Killer fashions

Monday, May 31, 1999

By FILOMENA GOMES
Staff Writer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is doing more these days than battling evil -- she's sinking her teeth into the fashion industry.

Her trendy and gothic apparel persuaded Fox Consumer Products to start a new clothing label: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fashion.

The line, introduced in June 1998 by Lisa Boerner of Mental Ink Design Studio, features drawstring skirts, boatnecked shirts, hooded dresses, sexy slip tanks, and nylon drawstring pants with racing stripes.

Fox, which produces the series, commissioned Boerner, who designs T-shirts with the show's title and words such as "evil" and "vampire" mixed in with gothic hearts, roses, and swords.

Boerner worked with three themes this season in the line geared toward females ages 13 to 40: the girlie girl, the combat girl, and the schoolgirl. The combat girl look features basics such as T-shirts and cargo pants. The items in the line are priced between $18 and $48.

In December, Boerner plans to introduce prom dresses. That was not in her plans until Fox received overwhelming interest when the "Prom Queen" episode aired last season.

Boerner watches "Buffy" religiously (8 p.m. Tuesday, WB/Channel 11), both as a fan and designer. She often takes her board to the set and finds things within the show that'll inspire a look, logo, or a simple dress.

"It's my job to wonder how this [show] is going to influence their buying patterns," Boerner said of the junior market. She also watches for her designs among the dozens in Buffy's overstuffed closet; so far she's spotted a cross and some basic T-shirts.

While selling exclusively at Warner Bros. Studio Stores its first year, the line didn't receive much exposure. Since then, Hot Topic, Nordstrom, Rampage, Miller's Outpost, and Canal Jeans have been carrying the line and boosting the label's visibility. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fashions will soon be offered on the show's official Web site: www.buffy.com.

Buffy, a 16-year-old high school student played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, has been chosen to hunt and destroy vampires. The series combines humor and teen angst with a story of a woman destined to guard the mouth of hell while worrying about homework and dating.

Boerner would have you believe that, like the show, there is mystery in her existence. Told of her fashion-designing debut in 14th century Belgium by a psychic, Boerner says, she has been in the industry for 20 years -- in this lifetime.

If fashion is not enough for "Buffy" fans, Fox Licensing & Merchandising plans to introduce "tombstone-like" home furnishings (not designed by Boerner).