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PAGE 20-PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY It. 1IM Topping the top: Bill Blass designs^ elegant eveningwear and coats for men find the pragmatic use of fabrics such as all-weather 100 percent cotton shells with pure wool lin­ ing or silk-like black rubberized nylon. As to formalwear, it assuredly will never be the same again. Blass has changed everything about it including the name. His "Evening Clothes" are as ele­ gantly refined as they sound. A household word, meaning fashion, Bill Blass is hardly a new name in men's wear. He continues to win plaudits for tai­ lored clothing for PBM. His name has been linked to fine men's grooming gear through a Revlon association. This season he reaches a new plateau with the introduction of a line of evening clothes for After Six Formats, and a collection of topcoats and rainwear for Malcolm Kenneth, a division of After Six. Speaking with Blass, there is no indication you are conversing with someone whose roots were in the Midwest (Indiana to be exact). The onlv trace of accent, reflecting no part of the country, is "class." With his constant tan, rugged features and spiffy personal at­ tire, he looks like the perfect model--or the chairman of a prestigious banking establish­ ment. He has been called, and rightly so, the great American designer. His personal style has directed his reputation and the results are impeccable. Interest­ ingly, there is always a counter­ balanced nonchalance. Blass is virtually synonomous with an especially low-keyed, elegant look. There is a conser­ vatism rooted in tradition: fine tailoring, clean lines and, above all, great fabrics. If he is daring, it appears so because of the juxtaposition of classic and familiar elements with the sleek and, at times, out­ rageous originality. Commenting on the prevail­ ing fashion mood, "There has to be a certain continuity. Along with me, a vast part of the coun­ try doesn't like extreme or vio­ lent change." As to men's fashions, Blass says, "Menswear moves so very gradually. We are a conservative nation. No matter how much Americans are pushed, I feel there will be more emphasis on people looking quite proper." When you take a look at tail­ ored coats and rainwear and for­ malwear designed by Bill Blass, you recognize instantly that, while "looking proper," there is a today kind of freshness about them with a reflection of the best of the past. The proportions are perfect and the expression involving the use of the fine fabrics and the set and hang of the garments, are all the mark of this master designer. The coats are longer with an elegance of proportion and shape that is especially attrac­ tive. Yet, they are easy in feeling without a loss of flair. The rainwear collection com­ bines fashion with function. It stresses longer, yet easy lengths * sm Start Kg bate dumi as Ml III SPECIAL CROUP Blouses & Dresses# Values up to '5 '10 '15 Lingerie 30% OFF ^_J\SMARKE^_ Sweaters 35% OFF * AS MARKED SELECT GROUP Dresses 40% OFF ^ ^ A S M A R K E D ^ Pant Suits 35% OFF AS MARKED Skirts 35% OFF AS MARKED Grab Bag «1. >4 Values l5-s45 FOR DRAMATIC EVENINGS, a silk-look rain- SILKY SOPHISTICATION--This luxurious coat by Bill Blass of 100 percent umbrella ny- black silk evening shirt is a highlight of the new Ion. From the premiere collection for Malcolm Bill Blass "Evening Clothes" line from After Six. Kenneth. 1216 N. Green Street, McHenry' 385-2713 r rmmmamr FRIDAY III &30 ffl SAVE UP TO O ON SPLENDIFEROUS APROPO MULTI-TEX WALLS BY DESIGN STYLE APPEAL WALL APPEAL MAIN PAINTI & DECORATING, INC. •MAINSTl McHENRY. ILLI 385-1115