Burberry updates its clothing line

Burberry London is synonymous with tradition but in the fall 2002 collection, the company found room for some modernization.

The belt of a trench coat, probably Burberry’s best-known item, has been turned into a skirt, sandals, a hat and a handbag.

And the signature plaid is turning up in some unusual and often more subtle places, such as the French cuff of a plain white shirt or on a kilt-style skirt trimmed with lace. Another kilt is made of a soft luxurious leather.

A red-background plaid figures prominently in the collection.

There also are some military touches, including men’s wool pants with front-flap pockets and buttons, grommet belts and a lot of olive and brown.

The collection was recently previewed in New York and will be in stores this summer.

Pantone peruses spring’s popular colors

This spring’s popular colors  peppermint greens, light blues, warm golden-yellows, and classic blue and red  will lift the spirit and soothe the soul, according to the Pantone Color Institute.

Crisp white is another trend, which the institute calls “refreshing.”

Any of these seasonal shades can be worn on their own or in combination with sun-burnt browns, bleached beiges and warm grays.

“Spring 2002 is dedicated to the individual spirit; there are no rules this season,” says Lisa Herbert, executive vice president of Pantone’s home and fashion division.

Each fashion season, Pantone, developer of a color system used by the fashion industry for continuity, surveys American designers about color inspiration and philosophy.

Here’s a sampling of the responses:

 Bill Blass, designed by Lars Nilsson, is featuring pale and pearlized grays and neutrals, and whitened shades of blue, green and lilac.

 Carolina Herrera’s palette includes poppy red, stone, emerald, and black and white lightened up with magenta, pale blue and orange.

 Calvin Klein mixes whites and ecru, grays, navy and aubergine.

 Michael Kors chose white, black and Chinese red.

 Ralph Lauren is using several shades of white.