A bit of couture here at home

Nasrin Ansari, a local couture designer, is having a

pre-spring/summer sale on European designer fabrics, with prices

reduced 40% to 75%, through March 10. Ansari buys the same couture

fabrics that Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior, Valentino and Ungaro

use in their collections. Designers shop for fabrics here, and Ansari

designs custom evening, daytime and bridal apparel. Attention to

detail is her specialty. Ansari uses three to four layers of silk

chiffon for lining, and she does beading, embroidery and applique

work. Regular clients want specialty apparel that they can’t find

anywhere else, and some have copies of designs made. Open from 10

a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday; and by appointment on Sunday. 3363 Via Lido, Newport Beach.

(949) 675-6614.

BEYOND A BASIC BATH

Luxury bathrooms designs are Waterworks’ specialty. Since 1978,

the Connecticut-based company has offered a whole range of classic

and modern designs of furniture, textiles, lighting, plumbing, tile

and stone. The store is a great resource for design ideas, and stocks

the best in bathroom accessories: towels, soaps, scales, mirrors,

apothecary items, and kitchen and bar fixtures. Open from 9 a.m. to 6

p.m. Monday through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and from

noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 984 Avocado Ave. Corona del Mar Plaza. (949)

717-6525. www.waterworks.com.

SHOE GURU BRANCHES OUT

In 1914, Salvatore Ferragamo opened a shop in Hollywood designing

shoes for movie stars. In 1927, he returned to Italy, settling in

Florence, where he perfected his shoes and soon became recognized

throughout Europe. Today, family-owned Ferragamo is still known for

quality, craftsmanship and style, and it now offers head-to-toe

fashions. People of all ages shop for shoes, handbags, ready-to-wear

for men and women, and leather goods here. The new athletic shoe

line, Freedom, is especially hot. Ferragamo customers can build

wardrobes from every collection. Each season, a print on a silk scarf

is also available on twin sets, and even a Ms. Teddy Bear -- handbags

and shoes coordinate, as well. A Mr. Teddy Bear is always done in

men’s silk tie prints. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through

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

p.m. Sunday. Level Two, at South Coast Plaza. (714) 979-7654.

A ROOMFUL OF CHOICES

Italiano Home Store specializes in regional handmade objects and

exclusive furniture vendors from Italy. Ceramic pieces, papier-mache

clocks, stone pieces, Murano glass clocks, Venetian glass wine tops,

Plexiglas trays with compressed leaves, spices and candy are some of

their items. Select discontinued floor pieces are at reduced prices.

Simple and traditionally designed sofas, sectionals, iron beds,

dining tables and more. Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through

Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. (949) 640-2458.

A MASTERY OF CLOTHING OPTIONS

Romano’s is a master tailor, tuxedo sales and rental, and fine

apparel shop for men and women. Owner Romano Palma carries mostly

Italian designers. For men, there are Roam jeans, Bruno Magli shoes,

suits and sportswear from Zanella, Stefano Peruzzi, Jhane Barnes,

BOSS Hugo Boss, Aurelio Mattucci and Collezioni L’uomo. For women,

there is La Perla, Cerruti 1881, Zanella and Fendi and Nicole Miller

shoes. Prices on select designer men’s suits are reduced 50%. 928

Avocado Ave. Corona del Mar Plaza. (949) 640-9900.

A FINE FIT FOR THE FEET

New Balance Newport Beach is Orange County’s only New Balance

store. New Balance shoes come in hard-to-fit sizes, from narrow to

extra wide. Committed to cutting-edge technology, not expensive

celebrity endorsements, New Balance spends a substantial amount of

its budget on cushioning research and development. It’s also known

for its Procare line of shoes, for clinical foot problems.

Professional fittings are another specialty here. A Brannick device

is used for measuring feet accurately.

“Eighty percent of people are not wearing the right size shoe,”

manager Hal Hollister said. “When you leave the store, we want you to

have the right fit.”

There’s a great return policy: Problems shoes can be returned

within 30 days. Sports shoes for men, women and children and a line

of hiking boots and clogs from a 100-year-old company from Vermont

are now available. Sports apparel, too. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday through Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 932

Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. (949) 720-1602. newbalancehh@aol.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.