Adam Lippes is blazing through the fashion community at breakneck speed. After a short, successful stint as marketing manager for Ralph Lauren, he joined Oscar de la Renta and quickly rose to the top, ending up as the company's creative director. Then, two years ago, he decided to branch out on his own and last February launched Adam + Eve, a luxurious, understated sportswear and underwear line, by throwing a celebrity-filled party at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. "It's a no-brainer, really," the 30-year-old says. "We just want to take the guesswork out of shopping for basics." Determined to create the perfect T-shirt for less than $150, the Buffalo native scoured the world for materials -- and found Peruvian cotton. His line, which also includes panties, briefs and tanks, has a designer-quality look to it. "You can throw on one of our black T's with a pair of Dior trousers and look fantastic," Lippes says. He anticipates unloading tennis skirts, cotton jersey jeans and cashmere this fall, but doesn't plan to stray far from his original vision; he says he's concentrating on the high-end of the basics market. "I'm not giving Galliano a run for his money," he explains. "I'm a creative guy with an idea and business sense."
ALEX ZAFIRIS
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