No hues is good news

THE future's looking black ... and white. Monochrome madness has hit fashion like a hurricane. From catwalk to High Street the starkest colours that set the Sixties on fire have risen like a phoenix to the forefront of fashion.

Adopting this Dalmatian approach to colour isn't as dotty as it sounds. Black and white clothes are by far the easiest to co- ordinate and, ultimately, to keep as classic investments.

Perhaps only teenagers can get away with the geometric Mary Quant styles modelled by twig-thin Kate Moss on the international catwalks. But the retro feel in most other cool contrasting separates will suit any age.

German designer Jil Sander calls it "the purest statement there is". Even colour-mad Versace turned out an endless stream of ebony and ivory designs, sparsely punctuated with the occasional acid bright. Chess board patterns rule. Dog-tooth check, plaid, and stripes knock spots off pretty summer florals. Even the little black shift dress, the shape for summer, must now have a sliver of white.

MAIN picture: Swimsuit, pounds 20, BhS. Towelling robe, pounds 24.99, George at Asda.

TOP right: A-line skirt, pounds 34.99, Kookai. Halter-neck top, pounds 12.99, Next Directory. Polka dot jacket, pounds 89, Esprit.

BOTTOM right: Shorts, pounds 6.99, Top Shop. Top, pounds 14.99, Freemans. Scarf, pounds 10, The Gap. Plimsolls, pounds 1.99, Shoe Express.

Jewellery: Adrien Mann. Hair and Make-up: Carl Stanley

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