United colors

Taking philosophy of global togetherness to the stage

CULTURE AND clothing were rhythmically mixed in a fashion spectacle staged by Benetton recently.

By Caro! Crenna Contributing Writer

The show, called ‘‘Benetton On Tour ‘93: A Celebration of Fash- ion, Music, People and Dance,”’ was held at the Vancouver nightclub, Graceland. The evening promised guests a sample not only of the company’s clothing, but its controversia! brand of marketing and multiculturalism as well.

It delivered the culture and fashion, but was a little tamer than anticipated. Approximately 30 models representing a wide variety of races and creeds, as the “united colors of Benetton,’’ strutted in a chaotic mob along the ramp.

Several celebrity models added personality to the show, including entertainer Jim Byrnes, artist Joe Average, MP Dr. Heddy Fry, and fashion writer Lisa Tant.

The event was well attended, with fashion industry members crushed against a crowd of trend-bending young models and Benetton beatniks-of-the-"90s. It showcased the clothier’s summer collection for men, women and children, with colorfully choreographed fashion segments intermixed with bold ethnic per- formances of music and dance.

A native Brazilian percussion and dance group introduced the first. line which showed soft, white-washed colors in finen, cot- ton and knits.

Long, slim dresses, tunics over matching long pleated skirts, and fitted suit jackets over short shorts were featured in shades of celery, pale peach and stone.

A top pick was the sexy long linen dress that resembled an ex- tended vest in front, but was cut out with double crisscross straps in back.

Mascall Dance Company _in- troduced the second set, which proved to be the only controver- sial touch,

Male dancers wearing fashion- able women's-wear skirts did a modern ballet number, then one removed his jumper to reveal a matching merrywidow with garters over little biker shorts.

, ‘ Photo Marina Dodis

BENETTON’S FASHION spectacle at Graceland was tamer than those in attendance had expected from the company recognized for its controversial ad campaigns. What the fashion-conscious mok did get to see were Benetton’s trademark colorfu! fashions worn by celebrity modets, and boid ethnic performances of

music and dance.

The Benetton clothing focused on navy and white solids and florals. It featured lots of short fitted dresses, summer sets mat- ching finely knitted cardigans, tanks, tunics, short skirts and shorts, long halter dresses that buttoned. up the front, and little suits that paired short-sleeved jackets with scalloped edges over scalloped-edged shorts.

The third set was introduced by great Brazilian dancers who per- formed an acrobatic. hip-hop rivalling those on any New York street.

The fashion was fun, too, showing bright orange and rasp- berry spaghetti-strapped jumpsuits and hooded rompers, and sheath

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and slip dresses trimmed with gigantic rickrack (zig-zag braid) along neckline and hem, vintage 1970.

The last segment was introduced by a Japanese drum ensemble with a traditional masked lion.

Casual fashions included’ a range of sarongs, long sleeved T- shirts, gathered shorts and bike shorts, front-tied shirts, and leg- gings.

One of the best prints showed a colorful background = splattered with large flowers in darker shades. The top that topped them all was a long-sleeved T-shirt that fully wrapped in front and tied with long sashes at the back.

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