Gucci

A former Center City street vendor and his wife were fined $3,500 by a federal judge yesterday for trafficking in counterfeit Rolex watches, Gucci luggage and other fake goods. "I think that they've learned their lesson," U.S. District Judge Joseph L. McGlynn Jr. said, sparing Tae Hwan Kim, 46, and his wife, Jung Soon Kim, 39, from a prison sentence. The judge found them to be "truly remorseful," placed them on two years' probation, and recommended that they not be deported to their native Korea for their crimes.

In the fall women's collections here, the newsiest silhouette was long, slim and simple. Retro harked back to the 1970s. Pantsuits, particularly pinstriped, were the number-one item. Maxi coats, pea jackets and sweaters were other winter favorites. The uniform triumphed. The little dress was big. And two outsiders led the way as the international round of high-fashion shows started here last week. This week, the caravan moves to Paris. Amid the high-powered talents of Giorgio Armani and Gianni Versace, it was Tom Ford of Gucci and Miuccia Prada who heated up the Milan shows with fall collections that ignored the '70s rage and set the new standard for the young and the hip. Prada still favored the matronly "signora" style, but there were more sport and fun in her collection.

A Chicago bank has hired a creature named Gucci to design arty new checks and checkbooks. Gucci, who is famous for designing women's shoes and purses, has created checks with swans, daisies, mist-shrouded trees, rippling water, a sunrise and even a seagull against a lavender background. Gucci is not the hairy-chested type. The bank thinks this will attract new customers. Maybe it will, but I won't be one of them. Banks should be serious. My attitude toward them is the same as that of Mrs. Grobnik, who was Slats Grobnik's mother.

Boutique owner Danielle Scott would be right at home hanging with the girls on HBO's hit series "Sex and the City. " Like them, she's always on the move, lives to shop, loves fruity martinis and has a fierce collection of Jimmy Choos, the expensive designer shoe popularized on the show. "If you have great shoes and a handbag, a dress from J. Crew looks like Giorgio Armani," explained Scott, 28, who owns Danielle Scott Ltd. on Rittenhouse Square. Would you expect anything less from a shoe diva?

Allie Harold dreamed of the day he would own a nice car and his own home. He purchased a 1989 Honda Accord last November, and he was saving up to meet his next goal. "He dreamed about a three-bedroom house," said his cousin, Karla Howard. Harold was so intent on saving, he earned the affectionate nickname "Ali Con," because he would rather borrow a buck here or there from friends than spend his own money, said Howard. Harold died suddenly Sunday morning. He was 24 and lived in South Philadelphia.

The big news on Chestnut Street yesterday was that Gucci T-shirts are out and Fila shirts are in. Gucci is fashion history, friends. This year's brand name of choice, by a 50-1 margin, is Fila. The colors of choice are red, black and white. A slick balance of hot and cool for those who want to Truly Hang this season. Forget about that fussy, glitzy business over in the Gallery. The real, spontaneous grass-roots Philadelphia Easter Sunday fashion show for casual wear was on the Chestnut Street Transitway west of Broad, where an estimated 3,000 youths went to the movies, played video games at the arcades and generally hung out. Until last year, this annual convergence of kids in the center of town was acknowledged, but given scant attention.

The FBI has joined an investigation into the disappearance Sunday in Newark, N.J., of the father of hip-hop star Wyclef Jean. The Rev. Gesner Jean, 59, was being sought by the Newark Police Department while federal agents pursued a parallel investigation, FBI spokeswoman Sandra Carroll said yesterday. "Apparently his disappearance has not been characterized yet, whether it's a kidnapping or he's just missing," Carroll said. She had no further details. Mr. Jean, the pastor of Good Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, was last seen at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Newark police said in a news release Monday.

AIR RUSHING THROUGH THEIR EARS Recent years have produced yuppies (young, urban professionals), DINKs (double-income, no kids), POSSLQs (persons of the opposite sex sharing living quarters) and DIWKs (double-income, with kids). Is the world ready for RUBs? RUBs are rich urban bikers - and we're talking bikers here, not effete cyclists. They have already appeared - why is this not a surprise? - in Beverly Hills, according to the Wall Street Journal. RUBs race their Harley- Davidsons up and down Rodeo Drive to some of the newest nightclubs including the Stock Exchange, which has a weekly bikers' night.

Dinner at the home of Phillies third-base coach Larry Bowa, tickets to a preseason Eagles football game, and a Gucci watch will be auctioned Friday night during a fund-raising event for Dennis Courtney, a Haverford Township resident who is fighting brain cancer. The event, planned by old friends and former classmates of the 36-year-old plumber, will be held from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Skatium, Darby and Manoa Roads, in Havertown. Tickets, which cost $20, are still available for the beef and beer evening and can be purchased at the door or from Township Commissioner Wilton Bunce at 446-9234 or Michael Moore at 449-5147.

With the economy, and retirement funds, in shambles, a lot of us wonder when, or if, we will ever be able to retire. These sites provide the first steps for finding out. First, take a deep breath. Can you recover? This site charts the prospects of regaining retirement investment losses. For those under 40, there's hope. For those over 40, things will be difficult. And for those over 50, "Regaining the losses of 2008 might not be possible before retirement age, no matter what strategy is used.

With the economy, and retirement funds, in shambles, a lot of us wonder when, or if, we will ever be able to retire. These sites provide the first steps for finding out. First, take a deep breath. Can you recover? This site charts the prospects of regaining retirement investment losses. For those under 40, there's hope. For those over 40, things will be difficult. And for those over 50, "Regaining the losses of 2008 might not be possible before retirement age, no matter what strategy is used.

RAPPER GUCCI MANE has been arrested in Miami on an Atlanta assault warrant, his lawyer said yesterday. Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis, was arrested Friday by Miami authorities on the outstanding police warrant, said lawyer Dennis Scheib. Mane was expected to be sent to Atlanta later this week. The aggravated-assault warrant stems from an altercation earlier this month involving a promoter and people at Mane's record label, Big Cat Records. The promoter was injured and later filed a complaint with police.

A clutch of bright balloons emblazoned with smiley faces dangled from a telephone pole in front of a blue, bay-side house - a signal that the festivities had begun. Inside, a group of about 20 women sipped wine, nibbled on cheese and crackers, and sampled an array of chichi handbags, wallets and watches. Many of them knew that the items were fake - that was part of the thrill. What they didn't know was that the faux fashion fun was about to end. Outside, two police cruisers crept up. Four uniformed officers emerged, walked past a cluster of cars, including a Lexus and a Mercedes, and entered the house.

The financial markets succeeded in reopening yesterday for the first time since the World Trade Center tragedy, but, as experts had predicted, the major indicators fell dramatically and relentlessly. On record volume, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 684.81 points, or 7.13 percent, to 8,920.70. The Nasdaq composite index fell 115.82 points, or 6.83 percent, to 1,579.55, while the Standard & Poor's 500 shed 53.77 points, or 4.92 percent, to 1,038.77. The losses, which came despite an interest-rate cut by the Federal Reserve before trading began, sent market measures to their lowest levels in three years.

Boutique owner Danielle Scott would be right at home hanging with the girls on HBO's hit series "Sex and the City. " Like them, she's always on the move, lives to shop, loves fruity martinis and has a fierce collection of Jimmy Choos, the expensive designer shoe popularized on the show. "If you have great shoes and a handbag, a dress from J. Crew looks like Giorgio Armani," explained Scott, 28, who owns Danielle Scott Ltd. on Rittenhouse Square. Would you expect anything less from a shoe diva?

The FBI has joined an investigation into the disappearance Sunday in Newark, N.J., of the father of hip-hop star Wyclef Jean. The Rev. Gesner Jean, 59, was being sought by the Newark Police Department while federal agents pursued a parallel investigation, FBI spokeswoman Sandra Carroll said yesterday. "Apparently his disappearance has not been characterized yet, whether it's a kidnapping or he's just missing," Carroll said. She had no further details. Mr. Jean, the pastor of Good Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, was last seen at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Newark police said in a news release Monday.

John E. Smalls, a shoe store assistant manager and entrepreneur whose fine taste in clothes earned him the nickname "Gucci," died Sunday after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 35 and lived in Southwest Philadelphia for six years. "He always was a snappy dresser," said Anthony Smalls, a brother. "It didn't matter whether he was going to a picnic or a formal. He always had a good eye for fashion. " Smalls was assistant manager of the Payless Shoe Store at 52nd and Market streets.

"I really think people are tired of sitting at home on their fannies. " - Merv Griffin, creator of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune," who's opened a new nightclub in Los Angeles It's bad enough a European magazine has quoted Kevin Costner as saying his golf game is more important than acting. The part of the story that probably prompted the star to file a lawsuit is where he allegedly says he'll never love his youngest son like his other kids. A profile of the star in the Spanish mag Hola is "pure fiction," says Costner's lawyer Barry Langberg.

Zakiyyah Watson, 17, couldn't help admiring her own reflection. Before her eyes was a glamorous image, her own size 4 figure encased in a black, stretchy, one-shoulder gown that didn't miss a curve. The gown, by Tadashi, was slit dangerously high along one leg and was bare in back, save for four white straps strung from shoulder to waist. "Wow," cooed her classmate and friend Daisha Gregory, 17. "You look hot yourself," shot back Watson, gazing at Gregory's equally provocative dress, a black, body-hugging sheath with flesh peeking through sheer insets.

What's cooking in men's spring fashion? In a word: Color. We decided to give the owners and chefs in a few of the city's most fashionable restaurants a chance to demonstrate the trendiest new looks. Many guys find it difficult to digest anything brighter than say, navy blue. But this season brings an appetizing way for men to display their bright side. The trick is to use color as an accent in much the same way that a chef might enhance the appeal of a special dish with a raspberry glaze or a slice of kiwifruit.