The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 62

20 APR 25-MAY 1 2000 Hit 5ubnf Jftoriiing ralb good living Fashion police George Epaminondas Short straw The success of Mercedes Australian Fashion Week has always been contingent on international buyers and media taking the time to cross the Atlantic for a dose of Sydney style. Since its inception, their numbers have increased exponentially, particularly buyers from Asian department stores and boutiques, but this year there are many notable exceptions and the list looks a little lacklustre. Sure, CNN powerhouse Elsa Klensch is heading back to her birthplace. However, the original list released by organisers in March as long as it was ambitious -now seems to be a case of wishful thinking. US department stores Barneys, Neiman Marcus and Henri Bendels will not be attending.

Nor is anyone from US Vogue, UK Vogue or influential London ''newspapers The Daily Telegraph, The Independent and the Financial Times. "The biggest problem is executive time," says Fashion Week impresario Simon Lock, "not our ability to pay for these people to come or their inability to pay for themselves. Ultimately, it's a week out of their schedule and we are competing for their attention." the clever people at American label Tocca, beloved of models, actresses and It Girls who swear by their pretty dresses, lacy confections and ladylike fabrics, comes Tocca Laundry Delicate, pictured above. Packaged like an upmarket shampoo, it's a sweet-smelling delicate wash for linens and lingerie that some women don't leave home without. "A lot of very chic women take this laundry product with them when they travel," Faith Agugu of Christensen Copenhagen says.

Price: $39. also stocks incredibly beautiful Alistair Trung scarves, Bruuns Bazaar clothes from Copenhagen and Paul Joe clothes and accessories from Paris. Inquiries, 9328 9755. Aging gracefully Columbia Sportswear has just landed its new winter collection so you can look good in ugly weather. The focus is again on the Omni Tech waterproof and breathable outwear range for both men and women, offering the best protection from the elements.

There is a big range of performance jackets, Polartec fleeces, ski and snowboard clothing, and accessories for everyday casual wear. Columbia has also released an expanded range of winter footwear. Columbia Sportswear is at Sydney Central Plaza on Pitt Street Mall. Phone 9232 3444. Lauren Hutton has lashed out at the models of today for being too thin.

The 56-year-old actress and former model, with a new book Slim Fast Body Mind Life Makeover, tells the New York Post "It's changed a great deal since the '60s. The only model who was very thin back then was Twiggy. We all looked real, lean with muscle. The girls today are just bones without muscle. They're going to be dogs when they are 29." She continues: "I worry about these girls.

These agencies are taking children, kittens, and throwing them with sharks and wolves 20 or 30 years older. I've told many a mother who asks me how their 14-year-old daughter can become a model to wait until she has finished college. Otherwise, you might as well get a gun and shoot her." AS Heavy metal New from Nautica's winter 2000 collection comes Northern Lights featuring hardy yet luxurious fabric combinations of lambswool, silk and cashmere with modern synthetic fibres. The collection includes micro Julia a-go-go check and solid colour long-sleeve shirts, chunky knitwear pieces, luxurious polar fleeces and longline jackets. The colour palette features heather grey, black, stone heather and white, tones that create a classic Nordic identity.

See the range on the First Floor of David Jones Market Street store. Phone 9266 6094. net I Depending on their age, sex and whether they think Britney Spears is a genius, moviegoers are loving or hating Julia Roberts's look in Erin Brockovich. Spotty schoolboys are particularly enamoured of the provocative wardrobe style, which sees Roberts tottering around in high heels, leather skirts and shrunken tops, revealing more cleavage than a rock climb at Mt Kosciusko. The look is actually based on the real-life woman, a legal assistant given to flashy dressing.

Roberts, pictured below, was reportedly nervous about adopting the skimpy looks. "I have something in my closet that I would call a 'dress'," she told Entertainment Weekly Online. "Erin has something in her closet I call a 'dre'. The whole 'ess' part that covers your ass isn't there." Funny, then, that Brockovich herself told director Steven Soderbergh: 'The only thing that was inaccurate is that the skirts weren't short enough." And then there was the exposed bra strap. From large, airy premises in the Queen Victoria Building, Quadrivium has always explored the adventurous collision of fine and decorative art, showcasing some of Australia's most distinguished artisans.

A new exhibition, Metal Element III, sheds light on the latest in jewellery design from Australia and Japan in silver, gold, copper, anodised aluminium and mother of pearl. This is bijoux that is light years from the humble pair of gold studs and more akin to wearable art. Common to all the work is the idea of jewellery as sculpture, bold, brassy adornment that makes a statement. Pictured, above, is a stainless-steel silver neckpiece by Tokyo artist Emiko Suo. Not to be worn while dining; it might end up in your miso.

Metal Element III runs from May 3-22. Quadrivium, Level 2, Queen Victoria Building, city, 9264 8222. Manpower dressed Double Bay designer Jonathan Ward is a man known for dressing debutantes, soapie starlets and fashion editors. Now he can add male strippers to his bow. Ward was employed to bring some of his high-fashion bodice-ripping style not that they needed it to Manpower's new calendar, which also happens to be shot by fashion photographer Chris Colls.

Since when did strippers care for anything other than body oil, cowboy hats and ripped denim? The Manpower boys will wear more clothes in this calendar, while still being extremely sexy and leaving more to the imagination," publicist Nikki Andrews says, adding that the rock chic direction of the shoot is inspired by a recent Versace campaign. All will be revealed or not in September. 1 Some girls may think they've gone to heaven when they visit the new Alannah Hill boutique on Level One of The Strand Arcade her poshest yet! It overflows with the inimitable frocks and follies she is so strongly identified with. The boutique features a gleaming epoxy plum floor, mirror and Marblo-topped counters and display tables as well as a huge Victorian bay window. It's a grand take on the Alannah Hill signature style of old-world charms.

Phone 9221 1251. The search for the ultimate Mother's Day gift for the Mum who has everything is easily solved at Chifley Plaza. Wander into any store and you'll find inspirational and affordable gifts, such as Tiffany Co. signature stationery, Crabtree Evelyn beauty products, coffee table books at Bristol Brooks, flowers from Roses Only, handcrafted glass and silverware at Makers Mark, or a hairdressing gift voucher from Joh Bailey. Chifley Plaza is open until 7pm Thursday and 9.30am to 4pm Saturday.

Phone 9221 4500. For all your City Weekend information call: City Info on 9265 9007, Public Transport Info on 131 500. Or log on at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au 1 A Ji Clean living HH' JVC It Now that you can dine on Calvin Klein plates, go to sleep in Ralph Lauren and brush your teeth with Philippe Starck, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to designer-fy laundry powder. From IjwsST Preferred Card in Sydney. i' A i.