Latest London Fashions.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1892, Page 4 (Supplement)

Latest London Fashions.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

London, December 18. A very dainty and exceedingly artistic millinery item in the shape of a most becoming hat, is my first illustration for you this week. I must really begin ab the foundation and tell you exactly how to make this dainty morsel of decoratioii for yourself. It is made on a large round flab f - da " u °- tion of black neb, bhis being covered by a fully gathered crown—bhe folds spreading oub fan-shape to edge of brim, which is also bound and lined—of rose vieuxsilk.

The brim is bordered round with black ostrich feather trimming, and ab the back a grouD of folds stand up, amongst which are introduced three black ostrich tips ; This i 3 a charming chapeau on either blonde or brunebte. Apropos of feabher trimming, the Society for Protection of Birds is again making' sbrenuous efforts as bhe season for using them for millinery purposes advances, to prevent the ruthless destruction of the small and helpless feathered victims which supplied bhe enormous demand for feminine decoration lasb year. They ask only bhab no bird should be used (either whole or as wings, p!ume3, etc.) for trimming hats, bonnets, or evening dress, bub such as are killed for food, tho osbrich excepbed ; and they have succeeded in enlisting the Duchess of Portland a3 one of their leading ladies of society who are endeavouring to check the heartless fashion by rigidly abstaining from wearing any plumage or bodies of slain birds themselves as personal decoration, unless such as are killed for the purpose, as before stated, of food ; of which many.such as pheasants, drakes, pigeons, and turkeys, have feathers quitepretby enough in their natural hues, and bhere is scarcely any limib to the variety thab can be made out of them by dyeing and dressing. The Society reports great headway in its j humane efforts already, bub, on the obher ' hand, a vory dainty-looking shop has labely | been opened in Regent-street, absolutely ; for tho sale of feather for ladies' wear, and i nothing else; certainly bhey are chiefly j ostrich (though we do nob see why the ostrich should bear bhe whole brunt of supplying the fair if others are to bo protected) and nearly all in natural tints, fawns, browns, black, while, and very lovely thoy look, and tempting to buy. Some very stylish coats are now 'de rigeuer,' of tiie ' Loui3 Quinzo ! period, for smarb outdoor occasiont, of which the second sketch is an -■. •>-"i,!o.

This model is of very rough black serge (wool), it is fastened from just above the bust downwards' by invisible hooks and eyes, and over these aro brought straps of the serge, meeting large black and gold knitted buttons on either side. The stand-up collar, pointed revers, straps and flap cuffs are trimmed with rows of narrow gold braid, and the open throat is filled in wibh a sofb whibe muffler. A black felb hah of bhe same period is worn with this taking coab, edged wibh rows of narrow gold braid, the crown being covered by a couple, of large black ostrich feathers, one of which is brought over the brim ab the back and rests on the hair. These short coats are far more suitable to most figures bhan the three-quarter ones, which are apt to take a good deal from bhe height. Tho third illustration shows a stylishlooking gown for home wear in two shades of brown ; which colour promises to be a good deal in favour this winter.

The under yoke, collar, and waisb ribbon and ends are of very dark red brov/n • bhe remaining portions of bhe gown being of chesbnub coloured cashmere. . '* Things Russian being a good deal en evidence jusb now, furs will be mora than usually fashionable this winter, and, indeed, are already making a show ; and a chic little cap called the ' Russian ' capote, generally of a braided cloth crowa with brim of frilled velvet, astrachan, ot ' narrow fur, seems likely bo become popular. - I musb bell of some new autumn mabenalt which are extremely chic, and smart ia colour, and represent without doubt the very latesb novelties from Paris. _ - Among the more expensive fabrics I musb note firsb bhe beautiful 'Ducheßs' habib cloth; the 'Ecole dcs Beaux Arts,' in which the colourings are mosb harmonious and artistic; the 'Sedan.' a fine habit cloth, suitable for winter wear; and the 'St. Cloud,' a striped camel's hair cloth, which is certainly one of she smarbesb novelties of tno season. The 'Gorey' costume cloth and the ' Fife' suiting musb , also be mentioned as well worth attention. Many tempting novelties have been prs> pared, and among these, I must briefly enumerate the 'Drap Abbeville,' an e£. ceedingly striking French check, the • Dun- I dalk,' a useful cloth for tailor costumes, the ''Grouville,' with a pretty boucle stripe in silk, the new ' Wave' woollens, the * Flake' camel's hair checks, in which the '/ colour is specially brilliant, and the ?An- J glian ' camel's hair suiting, which cannob j fail to be widely popular. In the same j category, we must also mention tho ' Drap j Cannes,' with a fine self-coloured stripe; tho 'Drap Besancon ;' the 'Normandy' habit cloth, in every shade of colour ; tha j ' Drap Samur,' very effective ; the Parisian J 'Velours' serges; the French autumn serges; and the ' Drap Centripetal," a beautifully soft material, which will drapa > delightfully. > , | Roselle.