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Canwest News Service
Taking a cue from hi-lo pioneer Isaac Mizrahi, noted Canadian fashionisto Alfred Sung designs his Pure line exclusively for Zellers. It's been out a couple of seasons but I'm most impressed with the holiday collection that has just arrived in stores. It hits all the festive notes (shine, shape, sparkle) yet leaves us with a few banknotes left over to do some actual Christmas shopping. For the le smoking inspiration of Yves Saint Laurent, there's a stretch satin cigarette pant ($32.97, 2-16) and matching tuxedo blazer ($39.97, xs-xl) and I was pleasantly surprised at Sung's version of bengaline, the stiff, ribbed silk fabric typically used in haute couture; his is polyester, therefore affordable, but it's still got a rich-looking sheen. It's cut into full dirndl skirts ($34.97) to add oomph to one of the collection's colourful cotton-cashmere cardigans that have twinkling rhinestone buttons (and are even cheaper than the First Lady's J. Crew). But the standout is Pure's little black dress, in that same bengaline rib. Not only does it look much more expensive than it is ($44.97), but it's the perfect blank canvas to accessorize one way for office parties now and, later, vamp up for New Year's Eve.
