BARGAINS : SAVINGS WOVEN INTO THESE WARES.

Byline: Trisha King and Deborah Newmark

Searching for the metallic fabric gold tissue lame, we discovered Dazian Inc., a store hidden for more than 50 years in Beverly Hills with specialty fabrics in widths 40 inches to 40 feet.

Tissue lame runs $6 to $8 a yard at discount and full-retail fabric stores. Dazian's has it in gold or silver for $2.95 a yard. Various lames in all colors of the rainbow plus iridescent colors including white are priced $2.95 to $18 per yard, and come in widths of 42 inches to 60 inches.

Dazian's, founded in 1842 in New York City, specializes in fabrics and trims for trade shows, hotels, television shows, movies and stage productions. If you like the unusual, Dazian's has it.

Price per yard for stretch net in gold or silver was $9, gold boucle (used as chain mail for costumes) was $5.95; a reversible fabric in a rich maroon, blue or purple with gold or silver stars ran $15.10; and a sheer fabric in white or black with ``Iris'' white glitter dots was $9. In trying to compare prices, we found nothing comparable to these fabrics.

Most companies that shop here are looking for fabrics certified to be flame-retardant. Many fabrics already are treated or are inherently flame-retardant, but for those that aren't, figure an extra $1 per yard (with a 50-yard minimum) to treat it.

Fabrics that already are flame-retardant include velours for stage curtains at $10.50 to $30 a yard, poplin at $7.25, 118-inch voile at $7.50 to $9.50, nylon banner cloth at $6.50 to $7.75, and damask at $14 to $20.

Keep Dazian's in mind for costumes. A sheer black or white fabric in a 60-inch width with gold or silver stars costs $5.50 a yard without flame-retardant and $6.50 with it. We found a similar fabric without the stars, not flame-retardant, for $8 to $12 a yard.

Dazian's usually is busy, so walk-ins take their chances. We strongly suggest making an appointment.

The store is at 165 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills; [phone] and [phone]. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cash or checks only. No returns on cut fabrics or special orders. No multiple cuts. Minimum purchase is one yard.

Inside info If you own a Volkswagen, you might want to know about Import Express. The store sells VW parts at 20 percent to 35 percent off retail. For example, a clutch disc starts at $19.95 (elsewhere $25 to $35). Import Express specializes only in VW parts and stocks items such as starters, generators, bumpers, fenders and ignitions for models dating back to 1956. Import Express is at 1241 Commercial Ave., Oxnard; [phone]. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Clean your dirty carpets with a Sanitaire Model 657, heavy-duty vacuum cleaner from San Gabriel Vacuum. Until July 15, this vacuum cleaner is $199 (retail $399). The store stocks other brand-name cleaners, guarantees lowest prices on new models, sells rebuilt cleaners and offers excellent service on all models. Senior citizens get an additional 10 percent savings. San Gabriel Vacuum is at 1009 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

MEMO: Trisha King and Deborah Newmark are co-authors of ``Buying Retail Is Stupid.'' Bargains appears Saturdays. Please send suggestions of stores to Bargains, Daily News Features Department, P.O. Box 4200, Woodland Hills, Calif. 91365-4200.

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Photo

Photo: Dave Kay, Dazian's West Coast manager, displays a ro ll of metallic sequins used for costumes and stage drapes. Dazian's specializes in specialty stage, film and trade show fabrics.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News