Maker of Oscar gown knock-offs starts up new menswear line. (Up Front).

Los Angeles clothing designer Allen B. Schwartz, known for his knock-off designs of Academy Award night gowns, is starting up a menswear line that will be in stores at the end of the year.

It's the second time Schwartz will have ventured into men's fashion. In the late 1980s, he had a line that lasted only one year.

Over the last 20 years he has been more known for his women's contemporary label A.B.S. Clothing Collection, acquired in 1999 by New York-based clothing giant Warnaco Group Inc.

Warnaco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year and is trying to sell A.B.S. to improve its finances. By adding a menswear line, A.B.S. might look more attractive, industry sources said.

"It would be smart for him to diversify into menswear," said Bruce Berton, retail consultant with Stonefield Josephson Inc. "He can take A.B.S. into menswear on a fashion basis and create a more balanced package to sell."

The men's line, called Allen B Men, is aimed at the 25- to 60-year-old man who wants "cutting edge" clothing that fits well, looks great, but isn't too formal. That means casual tops and slacks made of washed linen, washed denim or canvas that retail for $150 to $300.

Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, along with specialty stores like Theodore Men in Beverly Hills and H Men on Sunset Boulevard, have placed orders, Schwartz said. Local sewing contractors are manufacturing the items.

Schwartz, who begins shipping his spring collection in late October or early November, is searching for a store location on Montana Avenue to sell his new line. He currently has a Montana store for his women's collection that includes the knockoffs of Oscar gowns, which sell for $220 to $325. His women's line is also sold in department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

In his first attempt at a men's line, Schwartz manufactured blazers, jackets and dressier slacks.

"Before, my menswear line was more suit driven, but that was when men started getting out of suits," said the Brooklyn native who came to Los Angeles in 1978. "Now I feel there is a good opportunity because my line is all about casual wear."

Still unclear is how the new menswear line would complement the women's casual line.

By the time his company was sold to Warnaco in 1999, annual revenues totaled $35 million to $40 million, Schwartz said. He wouldn't reveal current revenue figures.