Red carpet-ready gowns in a rainbow of slinky jerseys, embroidered chiffons, and silk shantungs dominated as usual at Reem Acra, but for the customer who may have a few less benefits on her calendar this year, the designer also offered lovely understated blouses and skinny pants. The decision to focus on easy mix-and-match separates is a smart move in this unpredictable economy, and so is her new line of costume bijoux. The elaborately beaded elastic belts and chunky bib necklaces are modeled after pieces in Acra s own personal collection, albeit in faux stones to keep the prices reasonable.
