Actuated Apparel Development.
Initially influenced by a deter-
mined and innovative mother,
May Dajani followed her into
the fashion industry, first by
earning a bachelor of arts
degree from St. Martins School
of Art in London. She con-
tinued her education working
for designer Jean Muir in Lon-
don, then Per Spook in Paris.
"I believe in freedom in
dressing," says the 24-year old
designer. "I want my clothes to
trigger the fantasy, and reveal
the imagination, individuality
and romance of each woman."
The first DAAD collection,
which previewed last fall at the
California Mart and quickly won
the "Rising Star" award for
best up and coming young
talent in business under 18
months, is a memorable
35-piece assortment of gabar-
dines, silks and jerseys. They
are artfully combined by Dajani
to create a feeling of utter
luxury.
The very graphic and easy
shapes mix together in a most
unusual way. Featherweight
silks in large blousy silhouettes
slip over narrow cotton gabar-
dine skirts and easy jersey
pants. A mixture of floating
chiffon drapes, tails and panels
decorate coats with one lapel.
Clearly, Dajani is interested
in a functional approach to
separates. The collection is full
of mixable pieces that maintain
their individuality when
rematched.
She believes that everyone is
influenced by art, history and
other aspects of the environ-
ment, but her creativity is also
spawned by the desire to trans-

Thick fringe borders
appeared on several
outfits from Abel
Villarreal. Here, the
fringe border of the suit
skirt is repeated in the
matching hat.