Style

Miss Monica Moonlight is moving on.

The queen of found object clothing and spur-of-the-moment sartorial genius is narrowing her focus--to your wallet. Or more appropriately, your wallet's apartment.

Introducing: Moonlight Handbags. Denver may now exhale.

"This is really my focus now," Ms. Moonlight said. "I've always been making these bags, since I was about 14, but it was kind of a standard gift thing. But it's my prime focus now."

A woman whose design talents apply to things like bubble wrap and coffee bags (for the archivists, see "Little Miss Monica" in the April 4, 2001 issue of Go-Go Magazine) should have no trouble translating such unique perception to handbaggery--frankly, the results speak for themselves.

"The reaction has been excellent," Ms. Moonlight said. "Everyone seems to love them. Some girls have even bought three, because every one is different. I think everyone should have 20."

She laughs as she says it, but she's serious. Ms. Moonlight has been doing her own designs since she was a kid growing up in Englewood and Edgewater, when she first discovered that her perspective on fashion was not necessarily shared by the mainstream.

"K-Mart never had clothes I wanted to wear. It was necessary for me to express myself."

She has certainly succeeded. Her patterns, which run from classically dainty and elegant to yow-yow green vinyl and back again without stopping, express a vivid imagination untempered by the dull gray world outside. Some of her clothing designs look as if they descended from a hovering spacecraft--artistic enough to earn her showings at places like the Bug Theatre, functional enough to actually wear out to Safeway.

The bags, while slightly more subdued, maintain that sense of cartoonish possibility. And they all have snap-clasps, because as Ms. Moonlight said, "I'm not too big on zippers."

Now that the buzz is buzzing, Ms. Moonlight naturally wants to get the handbags out to the public-at-large. While she has been selling well just by word of mouth, there isn't a creative entrepreneur in this or any other city who doesn't want their work "out there." And we ain't talking Fort Lupton.

"The next step is getting them into every store in the city."

More laughter, but again--don't bet against her. In a year, when K-Mart unveils their new all-Moonlight section, you'll feel sorry you did. And you'll wish you had one first.

Get your own Moonlight Handbag from Ms. Monica herself! Call her at 303-777-6458, or e-mail mmmjoh@aol.com , or drop by Buzz Fill'Er Up Café,

Gadget

Patriotic precision is yours with this Flag Dial watch available from Fossil (www.fossil.com). Show off your unity and pride this 4th of July with the All-American designed Flag Dial face and retro-inspired stainless steel bracelet. These watches feature a three-hand quartz movement and are also water resistant down to 30 meters, and with Fossil's 11-year warranty, why not go ahead and take it for a dive? The watches come smartly packed in a cool reproduction printed tin— all for a mere 65 greenbacks. Make sure to strap one of these truly blue watches on your wrist before lighting that state-wide-banned sparkler, and celebrate the stars and stripes in classic Independence Day style.

Fashion Passion with Mora Silke

Dear Mora,
With all the smoke and haze in the city, I . m ending up with ashes in my hair and my linens look awful! My little black dress is getting dandruff from the fallout. What to do? -- Thanks, Dusty

Dear Dusty,
Aside from dressing in a bright yellow flame retardant smoke jumper shirt and Carhartts, I think we'll all just have to endure this for a while. After all, there are some things more important than fashion. Rather than complain about what 140 thousand acres of scorched Pike National Forest is doing to your high dollar coiffure, I suggest taking a break from high society and volunteering some time to the local charities aiding in the relief efforts. The Salvation Army needs 40 to 50 volunteers a day to help prepare and serve food and beverages. To volunteer, call 303-866-9280. For your volunteer ensemble I suggest a bandanna and a pair of Wells-Lamont leather work gloves. You don't want to break a nail.

All kidding aside, do what you can. You'll feel better for it.
--Stay Chic, Mora Silke