Evening star., 1951-10-31
By EIeni

Los ANGELES. Calf. - Colors
are brighter, textures lighter inI
the collections Of resort and
early spring fashions that Sol
fashion editors from Americas
leading newspapers are viewing
here.
California; fashion market,
second largest in the world, is en-
joying one of its biggest buying
seasons, according to designers
and manufacturers. Fashion edi-
tors from all over the country
carry home the story to their
readers of California's latest bid
for fashion honors. Her casual
costumes reflect her way of living.
Her designers are, young and have
either forgotten design t'taboos."
never knew them. or have recog-
nized them and done something
about it. They tell their fashion
story without being hampered by
tradition and because of their ex-
posure to the colorful history Of
the Southwest. one sees them In
fusing this inspiration into their
designs. The climate, which allows
ia person to swim in the morning,
ski in the afternoon and take
a brisk walk in the cool, cool,
cool of the evening. must find
the proper expression in clothing
that is contemporary in feeling,
in fabric, and which is born of
the keen desire to keep up with
"a California way Of life.
Swim Wear Is Tops
California's bathing suit mar
ket knows no peer. The first back
less suit came from California. In
1925 daring new suits" were ad-
vertised in New York as coming
from sunny California with their
famboyant colors"
Color does make playwear and
swimwear. But something more
than color is needed in swimwear.
Today's swimSuits are marvels of
engineering. Close examination
diScloses undercover work that
would rival the FBI. Built-in bras.
Long bras for girls who need 'em.
High control for others. And tall
or short. a girl can now be happy
with the "shirred" swimsuit that
is making news. The problem of
fit is now almost solved. Talk
about ''two-way" stretch. These
suits do the trick. They adjust to
any torso length.
Cole Of California suggests to
the girl forgotten by nature that
she investigate the "whing- ding
bra" With the flaps" up or
down and with the old optical
illusion trick in operation a girl
can look as if she has more or less
than was doled out.
Matletex Shirring was intro
duced by Fred Cole in 1886 and
it's still a top-ranking member of
the swim team He predicts deep
backs are due for a comeback and
so are two-piece swim suits. Swim
and beach accessories have been
sadly underplayed and California
designers are out to remedy the
situation. Coles "cinch" coats in
cotton prints. short beach coats in
that pile fabric, terry cloth, and
a three-way hooded beach coat
will prove to be minor sensation.
This dream of a beach accessory
may be worn as a pool dress, a
skirt with a deep pocket for cigar
cites. a cape, and even used as
beach throw A fashion-threat if
we've ever seen one!
Curves Aheod
Built-in curves as the founda-
ton of a swim suit fashion are
stressed by many designers of
Swimwear. Rose Marie Reid also
insists that firm fabrics can do a
lot to produce a cleancut silhou-
ette on the beach. Dressmaker
touches distinguish this young,
attractive American designers
collection.
Straplessness in bathing suits
Is much more the rule than the
exception today. But most de-
signers. like Rose Marie Reid. also
have straps in their suits which