kleinberg
Sherrill, $195. Black leather strappy sandal by Fieramosca & Co.
$165. Silver earrings, $75. All fashions from D.M. Williams Ltd.
Virginia Beach.
THINK PINK
Lyuba gets shock value wearing bright pink linen pants, $124,
with silk knit top, $78. Both by Eric. Multi-colored woven jacket by
Taboh, $270. Gold brooch, $27, and earrings $16. All fashions from
Levys. Steve goes with casual chic wearing a Canali sport coat in
royal blue with windowpane, Canali trouser in bronze crepe, banded
collar shirt in silk waffle weave by Mondo di Marco and leather and
linen shoes by Cole Haan. Menswear from Beecroft & Bull.
KEYWORDS: FASHION by CNB