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• NOVELTY Psycho Bunny is a new $110 variation of the popular skull-and-crossbones apparel theme.
• PRINT Birds get more subtle play in this $100 tie from London clothier Thomas Pink.
• PAISLEY Isaia’s $195 reinterpretation of the familiar pattern is more muted than those colorful paisleys of yore.

* The Charvet, Hermes, and Isaia ties are available at fine retailers. Psycho Bunny will be sold exclusively in select Neiman Marcus stores by Oct. 1. Thomas Pink stores carry that brand.

Tips For Tie Care

HANG UP THE TIE to take out wrinkles, but make sure to unknot it first.

NEVER APPLY WATER to a silk tie. This could make a small stain even bigger and shrink the lining.

DON’T TRY TO RUB out greasy stains. You could wear out the color.

DON’T IRON THE TIE. It will ruin the rolled edges and make it look like a pancake.

ROLL THE TIE or carry it in a case when traveling, and hang it up as soon as you get to your destination.

FOR TIE EMERGENCIES Contact a high-end tailor or dry cleaner for stain removal, alterations, or repairs. On the Web, go to tiecrafters.com.

Data: Men’s Dress Furnishings Assn.

Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Copyright 2006

At Dallas’s Forty Five Ten, owners Brian Bolke and Shelly Musselman have fashion credentials: she was a Kim Dawson model for twelve years; he, a store designer at I. Magnin and Neiman Marcus. So well-known are their taste and Г©lan that one would think–reading the national press–that 4510 McKinney is the only address in town.

Devotees of this prescient boutique can always count on getting first dibs on what’s new and, in the process, browse through the well-edited home decor, jewelry, men’s and women’s clothing (Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Roland Mouret, Stella McCartney, Narciso Rodriguez, and Marni are favorites).

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For fall, things are turned upside down. Tops have been tiny, and pants have been big–now it’s the other way around.

The most obvious changes this season “You’ll be seeing pencil skirts and an emphasis on sleeve proportion,” says Bolke.

The key to wearing the new looks A chunkier heel, says Musselman. “you’ll be wearing platforms and wedges, with rounded toes.”

The former model, an admitted clothes hoarder, is delighted with the slightly retro look because it means she can revive a few items relegated to a far corner of her closet. “I never throw anything out” she says. “I have a Chloe dress designed by Karl Lagerfeld that I bought on sale at Neiman’s when I was in my twenties. It’s got dolman sleeves, a high neck, and is belted at the waist. I’m moving it to the front of my closet this fall.”

But some looks just aren’t worth saving, and Bolke has one on his pet-peeve list: “It’s blue jeans, baby-doll top, Louis Vuitton handbag, and dark glasses; he says. “It’s everywhere in Dallas:’ How to know when a look has seen its day? “When it becomes a uniform,’ says Bolke.

Waist not, want not Another turn of events, incidentally, involves the waist, which has been long exposed (some might say overexposed) in low-slung pants that sit uncertainly at the hip bone. We can all breathe a sigh of relief that although attention will still be on the waist, now it’s covered up. “Waists will be cinched at the middle with a wide belt,” predicts Bolke. The change is compelling, but don’t toss everything out of your closet just yet. “You can use that belt on some of your old sweaters or even a dress; he says. “It will completely alter the look.”

The one thing you will definitely need this fall A wide black or red patent belt.

Source: Texas Monthly, Sep2006

A subsidiary of Alberto Culver Company (NYSE: ACV), “Pro-Line has been in the forefront of many influential hairstyles and trends over the last 25 years. We will continue to push the envelope by re-formulating and introducing new products for many more women of color,” said Tiffanie Jones, brand manager.

Soft and Beautiful is designed for women who know that looking good and feeling good begins with healthy, beautiful hair. Formulated with 5 emollients and emulsifiers, this system provided ultimate protection for healthy hair. Soft & Beautiful Botanicals is the natural choice for healthy hair and sensitive scalps. Its natural ingredients include natural plant extracts that feature a blend of aloe, sunflower, and sage to minimize irritation while conditioning your hair and scalp.

Pro-Line Soft & Beautiful also wanted to know which music diva has impacted the music world over the past several decades with their pop culture survey “Beehives to Braids to the Bob.” The hair care brand teamed up with neosoulcafe.com to ask some 30,000 Neo Soul CafГ© subscribers which star’s hair-do rocks and which one flops.

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In a question and answer format, here are some helpful Soft and Beautiful hair care tips:

Q: I swim during the summer, how can I keep my hair in good condition?
A: Always apply conditioner on your hair before entering the pool. The Soft & Beautiful HMC-Hair Moisturizing Complex adds moisture to your hair as it repels the damaging effects of chlorine. Chlorine penetrates the hair shaft, and lifts the color, resulting in a brassy red hue. After swimming, rinse the hair immediately. Shampoo with the Soft & Beautiful Moisturizing Shampoo, and re-apply the HMC for 2-3 minutes.

Q: My hair is naturally curly and I don’t want to straighten it. How can I relax the curl so that it is more manageable?
A: Try Soft & Beautiful Botanicals Texturizer. Comb it through your hair to gently release the tight curls into a softer, elongated curl pattern. The texturizer is great for all hair lengths. It makes hair more manageable and easier to comb, while allowing you to retain your natural curls and waves.

Q: I use the flat iron every day to straighten my hair, but it looks brittle. How can I soften its look and feel?
A: Overuse of heating or thermal appliances can tend to dry the hair. Instead, apply a small amount of Soft & Beautiful Lite Cream Moisturizer on your hair at night. Wrap it smoothly around your head and secure with a wrap scarf. In the morning, your hair should fall in place. You can touch up with the flat iron on low heat, if necessary. Spray a small amount of Oil Sheen on the ends before using the flat iron to smooth your hair.

By: White, Renee Minus, New York Amsterdam News, 8/31/2006