European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 18, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Feathers More men repaying the Price men s fashion turns extravagant withe Versace Tan coat end trousers or j/,690 above and a hand knit kale Fassett sweater right for $2,395. Crocodile Chukka boots retell for $1,275 at new York s Polo Lauren shop. By Woody Hochswender new York times Alling All peacocks. American men s Wear Radii Donalty practical and conservative has taken a turn toward the outrageous not so much in Cut and Silhouette As in extravagant fabrics detailing and of course prices. Try these on or size Louis Boston the retailer that opened a Branch in new York Al 57th Street and Lexington Avenue this summer stocks a hand knit sweater that costs $2,395, suits slarlat$795. The Polo Ralph Lauren shop at 72nd Street and Madison Avenue Sells Crocodile Chukka boots for $1,275 a pair. You can dress them up or Wear them with a paid of jeans said j. Omar Luque she manager of the store s shoe department. The store Sells about 24 pairs 3 year. Charivari which has six Manhattan boutiques catering to the fashion Forward Man carries a Gianni Versace evening Suil with a double breasted Black Tail coat which costs 11.690. Wilh a Farsace White Vest �500, and silk Versace shirt $800 the most expensive shirt the store has Ever carried the base Price of stepping out comes to about $3.000, not including Bow tie and pumps. Even Fred and Ginger might have blanched. Countess Mara which relocated its 50 year old store in november to Park Avenue and 57 in Street sails a tapestry lie Wihib Kara Gold threads running through its Paisley Lor $125. The store has sold half of the 60 ties in Stock for those who think owning a monster role is not enough Tourneau has introduced a line of jewelled accessory tales that attach to the watchband apiece. Such clothes and accessories Are not for the average Joe. But the Are symbolic of changes in men s Wear for the Well heeled in the United Stales which has gone from a replacement business to a Ash Ron business As women s Wear goes stodgy with endless variations on Chanel inspired uniform dressing men s fashions arc turning to unabashed elegance. While much of women s ready to Wear has abandoned fantasy or safely men s clothing is increasingly incorporating wit and whimsy. We re Selling he More expensive terns much better than a Lew years ago said Craig Copland the chairman of countess Mara. Price Doss not seem to be an object As Long As there is a relationship Between Price and from Paul Stuart of Paul Smith the retailing trend is toward self contained worlds of men s fashion each reflecting a single Point of View. Louis Boston Whoso new York store features lots of Brown suits and biedermeier furniture built us reputation by styling a head to Loe look that changed subtly from season to season. Currently that look emphasizes bolder wider shouldered suits Many in Olive and brawn with ruled windowpanes and other overplay cos. But Why would anyone want to buy a Mere sweater for $2,3957. Murray Pearlstein the owner Al Louis Boston has a Boxer s build and is slightly pugnacious in defense of his store and its merchandise. We re trying More and More to get involved with Artisan Type people he said. The $2.395 sweater was designed and knitted by Gaffe Fassett a California who works in London. As Many As 60 different yarns some of them rare and old Are used in each of his one of a kind sweaters and each takes four to six weeks to Complete. 01 the tour sweaters ordered two have been sold. The kind of Quality level that goes into these things is almost a dying said Alan Levine a sates manager who contends thai customers far from being impulsive Are More educated than Ever. Retailers Are trying to catch up to the not to be Ould Andied Barneys new York has stocked its new store in the world financial Center with a care Lily edited array of expensive clothes and accessories. Its line of Cashmere includes a hand framed Cable stitch Cardigan made of six ply mongolian Cashmere for $1,095. -. La s a labor intensive Kern produced in limited Quantity said Tom Kalenderian a merchandise manager for the store. This kind of thing used to be bought by a mature customer. But now it s a fashion item too so younger Guys Ere buying Barneys ordered 30 of the sweaters and has sold 25. Men Huv a Keener awareness of what s Chic or elegant Kalenderian Ronen today make a sport out of shopping. They come in knowing exactly what. They s a new status associated with knowing about fabrics and workmanship like knowing about the Best restaurants or Tow countess Mara shop had Long caterello mature men. The Only ones who could afford it Copland said. But that appears to be. Changing. A Tot of Young men have the Money to dress a fluently he said. Today All things Are More expensive so the liner things don1 Sherri so out of reach Kalenderian said. The Gap is closing Between the mediocre and the special and people Are finding it pays to irada up.", nonetheless even the retailers concede that. Prices have taken on an unreal air. It s taken a lol of adjustment on the part of men but there s definitely a growing segment that appreciates expensive said Jon Weiser of the Charivari Tor men shop in Manhattan. Page 16." the stars and stripes sunday december 18,19bs
