W the Desiging Life

Perschetz, coauthor of Making Space and former W senior editor, culls flashily written articles and abundant black-and-white and color photographs from the pages of the weekly consumer fashion publication and its trade sister, Women's Wear Daily. A lavish, vicarious eyeful, this appetite-whetter displays the professional work and personal lifestyles of 14 ""tastemakers,'' 13 contemporary fashion designers and Perry Ellis, who died in 1986. Oscar de la Renta, who crafts feminine and romantic clothing, has been ``adopted'' by an indulging circle of women friends of his late wife, Francoise. Ralph Lauren's contrived classic styleby turns rugged and romantic, inspired by American folklore, English aristocracy and Ivy League prepis evident in his clothing and home furnishings designs, as well as in his four homes. The decor at his Colorado ranch is painstakingly genuine, including creaking screens on the doors and mountain-lion skins on the wall. Donna Karan, who combines a taste for the tailored with a distinctly feminine body consciousness, designs ``only clothes and accessories that I myself would wear.'' (September) st