Then came the invention of the celebrity action athlete, and the subsequent introduction of their unique styles.

Today when high-end fashion meets action sports, the result is high-energy designs inspired more by a Red Bull lifestyle than the champagne haute couture of Milan or New York.

''Everybody is trying to design a new version of black,'' jokes skateboarding artist and clothing designer Russ Pope. ''The gap between action sports and high-end fashion has really shrunk, and you're seeing a lot more designers step out with their fashions.

And nowhere is that more apparent than at the recent Action Sports Retailers expo - where designers' names are synonymous with skateboarding, surfing, skiing and moto fashions, and the hottest spring 2008 trends take center stage.

Here's a look at the top trends:

Art

Street art has long influenced the design of action sports, particularly skateboards and T-shirts with their over-the-top graphics.

Now, the art appears to be going upscale - and spreading to footwear, pants and even sunglasses.

Emerica has paired with pro-skateboarder and artist Ed Templeton to create ''The Transist,'' which was inspired by his character-driven ''Transistor Sect'' art work. The shoe will retail for $59.99, said Emerica's marketing co-ordinator Brian Jones.

Myrtle: Stuff by Russ Pope has taken it one step further, including Pope's art - from lime green T-shirts featuring his sketches to argyle T-shirts embellished with prints of his characters.

Bling

Hip-hop's bling meets the dazzle of skate, surf, snow and moto designs, and the result is an abundance of embellishments and gold trim on everything from shoes to shirts.

''Anything that looks bling is popular,'' said Patrick LaHage, of Alliance Boardsports Inc.

Alliance has incorporated gold trim, gold embellishments and appliqué onto its urban series, which features the Gooci-Skull with its takeoff of the gold Gucci logo with skulls.

Swimming in styles

There will be a deluge of new swimsuit styles crashing into stores next spring, if the more than 150 companies showing swimwear designs at the expo are any indication.

''There's been a change. It use to be very limited because it was considered seasonal. Now people want to relax more, vacation more, and they travel year-around to warm places. So people are buying year-round now,'' said swimsuit designer Monica Wise of Lspace designs.

A number of designers are touting bright, embellished import fabrics from Brazil, Spain and Italy. In addition, most of the bikinis, retailing from about $80 to $150, feature large metallic D-rings or clasps.

Shades

The must-have accessory for spring is eyewear designed by pro action sports athletes.

Pro-skateboarders-turned-designers Erik Ellington and Jim Greco are marketing Brigada to the skate community rather than the traditional heavy focus on the surf market. The sunglasses, which will be rolled out next spring, have a noticeable urban edge, such as white plastic frames with gold screws and black lens.

''We wanted glasses that we think are cool, what we would wear,'' Ellington said.

Like the signature shoes, companies are offering athlete signature eyewear. Spy Optic is offering the signature eyewear, the Haymaker, from skateboarder Rob Dyrdek, from MTV's ''Rob & Big'' fame. The glasses retail for about $119.99

Arnette features its athletes' eyewear choices, which include surfer Matt Beacham's ''High Roller'' sunglasses and skateboarder Willy Santos' ''Lock Down'' sunglasses.

What's on the horizon?

They call them the up-and-comers, the designers to watch at the Action Sports Retailers expo. Here's a look at three companies:

BB - The man behind BB apparel is the hulking sidekick in MTV's ''Rob & Big.'' Christopher ''Big Black'' Boykin has put his his large stature - both in size and celebrity - to work for him to launch Big Projects Inc., the design company behind his BB T-shirts and hats. On the Net: www.bigblacksecurity.com.

NEFF - Graphic artist Shaun Neff has already found success with his wild, bright-colored hats and beanies for the snowboarding crowd. Now Neff is targeting the skate crowd. On the Net: www.neffheadwear.com.

INITIUM - This relatively new eyewear company is billing itself as the sunglasses for the super rock star - and the über-action-sports star. On the Net: www.initiumeyewear.com.