<PAGE>   1
FLEET NATIONAL BANK           COMMERCIAL PROMISSORY GRID NOTE AND LOAN AGREEMENT


$8,000,000.00                                             Date: November 4, 1996


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, on the Termination Date (as defined below) the
undersigned, DM Management Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower),
hereby promises to pay to the order of FLEET NATIONAL BANK (the "Bank") at the
office of the Bank at One Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02211, or at
such other address as the holder hereof may designate, the principal sum of
Eight Million DOLLARS ($8,000,000.00), or the aggregate unpaid principal amount
of all advances made by the Bank to the Borrower hereunder, whichever is less,
in lawful money of the United States. During the period from the date hereof
until June 1, 1997 (as such date may be extended, in writing from time to time,
in the Bank's sole and absolute discretion, the "Termination Date"), unless an
Event of Default (as defined below) occurs, the Borrower (SELECT ONE AND
COMPLETE):

         /X/      may borrow, repay and reborrow, provided, however, the amount
                  outstanding shall not at any time exceed Availability (defined
                  below). If the amount outstanding exceeds Availability, such
                  excess shall immediately be repaid to the Bank, without notice
                  or demand;

         / /      may reborrow; provided, however, that for any period of twelve
                  (12) consecutive months there shall be no borrowings or
                  reborrowings and no outstanding principal under this Note for
                  at least thirty (30) days;

         / /      may borrow and repay; provided, however, that once any amount
is repaid, such amount may NOT thereafter be reborrowed.

         The Borrower also promises to pay interest on each advance at the
interest rate set forth on Exhibit A annexed thereto and to pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs, including attorneys' fees, costs relating to the appraisal
and/or valuation of assets and all costs incurred in the collection, defense,
preservation, administration, enforcement or protection of this Note or in any
guaranty or endorsement of this Note. All payments shall be applied first to the
payment of interest on the unpaid principal of all advances due under this Note
and the balance on account of the principal due under this Note.

         This Note shall be deemed to incorporate Rider A attached hereto by
this reference and has been executed and delivered subject to the following 
terms and conditions:

         (1)      ADVANCES. All advances shall be due and payable on the
Termination Date. The Bank is authorized (but not required) to charge principal
and interest and all other amounts due under this Note to any account of the
Borrower with the Bank when and as it becomes due. If any advance is made, the
Bank may, at its option, record on the books and records of the Bank or endorse
on Schedule I hereto, an appropriate notation evidencing any advance, each
repayment on account of the principal thereof, and the amount of interest paid;
and the Borrower authorizes the Bank to maintain such records or make such
notations and agrees that the amount shown on the books and records or on said
Schedule 1, as


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applicable, as outstanding from time to time shall constitute the amount owing
to the Bank pursuant to this Note, absent manifest error. In the event the
amount shown on Schedule 1 conflicts with the amount noted as due pursuant to
the books and records of the Bank, the books and records of the Bank shall
control the disposition of the conflict.

         (2)      INTEREST. Interest shall be payable monthly beginning November
__, 1996, and continuing thereafter on the same day of each succeeding month and
on the Termination Date. To the extent that interest is accruing at the Prime
Rate, changes in the rate of interest resulting from changes in the Prime Rate
shall take place immediately without notice or demand any kind. Interest on this
Note shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days
and actual days elapsed. Upon default or after maturity or after judgment has
been rendered on this Note, the unpaid principal balance of all advances shall,
at the option of the Bank, bear interest at a rate which is four (4) percentage
points per annum greater than the Prime Rate. If, at any time, the rate of
interest, together with all amounts which constitute interest and which are
reserved, charged or taken by Bank as compensation for fees, services or
expenses incidental to the making, negotiating or collection of any advance
evidenced hereby, shall be deemed by any competent court of law, governmental
agency or tribunal to exceed the maximum rate of interest permitted to be
charged by the Bank to the Borrower, then, during such time as such rate of
interest would be deemed excessive, that portion of each sum paid attributable
to that portion of such interest rate that exceeds the maximum rate of interest
so permitted shall be deemed a voluntary prepayment of principal.

         (3)      LETTERS OF CREDIT. (a)(i) The Borrower may request that the
Bank issues Letters of Credit ("L/Cs") for the account of the Borrower. Each
such request shall be in such manner as may from time to time be acceptable to
the Bank, and which may include, without limitation, (A) telephone notice to
such person as may be designated by the Bank or (B) written notice.

                  (ii) The Bank, in the Bank's discretion in each instance, may
issue any L/C so requested by the Borrower, provided that no Event of Default is
then occurring and provided further that the aggregate face amount of the L/C's
and the principal balance of the Note shall not exceed the Borrower's
Availability (defined above), and provided that the L/C (if so issued) is in
form satisfactory to the Bank.

                  (iii) The Borrower shall execute such documentation to apply
for and support the issuance of an L/C as may reasonably be required by the
Bank.

                  (b) The Bank, without the request of the Borrower, may advance
under the Note any amount which the Borrower is obligated to pay to the Bank or
for which the Borrower or the Bank becomes obligated on account of, or in
respect to, any L/C. Such advance shall be made even if such advance would
result in Availability's being exceeded. Such action on the part of the Bank
shall not constitute a waiver of the Bank's rights hereunder.

         (4)      LATE CHARGE. The Bank may collect a late charge not to exceed
five (5) percent of any installment of interest or principal, or of any other
amount due to the Bank which is not paid or reimbursed by the Borrower within
ten (10) days of the due date thereof to defray the extra cost and expense
involved in

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handling such delinquent payment and the increased risk of noncollection.  The
minimum late charge shall be $25.00.

         (5)      COMMITMENT FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank a
commitment fee to defray the Bank's expense involved in continuing to review the
condition of the Borrower and determining whether the Bank will make requested
advances to the Borrower. The review fee shall be payable on an annual basis, in
advance, commencing October __, 1996 and be in an amount equal to $5,208.34 per
annum.

         (6)      PREPAYMENT. The Borrower has the right to pay before due the
unpaid balance of this Note or any part thereof without penalty or premium but
subject to the payment of all costs described in Paragraph 5 of Exhibit A. If,
at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all advances outstanding under
this Note shall exceed the maximum amount permitted by this Note, the Borrower
shall immediately prepay so much of the outstanding principal balance, together
with accrued interest on the portion of principal so prepaid, as shall be
necessary in order that the unpaid principal balance, after giving effect to
such prepayments, shall not be in excess of the maximum amount permitted by this
Note. All such prepayments will be applied first to the payment of all accrued
interest accrued to the date of the prepayment and the remainder to the
principal balances of this Note.

         (7)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Borrower shall
deliver to the Bank (a) promptly upon the Bank's written request, such
information (not otherwise required to be delivered by this paragraph 7) about
the financial condition, business and operations of (SELECT ONE OR MORE) /X/ the
Borrower, any guarantor, endorser or surety of Borrower's obligations hereunder
to the Bank (the "Guarantor"), / / ________, as the Bank may, from time to time,
reasonably request;

(SELECT ONE OR MORE AND INSERT AN "X" IN THOSE BOXES WHICH ARE TO BE 
APPLICABLE;)

         (a)      /X/      monthly reports; within 15 days after the close of 
each month the Borrower will furnish the Bank with a monthly borrowing base
certificate in the form of Exhibit C annexed hereto, accompanied by supporting
inventory reports.

         (b)      /X/      INTERIM REPORTS; within 45 days after the close of 
all but the last quarter of each fiscal year of (SELECT ONE OR MORE) /X/ the
Borrower, a balance sheet of such person(s) as of the close of each period and a
statement of income for that portion of the period then ended, and including
expense schedules breaking out such expenses as interest and depreciation
(SELECT ONE) (i) / / reviewed in conformity with GAAP by a firm of independent
certified public acceptable to the Bank; (ii) / / compiled by a firm of
independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Bank and certified by
an officer of such person(s) as true, accurate and complete; or (iii) /X/
internally prepared by such person(s) and certified by an officer of such
person(s) as true, accurate, and complete;

         (c)      /X/      ANNUAL REPORT; within 120 days after the close of 
each fiscal year of (SELECT ONE OR MORE) /X/ the Borrower, / / Guarantor, / /
         , financial statements including a balance sheet as of the close of 
such year and statements of income and changes in stockholders' equity
and cash

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flows for the year then ended, and (SELECT ONE) (i) /X/ accompanied by a report
thereon, prepared in conformity with GAAP and containing an opinion, unqualified
as to scope, of a firm of independent certified public accountants acceptable to
the Bank; (ii) / / reviewed in conformity with GAAP by a firm of independent
certified public accountants acceptable to the Bank; (iii) / / compiled by a
firm of independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Bank and
certified by an officer of such person(s) as true, accurate and complete; or
(iv) / / internally prepared by such person(s) and certified by an officer of
such person(s) as true, accurate and complete;

         (d)      / /      PERSONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; within days after the
close of each calendar year of (SELECT ONE OR MORE) / / the Borrower, / /
Guarantor, / /          , personal financial statements signed and dated by such
person(s) in form and detail satisfactory to the Bank;

         (e)      / /      FEDERAL TAX RETURN; within          days after the 
close of each (SELECT ONE) / / fiscal / / calendar year of (SELECT ONE OR 
MORE) / / the Borrower, / / Guarantor, / / ____________________, such person's
federal income tax return and all schedules thereto, signed and dated and 
filed with the Internal Revenue Service;

         (f)      /X/      CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE; simultaneously with the 
delivery of the financial statements required in (b) and (c) above, a
Certificate of Compliance certifying that, as at the end of the applicable
period, (SELECT ONE OR MORE) /X/ the Borrower / / Guarantor, / /               ,
is in full compliance with all affirmative, negative and financial covenants set
forth in this Note applicable to such person and certified by an officer of such
person(s), as accurate, true and complete;

         All financial statements delivered to the Bank shall be consolidated,
consolidating and/or individual statements, as the Bank shall require. Upon
becoming aware of any Event of Default or of any occurrence which but for the
giving of notice or the passage of time would become an Event of Default, the
Borrower and each Guarantor will promptly deliver written notice thereof to the
Bank.

         (8)      COVENANTS.  Except as otherwise set forth in Section 8(a) of 
Rider A, unless the Bank otherwise consents in writing:

                  (a) ENCUMBRANCES AND AGREEMENTS NOT TO PLEDGE. (i) The
         Borrower shall not incur or permit to exist any lien, mortgage,
         security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance, against any of
         its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired
         (including, without limitation, any lien or encumbrance relating to any
         response, removal or clean-up of any toxic substances or hazardous
         wastes), except: (A) liens, mortgages, security interests, charges or
         other encumbrances in favor of the Bank or specifically permitted, in
         writing, by the Bank; (B) pledges or deposits in connection with or to
         secure worker's compensation or unemployment insurance; and (C) liens
         for taxes not yet due and liens for taxes which are being contested in
         good faith and by appropriate proceedings with the prior written
         consent of the Bank which consent will not be unreasonably withheld and
         against which, if requested by the Bank, the Borrower shall maintain
         reserves in amounts and in form (book, cash,

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         bond or otherwise) satisfactory to the Bank. The Borrower shall not
         enter into any agreements with any other party which would prohibit the
         Borrower from granting any encumbrances, as otherwise prohibited
         hereunder.

                           (ii) The Borrower shall not enter into or permit to
         exist any agreement, arrangement or understanding, either oral or in
         writing, with any person or entity other than the Bank which restricts
         or prohibits the Borrower from incurring or permitting to exist any
         lien, mortgage, security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance
         against any of its property or assets.

                  (b)      LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower shall not 
         create or incur any Indebtedness (as defined below) for borrowed money,
         become liable, either actually or contingently in respect of letters of
         credit or banker's acceptances or issue or sell any obligations of the
         Borrower, excluding, however, from the operation of this covenant: (i)
         advances made hereunder and all other Indebtedness of the Borrower to
         the Bank; and (ii) Indebtedness subordinated in payment and priority to
         all Indebtedness of the Borrower to the Bank in writing and in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Bank.

                  (c)      CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. The Borrower shall not
         assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable upon the
         obligations of any person, entity or corporation except by the
         endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or
         similar transactions in the ordinary course of business.

                  (d)      CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR CONVERSION. The Borrower
         shall not merge, consolidate or convert with or into any other
         corporation or entity; and, for the purposes of this paragraph 8(d),
         the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets, together
         with the assumption of all or substantially all of the obligations and
         liabilities, of any corporation or entity shall be deemed to be a
         consolidation with such corporation or entity, unless upon closing of
         such purchase or acquisition, Borrower is in compliance with all
         financial covenants in Section 9.

                  (e)      STRUCTURE, TAX CLASSIFICATION. The Borrower shall not
         make or consent to a material change in the structure of the Borrower,
         or, if a general partnership not classified as a limited liability
         partnership as of the date of this Note, register or otherwise become
         classified as a limited liability partnership, or, if a corporation,
         change its election to be taxed under Subchapter C or Subchapter S, as
         applicable, of the Internal Revenue Code, or make or consent to the
         making of any action that causes or could cause any federal or state
         authority, for any reason, to classify, alter or reclassify the tax
         treatment applicable to the Borrower or any Guarantor or their
         respective operations from the tax treatment attributed or deemed
         attributed to the Borrower or such Guarantor as of the date of
         execution and delivery of this Note.

                  (g)      ADDITIONAL COVENANTS.  Borrower makes the additional
         covenants set forth in Section 8(d) of Rider A attached hereto.

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         (9)      FINANCIAL COVENANTS.  Unless the Bank otherwise consents in 
writing:

                  (a)      DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Note, the following
         terms shall have the following meanings:

                           CAPITAL ASSETS means assets that in accordance with
                  GAAP are required or permitted to be depreciated or amortized
                  on a balance sheet.

                           CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ("Cap X") means, for any period,
                  the aggregate amount of all expenditures for the acquisition,
                  construction, improvement, replacement or purchase of Capital
                  Assets and Intangible Assets, including, but not limited to,
                  expenditures under Capital Leases.

                           CAPITAL LEASES means capital leases, conditional
                  sales contracts and other title retention agreements relating
                  to the purchase or acquisition of Capital Assets.

                           CURRENT MATURITY OF LONG-TERM DEBT ("CMLTD") means
                  the current maturity of long term Indebtedness paid during the
                  applicable period, including, but not limited to, amounts
                  required to be paid during such period under Capital Leases.

                           CURRENT RATIO means the ratio of Total Current Assets
                  to Total Current Liabilities.

                           DEBT SERVICE AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COVERAGE RATIO
                  means, during the applicable period, that quotient equal to
                  (A) the aggregate of (i) Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
                  Depreciation and Amortization plus or minus (ii) change in
                  Working Capital, with increases in Working Capital to be
                  subtracted from Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation
                  and Amortization and decreases in Working Capital to be added
                  to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and
                  Amortization, minus (iii) Capital Expenditures and minus (iv)
                  Dividends, divided by (B) the sum of (i) Interest and (ii)
                  Current Maturity of Long-Term Debt; that is,

                  EBITDA +/- change in Working Capital - Cap X - Dividends
                  --------------------------------------------------------
                                       Interest + CMLTD

                           DEBT SERVICE AND UNFINANCED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
                  COVERAGE RATIO means, during the applicable period, that
                  quotient equal to (A) the aggregate of (i) Earnings Before
                  Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization plus or minus
                  (ii) change in Working Capital, with increases in Working
                  Capital to be subtracted from Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
                  Depreciation and Amortization and decreases in Working Capital
                  to be added to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation
                  and Amortization, minus (iii) Unfinanced Capital Expenditures
                  and minus (iv) Dividends, divided by (B) the sum of (i)
                  Interest and (ii) Current Maturity of Long-Term Debt; that is,

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         EBITDA +/- change in Working Capital -Unfinanced Cap X -Dividends
         -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Interest + CMLTD

                           EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES means, for the
                  applicable period, income from continuing operations before
                  the payment of Interest and taxes determined in accordance
                  with GAAP.

                           EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND
                  AMORTIZATION ("EBITDA") means, for the applicable period,
                  income from continuing operations before the payment of
                  Interest and taxes plus depreciation and amortization
                  determined in accordance with GAAP.

                           GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles
                  in the United States of America, as in effect on the date of
                  the preparation and delivery of the financial statements
                  described in paragraph 7 of this Note and consistently
                  followed, without giving effect to any subsequent changes
                  other than changes consented to in writing by the Bank.

                           INDEBTEDNESS means all obligations that in accordance
                  with GAAP should be classified as liabilities upon a balance
                  sheet.

                           INTANGIBLE ASSETS means assets that in accordance
                  with GAAP are properly classifiable as intangible assets,
                  including, but not limited to, goodwill, franchises, licenses,
                  patents, trademarks, trade names and copyrights.

                           INTEREST means, for the applicable period, all
                  interest paid or payable, including, but not limited to,
                  interest paid or payable on Indebtedness and on Capital
                  Leases, determined in accordance with GAAP.

                           INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO means the ratio of Earnings
                  Before Interest and Taxes to Interest.

                           QUICK RATIO means the quotient equal to (A) the
                  aggregate of (i) cash and currency on hand and on deposit,
                  demand deposits and checks held, plus (ii) short term, highly
                  liquid investments that are readily convertible to known
                  amounts of cash, plus (iii) marketable securities plus (iv)
                  accounts receivable less allowances for doubtful accounts
                  receivable, divided by (B) Total Current Liabilities.

                           TANGIBLE NET WORTH means Total Assets minus the sum
                  of (i) Intangible Assets and (ii) Total Liabilities.

                           TOTAL ASSETS means total assets determined in
                  accordance with GAAP.

                           TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS means total current assets
                  determined in accordance with GAAP.

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                           TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES means total current
                  Indebtedness determined in accordance with GAAP.

                           TOTAL LIABILITIES means total Indebtedness determined
                  in accordance with GAAP.

                           UNFINANCED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ("Unfinanced Cap X")
                  means Capital Expenditures minus new long term Indebtedness
                  issued during the applicable period plus the aggregate amount
                  of all long term Indebtedness prepaid during such period.

                           WORKING CAPITAL means Total Current Assets less Total
                  Current Liabilities.

                  (b)      ACCOUNTING TERMS.  Unless otherwise defined or
         specified in this paragraph 9, all accounting terms shall be construed
         and all accounting determinations shall be made in accordance with
         GAAP.

                  (c)      CALCULATION OF FINANCIAL COVENANTS. The calculation
         of the financial covenants set forth below shall be measured against
         the financial statements required to be delivered to the Bank pursuant
         to paragraph 7 of this Note as follows (SELECT ONE OR MORE):

         /X/ On a Consolidated basis. / / On an Consolidating basis. / / On an 
         individual basis.

                  (d)      TOTAL LIABILITIES TO TANGIBLE NET WORTH RATIO. As 
         applied to (SELECT ONE OR MORE) /X/ Borrower, / / Guarantor, / / 
                  , Borrower shall not permit or Borrower shall cause the person
         indicated above not to permit the ratio of Total Liabilities to
         Tangible Net Worth to be greater than the ratio set forth for such
         period:

         For the fiscal quarters ending September 30 and March 31, 3.75 to 1.0;
         For the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 4.0 to 1.0; 
         For the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 3.5 to 1.0;

                  (e)      OTHER. (i) The Borrower shall maintain minimum 
         Liquidity (defined below) of $3,500,000.00. Liquidity is defined as all
         cash and currency on hand and on deposit, demand deposit and checks
         held, plus short term, highly liquid investments that are readily
         convertible to known amounts of cash, plus marketable securities, such
         covenant to be tested quarterly.

                           (ii) The Borrower shall maintain Debt Service
         Coverage (defined below) of 1.25:1 commencing December 31, 1996 and on
         a four quarter rolling average basis thereafter. Debt Service Coverage
         means, during the applicable period, that quotient equal to (A) the
         aggregate of (I) EBITDA plus (II) interest income (including dividends
         received on marketable securities) minus (III) Unfinanced Cap X and
         minus (IV) dividends and distributions paid with respect to the
         Borrower's capital stock, divided by (B) the sum of (I) Current
         Maturities of Long Term Debt and (II) Interest.

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<PAGE>   9



         (10)     EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES.  If any one or more of the
following "Events of Default" shall occur:

                  (a) Failure to make payment of principal or interest on the
         Note or in the payment of any other liability owing by the Borrower to
         the Bank, now existing or hereinafter incurred, whether direct or
         contingent, when due; or

                  (b) Failure by the Borrower to observe or perform any covenant
         contained in this Note, or failure by the Borrower to perform any of
         its obligations under any document, instrument or agreement governing,
         evidencing or securing this Note, and continuance of such failure
         unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after notice of such
         failure has been received by the Borrower from the Bank, provided that
         no notice or grace period shall be required with respect to the breach
         of any provision of Paragraph 9, above; or

                  (c) Any representation or warranty made by the Borrower or any
         Guarantor to the Bank herein or in any document, instrument or
         agreement governing, evidencing or securing this Note or any statement,
         certificate or other data furnished by any of them in connection
         herewith or therewith proves at any time to be incorrect in any
         material respect; or

                  (d) A judgment or judgments, singly or in the aggregate in
         excess of $100,000.00 for the payment of money shall be rendered
         against the Borrower or any Guarantor, and any such judgment shall
         remain unsatisfied and in effect for any period of thirty (30)
         consecutive days without a stay of execution; or

                  (e) Any levy, seizure, attachment, garnishment, execution or
         similar process shall be issued or levied on any of the Borrower's or
         any Guarantor's property; or

                  (f) The Borrower or any Guarantor shall (i) apply for or
         consent to the appointment of a receiver, conservator, trustee or
         liquidator of all or a substantial part of any of its assets; (ii) be
         unable, or admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as they
         mature; (iii) file or permit the filing of any petition, case,
         arrangement, reorganization, or the like under any insolvency or
         bankruptcy law, or the adjudication of it as a bankrupt, or the making
         of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the consenting to any
         form of arrangement for the satisfaction, settlement or delay of debt
         or the appointment of a receiver for all or any part of its properties:
         or (iv) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the
         foregoing; or

                  (g) An order, judgment or decree shall be entered, or a case
         shall be commenced, against the Borrower or any Guarantor, without the
         application, approval or consent of the Borrower or such Guarantor by
         or in any court of competent jurisdiction, approving a petition or
         permitting the commencement of a case seeking reorganization or
         liquidation of the Borrower or any Guarantor or appointing a receiver,
         trustee, conservator or liquidator of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or
         of all or a substantial part of its assets and Borrower or any
         Guarantor, indicates its approval

                                       -9-


<PAGE>   10



         thereof, consent thereto, or acquiescence therein, or such order,
         judgment, decree or case shall continue unstayed and in effect for any
         period of ninety (90) consecutive days; or

                  (h) The Borrower or any Guarantor shall dissolve or liquidate,
         or be dissolved or liquidated, or cease to legally exist, or if the
         Borrower is not a natural person, merge, consolidate or convert, or be
         merged, consolidated or converted with or into any other corporation or
         entity; or

                  (i) A Borrower or Guarantor who is a natural person shall die;
          or

                  (j) Failure by the Borrower or any Guarantor to pay any other
         Indebtedness for borrowed money, or if any such other Indebtedness
         shall be accelerated, or if there exists any event of default under any
         instrument, document or agreement governing, evidencing or securing
         such other Indebtedness beyond any period of grace provided with
         respect thereto; or

                  (k) Any guaranty, document, instrument or agreement now or
         hereafter guaranteeing, governing, evidencing or securing this Note
         ceases to be in full force and effect or any party thereto notifies the
         Bank that such party has no continuing obligation to pay or perform in
         accordance with the terms thereof).

                  (l) The occurrence of any Event of Default under the
         Borrower's Notes of even date in the respective principal amounts
         $3,600,000.00 and $400,000.00 or any documents executed therewith.

then, and in such event (other than an Event of Default described in paragraphs
10 (f) and (g) above), the Bank may declare all advances outstanding hereunder,
together with accrued interest thereon and all applicable late charges and
surcharges and all other liabilities and obligations of the Borrower to the Bank
to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall become forthwith due
and payable and the availability of advances hereunder shall be deemed
automatically terminated; all of the foregoing without presentment or demand for
payment, notice of non-payment, protest or any other notice or demand of any
kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in paragraphs 10
(f) or (g) above, (i) the availability of advances hereunder shall automatically
terminate and (ii) all advances outstanding hereunder, together with accrued
interest thereon and all applicable late charges and surcharges and all other
liabilities and obligations of the Borrower to the Bank shall become
automatically due and payable without presentment or demand for payment, notice
of non-payment, protest or any other notice or demand of any kind; all of which
are expressly waived by the Borrower.

         (11)     LIEN AND SETOFF. The Borrower and each Guarantor hereby give
the Bank a lien and right of set off for all of Borrower's and each Guarantor's
liabilities and obligations hereunder upon and against all the deposits,
credits, collateral and property of the Borrower and each Guarantor, now or
hereafter in the possession, custody, safekeeping or control of the Bank or any
entity under the control of Fleet Financial Group, Inc. or in transit to any of
them but not including any funds managed by or invested with or through Fleet
Investment

                                      -10-


<PAGE>   11



Advisors, the Fleet Funds, or any other investment advisor or mutual fund
affiliated with the Bank. At any time, after the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default without demand or notice, Bank may set off
the same or any part thereof and apply the same to any such liability or
obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor.

         (12) INDEMNIFICATION. The Borrower and each Guarantor, jointly and
severally, agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Bank and any
participants, successors or assigns of the Bank and the officers, directors,
employees and agents of each of them from and against any and all losses,
claims, liabilities, asserted liabilities, costs and expenses, including,
without limitation, out-of-pocket costs of litigation and attorneys' fees,
incurred in connection with any and all claims or proceedings for bodily injury,
property damage, abatement or remediation, environmental damage or impairment or
any other injury or damage (including all foreseeable and unforeseeable
consequential damage) or any diminution in value of any real property resulting
from or relating, directly or indirectly, to (a) any release, spilling, leaking,
migrating, discharging, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing (a "Release")
into the environment of any toxic substances or hazardous wastes, a threatened
Release, the existence or removal of any toxic substances or hazardous wastes
on, into, from, through or under any real property owned or operated by the
Borrower or any Guarantor (whether or not such Release was caused by Borrower,
any Guarantor, a tenant, subtenant, prior owner or tenant or any other person
and whether or not the alleged liability is attributable to the handling,
storage, generation, transportation or disposal of toxic substances or hazardous
wastes or the mere presence of such toxic substances or hazardous wastes) or (b)
the breach or alleged breach by Borrower or any Guarantor of any federal, state
or local law or regulation concerning public health, safety or the environment
with respect to any real property owned or operated by the Borrower or any
Guarantor and/or any business conducted thereon; provided, however, that the
indemnification provided for in this paragraph shall not apply to any losses,
claims, liabilities, asserted liabilities, costs or expenses arising out of the
negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Bank or any other party
otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder.

         (13) PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WAIVER. BORROWER AND EACH GUARANTOR (a)
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE ADVANCES EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE ARE PART OF A COMMERCIAL
TRANSACTION AND (b) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY ANY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW, WAIVE
THE RIGHT ANY OF THEM MAY HAVE TO PRIOR NOTICE OF AND A HEARING ON THE RIGHT OF
ANY HOLDER OF THIS NOTE TO ANY REMEDY OR COMBINATION OF REMEDIES THAT ENABLES
SAID HOLDER, BY WAY OF ATTACHMENT, FOREIGN ATTACHMENT, GARNISHMENT OR REPLEVIN,
TO DEPRIVE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTY, AT ANY TIME,
PRIOR TO FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY LITIGATION INSTITUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
NOTE.

         (14) JURY TRIAL WAIVER. THE BANK, BORROWER AND EACH GUARANTOR
IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING HEREAFTER
INSTITUTED BY OR AGAINST THE BANK, THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR IN RESPECT OF
THIS NOTE OR ARISING OUT OF ANY DOCUMENT, INSTRUMENT OR AGREEMENT EVIDENCING,
GOVERNING OR SECURING THIS NOTE.

         (15) JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS; MISCELLANEOUS. This Note shall be
the joint and several obligation of Borrower and each Guarantor and each
provision of this Note shall apply to each and all jointly and severally and to
the

                                      -11-


<PAGE>   12


property and liabilities of each and all, who hereby waive diligence, demand,
presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, protest and notice of dishonor,
and who hereby agree to any extension or delay in the time for payment or
enforcement, to renewal of this Note and to any substitution or release of any
collateral, all without notice and without any effect on their liabilities. Any
delay on the part of the holder hereof in exercising any right hereunder or
under any mortgage or security agreement which may secure this Note shall not
operate as a waiver of any such right, and any waiver granted for one occasion
shall not operate as a waiver in the event of a subsequent default. The rights
and remedies of the holder hereof shall be cumulative and not in the
alternative, and shall include all rights and remedies granted herein, in any
document, instrument or agreement governing, evidencing or securing this Note
and under all applicable laws. This Note is the final, complete and exclusive
statement of the terms governing this Note. If any provision of this Note shall
to any extent be held invalid or unenforceable, then only such provision shall
be deemed ineffective and the remainder of this Note shall not be effected. The
provisions of this Note shall bind the heirs, executors, administrators, assigns
and successors of each and every Borrower and each Guarantor and shall inure to
the benefit of Bank, its successors and assigns. This Note shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

         (16) ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF BORROWER. Borrower acknowledges receipt of a
copy of this Note, and attests that each advance is to be used for general
commercial purposes and that no part of such proceeds will be used, in whole or
in part, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin stock" as such
term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed or caused this Note to be
duly executed, as a sealed instrument.

Witness:                                DM MANAGEMENT COMPANY


/s/ David R. Pierson

                                        By: /s/ Olga L. Conley
                                           ---------------------------------
                                            VP Of Finance

                                        AGREED:

                                        FLEET NATIONAL BANK


                                        By: /s/ Luke G. Tsokanis
                                           ---------------------------------
                                            Vice President


                                      -12-





<PAGE>   13
                                     RIDER A
                                       TO
              PROMISSORY NOTE DATED AS OF November 4, 1996 MADE BY
                              DM MANAGEMENT COMPANY
                     PAYABLE TO ORDER OF FLEET NATIONAL BANK

         This Rider A is incorporated by reference in the Promissory Note dated
as of November 4, 1996 (the "Note"), made by DM Management Company, a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), payable to the order of FLEET National Bank (the
"Bank") in the original principal amount of $8,000,000, and amends and
supplements the provisions of the Note referenced below. Unless otherwise
defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Note. The section and paragraph references used in this Rider
correspond to the section and paragraph designations used in the Note.

         (1).     PURPOSES OF CREDIT.  Advances under this Note may be
used to purchase machinery, equipment, and for general corporate
purposes, including for issuances of letters of credit.

         (7)(g).  Additional Financial Information.
                  --------------------------------

                  (i) SEC REPORTS. The Borrower shall also deliver to the Bank,
promptly as they become available, copies of all financial statements, reports,
notices and proxy statements sent or made available by the Borrower to its
stockholders and copies of all reports and other materials filed by the Borrower
with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and

         (8)(a).  ENCUMBRANCES. In addition to the encumbrances permitted by
clauses (A), (B) and (C) of Section (8)(a), the Borrower shall also be permitted
(x) to have the presently-existing security interests and capitalized leases
listed on the schedule annexed hereto as Exhibit 8(a) showing the nature and
amount of indebtedness secured in each case, (y) to grant or create Purchase
Money Security Interests to the extent permitted by clause (D) of paragraph (i)
of Section 8(d) below, and (z) to have other liens and encumbrances incidental
to the conduct of the Borrower's business or the ownership of its assets which
were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of
advances or credit and which do not in the aggregate

                                       -1-


<PAGE>   14



materially detract from the value of its assets or materially impair the use
thereof in the operation of its business.

         (8)(d).  ADDITIONAL NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  Borrower hereby covenants that
without the prior written consent of the Bank in each case:

                  (i)      INDEBTEDNESS. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
shall incur, assume or permit to exist indebtedness for borrowed money, or
indebtedness arising out of the ownership, purchase or acquisition of real or
personal property subject or subjected to a Purchase Money Security Interest
(including capitalized leases), to any person, firm or entity other than the
Bank except:

                           (A)      indebtedness subordinated to obligations and
liabilities of the Borrower to the Bank, the amount and terms of which have
received the prior written approval of the Bank;

                           (B)      indebtedness of wholly-owned subsidiaries to
the Borrower or other wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Borrower;

                           (C)      other presently existing indebtedness shown
on either Exhibit 8(a) or in the balance sheet of the Borrower as of September
30, 1996; and

                           (D)      indebtedness of the Borrower and its
subsidiaries which is secured by Purchase Money Security Interests (including
capitalized lease obligations) so long as the purchase price, or aggregate
rents, for the equipment involved in the case of telecommunications equipment
does not exceed $100,000, and in the case of any other transaction (or in a
related series of transactions) does not exceed $200,000, and provided that
after the incurrence of any such indebtedness the Borrower remains in compliance
with all financial covenants. For purposes of this section "Purchase Money
Security Interest" includes security agreements, chattel mortgages, conditional
sales, leases which are or should be capitalized under GAAP on the Borrower's
books, and other security or title retention devices undertaken or assumed in
connection with the acquisition of tangible personal property or existing or
created in such property at the time of acquisition thereof or otherwise given
as security for borrowed money, provided the amount of the debt

                                       -2-


<PAGE>   15


secured thereby does not exceed the cost of fair value of the property involved,
whichever is less.

              (ii) EQUITY DISTRIBUTIONS. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
subsidiaries (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary) shall make any Equity
Distribution in excess of twenty five (25%) of Net Income in any fiscal year. As
used herein, "Equity Distribution" means (a) the declaration or payment of any
dividend on or in respect of any shares of any class of capital stock of the
Borrower; (b) the redemption, purchase or other retirement of any shares, or of
any option or warrant or right to purchase any shares, of any class of capital
stock of the Borrower, directly or indirectly through a subsidiary, for
consideration paid or to be paid in money or property; and (c) any other
distribution on or in respect of any shares of any class of capital stock of the
Borrower; PROVIDED, however, that no payment for the redemption, purchase or
other retirement of shares, options, warrants or rights to acquire any of the
same, arising out of the termination of employment of any employee of the
Borrower or any subsidiary shall constitute an Equity Distribution so long as
(a) no Event of Default exists at the time of or would result from such payment,
and (b) the aggregate amount of all such payments after the date of this
Agreement shall not exceed $100,000.



                                       -3-





<PAGE>   16
                                                              $8,000,000.00 Note

                                    EXHIBIT A

                  1.       INTEREST RATES.  (a) Loan Amounts shall bear interest
         at the Floating Rate or the Libor Rate (respectively defined below), as
         specified from time to time by the Borrower in the Conversion Notice
         with respect to the subject Loan amount.

                           (b) The Borrower shall pay interest on the principal
         balance of the Note outstanding in arrears on the last day of the month
         and on the last day of any Interest Period applicable to a Libor Rate
         Loan.

                  2.       NOTICE AND MANNER OF CONVERTING INTEREST RATES. (a)
         Whenever the Borrower desires to convert an interest rate, the
         Borrower shall notify the Bank (which notice shall be irrevocable) no
         later than (i) Noon on the day on which any Floating Rate Loan is being
         requested to be made and (ii) Noon, Two (2) Business days prior to (and
         not counting) the day on which any Libor Rate Loan is being requested
         to be made. Such notice shall specify the amount and the interest rate
         for the proposed advance chosen by the Borrower. Each such notification
         (a "RENEWAL/CONVERSION NOTICE") shall be immediately followed by a
         written confirmation thereof by the Borrower in substantially the form
         of EXHIBIT B, annexed hereto, PROVIDED that if such written
         confirmation differs in any material respect from the action taken by
         the Bank, the records of the Bank shall control.

                           (b) Libor Rate Loans shall each be in an amount of
         not less than $1,000,000.00 and in $100,000.00 increments in excess of
         such minimum.

                           (c) The Bank may rely on any request for a loan or
         advance or financial accommodation which the Bank, in good faith,
         believes to have been made by a person duly authorized to act on behalf
         of the Borrower and may decline to make any such requested loan or
         advance or to provide any such financial accommodation pending the
         Bank's being furnished with such documentation concerning that person's
         authority to act as may be satisfactory to the Bank.

                  3.       DURATION OF INTEREST PERIODS. (a) Subject to the 
         definition of the term "Interest Period", the Borrower shall have the
         option to elect a subsequent Interest Period to be applicable to an
         advance by giving notice of such election in the form of EXHIBIT B,
         annexed hereto received no later than 10:00 Boston time One (1)
         Business Day before the end of the then applicable Interest Period, if
         such Loan is to be continued as or converted to a Floating Rate Loan,
         and Two (2) Business Days before (and not counting) the end of the then
         applicable Interest Period if such Loan is to be continued as, or
         converted to, a Libor Rate Loan.

                           (b) If the Bank does not receive a notice of election
         of, or conversion to, an Interest Period for a Libor Rate Loan pursuant
         to subsection (a) within the applicable time limits specified

                                       -1-


<PAGE>   17



         therein, or if, when such notice must be given, an Event of Default
         exists, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such
         Loan in whole into a Floating Rate Loan on the last day of the then
         current Interest Period with respect thereto.

                  4.       Changed Circumstances.  In the event that:
                           ---------------------

                           (a)      on any day on which the rate for a Libor 
                  Rate Loan would otherwise be set, the Bank shall have
                  determined in good faith (which determination shall be final
                  and conclusive) that adequate and fair means do not exist for
                  ascertaining such rate; or

                           (b)      at any time the Bank shall have determined
                  in good faith (which determination shall be final and
                  conclusive) that:

                                    (i)      the making or continuation of or
                           conversion of any loan to a Libor Rate Loan has been
                           made impracticable or unlawful by (A) the occurrence
                           of a contingency that materially and adversely
                           affects the applicable market or (B) compliance by
                           the Bank in good faith with any applicable law or
                           governmental regulation, guideline or order or
                           interpretation or change thereof by any governmental
                           authority charged with the interpretation or admin-
                           istration thereof or with any request or directive of
                           any such governmental authority (whether or not
                           having the force of law); or

                                    (ii)     the indices on which the interest 
                           rates for Libor Rate Loans shall no longer represent
                           the effective cost to the Bank for U.S. dollar
                           deposits in the interbank market for deposits in
                           which it regularly participates;

                  then, and in any such event, the Bank shall forthwith so
                  notify the Borrower thereof. Until the Bank notifies the
                  Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no
                  longer apply, the obligation of the Bank to make Libor Rate
                  Loans of the type affected by such changed circumstances or to
                  permit the Borrower to select Libor Rate for any advances
                  shall be suspended. If at the time the Bank so notifies the
                  Borrower, the Borrower has previously given the Bank a Notice
                  of Borrowing or a Renew al/Conversion Notice with respect to
                  one or more Libor Rate Loans, but such advances have not yet
                  gone into effect, such notification shall be deemed to be void
                  and the Borrower may borrow under interest rate options
                  otherwise available hereunder, by giving a substitute Notice
                  of Borrowing or a Renewal/Conversion Notice. Upon the
                  expiration of the Interest Period for any Libor Rate Loan
                  which is outstanding on the date of such notification, the
                  amount of such Libor Rate Loan shall thereafter constitute a
                  Floating Rate Loan.

                  5.       PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS. (a)  Floating Rate Loans 
         may be prepaid at any time and from time to time without premium or
         penalty.

                                       -2-


<PAGE>   18



                           (b) In the event of any prepayment of any Libor Rate
         Loan, other than at the end of the Interest Rate Period applicable to
         the subject loan, the Borrower shall repay the Bank's costs in respect
         of such repayment, which costs shall be determined as follows:

                               (Applicable Rate  - Tbillrate)  X  PP  X  D
                               -------------------------------------------
                                           360

         WHERE:

                           Applicable
                           Rate       =   The Libor Rate for the Loan then 
                                          being prepaid.

                           Libor
                           Rate       =   The Libor Rate of interest on that 
                                          Libor Rate Loan being prepaid.

                           TBillRate  =   The effective per annum rate at which
                                          a readily marketable bond or other
                                          obligation of, or entitled to the
                                          full faith and credit of, the United
                                          States (selected by the Bank in the
                                          Bank's reasonable discretion)
                                          maturing on or near the maturity date
                                          of the subject Libor Rate Loan and in
                                          approximately the amount of the Libor
                                          Rate Loan being prepaid could be
                                          purchased on or about the date of the
                                          subject prepayment.

                           PP         =   The amount of principal being prepaid.

                           D          =   The number of days from the date on 
                                          which the subject prepayment is made
                                          until the expiry of the Interest
                                          Period for the Libor Rate Loan being
                                          prepaid.

                             x      Indicates multiplication.

                  6.       DEFINITIONS.  The following terms as used herein 
         shall have the meanings assigned to them below:

                  "Acceptable Inventory": Such of the Borrower's Inventory, as
         is less than twelve (12) months old, based upon invoice date,
         warehoused at the Borrower's Winterbrook Way, Meredith, New Hampshire
         location, (and of such types and quantities, as the Bank in its
         reasonable discretion from time to time determines to be acceptable for
         borrowing,) as to which Inventory, the Bank has a perfected security
         interest which is prior and superior to all security interests, claims,
         and encumbrances.

                  "Availability": The lesser of (i) $8,000,000.00, reduced to
         $5,000,000.00 during the month of May through November, or (ii) (A)
         Fifty percent (50%) of Acceptable Inventory, plus (B) Fifty percent

                                       -3-


<PAGE>   19



         (50%)of the face amount of letters of credit issued by the Bank for the
         account of the Borrower, plus (C)$1,000,000.00.

                  "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean a day on which the Bank is open for
         the transaction of banking business in Boston, Massachusetts, and, if
         the applicable Business Day relates to a Libor Rate Loan, a day on
         which dealings are carried on in the applicable Eurodollar interbank
         market and banks are open for business in the applicable Eurodollar
         interbank market and in the place where payment is to be made for such
         Libor Rate Advance.

                  "CONVERT, CONVERSION AND CONVERTED" shall refer to the
         conversion of Floating Rate Loan, or Libor Rate Loan to advances of
         another Type.

                  "FLOATING RATE": shall mean with respect to any Interest
         Period the interest rate generally announced by the Bank from time to
         time as its Prime Rate plus (i)one-half percent (1/2%) per annum for
         the first $5,000,000.00 in borrowings outstanding, or (ii) plus one
         percent (1%) for borrowings outstanding in excess of $5,000,000.00.

                  "FLOATING RATE LOAN": any loan bearing interest at the 
         Floating Rate.

                  "INTEREST PERIOD": (a) With respect to each Libor Rate Loan,
         the period commencing on the date of the making or continuation of or
         conversion to such Libor Rate Loan and ending one, two, three or six
         months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect in the applicable Notice
         of Borrowing or Conversion.

                           (b)      With respect to each Floating Rate Loan, the
         period commencing on the date of the making or continuation of or
         conversion to such Floating Rate Loan and ending on that date as of
         which the subject Floating Rate Loan is converted to a Libor Rate Loan.

                           Provided that:
                           --------     

                                    (i) Any Interest Period applicable to a
                           Libor Rate Loan that begins on a day for which there
                           is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar
                           month at the end of such Interest Period shall end,
                           subject to clause (ii) below, on the last Business
                           Day of a calendar month.

                                    (ii) any Interest Period which would
                           otherwise end after the Termination Date shall end on
                           the Termination Date except that no Libor Rate Loan
                           shall have an Interest Period of less than One (1)
                           month.

                  "LIBOR RATE LOAN":  any loan bearing interest at the Libor 
         Rate.

                  "LIBOR RATE":  That per annum rate determined by application 
         of the following formula:

                                       -4-


<PAGE>   20



                  [      Libor Offer Rate]
                  ------------------------
                  [ 1.00 - Reserve Rate, (if applicable) ]

         plus two and one-quarter percent (2.25%) for the first $5,000,000.00 in
         borrowings outstanding and, plus two and three-quarter percent (2.75%)
         for borrowings outstanding in excess of $5,000,000.00

                  "LIBOR OFFER RATE": that rate of interest (rounded upwards, if
         necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) determined by the Bank to be the
         prevailing rate per annum at which deposits on U.S. Dollars are offered
         to the Bank by first-class banks in the London interbank market in
         which the Bank regularly participates at a time reasonably
         contemporaneous to the giving of a Notice of Borrowing at the Libor
         Rate, not less Two (2) Business Days before the first day of the
         Interest Period of the loan referenced in such Notice of Borrowing, for
         a deposit approximately in the amount of the subject loan for a period
         of time approximately equal to such Interest Period.

                  "PRIME RATE" shall mean the interest rate announced by the
         Bank from time to time as its Prime Rate. If interest hereunder is
         computed in relation to the Bank's Prime Rate, then as said Bank's
         Prime Rate changes from time to time, the interest rate, hereunder will
         change correspondingly at the time of each Bank's Prime Rate change,
         without notice or demand of any kind. If, at any time, the rate of
         interest together with all amounts which constitute interest and which
         are reserved, charged or taken by Bank as compensation for fees,
         services or expenses incidental to the making, negotiating or
         collection of the loan evidenced hereby, shall be deemed by any
         competent court of law, governmental agency or tribunal to exceed the
         maximum rate of interest permitted to be charged by the Bank to the
         Borrower under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction or the rules or
         regulations of any appropriate regulatory authority or agency, then,
         during such time as such rate of interest would be deemed excessive,
         that portion of each sum paid attributable to that portion of such
         interest rate that exceeds the maximum rate of interest so permitted
         shall be deemed a voluntary prepayment of principal.

                  "RESERVE PERCENTAGE" shall mean as of any date, that
         percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such date as
         specified in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
         Reserve System (or any successor or similar regulations relating to
         reserve requirements for nonpersonal time deposits) for determining the
         reserve requirements (including without limitation any basic,
         supplemental or emergency reserve requirements) for the Bank in respect
         of new U.S. dollar nonpersonal time deposits in Boston, Massachusetts,
         having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and in an
         amount of $100,000 or more. The Reserve Percentage shall be adjusted
         automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the
         Reserve Percentage.

                                       -5-


<PAGE>   21



                  "RESERVE RATE" shall mean for any day with respect to a Libor
         Rate Loan, the maximum rate (expressed as a decimal) at which any Bank
         subject thereto would be required to maintain reserves under Regulation
         D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
         successor or similar regulations relating to such reserve requirements)
         against "Eurocurrency Liabilities" (as that term is used in Regulation
         D) if such liabilities were outstanding. The Reserve Rate shall be
         adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in
         the Reserve Rate.



                                       -6-





<PAGE>   22
                                    EXHIBIT B

                            RENEWAL/CONVERSION NOTICE
                            -------------------------


To:      Fleet National Bank (the "Lender")
         One Federal Street
         Boston, Massachusetts 02211


Re:      $8,000,000.00 Commercial Promissory Grid Note (the "Note")
         Between the Lender and DM Management Company (the "Borrower"), a
         Delaware Corporation.  Terms used herein which are defined in the Note
         are used as so defined.


         This Notice confirms the renewal/conversion of a loan at the Libor Rate
as follows:

         1.       Amount to be renewed at Libor Rate:         $
                                                               -----------------
                           Minimum of $1,000,000.00
                           Increments of $100,000.00

                  Start Date of Interest Period:              $
                                                               -----------------

                  Date of Expiry of Interest Period:             $
                                                                  --------------

                  Applicable Interest Period:                    $
                                                                  --------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


         The Borrower, hereby certifies that all representations and warranties
contained in the Note are true and accurate in all material respects on the date
of this Renewal Notice and on the effective date of the subject loan as though
such representations and warranties had been made on those dates (except to the
extent that such representations or warranties expressly relates to an earlier
date).

                                               DM MANAGEMENT COMPANY
                                               ("Borrower")


                                               By:
                                                  ----------------------------


<PAGE>   23
                                    Exhibit C
                                    ---------

                           BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
                           --------------------------

                                                  Date: ________________________

                                                  Period Ending: _____________

Fleet National Bank
1 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

         This certificate confirms our Availability as of ____________________,
pursuant to the Commercial Promissory Grid Note and Loan Agreement dated
November 4, 1996 (the "Loan Agreement") between DM Management Company (the
"Borrower") and Fleet National Bank ("Bank"). The Borrower hereby certifies that
all representations and warranties contained in the Loan Agreement and the
documents executed in connection with the Loan Agreement are true and accurate
in all material aspects on the date of this Borrowing Base Certificate as though
such representations and warranties had been made on that date (except to the
extent that such representations or warranties expressly relate to an earlier
date). The Borrower represents and warrants that no Event of Default has
occurred.

Total Inventory as of __/__/__            $________
  Less: Inventory more than 12 months old ($_______)
50% Availability                                     (A)      $_________
Issued and outstanding Letters of Credit  $_______
50% Availability                                     (B)      $_________
Plus                                                 (C)      $1,000,000
                                                              ----------
         TOTAL             (A plus B plus C)         (D)      __________

AVAILABILITY

Lesser of (i) D or (ii) $8,000,000 during
the months of December through April or $5,000,000
the months of May through November                            $_________

           Less: Current Loan Balance                         $(_______)
           Less: Letters of Credit and Acceptances            $(_______)
           Net Available/(Deficit)                            $_________





<PAGE>   24


         Terms used herein which are defined in the Loan Agreement are used as
so defined.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             DM MANAGEMENT COMPANY


                                             By:___________________________

                                             Name:_________________________

                                             Title:________________________



                                       -2-