NEW YORK, Feb 21, 2002/ FWD/ --- For fall-winter 2002, Cynthia Rowley jumped on the pajama bandwagon.

She told FWD backstage that she was inspired by "the comfort of home."

And indeed the collection she showed yesterday had touches of both home wear and home ware.

In the home wear department, Rowley reinterpreted robes, nightgowns and pajamas as clothes for the hip chick.

All the pants she showed were wide, some in a drawstring pajama style, others sailor-style.

The best pants on the runway, though, were modeled after sweatpants ("treadmill pants," as she calls them).

Worn with heels, they look just as chic they do cozy.

Roos van Bosstraeten came out in a pink pair with a matching quilted "comforter" jacket, and looked effortlessly stylish.

However, party dresses remain Rowley's forte.

She sent out a few wispy backless dresses in paisley that would flatter most body types.

A triple-ribbed, bubble gum-pink velour dress on May Andersen, and a loose knee-length floral-printed dress with long sleeves and a cowry shell belt were also standouts.

The influence of home ware was seen in the form of a "decorator's pillow" fabric - a pink-based printed fabric with gold and silver lamé, somewhat similar to the gold fabric in Prada's last collection - fashioned into skirts and dresses.

The dresses, cut to resemble nightgowns, were baby-doll-shaped - which isn't always such a good thing.

The skirts, however, should do well for Rowley, as their flouncy shape helps to offset the formal fabric and make them more versatile.

On the runway, they were worn with a casual sweater or a fancy waistcoat.

Though comfortable and girly, the collection was not without sexiness.

Rowley did warn us that her clothes this season were about "this innocent, traditional life, but it's not always what it seems."

The sweetest of tops might have a plunging neckline, or a dress that looks innocent from the front might have no back at all.

This surprise element gave the collection added appeal.

More overtly sexual were the all-black looks, though these didn't work quite as well as some others.

Heavy adornments of cowry shells took away from the flow and the easiness of several looks.

The shells were one of the designer's big ideas this season, but she put it to better use as a print on a strapless black and cream dress.

Rowley also used yesterday's show as an opportunity to launch her new cosmetic line, which makeup artist Charlie Green used to create what she called a "South of France-ish" look on the models' faces (translation: "Healthy cheeks, coppery eyes, soft mouth and blue mascara").

Green liked that Rowley's makeup, which comes in soft blue, feminine packaging, were "very cute and high-quality."

"It's always a nightmare when I'm told to work with a particular line, but I'm very happy to work with this one," she adds.

Cynthia Rowley Fashion

Cynthia Rowley Fashion