Television definitely sets fashion trends. There`s no denying the impact
”Miami Vice” had on men`s apparel with its pastel suits, T-shirts and, of course, ”no sock” motif. And more recently, Elliot`s wacky ties on
”thirtysomething” helped launch the trend of ties with a sense of humor.
Now, there`s ”Beverly Hills, 90210,” Fox Broadcasting Co.`s hot new series. The show, which premiered last season, introduced us to the Walsh family. Last summer, we watched the Walsh clan make the transition from Minnesota to California by introducing Beverly Hills chic into their wardrobes. The results were impressive: skin-tight dresses, ”boyfriend jeans” (oversized jeans) and cowboy boots worn with everything.
If you`re not one of the faithful who`ve been tuning in Thursdays to see what Brenda, Brandon, Dylan, Kelly, Steve, Andrea, Donna, Brian and Scott are wearing (and who they`re dating), Fox is giving you another chance: New episodes start this month. With the start of new episodes, we predict more and more teens will begin dressing with ”Beverly Hills” influences.
A look behind the look
Helping these characters carry off Beverly Hills style is Dianne Anthony Kennedy, 43, the show`s costume designer. Her extensive wardrobing background (she`s outfitted celebs such as Daryl Hannah, John Ritter and Tatum O`Neal)
is enhanced by having lived in the Beverly Hills area for many years.
”I shop in Beverly Hills and I`m always on top of the trends, but as costume designer I feel my greatest inspirations come from people watching,” she says. ”I take mental notes of how people put themselves together.”
How does Kennedy gear up for each fashion-packed show? ”First, I get involved in the script in order to determine character motivation and budget. … Then, I create, purchase and sometimes alter ready-made garments for each show (she combs shopping malls and trendy boutiques on Rodeo Drive for her finds). I keep the teens right on target with regard to the trends found in Beverly Hills. But I would never use recognizable fashions like Pucci prints because that would date the show.”
Kennedy says she shops ”at more than 100 stores (for the show), but two that I`ve come to love are Mel Fox in Encino, which carries wonderful menswear and Modasport in Brentwood, a store with terrific color-grouped merchandise.” Kennedy says her personal wardrobe revolves around quality basics. ”I vary my looks depending upon my moods, but a classic `Dianne` outfit consists of a white T-shirt, blue jeans, cowboy boots and a men`s blazer.”
Her passion for fashion sprung up in her teens when she began wearing clothes far trendier than the other kids in her Baton Rouge high school, Kennedy says. ”At 6 feet tall it was hard not to be seen, anyway. But my style really gave me away. I definitely dressed like a New Yorker.”
Keeping cool …
And what`s the inside scoop on the next season`s fashions?
”The season starts with summer school which, at West Beverly High, means no dress code,” says Kennedy. ”There will be lots of halters, shorts and swimwear as the storylines and the characters head into summer.” Sounds as though Dylan (played by Luke Perry) and Donna (played by Tori Spelling) will be keeping cool-in more ways than one.
