La Renta

NEW YORK -- The popularity of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and its imitators may have sent a message to the fashion world. Designers' collective vision seems to be about the wealthy who have no qualms showing it off. The American runway shows here this week have been dominated by the posh status symbols of furs (mostly real, some faux), gold and silver metallics, and glittering embroidery. It was telling that Nicole Miller presented her audience with the game book for the millionaire show.

My husband gave me a pair of black leather pants for Valentine's Day. He says I look incredibly sexy in them and constantly begs me to wear them when we go out. They are up to the minute in styling, with the new flared bootleg, and they show off my curves to advantage.My problem is that I feel uncomfortable in them, and I don't know what to wear with them. I usually just put on a boring black sweater. Any suggestions?Here's my rule for breaking in uncomfortable clothes: Whether it's a strapless evening dress or a new pair of sneakers, wear the garment at home until you are happy in it. In the case of leather, it needs to stretch to fit your body, but once it does, it will feel like a second skin.

Oscar de la Renta, the international designer darling of the ladies who who do galas, will dress the first lady for inaugural festivities.Hillary Rodham Clinton and de la Renta started talking wardrobe soon after the November election, says Susan Seelbach, the designer's spokeswoman. The choices have been narrowed to a wool suit and matching melton coat for Monday's swearing-in ceremony. For the round of balls, it will be an embroidered tulle fTC gown with a matching satin cape. The designer and White House are mum about colors and particulars.

Annie Keller has been a model, fashion show coordinator and figure skater. She's lived in Boston, Chicago and Palm Springs. Through these moves, there's been one constant in her life: a love of classic, glamorous clothing.Now as the owner of Adjustable Comfort Inc., a Baltimore-based line of ergonomic beds, she is even more conscious of dressing well."I'm trying to disassociate myself from those fast-talking TV salespeople," says Ms. Keller, who's in her 30s and lives in Roland Park. "In this business, people feel more comfortable if you look like you're stable, reliable and not too flashy."

Q: My sister is having a big party for her 10th wedding anniversary. She wants to wear a dress in one of the new spring pastels, but can't make up her mind which one. She's a brown-eyed blonde. I say pink, but she's thinking of yellow because it will tone with her hair. What do you say?A: I'm thinking pink because it is flattering to most women. It's softer and looks more modern than red for spring.To be sure, I checked what some designers had chosen as their favorite pastel. After all, they are responsible for the rush back to pastels.

Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta, the ambassadors of American fashion, are always ready to charm.Since Mr. de la Renta, now 61, showed his first collection in 1965 for Jane Derby, and Mr. Blass brought his boyhood visions of 1930s glamour from Fort Wayne, Ind., to New York 50 years ago, they both have slowly and methodically built their careers by dressing the affluent.The formula has paid off handsomely for the two designers.Mr. Blass, 71, has 50 worldwide licensees which reportedly generate retail sales in excess of $700,000,000.

A fanciful brocade gown by Nina Ricci will be one of the designs featured at the Ebony Fashion Fair, the 36th annual style extravaganza which comes to Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall Sunday at 5 p.m. Proceeds from the show which presents creations by the world's top designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy and Valentino will benefit the charities of the Baltimore chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Call (410) 783-8000 for ticket information.

Oh, God, it's true. Bell-bottoms are coming back.Much to the amazement of those of us who remember wearing them the first time around, we seem to be on the cusp of a 1970s revival that brings us the return of the lovely platform shoe, the crocheted vest and that timeless classic, the Greg Brady striped and zippered shirt.I know. They say everything comes back sooner or later.But the 1970s? The era of leisure suits, Quiana and Earth Shoes? If any fashion era deserved to be buried once and for all time, wouldn't you think this would have been it?

It's official. Oscar de la Renta, who has been showing his ready-to-wear in Paris for the last two years, will design Pierre Balmain's haute couture and ready-to-wear collections. After three months of negotiations, agreement was reached Monday, Mr. de la Renta said by telephone in Paris.His first collection for Balmain will be for spring 1993 and will be shown on Jan. 27. "I'm coming back to New York on Wednesday," he said, "and will be back in Paris for a few days in December. Then I'll spend the month of January here."

Oscar de la Renta has charmed legions of ladies into his fabulous clothes by charming their socks off. The man has it.Tall, tanned and gracious, the designer sipped a cup of morning chocolate in the cushy surroundings of one of Georgetown's fine hostelries. He was to be honored at flag-raising ceremonies at Washington's Dominican Embassy before doing the honors at a spritz-and-sign guest appearance in Hecht's fragrance department. It was April 30 and the 17th stop in an 18-city national tour to promote his new fragrance, Volupte.