NEW YORK, Apr 23, 2003/ FW/ --- Short of sounding like a cigarette commercial, it's easy to say, 'You've gone a long way, baby' to Custo Barcelona.

Starting as t-shirt designers after a world trip during the 1980s, Dalmau brothers Custo and David can now say with conviction that they have a fashion empire.

With over 3000 points-of-sale scattered all over the world, some of them stand-alone shops owned by the company, the kitschy signature print of Custo Barcelona has taken the world by storm.

With celebrities like Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz, Calista Flockhart, Gwen Stefani, Cindy Crawford and Lisa Kudrow seen wearing Custo's creations, the brand has become almost iconic.

"I've been doing this for 20 years now. And now I'm at a place where I design the collections and show up where I am told to. It's very strange," commented Custon Dalmau in an interview last February before showing his Fall 2003 collection.

And what a productive 20 years! From t-shirts, the brand has expanded to include menswear, womenswear, denim and accessories which include shoes and bags.

From the early very casual looks, the collections have evolved into more tailored and sophisticated line in each passing season.

Every collection is an improvement, building from the past season. The Fall 2003 collection follows the brand's evolution.

The look is uptown, the silhoutte, ladylike. 'It's about the girls who lunch, hunt and go fishing.'

For men, 'It's about guys who catch girls and don't do lunch.'

To sum it up, 'The look is rugged and chich with "ginga"; more than eveningwear, expect after-hours wear.'

Sticking to his signature prints, Custo Barcelona brought us to the mountains this winter.

Featuring psychedelic hunting looks complete with thigh-high canvas fishing boots, it was an explosion of color.

Great to wear if you are planning to ski, hunt or fish this winter. But before you say, 'I'm not a sportsperson', look again.

The whole collection is also perfect for urban trekking.

Chic outerwear debuts this season with twists on traditional silhouettes - trench coats line with Custo-esque prints; full-length down vests are streamlined and sleek, while short sleeved coats are sporty.

Everything is more detailed than the previous collections.

Low-waisted pants that hug the hips, mini-skirts that show off the female figure and asymmetrical skirts that are both innocent and demure.

This collection is also a gold mine for accessories - shoes, outerwear, and bags.

'Optical designs, vivacious colors and collaging serve as rubrics on sweaters, vests and tops.'

In short, a true Custo Barcelona fashion with the surprise of sophistication.

So, what are the Dalmau Brothers future plans for their fashion empire?

Continue to evolve and expand.

For 2003, the company will be opening a total of 20 new stores. New York, Milan, Paris, Nice, Florence, Palma de Mallorca, Marbella, Brussels and Cancun are some of the names on the drawing board.

An outlet store had already opened in Chicago, and a store in SoHo is opening in the near future.

With 85% of the company's sales generated outside Spain, opening store worldwide is a logical step to take.

Again, short of sounding like another familiar commercial, 'Find Custo Barcelona at a store near you.'