Juicy Couture groupies, listen up! Those velour track suits are still hot; the micro tees still do the tightening trick but let’s open up the playing field a little bit. JC Report made a big casual wear discovery at the Tranoi tradeshow in Paris last week and it is set to blow up stateside with the likes of Juicy and other copycat labels in recent years. Launched five years ago as a menswear line, Hommebody immediately sold out at Selfridges in London. A year later when they opened a “lifestyle” area, a woman’s line was born to respond to this hot apparel category. Merchandised at both Selfridges and Harrods alongside Nuala and Donna Karan Active, Hommebody is set apart by their non-traditional silhouettes with a London edge-belly revealing wrap tops, micro hoodies and butt-hugging mega flares with a super sexy swing–a look you’re more apt to see at Christain Dior Couture than at the local gym. Fabrics “have the touch of cashmere and the flexibility of Lycra,” says the designer Beverly Calvert, but are essentially a proprietary sweatshirt material. Some pieces come with bamboo leaf motifs and sweet messages — cute — but we suggest the palazzo pants and wrap tops in every solid color available. We envision all of Los Angeles dashing to and from castings in these togs, spicing up their commitment to casual wear with a little Euro flair. Never sacrifice style for comfort….

- Jason Campbell
Photo: Hommebody Fall 2003