In New York Magazine

ROLE PLAY

Regal, revealing, retro, and otherwise ravishing fashions take centerstage for spring/summer 2003. And modeling some of the season's most applause-worthy creations are these bright and beautiful broadway babes. Bravo!

Whether you realize it or not, fashion is a vital part of your identity. After all, what you choose to wear speaks volumes about how you see yourself--and how you'd like others to see you. A silk jacket, strappy sandals, dramatically draped dress, sleek suit. Vibrant colors, kitten-soft fabrics. Fashion is all about perception, personal taste, inner style. We dress up ... down ... for success...to impress ... and we make a statement with every button, zip, snap, pattern, and silhouette. To illustrate this point, we've enlisted the help of some of the hottest performers on Broadway, who have fun slipping into the characters of their clothing, letting the personality of each design speak for itself.

Flourishing flowers are hair apparent at the Richard Stein Hair

THE EMPRESS
Simone, daughter of one of the music world's queens, the late, great Nina Simone, wears her proverbial crown beautifully. With her golden voice, Simone gives a commanding performance in the lead role of Disney's Aida, the Elton John and Tim Rice musical playing at, where else, the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway, 307-4747). Simone wears a silk tattoo print poncho/kimono, about $720. At Salvatore Ferragamo (124 Spring St., 1-800-917-4330); Rebecca Reinbold wraparound wide-legged pants, about $200. At Cherish (179 Orchard St., 253-2110); Garnet chandelier earrings, about $550. At Camilla Dietz Bergeron (818 Madison Ave., 794-9100).
HAIR: RICHARD STEIN;
MAKEUP: KRISTINE OULMAN

Flourishing flowers are hair apparent at the Richard Stein Hair

THE MOD COUPLE
Feeling the beat is lean and leggy former Alvin Ailey dancer Karine Plantadit-Bageot. As a member of the Movin' Out (Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., 307-4100) ensemble, she leaps, lunges, and makes sure Billy Joel's songs and Twyla Tharp's choreography really rock. Her dance partner, Keith Roberts, was a principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre and is a Tony Award nominee for his portrayal of "Tony" in the same all-singing-all-dancing musical. On Karine: Alberta Ferretti lilac chiffon weave pullover tank dress, about $1,240. At Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Ave., 753-7300); Brown leather heels, about $335. At Cesare Paciotti (833 Madison Ave., 452-1222). On Keith: Navy-and-tan pinstripe wool-lycra blend suit by R. Scott French, about $950. At Searle (156 Fifth Ave., 924-4330). Cotton "Ms. Chambers" shirt, about $160. At Seize Sur Vingt (243 Elizabeth St., 343-0476); Black leather slip-ons, about $465. At Prada (841 Madison Ave., at E. 70th St., 327-4200).
HAIR: RICHARD STEIN;
MAKEUP: KERI BLAIR, M-A-C PRO TEAM

Flourishing flowers are hair apparent at the Richard Stein Hair

THE GODDESS
Simone exhibits her feminine charms in a celestial two-piece evening ensemble that drapes in all the right places. With a tapered, floor-grazing skirt, the design was inspired by the Patrician garb worn by the ancient Greeks--a style that was a real attention-grabber on the runway during the spring/summer 2003 collection fashion shows. Rick Owens stretch jersey coordinates. Pullover top, about $248; Pull-on skirt, about $438. At Henri Bendel (712 Fifth Ave, 247-1100); 18K gold earrings, about $900; 14K gold-and-stainless steel bracelet, about $1,900. At Camilla Dietz Bergeron (818 Madison Ave., 794-9100).
HAIR: RICHARD STEIN;
MAKEUP: KRISTINE OULMAN

Flourishing flowers are hair apparent at the Richard Stein Hair

THE FLOWER CHILD
Karine Plantadit-Bageot dons an ensemble that gives a wonderfully fun and fresh nod to the 1960s. Hailing from West Africa, where her dance career took root, Karine has recently appeared on screen in Chicago and Frida, and has graced the Broadway stages of Disney's The Lion King and Saturday Night Fever. Catch her (and other dance buffs) this month, in Broadway Bares XIII. Viktor & Rolf's ruffled floral button-down shirt with neck-tie; cotton drawstring track pants with tuxedo stripe. By special order, V & R, Milan, Italy. Pieces of the V & R collection available at Jeffrey (449 W. 14th St., 206-3928).
HAIR: RICHARD STEIN;
MAKEUP: KERI BLAIR, M-A-C PRO TEAM

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