knight ridder newspapers

Saturday, August 26, 2006 KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS They made their name with elaborate, breathtaking, embroidered evening gowns that quickly became red carpet favorites. Their clientele includes Hollywood types and wealthy women. Now Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are slated to model in the upcoming couture ad campaign. But the news out of Fashion Week was that the Badgley Mischka team is producing a secondary line of late-day clothes priced in a more affordable range. The Platinum collection starts at $500 for the short cocktail dresses. It is no small change, but it is a contrast to the designers' signature line priced higher than what many people pay for cars. "We wanted to make dresses our younger friends could buy," Mark Badgley said. Some customers will be able to buy two or three dresses instead of one a year, he said. The gowns are simple, with little glitz, and come in soft, dusty colors, including black. Like many other collections, they include a significant sampling of short, which designers see as appealing to a young customer. And undoubtedly part of the draw will be the opportunity to drop the name. "Whoops. I've stepped on my Badgley Mischka," you can always utter.