NEW YORK, Sep 22, 2002/ FWD/ --- Having a Hemingway-in-Havana moment, Max Azria has envisioned his woman dressing for spring in the spirit of Martha Gellhorn -- the elegant, adventurous travel writer briefly married to the famed author.

She dashes about, perfectly pulled together in pretty tea dresses of cool lilacs and sea mists.

Ruffled hems lazily hang down from slips worn underneath.

When the breeze picks up, she throws a paper-thin cardigan over her shoulders, or pulls on a shrunken-sleeved, washed cotton jacket in white.

Her shoes reveal her more playful side: Woven leather dancing sandals in gold or citron leather slingbacks with just the right amount of heel.

Her pantsuits are more knockabout than boardroom-bound, with cropped and cuffed trousers, short jackets and muted silk chiffon camisoles poking out from underneath.

All she adds for evening is some metallic - not in-your-face, but a subtle shimmer.

She wears a gold-blush A-line skirt with a delicate lavender chiffon top; a similar jacket is paired with the cropped pants.

It's all very easy, a nonchalant prettiness with hints of sensuality.

Since 1989 Max Azria has been striving to make BCBG a visionary line, but retain its remarkably low price points.

And in the past few season, it's really come together for him.

Not only does he count stylish celebs such as Madonna, Ashley Judd, Salma Hayek and Mandy Moore as loyal customers, but he's also gotten the attention of the finicky fashion world, as evidenced Thursday night at this presentation at Bryant Park.

Let's just say, after a long day of shows, and a start-time that ran an hour late, it takes something special to have the entire front-row kicking their crossed legs to the music and beaming from ear to ear.

BCBG Max Azria

BCBG Max Azria