LOS ANGELES, Apr 5, 2003/ FW/ --- The Michelle Mason and Mason Fall/Winter 2003 fashion show was actually two complete shows at one sitting.

The first thirty-six designs were under the Mason label and were a mixture of styles suitable to wear to the office or school, depending. The Mason designs were primarily in neutral colors, many shades of brown with the occasional blue and were made with a variety of materials. Leather, knit, corduroy and denim were utilized throughout the collection. The use of fitted waists on the dress designs brought to mind corsets and was also heavily favored.

What worked best for the Mason line were the pant styles. From wide legged pants to skinny pants and jeans to sweats, each pant was tasteful and chic. Some of the best bets were tan corduroy wide leg pants with neat cuffs on the bottom of each leg and a pair of chocolate mohair sweats that seemed made for lounging.

In addition to the pants, there was a nice strapless dress in a shade of blue that brought to mind summer, a wishful thought if worn in the dead of winter.

While the Mason show went off quite well, the Michelle Mason segment didn't draw as much appeal. The first outfit shown was an exotically elegant metallic pieced jacket paired with a champagne colored charmeuse bias skirt. Another beautiful design was a brown jersey tie-neck dress. All of the corset dresses were made with an eye for femininity and affection for the gentle curve of a lady's hip.

Though the majority of Michelle Mason's designs were attractive there were several flops. A brown charmeuse tie neck dress flowed nicely from the waist down, but the top hung in such a way that even on the model it looked frumpy at best. A skirt designed with a visible gathered hemline in the back hung so that it looked as if the skirt was supposed to well define the model's rear end and draw attention to it. Another dress appeared as if made for the Scarlet Letter's puritan women.

The pants in the Michelle Mason segment were eye-catching. Olive green pants with lacing up their sides were a tremendous hit and the pinstripe pants were quite sleek especially when paired with a black silk blouse and a matching pinstripe coat.

Of the high-end clothing in the Michelle Mason line, there were the hits and misses; still the overall feeling it left was one of satisfaction.