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Philadelphia University students showcased more than 250 garments Wednesday night that included a myriad of frilly, ruffled, high-necked swing frocks, wide-legged pants, mini skirts and wrap dresses both in fruit-punchy colors (there is that word, again.) and soft pastels
The show was held on Locust Street's grand Academy of Music and as usual the students took bold risks that aesthetically paid off. Inspriations ran the gamut from scientific -Kelly Davis' green stringy top and wrap top she created based on the human nervous system) to dreamy - thanks to ensembles inspired by Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Grover. The hour and a half long show sparkled with the kind of creativity that makes university fashion shows annual events.

Also, this year students were encouraged to use organic and natural fibers as well as recylcable material.

Stand out results: masculine yet soft grouping of menswear lines by Sandra Huffaker that won the Coates Brothers Clothing Award for Eco Fashion; sharp black and white polka dot tiered ensembles by Janelle Frank that won her the Most Saleable Collection (Definitely something I'd wear) and a beautifully constructed gown fashioned from basketball jerseys (Whoo hool) that took home an Honorable Mention for Best Senior Collection. Click here to see the pictures from the show.

Calvin Klein's creative director, Francisco Costa, was also at the Park Hyatt Ballroom Wednesday afternoon before he received Philadelphia Univeristy's Sprit of Design Award. The 37-year-old designer met with me yesterday at the swanky club, XIX where we talked about fashion, the economy, guts and the importance good staples in ones wardrobe. Costa was 19 when he moved to New York from Brazil. He didn't speak a word of English. Still, he enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology and studied abroad in Italy before landing a job at Oscar de la Renta. Costa took a job with Tom Ford before joining Calivin Klein in 2002. Since taking over at Calvin Klein, Costa has managed to dress up and stream line the American sportswear brand. His collections are known for clean lines fashioned from solid matte jersey fabrics that don't just flow fromt the body but gently caress it. "Fashion is moving into a new form minimalism. We are moving into a time when investment clothes are going to be key. We want simple and we want it to last a long time." I so agree, Mr. Costa! Our chat was pleasant and like Mark Badgley and James Mishka, he too wore a shrunken navy blue suit. But his suit was Calvin Klein, of course

As we close out this week, I have to give props to all the older women in entertainment - and everywhere else - geting their swerve on with younger cats. On some level, I'm like what the heck would Mariah Carey want with Nick Cannon, beyond the obvious? Wink. Wink. It was reported this week that the pop star diva married the candylicious actor after a couple of days of being "smitten with each other." Nick Cannon is dreamy, yes, but doesn't homegirl want a GAM?- Grown A$$ Man - Then on the other hand, I'm super jealous. It's all I can say not to smile and tell home girl, "Just get it in."

Last week there was much hoopla about Star Jones' divorce. But this week, the rumor mill was hot about her alleged relationship with Miami Heat player, Dwayne Wade. Last night Wade denied the rumors on Inside the NBA on TNT, but I don't believe it. The "We're just friends" line always proves otherwise. Then there is Usher's new wife, Tameka Foseter - she could teach a class on cougars. And how can we forget Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. I give her credit for this trend. And the list goes on.

As a single woman, I'm really trying to date men who are older or at least my age. There is something to say about a man who can teach you something. Who has time for the addiction to video games and all things sports? (But I'm finding age is no guarantee that that won't be the case.) If the young men are particularly adoring, why not? I just feel like I'd have to make all the decisions and frankly, I'm tired of making all the decisions. What do yout think? We're beyond women's lib? A woman dating younger men is absolutely fine. But can younger men really give you all things you need as a grown woman? And maybe cougars is too harsh of a word? Maybe these women are just kitty cats tired of being drug around by pitbulls, so they are opting for puppies instead.

I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Monday to view the opening of the Costume Institute's new fashion exhibit, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy. I went out of curiosity. Well, really I wanted to see the Wonder Woman costume. You see, I was Wonder Woman every year for atleast the first five years of my life. I wore the Ben Cooper version of the costume. My little brown hands peeked out from underneath the plastic one piece that looked nothing like the sexy bathingsuit Lynda Carter wore. And in the cool New York October air, I usually wore the costume over a sweatsuit and sometimes a winter coat. As a child, I thought Wonder Woman was awesome. Like most kids, I watched the show with Lynda Carter every Friday night on CBS at 8 p.m. I longed to stop bullets with my blue bracelets and trip up an escaping criminal with my headband. The best part of the costume was the Magic Lasso that forced criminals to tell the truth (I wish I had that today.)

The Metropolitan Museum of art kicked off the exhibit Monday morning with a press conference that included Anna Wintour, editor and chief of Vogue Magazine and body conscious designer, Giogrio Armani.

But the point of this exhibit, was to show how Superhero garb reflects American fashion through dreams and fantasies of the body perfect. Some of the connections were strong like Catwoman's clothing, that translated well into bodysuits. Other pieces were a stretch. Exactly how the Incredible Hulk lack of clothing is seen in football uniforms went over my head. Performance clothing modelled after Spiderman and Flash Gordon costimes were cool and made sense. It was easy to see the aerodynamic qualities here.

Wonder Woman was part of an exhibit with the Patriotic Body. Along with Captain America it made sense to show Wonder Woman as an All-American woman, albeit an Amazon, who fought for justice in stars and stripes. The costume on display was the original 1976 designed by Donfeld. But now, 30 years later, the costume was faded. The blue bottom was more purplish and there was no cuffs to stop the bullets. In all this larger than life imagery, the costume was surrounded by glittery totally unwearable creations by the House of Dior, I was reminded that at the end of the day, despite their powers Superheroes and their costumes age.

For more on the exhibit, read The Inquirer on Wednesday.

By the time the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Gala was in full swing, I was back in Philadelphia about to watch singerMario's final moments on Dancing With the Stars. (Oh the sadness.) Anyway, like you I trolled the internet to get a glimpse of the ankle-length confections and I found most of them rather humdrum. Kimora Lee Simmons strapless dress stained glass-like concoction was almost as weird as Vogue editor, Anna Wintour's elaborately padded Chanel Gown that made her look like an aged Glenda the Goodwitch. But my favorite dress of the night was Eva Longoria's full-skirted aubergine Marchesa gown. It's beautiful. I was taken away by the pleated pieces all over. In monochromatic tones, this was beautiful. What do you think?

Any expectant mother's in your life? Well we've got a Mother's Day gift for her. Kimberly Allers, former business editor at Essence, has written a fabulous book of tips for Moms to be. The Mocha Manual covers all the anxieties and joys of impending motherhood. Allers gives advice on everything from fashion to stretch marks. It's available on the web site and the DVD that features even more mom advice is at WalMart's nationwide. In an attempt at full disclosure I must tell you I went to journalism school with Allers. I watched the entreprennurialism bug in her grow. Not only is there this book, the feisty CEO is also behind a line of T-shirts and onsies celebrating mommydom. A pink T-shirt with a chocolate arrow pointing toward a tummy that reads: "This is why I'm hot." is hot!

As the President's daughter, it's only appropriate that Jenna Bush would hire America's most classic designer, Oscar de la Renta, to fashion her wedding gown. I would say this dress ranks right up there with dream come true. We like Jenna's wedding day choice for its simplicity. The straps look like roses linked together. The gown graced Jenna's hips and flowed into a fabulous, but not too over the top, fishtail. The fairytale dress appears as light as powdered sugar. What a classic wedding dress with a modern spin. Graciously beautiful. Do you all like it?

Who knew flags from around the world could inspire an entire line of swimwear? Swaths of colors and occasional daring kicked off the Moore College of Art & Design Spring Fashion Show 2008 last night at the Sheraton Society Hill.

The theme was Bon Voyage: Decked Out in Navy and White, but the creations from Moore’s aspiring designers included nearly 150 pieces that ventured far beyond the seas.

The showcase ranged from cheeky to elegant in a fast-paced parade that included flapper-rooted miniskirts, nature-hued children's wear, hat-inspired menswear, and traditional and embellished evening dresses, long and short.

Shirred skirts of all lengths were in abundance as were bell sleeves. Several designs were impressive in their pleating, draping and embroidery.

As is often the case, the children stole the show — well, at least for cute on the runway, before a full, enthusiastic audience. Laine Henry’s kids’ designs, one of several in the show, won her the Most Saleable Collection award.

But the night’s big winner was Jakia Handy, who took home Best of Show. Her designs, influenced by the abstract paintings of artist and Moore instructor Moe Brooker, provided the most vibrant colors on the runway, one of which paired a fuschia bell-sleeved jacket with a green pencil skirt.

Thankfully, most students ignored the obvious nautical potential in their navy and white eveningwear designs. Irene Crabbe’s navy embroidered bubble dress with crystal detail in the flowerettes that adorned one shoulder was my favorite of the evening designs. The one collection of the night I could see myself “trying” to rock was the champagne set by Diva Borrelli.

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the remarkable construction of corsets and hoopskirts by Bianca Lindblad. She gave me hope that with the right materials, ANYTHING can be lifted — if you know what I mean.

Click here to see photos from the show.

— Donna Hendricks

So I'm back from five days of sunnin', tannin' and Margerita-drinking in Cancun, Mexico. And while there, I enjoyed two great reads by Philadelphia-bred authors. One, a total action -packed warewolf saga, Bad Blood by West Philly's own, L.A. Banks and an amusing tome, by a just-dead fashionista, The Ten Best Days of My Life, by Adena Halpern. Let's be clear, these books aren't eye-opening change your life sagas, like the chart-topping Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, but one couldn't ask for better beach reading.

In her second supernatural series, Crimson Moon, romance novelist, L.A. Banks introduces readers to Sasha Trudeau, a butt-kicking Shadow Wolf who tracks demon-infected warewolves. Along the way the leather pant-wearing- shapeshifter falls for hunky wolf entity, Max Hunter. Halpern's Ten Best Days of My Life is a sometimes funny, but actually serious look at a fabulous version of heaven - an endless wardrobe of Juicy Couture sweats and designer clothing. But unless the heroine, Alexis, can prove to God why she deserves the sweet amenities of the after life - that also include eating whatever and never gaining weight, being forever-young and a super fine next door neighbor - she may find herself knocking on heaven's door for all eternity. Both books show the authors' familiarity with our city and are fashionable as well as action packed.

FYI, Halpern will be at the Rittenhouse Square Barnes & Nobles at 18th and Walnut Street on June 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Fashion is so totally parmount to Sex and the City. It is how we every day working girls related to our favorite New York fashionistas: Miranda, Charlotte, Carrie and Samantha. Each character expressed her over-the-top-personalities with even more over-the-top ensembles we could only dream of. That's why we couldn't wait to see what the real life ladies wore to last night's New York premiere. (Here, I'll add Philadelphians were shockingly fashionable at Philadelphia's screening last evening.)

But back to the real deal. What do you think of our girls' dresses? We think they were fairytale-like in their perfection. Cynthia Nixon is airy in a white halter by Narcisco Rodriguez. Kristin Davis is super cutesy in her gold Donna Karan piece. Sarah Jessica is flouncy in her gunmetal-hued Nina Ricci and Kim Catrell rocks a Vivienne Westwood cocktail dress in true sexy Samantha fashion. More on the importance of fashion to SATC in Thursday's Daily Magazine.

Look at this dress! It's outstanding. Absolutely phenomenal. The thick red and black stripes and studded belt details are the last accessories we'd expect to see on a tiered, plunging V, tank-strapped eveningown. But it oh so works in a, let me see at the risk of sounding redundant this week, in a Carrie Bradshaw-kind-of-way.

This gown was designed by Drexel senior, Denice Lacen, and inspired by the video game Mortal Kombat. It won Best of Show at the university's annual end of school year fashion show featuring the designs of 35 seniors.

Grouping after grouping flashed down the runway. Some of the more creative themes included a grouping of multicolored gingham gowns, some layered, some hombred. Senior Chanelle Austin showcased a collection of lacy, sort of lingere-like eveningwear collection inspired by a Cinderella that ditched her evil fairy godmother. (We think that's cool.)

Theresa Ferguson's flowing beautifully constructed silk gowns won a well-deserved Award for Creativity in Dress Design and Bridgette Deshais presented earthy ensembles that featured the coolest open-toed boot-like shoes I've ever seen. This collection won the Jane Carton Best in Accessory Design. Actually, Deshais tied with Sarah Chappel who mixed knit and tie-dye to create a richly hued collection of interesting short silhouettes.

All in all the collections were a rich, strong, example of student fashion at its best. This brings us to the end of the university collection season. Look out for a story rounding up the fashions in an upcoming Image section. Click here to see more pictures of the Drexel show. And go to the Mirror Image blog to see collections from Moore and Philadelphia University.