A Fashionista via the Internet
 Even if you weren't able to jaunt off to Paris and Milan for the fall collections, even if you can't afford the latest from the designer collections, even if you don't even know who Elisabet Yanagisawa is (hot Sweden-based designer) -- that great equalizer for the common man, the Internet, is here to make you feel as much a fashionista as you can be.
The Nicole Miller Web site is absolutely a fashion-lover's dream. I literally spent about an hour looking at her bridal collection, even though there were fewer than a dozen dresses to be seen (this has nothing to do with my personality in general, I swear). The site features scarves, ties, accessories, the aforementioned bridal collection, and an amazing glimpse at her most recent collection, straight from the runway to your computer. There's also a sort-of peep-show into her couture collection, for those of us who will never see it as it's meant to be seen. That said, it's still a wonderful glimpse into a great designer's latest designs.
One thing that drives Norma Kamali's site is service, service, service. The site's intent is to treat you as the celebrities whom Kamali normally clothes are treated. Their level of success? Pretty darn high. You can actually communicate with someone to determine your style, the best fit for you, etc., or, if you're like me, you can just hit the On-line Catalog and go it on your own. Known for her colorful creations and beautiful tailoring, Kamali leaves nothing to be desired on this small, but complete, on-line collection. You'll enjoy the site whether or not you can afford the clothes, and if nothing else, you'll know exactly what kinds of knock-offs to buy next time you're at your local department store (although I'm not sure that anyone other than Kamali makes great embroidered lycra?.)1x
Paul Smith's site is another wonder to behold -- and this time it's for men, women and children. The British designer's site is beautifully done, with clothes to drool over for everyone. One caveat: you have to have Shockwave Flash to view the site (hey, designers are allowed to be exclusive1x), so make sure you download it straight from Smith's site itself. Once you've done that, get clicking and look straight at the season's hottest looks. Again, as with Kamali's site, be prepared to have to copy a look rather than purchase it straight away -- high fashion does not come cheap.
So even if you aren't on the list when it comes to what's hot in the fashion world, you can now pretend like you are -- and there's no (or very little) shame in that. So check out the sites maintained by these great designers and you'll be a dazzling fashionista in no time.
By Urmila Rajagopal
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