White is right for 2005 fashion

B.W. COOK

Attention, fashionistas. In case you are wondering, white is the look

for spring 2005. And it goes for the gals and the guys.

Bright white -- crisp, cut and clean -- from head to toe is on

models parading European runways. The men wear tailored white suits

with suede moccasins, leather athletic shoes or rubber thong sandals,

all bleached white. Ladies will slip into white linen suits and

jackets, and knits in shades of snow and ivory. White pants, cropped

below the knee to ankle-length are the rage. White strappy sandals,

white pumps, white handbags -- all structural and very retro -- are

the draw.

A private fashion show on the exclusive floor 3 at Neiman Marcus,

Fashion Island last week brought out the oh-so-ravishing young women

modeling “white is right” for spring. Fashion tsarina Michaele Hall

and her associate Cara Mungo (formerly a child of Lido Isle)

presented the inside fashion scoop exclusively for Daily Pilot

readers.

“We adapt, interpret the runways of Europe for our family of

customers in Newport Beach,” said Hall, wearing the season’s sexiest

strappy, high-heeled sandals and an ensemble skirt and blouse, called

exotica, that will also be the rage for spring.

“Marrakech, Barcelona, Jaipur and Thailand are the ports of call

of inspiration for prints this season,” Hall said. “Native-inspired

prints, Asian graphics, animals, animals and more animal prints will

be all over fashion for men and women this season.”

The Neiman Marcus fashion rep cut to the chase, confiding, “We

care about what our customers in Orange County want.”

Hall explained that the O.C. customer wants what works for this

community. The social crowd here is not dressing for Paris, New York

or even Los Angeles circles. Newport has its own style, its own look.

And what is that look?

“Stylish, but not too outlandish. Elegant, rich, trendy, without

being so showy,” advised Newport socialite Cerise Jadwin Feeley.

“Women, and men too, want to be fashionable, but this is a resort

community. It’s not Manhattan. We live at the beach. Our lives are

fortunate enough to be filled with sunshine, so bright color and

casual clothing are just as important in Newport as the perfect

black, tailored cocktail dress.”

Feeley is well known for her fashion sense. Often on best-dressed

lists, she is known for trendsetting.

“Accessories are the big thing in Newport. The right handbags, the

right sunglasses -- these are the local status symbols,” Feeley

added.

Spring 2005 will offer plenty of opportunity to stand out in the

Newport crowd. White is right, and it’s being shown in Mandarin,

collared, linen jackets for men. The price for such a garment on the

mannequin in the Neiman’s men’s store ... $695.

Hall’s advice? Buy the jacket and get a pith helmet for this

spring’s “Sound of Music” gala, in support of the Orange County

Performing Arts Center, where the party theme, like the fashion sense

of the season, is exotica.

While narrating the posh fashion presentation, Hall waved her arms

while pointing at video screens showing off the “best of the best,”

and at the parade of live models coming and going.

From wrist to near elbow, bracelet after bracelet banged and

clanged -- at least eight different jewelry items, some plain, some

studded with precious stones, all lined up perfectly.

Last year, it was the return of the brooch. This year, ladies, get

out the arm armor -- the bracelet is back. And, you can wear all of

them, all at once. Understated is out. Bling is in.

In contrast to the simplicity of stark white, bold prints are also

in, especially if worn with white, over it or under it.

Pucci is perfect. Pink and blue are definitely the colors of the

season, from pale to powerful. Go for the stripes, too. Pinstripes

are just fine, or awning stripes, if you prefer.

Designers are telling us that it’s time to “pump up the volume.”

“Don’t be afraid to mix yards of diaphanous fabrics in wild prints

with a pair of sleek cropped pants,” Hall said.

A stunning Neiman Marcus model entered, just at the proper cue,

showing off a Roberto Cavalli flowing poncho over a pair of cropped

pants. Cavalli, one of the hottest designers de jour, is a favorite

of Newport women. The flowing poncho, in an exotica print of silk

chiffon, was priced at $1,650.