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by Bart Boehlert

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His most famous outfit is a simple sheath with an apron overskirt that you can tie on to dress it up which is very Laura Petrie. His other designs are just as clean and classic, and they all are made of luscious fabrics. "The artist at the mills come up with the fabrics, and I play with them," says Purcell.

Prices aren't cheap--dresses and suits are around $2,000 -- but they are reasonable compared to couture clothing which is much more expensive. "His quality is incredible," says Henri Bendel Merchandise Manager Gail Goldberg. "The finishing is couture level and the fabrics are couture fabrics which he buys very cleverly to keep his costs low. He cuts a beautiful dress and the clothes fit incredibly well."

Although Purcell enjoys the perks of being a fashion designer, like dining at the White House, and having Hilary Rodham Clinton order up some clothes, the two partners take their business very seriously. Steinhart tells a story about watching a television news feature in which a film crew follows a fashion magazine editor around Paris during the designer collections. At one point, the editor claims that her magazine can make a designer, or break him. "What matters is what happens in the stores," counters Steinhart. "Magazines can't make or break you. Retailers can."

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