Spring Summer 2000 - fashion designs - Brief Article

Ebony, March, 2000 by Eunice W. Johnson

For the 2000 spring-summer collection, New York designers have gone all out to make their fashions provocative and creative but also able. Many of the daytime designs are eye-catching in addition to being and functional. The evening ensembles exhibit great creativity, and some of the gowns are made of fabrics ingeniously embellished with designs that are sure to make heads turn for a second look. Dressy as well as casual ensembles are accented with paillettes, embroidery and other design elements. In addition, several designers showcased creations with tiers of wide ruffles. Cashmere continues to be a favored fabric, as are silk chiffon and silk crepe. On the following pages is a sampling of the offerings from New York designers. Let these serve as inspiration to update your spring wardrobe.

Right: Floral strapless mini silk organza "salsa dress" with five tiers of ruffles, by Sully Bonnelly. Note unusual necklace and hairstyle.

Below: Three-piece ensemble by Bill Blass with hooded jacket and above-the-knee skirt of tropical-weight cashmere, worn with chiffon T-shirt with paillettes.

Right: Two-piece, double-faced silk gazar ensemble with A-line bias cut skirt. Center seam shows color of reverse side. Square-neck sleeveless top can be worn with or without contrasting cummerbund. By William Calvert.

Above: Oscar de la Renta designs cashmere knit halter top sashed at waist and worn with satin/silk cotton shorts. Note matching shoes and unusual bracelet.

Right: Strapless stretch nylon acetate evening gown by Vivienne Westwood with large corded bands around top.

Right: Deep V-cut neckline cocktail dress of silk chiffon with ruffled collar creating airy windblown look, by Rebecca Danenberg.

Below: Three-piece ensemble by Anna Sui with waist-length snap button embroidered jacket, midriff cotton T-shirt embroidered at top and denim skirt worn with wide decorative print belt. Accessorized with shoulder bag, beaded necklace and drop earrings.

Left: Silk orqanza, double-ruffle collared blouse worn with chiffon shorts with all-over paillettes, by Bill Blass.

Custo Barcelona designs scoopneck satin top with decorative cording and long chiffon sleeves, worn with above the-ankle pants.

Left: Long-sleeve mannish style blouse and skirt ensemble with front slit skirt belted at waist, by Marc Jacobs.

Left: Randolph Duke designs long evening gown with tiny spaghetti straps and sheer fabric embellished with circular metallic designs.

Above: Two-piece pant and stole ensemble of batik embroidered with floral motif on silk crepe, by Bill Blass.