H. Starlette
For the past year, Los Angeles-based sportswear and swimwear line H. Starlette has incorporated feminine and sexy looksinto its contemporary line of sweats, bikinis and accessories.
H. Starlette is the brainchild of designer Heidi Cornell and business partner Brad Zions, who grew the line from sheer latex-free flower pasties worn under sheer tops into sexy sweats and bikinis and launched the full collection for Spring 2002.
To keep the line lighthearted and fun, Cornell chooses a different theme for each season. Flowers, stars, butterflies, pinup girls and bohemian flowers are just a few of the themes that have been used.
“It’s cute and girly swim and leisure wear for women that could be worn together or separately but with a theme in mind,” said Cornell, a Seattle native who entered the apparel industry as a sales rep for Calvin Klein and Democracy.
The designer said she uses denim bodies for her designs and incorporates them into French terry silhouettes.
H. Starlette’s 25-piece collection for Fall 2002 has a bohemian theme with earth-tone tank tops, an eyelet bikini with leather strings, French terry ruched-back sweat pants, skirts, a zipper jacket with leather lace-up sleeves and a Mako cotton long-sleeved peasant shirt. Most styles feature Swarovski crystal embellishments.
Delivery dates for the Fall collection start 8/30. H. Starlette is currently sold at swim retailers, including Diane’s and Canyon Beachwear, as well as such better department stores and boutiques as Nordstrom, Saks, Big Drop in New York, and Lisa Kline and Fred Segal Santa Monica in the Los Angeles area.
Wholesale price points range from $20 for cotton tank tops to $64 for embellished sweats.
H. Starlette’s collection is at the Elizabeth French showroom in suite B-505 at the California Market Center. For more information, call (213) 488-5115 or visit www.hstarlette.com. —Claudia Figueroa
