What's Black & White and Available All Over? - filed 12/02/2000

The current crop of fashion items, judging by the holiday windows in some of Madison Avenue's toniest and most influential stores.

If you think the only way to make a statement for the holidays, is through predictable jarring color or brash metallics, think again. Nothing packs a wallop quite like the cool combination of black and white, and nothing makes such an effortlessly bold statement with the simplest of pieces. And who can argue with its timelessness or seasonless-ness?

Whether your holiday plans take you north, south, east, or west, whether you are looking for the perfect outfit for day or night, black and white offers the perfect, timeless solution. Accessories and home furnishings are available in this combination, and there is even a holiday movie, '102 Dalmations', which is rendered entirely in black and white-from the adorable puppies to Cruella de Vil's graphic wardrobe (which Glenn Close reportedly got to keep!).

And this is more than a harbinger of things to come, because black and white, while never out of style, was a major trend in the spring/summer 2001 collections, so you can be sure the stores will be stocked with great items in the coming months. And I predict it will be important in the upcoming fall/winter 2001 shows as well!

Tom Ford, in his debut spring collection for YSL, went completely black and white, taking the house's signature color combination, and putting his own cool, clean spin on it. The newly renovated YSL boutique ( 855 Madison Avenue at 70th street) is a sleek temple to his black and white vision. The bold and stark resort window displays are a perfect foil for the impeccably tailored jackets, tuxedos, and shiny patent raincoats.

Gianfranco Ferre's (Madison Avenue at 70th street) holiday windows are low-keyed and androgynous with its black and white strictly tailored pantsuits

At Polo Sport, Madison Avenue and 72nd street, the Christmas windows showcase a black and white "Sun Valley' winter wonderland, with a tableau of black and white ski suits and down jackets against a snowy backdrop.

Alain Mikli, (880 Madison Avenue at 71st street), has a very groovy, 'mod' interpretation in their windows, where graphic black and white sunglasses are on display.

Cerruti, (789 Madison Avenue at 67th street), has a chic belted black and white chevron mink jacket in their window-a good example of what was arguably one of the major trends in furs this season.

Barneys New York, (Madison at 60 street) known for its quirky, irreverent Christmas windows, celebrates the season with an homage to 5 decades- l940-l980, and the tableau I like the best (surprise, surprise!), is the 60's window, all done up in very mod and graphic black and white fabric, furniture, and home accessories.

Celine, on Madison and 60th street, showcases Michael Kors' minimalistic black and white resort clothes, against a simple yet dramatic backdrop of black and white.

At Calvin Klein, (on Madison and 60th street) the windows speak volumes for 'Mr. Clean's' dressed up yet pared down resort clothes in black and white.

At DKNY, (Madison avenue at 60th street), there is something for everyone on display in the busy and energetic windows. Almost entirely in black and white, (well there are some touches of red) there are sporty ski clothes as well as festive tuxedos and sequined separates.

At Sergio Rossi, (835 Madison Avenue at 69th street), the windows display versions of the forever chic and timeless black and white spectator, given a feminine and sexy slant through pointy toes, curved Sabrina heels, and backless mules.

Worth mentioning, though not on display in its windows: Longchamp, (713 Madison at 63rd street) which is known for chic and functional bags and luggage, has a selection of 8 different black nylon handbags trimmed with white patent leather, available in various shapes and sizes.

Coats on Sixth

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