ed Tony Vermilion's work since he moved from Canada to the East Village almost two years ago. "This area is very inspira- tional," Vermilion says of his East 2nd Street neighborhood. "You live in the city but in a way it's very rural. There's a lot of energy here, it's very youth- oriented, and there's always a lot happening." DESIGNER DRESSING AT DISCOUNT PRICES ♦ I.B. Diffusion • Semplice Marisa Christina • • Bonnie & Bill • Rochelle • Lilly • Alexandria • Harve Benard ♦ Ann W. • Pronto Mode These concepts are express- ed in Vermilion's fall line. "I'm getting sick and tired of the really tight clothes. I want a pretty, almost pioneer feel, but not with making reference to the past, longer lengths. I'm aiming for skinny across the bustline and A-line across the hips," he reveals. "And for men, pretty much the same idea, keeping to the pioneer spirit." Working in dusty jewel tones and black, and wool jersey, Vermilion captures the essence of the East Village attitude in his fashions. Although the mainstream fashion market looks for designers to follow previously set styles, Vermilion feels that the only way to suc- ceed is "to remain true to yourself." Bradford C. Moody likewise believes that designing "from within" is the key. Moody studied architecture for eight years before coming to the fashion world's attention with hats made of fun fur and Astroturf. "I think my architec- tural training is the key," he says. "It's given me the discipline not to look at a dress stylistically and what's going to look pretty, but to design with something that is going to say something and go beyond that." Moody's clothes definitely speak for themselves, in- cluding a five-piece ensemble made from African pony skin and a "medieval outfit" with a ICTOLYSIS 0 NT of West Bloomfield PARTRICI- 5 6 (jC) MA P L I: Ars() V CS T P L O O M P E L D m sC H ( 31 5) 62 6- 716o August 1986 143