REED KRAKOFF
Those who know reed Krakoff migh describe him as placid, the sort who enjoys the elegant side of life including travel, design and art. But the Coach president end executivecreative director also has recently taken a lilting to one of the most violent sports out there: ultimate fighting. "Like a lot of people, I grew up loving taxing,” says Krakoff. “When I was a kid, everyone knew who Pluhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Joe Louis were. But boxinghas become very complicated and too much about the promoters. So I becameinterested in the martial arts." To that end, Krakoff has published a nice photographybook,” Fighter: The Fighters of the UFC,” out Oct. 16 from Viking Stud‹o. Barnets NewYork will fete Krakoff and the book with a party tonight. Ultimate fighting is a blend of jujitsu, ludo, karate, boxing, kickboxing and wrestling in which fighters competebare-handed in a caged “Octagon." Though it appears barbaric. there are rules —31 to be precise — which include no eye gouging, no fish hooking and no groinattacks of any kind. Krakoff contends the matches are as contrived andsophisticated as a waltz.