Better sleeping arrangements

When Cathy Williams designed a more comfortable sleeping bag for her daughter Katie, she didn't realize she also was creating a company.

But 18 months later, the Rodgers Forge mother has a mail-order business featuring fleece hats, scarves, reversible baby buntings, blankets, pillowcases - and of course sleeping bags - that has been touted in Parents and American Girl magazines.

Necessity played a big part in her first invention. Katie, then 8, often complained about her slumber bag being bulky and difficult to zip. Two months and eight tries later, Williams came up with a fleece version that fastened shut. It won her daughter over. Before long, Katie's friends were asking for them too, and Sleepovers, the business, was born.

For Williams, who has sewn since childhood, creating fun clothes and accessories in bright orange, pink and grape has been the most satisfying part of her work. "The business plan was the hardest thing," she says.

Prices range from $10 (scarves) to $54 (sleeping bags). For more information, call 800-815-5508, or visit Williams' Web site - www.sleepovers.com.

A new hue

When Lily Swanson needed inspiration to create a new nail color, she looked in her jewelry box. There she found her great grandmother's costume pearls with their gold-hued patina.

That, she thought, is the shade.

Seventeen magazine and Chanel agreed. The 17-year-old from Rhode Island recently won a contest sponsored by the two to develop a new nail polish. Her hue, called Luster, was selected over more than 10,000 entries and hit beauty counters this week.

As part of her prize, Swanson got a trip to New York that included a Chanel makeover and a pedicure with her polish, which to her surprise was filmed by a local TV station.

"It's been really exciting," she says. "But it still hasn't sunk in."

- M.C.

Designs on fame

Life is good for fashion designer William Calvert.

The Baltimore native recently wandered by a New York newsstand and did a double-take: His white silk dress was on the cover of Women's Wear Daily.

That recognition - along with a glowing review in the New York Times - has Calvert feeling like this is indeed a wonderful life. At least five new stores (including a boutique in Saudi Arabia) have picked up his spring line, and he's done interviews with fashion writers from around the country.

The irony is, he almost didn't make the dress featured in WWD.

"It's a beautiful gown, but it's not extremely difficult," says Calvert, 29. "We were worried that it didn't show off our abilities. As it turns out, people are drawn to it because it's dramatic in its simplicity."

- M.C.

Holiday makeup

"Purple Rain" could be the theme song for holiday cosmetics.

The color trend is toward deep, dark shades, and the emphasis is equally on eyes and lips.

Here's a look at some holiday cosmetics:

Women have long known that a dab of lipstick smudged on the cheeks is a good substitute for blush and that blush can make an interesting eye shadow. Now cosmetics companies are catching on: Triple Color Crayons from Chanel are meant to be used for lips, cheeks and eyes. Cream Colour compact from MAC is also for eyes, cheeks and lips.

Just in time for holiday parties are packages of shimmering cremes and glitter to catch the light in the darkest rooms. You can put them on your decollete, bare shoulders, face and in your hair. Look for Cosmic Edge Glitter Gel from Maybelline, Shimmer Gloss from Stila and Pure Glitter from Yves Saint Laurent.

Knight Ridder/Tribune

Pub Date: 12/20/98