Lifestyles

The dresses are still white, feminine and romantic. But the details in the latest collections of bridal gowns look new.

Noticed: More ethereal Grecian silhouettes, slender waist lines, bubble hems, mermaid hems, metallics and Chantilly lace.

"Dresses used to be more similar from season to season, but now they're taking inspiration from ready-to-wear," says Theresa DiMasi, editor in chief of Brides.com.

The metallic accents, along with attention to the waistline are straight from the high-fashion runways. It's worth noting that the line between fashion designer and bridal designer is blurring -- Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Badgley Mischka all present separate wedding collections, and Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier, who both have their roots in bridal, are full-fledged fashion players.

Brides who like these au courant looks will have to be patient, and hope the fashion details have some staying power. The collections are aimed for release this fall, and most gowns purchased won't be worn until a wedding next spring.

De la Renta said he tried to take into consideration that brides are getting married in a variety of places and destinations.

Overall, the gowns also weren't heavy on beading or embellishment, instead opting for bows, ribbons or even colored flowers as trim.

Sequins were more popular for cocktail-length dresses, which DiMasi presumes to play into another trend -- the trend of two wedding dresses. One is grand and traditional for the ceremony, and the other is shorter for the reception and possibly even an after-party.

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Sean Combs releases limited-edition fragrance

It's nothing but the best for Sean "Diddy" Combs and his fragrance Unforgivable Multi Platinum.

The new cologne is a limited edition, ramped-up version of Unforgivable, which the 37-year-old rapper-producer introduced last year and saw climb to one of the top launches of 2006.

"In the world of fragrances, perfumes and colognes, the actual products we use are based on 'the juice.' There are different grades of 'juice,'" Combs said during a recent phone interview. "This is the luxury version."

He compared it to a fine wine: One year might be a great vintage for a particular wine and you love it. Then you taste the wine from one of those once-in-a-decade vintages and you go crazy for it.

Even at $65 for 2.5 ounces, $10 more than the regular version, Unforgivable Multi Platinum is likely to be in short supply.

"I'm definitely attracted to something that won't be around a long time," Combs said.

With notes of bergamot and iris, this scent might be more subtle than consumers would expect from rap mogul Combs. But Combs has made his mark in fashion with his Sean John clothing line.

"I think a lot of my Sean John stuff is understated, and my style evolution has become more elegant. ... I'm more in the luxury lane now," he said.

Unforgivable Woman will be in stores this fall. It will have notes of bergamot, grapefruit and pina colada -- smells from a hot tropical night.

"In fragrance, you have to have these dreams and fantasy," Combs said.

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A swimsuit style for every figure

Lucky Magazine's May edition gets you ready for summer with a section on the newest swimsuit styles.

First on the list is the "structured bikini," with a secure fit to really move around in and generously cut tops that flatter smaller busts. The other side of the bikini is the string bikini, which offers a custom fit that is surprisingly flattering on curvy figures, the magazine says.

Other options are boy-short two-piece sets in styles that range from sweet and girly to sporty; one-piece halters that show off sexy shoulders and v-necks that add curves to boyish figures.

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Chandelier crystals take turn on runway

A key piece to this spring's romantic look might already be in your living room: the low-hanging stars of a sparkling chandelier.

At Viktor & Rolf's ballroom dance of a runway show, big crystal drops dangled from the necklines of dresses, skittered up the sides of pearly white tights and even formed the heels of shoes. Marc Jacobs showed faceted stone heels too, plus necklaces and headbands made with clear chunky stones. Now the knockoffs are everywhere -- in glass and plastic -- and big crystals are on the way to becoming the season's defining accessory.

When Los Angeles designer Oren Shepher spotted estate chandelier crystals in a flea market in Paris last year, he had the same idea. Shepher, 28, a former set and costume designer, was wandering around Europe looking for inspiration after closing his Sunset Boulevard shop, O Boutique, two years earlier. And he'd been finding that inspiration in estate sales and junk stores: chandelier crystals, vintage coins, St. Christopher medals, old keys he discovered while trekking through North Wales.

Back in Los Angeles, Shepher began making jewelry with his treasures, mostly for himself and friends. He was surprised by the interest -- "It was a total mistake that I started making jewelry." He debuted a women's line -- prices run from $60 to $300 -- last month at Petro Zillia in Los Angeles.

Culling beautiful objets d'art from flea-market chaff might seem problematic, but Shepher says it's easy when you consider quality -- and history. "I look for a good story," he says. Chandelier crystals evoke an intricate past, whereas vintage keys signal the rooms they were made for, even if their occupants and addresses remain unknown.

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