

<PAGE>


                                                               Exhibit No. 23.1



              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



We have issued our report dated February 18, 1997 accompanying the financial
statements of Pivot Rules, Inc. contained in Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement and Prospectus (Registration No. 333-22895). We consent
to the use of the aforementioned report in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus, and to the use of our name as it appears under the captions
"Summary Financial Information," "Selected Financial Data," "Change in
Accountants," and "Experts."

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
----------------------
GRANT THORNTON LLP

New York, New York
April 17, 1997


