Festive Couture clothing will be taken to the next level of refinement with sexy somba dresses, corsets and peasant blouses in an array of beautiful fabrics hotter than red chilis and sassier than salsa dancing.

Montano’s vivacious designs are full of rich heritage, culture and history with a 21st Century interpretation of Winter in Mexico.

The Fall 2002 Collection is based on the question, "What if it snowed in Mexico?" Montano takes inspiration from traditional dance garments and costumes in different regions of Mexico and transform them into "downtown chic" ready-to-wear ensembles.

Mexican blankets will become winter coats and beautiful ponchos. Lace trims, ric/rac and fringe will decorate dresses, skirts and sashes—to the extreme. Throughout the Collection, Ultrasuede will be used for sexy hot pants,

Montano’s traditional corsets and "Day of the Dead" dresses. Sure to be another groundbreaking montage of women’s Couture clothing, Montano’s Fall 2002 Collection for 7th on Sixth will move to a new, exclusive venue on Sunday, February 10, 2002.

Montano will be showing his 2002 Collection privately at the Roger Williams Hotel, on Madison and 31st Street in New York City.

The Mark Montano Fall 2002 Fashion Show is sponsored again this season by Fashionwindows.com and Design Hotels. Planet Laboratories, known for creating looks for Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier, will sponsor the hair and make-up for Montano’s show.

Montano, 32, is a spirited designer who has been operating out of his signature boutique in New York’s East Village since 1989. He made his debut on the runway in November 1998 at the European Couture Collection in Vienna.

The fashion press has heralded Montano’s runway shows during New York’s Fashion Week. Features in the New York Daily News with the headline "Glamour with an Edge" and "Mark Montano Hits the Big Time," by the New York Post captures the energy and vigor in which the press reports on his collections.

Montano and his designs have been featured on E! TV’s, Style Channel, " Behind the Velvet Ropes", "Lifetime Live", The Travel Channel’s "Destination Style", Fox News and "Main Floor".

His first CFDA fashion show was chronicled in the PBS City Life Documentary, "Inventing Yourself". Montano has brought his unique and innovative style to other related arenas such as home decor. He is a contributing editor to Cosmo Girl! Magazine which features his hit monthly article "Cool Room".

This August, Rizzoli Publishing will publish Montano’s first book entitled "Teen Suite", based on his work for Comso Girl!. Montano’s ready to wear collection is available at his East Village boutique and at better specialty stores throughout the United States and Japan. For more information about Mark Montano, please call: 212-505-0325 or log on the website at: www.markmontano.com