DALLAS, Dec 8, 2005/ FW/ --- It’s about time! After 13 years in the business of providing luxurious clothing and accessories two seasons a year, Luca Luca designer Luca Orlandi is finally accompanying the ladies while they are on vacation.

Unveiling his first ever Cruise Collection fittingly in Dallas’ luxury hotel, the Mansion at Turtle Creek in luncheon cum fashion show hosted by Dallas socialites, Amy Turner Careker and Kim Schlegel Whitman, Orlandi presented 24 deliciously sumptuous pieces for the warmer climates of the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Opening with a sage embroidered tulle dress followed by a white and mint printed chiffon frock, Orlandi’s signature sexy silhouettes took center stage immediately.

‘It’s for the well-traveled woman who understands herself and her fashion needs while away on vacation or a cruise,’ Orlandi told FW on an after-show interview.

And when asked what age group is the target market, Orlandi answered, “There is no age group for all of the Luca Luca collections. I would like women of all ages to be able to wear my creations.”

And he got his wish, or better yet, Luca Orlandi truly understands his clientele because his guests comprise of two generations of women.

There is Kari Schlegel, who just had her debut last year at Paris’ Crillon Ball, wherein Anna Wintour’s daughter, Bea Shaffer and Mikhail Gorvachev’s granddaughter, Anastasia Virganskaya Gorbachev were also presented to society.

There is Julie McLaughlin, a real estate developer and real estate manager who just moved to Dallas from Canada and Raquel Ibarra, a business entrepreneur who owns and manages her own consulting firm.

Also, there is twenty-something Dahlia Abramov, a physical therapist, who took a long lunch hour just to see the show. “My patients were wondering why I was wearing high heels and dressed up today,” she related. From her description of hospital work, it’s usually lab gowns, but “I love dressing up and wearing high heels,” Dahlia continued. “So, I did not want to miss this luncheon, no matter how bad the weather is,” she added.

Dahlia hit it right on the mark. In a city where snow falls only once or twice a year, yesterday was freezing in Dallas and snow was forecasted at 4:00 PM. Usually, people stay at home during those days.

Yet, blustery winds and icy cold temperature did not stop the ladies from attending the luncheon. After all, this was a momentous event for their favorite designer.

And Luca Orlandi did not disappoint his audience, as ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ were heard as the models came out on a very short runway, then proceeded to each table so that the ladies can see the clothes closer.

“I love his sense of color,” commented Raquel Ibarra, and in a whisper she added, “I own one of his alligator jackets in mint green. I almost wore it today with the cold weather and all, but it won’t match my outfit.”

Ibarra who was wearing a black & white Chanel pantsuit set looked every inch a fashionable businesswoman who is at home both in the boardroom and a ladies’ luncheon. Beautiful as the mint green alligator jacket is, Ibarra is right in saying that Orlandi’s modern & edgy design will not match with a conservative Chanel outfit.

Orlandi was not nonplussed though. “I expect all my clients to have a wide variety of clothes in their wardrobe,” he told FW during an after-show interview. “The Luca Luca woman is self-assured and has a very well developed fashion sense. Women today are well informed. They buy certain pieces, then mix and match them,” he added.

Orlandi does not have to worry though that his clients will leave him for other designers. After all the 24 pieces were shown, the audience was asking for more.

“I like the long cotton hibiscus dress,” said Dahlia. “But, I like the ecru couture silk taffeta hand pleated dress with beaded waist line, too.”

It was hard to choose, especially when some of the pieces were only available during the show. Of course, the main bulk of the collection was already in the Luca Luca boutique. In fact, their store window already has the Cruise Collection on display.

And on this wintry day in Dallas, it was hard for the ladies not to think of sunny Bahamas!