Selcitra

Fashions made by convicted criminal are causing a stir in Germany, thanks to a new label called Haeftling- Germany for “captive”. The public can’t get enough of the handbags, clothes and sneakers being turned out by inmates of Germany’s Tegel Prison. Products include blue and white striped shirts, authentic prison jackets and shoes. “Lots of my friends on the outside would kill for one of these shirts”, said one 38- year- old prisoner- turned- tailor who is serving a three-year sentence for drug dealing.

Punk lives on this fall with lots of zippers, silver studs and asymmetrical miniskirts. To get this look right, base your outfit around three basic colour schemes: black, white and stripes. Team a short skirt with opaque black tights and flashy footwear , such as stilettos, over- the- knee boots, pointy flats or bright Converse sneakers. If you’re feeling bold, chop the tights off mid- calf or rip in a few runs. Finish the look with plenty of black eyeliner.

The popularity of belly- baring micro t- shirts like those favoured by pop star Britney Spears seems to be shrinking, at least in the United States. Turned out by a California- based company called C&C California, the hottest new tees are long, slim- fitting and made of sort, smooth cotton. Available in a wide ranger of colours, these t-shirts are being worn layered one over the other- with no belly buttons in sight.

Following the return of short 1960s style miniskirts, full, flared 1950s style skirts with crinoline petticoats are back. To update this look, choose a nylon mesh  petticoat in a bright shade instead of the traditional while. Another option for adding volume is to sew nylon mesh directly onto the skirt, a few inches from the hem.

Dress in while wide- legged pants and a while jacket of her own design, singer Gwen Stefani dazzled guests at the launch of a line of handbags she designed for LeSportsac. Named L.A.M.B., the No Doubt singer’s clothes collection will debut in the United States in spring 2004. Her handbags ranger is  reportedly already selling well.