Fashion fatale

Lesley Kennedy, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 23, 2006 at midnight

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FALL COLLECTIONS HAVE A DARK SIDE

Perhaps taking a cue from Tinseltown's new noir thrillers (think The Black Dahlia, Hollywoodland) or just jumping on the dark styles flaunted on top designers' runways, this season is definitely moody but certainly stylish.

In fact, all the shades of black, gray and chocolate call to mind the glamorous girls who graced the covers of our favorite pulp-fiction books. Inspired, we thumbed through the stories of mystery writer Mickey Spillane, who died in July. His prose adds a fitting touch to fall's somber yet seductive trends.

Mike Hammer would approve.

Shopping details

• THE TEMPTRESS: "This one had crazy electric-blue eyes that could smile, as well as a full-lipped mouth, and when she said, 'Good morning,' it was like being licked by a soft, satin-furred llama." - The Killing Man (1992)

Clothes: Paul & Joe white blouse ($355), at The Skye, 1499 Blake St. J Brand jeans ($160), at MAX, 3039 E. Third Ave. Metallic belt ($24), at Sunneshine, 3003 E. Third Ave. Gorjana double rope necklace ($45) and layer necklace ($275) worn as a bracelet, at brandis b., 218 Steele St. Christian Louboutin patent-leather wedges ($525), at Neiman Marcus, Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

• DANGEROUS CURVES: "She was standing by the information booth tall and cool-looking. . . . Luscious. Clothes couldn't hide it. Seductive. They didn't try to hide it either." - The Big Kill (1951)

Clothes (foreground): Collection K by Sharon Wauchob cream sweater ($475) over Collection K long, brown sweater ($290) and Gerard necklaces ($180 to $385), at The Skye. Freda Five bloomers ($24), at Sunneshine.

Clothes (background): Miu Miu pantsuit ($380 pants, $845 jacket), at MAX.

• GUNS AND ROSES: "Even in that pale light I could see that she was more beautiful than ever, the black shadow of her hair framing a face I had seen every night in the misery of sleep for so long." - The Snake (1964)

Clothes: Dolce & Gabbana leopard coat ($3,650), at Neiman Marcus. Sheri Bodell tunic ($565), at brandis b.

• DRESSED TO KILL: "The eyes swept from her black pumps to legs and body and shoulders that were almost too good to be real. . . . She was the only decent thing about me and I was lucky." - One Lonely Night (1952)

Clothes: Ya-Ya sweater dress ($450), at The Skye. Nathalie by Soya blouse ($170) and belt ($190), at MAX. Donna Karan glasses.

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS: "You would want to kiss the lusciousness of those full lips until the thought occurred that it might be like putting your tongue on a cold sled runner and never being able to get it off." - The Killing Man (1992)

Clothes (book cover): Nicole Miller metallic gown ($829). At Garbarini, 3003 E. Third Ave. Pavé diamond choker ($10,500), Heidi Klum lariat necklace with pavé diamond clover ($5,420) and white gold diamond tennis necklace ($16,000, worn as bracelet). At Gnat Original Design, 2625 E. Third Ave.

Clothes (woman reading): Forever 21 jumper ($22.80). Miu Miu white dress shirt ($320). At MAX. Stefano Ricci tie ($325). At Neiman Marcus. Donna Karan glasses.

• Earrings: Black crystal hoops ($42, top); matte gold hoops ($22, bottom). At www.liasophia.com.

Credits

Stylist: Tobie Orr/ Special to the News

Hair: Stanley Thompson/ Matthew Morris Salon, 277 Broadway, 303-715-4673

Makeup: Becky Mavrick/ Matthew Morris Salon

Models: Yodit/Maximum Talent; Aubrey and Julia/Donna Baldwin; Josh Alis

Location: Twenty nightclub at Jet Hotel, 1612 Wazee St., www.thejethotel.com

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