PARTY LINES; DE LA RENTA SHOWS HIS TRUE COLORS.

Byline: Barbara De Witt

The ladies who lunch love Oscar de la Renta.

Good looks and charisma aside, it's his fashions that fit the figures and lives of real women who create his loyal following. He knows how to design for women with curves and mature figures, and his spring collection presented Wednesday to the Council of the Children's Burn Foundation at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills was particularly appealing.

Parrot green, turquoise, yellow, red and coral were on the color palette, used in solids, stripes and exotic florals, sometimes with matching pumps that drew additional applause from the crowd.

Included in the preview were sweater sets, beaded and perforated leather pants (could eyelet be making a comeback?), city-smart navy pants with a matching long coat over a wrap-front knit top (very '80s) and ladylike wool tank dresses under matching coats for upcoming luncheons. But it was the hint of what's to come in fashion that caught our eye. Trench coats, dressy denim and cocktail dresses glistening with crystal beads and pailettes (think giant sequins). And as always, there's a grand finale, this time de la Renta's delectable red strapless chiffon gown - which would require fewer desserts and maybe upper-arm liposuction, as several guests lamented while finishing off their chocolate mousse tarts.

Among the Valley fashion fans in attendance were Genevieve McSweeney of Calabasas and Iris Bovee of Encino, who commented how nice it was to see color making a comeback. Bovee also noted that de la Renta's denim suits made with a stretch fiber and top-stitched in orange looked very wearable and wrinkle-free, making them ideal for travel. But the buzz wasn't just about fashion. According to chairwoman Carol Mancino of West L.A., the Sherman Oaks-based organization's goal is to raise safety awareness, and to create fire-safe houses for children.

To reach its goals, the Children's Burn Foundation is holding its fourth annual Giving New Hope Award gala, said McSweeney, and it's slated for Feb. 29 at the Beverly Hilton. Each year, a community leader who has focused creativity, energy and resources toward saving children's lives is honored. This year's recipient will be Tommy Hawkins, the former Lakers star who founded Athletes for a Better America and the L.A. Unified School District Arts Festival. For ticket information, call [phone].

THERE'S LOTS OF BUZZ about Italian designer Giorgio Armani doing the costumes for the upcoming opera ``Rigoletto,'' which opens March 1 at the Music Center downtown, but UCLA's Geffen Playhouse is also becoming a hot spot on the society circuit.

To raise money for UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Geffen, the university held a benefit performance of Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, ``Wit,'' with receptions before and after.

Among the 400 party guests who grazed on duck pate, chicken and jumbo chocolate-dipped strawberries by Michael's of Santa Monica were actresses JoBeth Williams, Mary McDonell, Patricia Richardson and Lolita Davidovitch. Geffen Playhouse managing director Lou Moore raved about the joint fund-raising effort and its appropriateness. ``Wit'' is based on one woman's battle with cancer.

Also enthusiastic with her praise was Anne Cote, executive director of the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation. `` 'Wit's' dramatic twist on the real-life drama that plays out every day at the Cancer Center was both compelling and enlightening,'' she commented.

Event co-chairmen were Carole Bayer Sager, Robert Daly, and Megand Lawrence Kasdan. The bottom line was $50,000. ``Wit'' continues at the Geffen Playhouse through March 5.

ELSEWHERE ON THE PARTY CIRCUIT, Encino resident Adrian Cohen was installed as president of the Guardians of the Jewish Home for the Aging in Reseda. The managing partner of the architectural and interiors firm WWCOT received his gavel at a black tie gala held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, which also featured entertainment by comedian Judy Gold and dancing to the music of the Fifth Avenue Band.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, box

Photo: (1 -- 2 -- 3 color) Spring fashions by Oscar de la Renta.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

(4 -- color) Council of the Children's Burn Foundation chairwoman Carol Mancino, left, with Iris Bovee at the organization's spring luncheon.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

(5 -- color) Larry and Meg Kasdan, left, with Dr. Judy Gasson and Gil Cates at UCLA's Geffen Playhouse benefit for the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Lee Salem

Box: Date Lines