the stars' to Bermuda for top charity event By Nicole Williams Smith A local charitable group has scored a fashion coup by securing top New York designer, Amsale, to headline their Fall charity gala.

Amsale Aberra and her collection of glamourous bridal and evening gowns, worn by the likes of ER actress Julianna Margulies and splashed across the pages of Vogue and People Magazine, will be on display at the Kardias Club's evening of Glamour and Romance.

The fashionable event, in aid of the charity A Child's Wish, will take place on November 6 at the Canadian Pacific Southampton Princess Hotel.

"She is an internationally renowned designer and it is a tremendous opportunity to see her clothes up close,'' said Kardias Club member Betty Peterson.

Who can forget the ice-blue regal gown Amsale created for Lynn Redgrave for Oscar night or Alley McBeal actress Lucy Liu looking the ultimate vision of loveliness in a red strapless Amsale gown? And the mastermind behind these elegant styles, so adored by a Who's Who of Hollywood and New York society, has a little-known local connection -- Amsale is married to Bermudian Neil Brown, a Harvard Law School graduate.

The Ethiopian-born designer began her illustrious fashion career as a design assistant for Harve Bernard in the early 1980s. But it was her 1985 wedding to Mr. Brown, that motivated her to launch a bridal line.

Not able to find the perfect gown, Amsale designed her own sophisticated, understated dress. She soon realised that other brides-to-be had similar problems finding "the dress'' and thus, Amsale was born.

And a 1986 full-page advertisement of one of her gowns, placed in a national bridal magazine propelled her custom design business into the limelight. Her first account was with the legendary US bridal store, Kleinfeld in Brooklyn.

After firmly establishing her bridal collection as one of the premier names in the industry, Amsale launched her line of couture evening wear in the fall of 1997.

That same year the designer, who was one of the judges for People Magazine's 1998 Best and Worst Dressed List, opened her first boutique, a 1,500 square foot store on Madison Avenue.

According to Lindsay Mann, Amsale's director of communications, the evening collection was a natural progression from the classic, yet modern styles of her bridal line.

Lynn Redgrave chose two Amsale designs for her 1999 Academy Awards and Golden Globes attire and Kim Basinger picked up her 1998 Golden Globe in a black Amsale number.

"Amsale's gowns makes a woman feel beautiful, almost regal,'' said Lynn Redgrave. "In an Amsale you just want to stand up straighter and act like a lady.'' Actresses Vivica Fox, Vanessa L. Williams and Salma Hayek as well as songstress Eartha Kitt are all devotees of Amasale's elegant gowns.

For her Fall/Holiday 1999/2000 collection, Ms Mann said Amsale built on her signature, show-stopping full floor-length gowns, reflecting romance and old Hollywood glamour.

"My philosophy has remained consistent throughout the seasons -- simple, understated designs that are really timeless and elegant,'' said the 15-year wedding design veteran. "Every design is created to make a woman look beautiful and feel glamourous.'' Shades of green, red, and blue are all basics for Fall 1999, with a range of blue-grey, silver and beige playing important roles. And of course, black, the staple of evening wear is still a dominant player.

Luxurious Duchess satin, silk chiffon, wool shantung and taffeta are all used to created the soft, but structured shapes which form the framework for the collection.

According to Ms Mann, Amsale's focal point for this Fall is the bodice, with bustier-style tops with fitted natural or dropped waists that shape the body.

Necklines vary from deep scoop and square styles to high jewel necks with cut-out shoulders, To add to the dresses, rather than overwhelm them, beading, lace and organza detailing are kept delicate.

Skirts range from A-line to pleated, flat-front or gathered styles, offering women a variety of shapes. But the Amsale signature, the bustle, is strong this season -- sure to please the bevy of Hollywood stars who adore her clothes.

Locals will get the chance to see this dazzling collection up-close when the designer and her Fall collection visit the Island this November.

Belle of the ball: After years of dressing the stars, acclaimed Ethiopian-born designer Amsale Aberra, who is married to Bermudian Neil Brown, will be the star attraction when she brings her Fall collection to Bermuda this November for the Kardias Club's charity gala.

Hollywood glamour: Actress Lynn Redgrave was a glamorous and regal vision on Oscar night in Amsale's ice-blue gown and matching wrap.

Award-winning style: Actress/singer Vanessa L. Williams displays award-winning style in an elegant Amsale pants suit.

The perfect dress: It was Amsale's inability to find the perfect wedding dress that prompted her to launch her bridal business in 1986. Each one of her bridal gowns (right) follows her philosophy of simplicity and elegance.