THE ART
OF
EYEWEAR

The

North Shore's
most unique

. selection of
designer frames

1348 Marine Dr. W. Van
925-1522

~ BOOKCASE SALE
2 fr. wide to 6 ft. wide
6 ft. high
5 ft. high
4 ft. high
3 ft. high

“Your choice of sizes & finish

locally crafted solid pine. Priced from se. 00

: iad

the swim of things

Are there any new swimsuits this sea-
son?

Seeking sun in Seymour

Dear Seymour:

Of course the biggest summer chal-
lenge is the bathing suit. Why is it that
when you're looking for a new bathing
suit, one or two little pieces of fabric can
ruin your whole day? This summer,
show that beach costumé-who is boss
and you'll be out of the dressing room
and on the beach in no time.

If you want to be fresh and groovy in
the first summer of the millennium there
are a couple of summer pieces that you
must have, The best thing about a sum-
mer wardrobe this season is that each
piece has a distinct seasonal and mood
quality. Let the games begin.

With all the new styles and tropical
colours this year it has to be the easiest
year for choosing a bathing suit. So
don’t tread water, go and do some laps.

The selections include new and old
classics: bandeau and shorts, the chrome
H- back maillot and, yes, the string biki-

New York designer Michael Kors also
whippe ed up zebra-print swimsuits with
matching sarongs. According to the
designer, suits never swim, they are part
of the hot-weather season wardrobe.

Ocean, sea or poolside mode is about
mixing and matching everything to cre-
ate the look you are after based on
the mood you are fecling.

If you’re going to bare
it all, do it with style.

Nautica
Swimwear
incor-

porates versatile tankini tops that mix
and match with boy shorts. Alexander
McQueen, who designs for Givenchy,
has created awesome terra cotta leather
pieces. Gianfranco Ferre opts for black
raffia and lace. Carolina Herrera has
fashioned her suits from pastel green
and yellow citron suede.

An ivory cotton crocheted bikini is a
fabulous accent piece for any warm-
weather wardrobe. Chloe explodes with
gold lamé and gold chains, Go hang out
by the poolside for a luncheon and
don’t get these numbers wet.

Anna Molinari’s Biumarine label is
aimed at a particular kind of woman:
strong, sexy and very, very Italian. Her
swimwear is designed for anything but
swimming, featuring sparkles, glitter,
beading and even mink trim.

On the runways for summer 2000
there was also a new take on the bikini,
called the rvin-kini, which is simply a
pair of itsy-bitsy knickers worn with
cashmere twinsct bikini top. Fee! natural
with a frivolous touch.

Victor Alfaro’s bathing suits are a
coo! palette of aquas, browns, and
neutrals in litde leather numbers,
embroidered and embell-
ished suede, lace, and
cashmere, and
sexy denim
picces
are

all gorgeous for the poolside. Alfaro has
Miami on his mind. There is plenty of
skin on display thanks to micro-minis,
halters, cut-out maillots, and the requi-
site bikinis. Aqua therapy ar its best.

For serious summer fun and oodles
of attention, slip into decadently sexy
swim styles with disco-diva details like
fringe, sequins and rhinestones.

This season, swimwear fashions are
perfect for girls more into showing off
than splashing around.

Swimwear this season is as evocative
as a California surfer girl on holiday in a
Parisian discotheque. The overall feeling
is effortless lounging and understated
chic.

Forget practicality. That is, unless you
want to swim.

Adieu,

Mattie

Mattie @ la Mode is a biweekly fashion
advice column. Send your questions for
Mattie Johnstone c/o the North Shore
News. E-mail to lebristensen@nsnews.com
or fax to 985-2104,

» offer exes Sly 29, 2000, ans tracdments ore extra. Some restrictions opply. nna be combined thoy ser ofc

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Coprig 2000 Sars enna