"There's a strong need from the customer to do high-tech designer active wear," Mr. Hilfiger said.

Arjun helps Kaanchi by bringing her designer wear.

But Mr. Redman hasn't completely gone over to designer wear.

"They were hard-looking men, but dressed in designer casual wear and sunglasses," said a source in the principality.

For years midlevel, or "bridge," designer wear has been suffering because department stores, pressed to compete with discount and specialty stores, have been marking down such goods steeply.

As I glanced over the woman's short, sturdy body, I noticed that she was swathed in what was probably top-notch designer wear.

And across the street, in front of a jumble of designer athletic wear and discount children's clothing, street vendors offer sunglasses, watches, incense and African black soap.

However praised the lead performances, saying "Gopi Chand looks stylish in his designer wear.

On one side are clubbers who impress selective doormen with sleek, fashionable designer wear and designer hair.

Women arrive in glittering, form-fitting gowns or high-fashion leather, men in suits, tropical pastels or designer athletic wear that will never see a gym.