A MAID IN MAYFAIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1927, Page 24

A MAID IN MAYFAIR.

GOSSIP FROM LONDON

TOWN.

THE ÜBIQUITOUS "VAGABOND."

(From Our Lady Correspondent.)

LONDON, February 17

It would seem that everyone save Royalty has adopted the vagabond hat as a sort of millinery uniform. Society gatherings at which hats are worn make

it evident that one must follow the vagabond lead—or appear conspicuous. The Marchioness Camden's choice is a sage-green velour; and that of her hats were worn by the Countess of nock, a charming two-coloured creation in fawn and wine-red. Sapphire blue velvet is sponsored by the Countess of Minto, and amethyst by Lady Delia Peel; and the vogue has even extended to wedding regalia. Bright red vagabond hats were worn by the Countess of (Tottenham's bridesmaids at last week's picturesque ceremony. Up the Pole. Since women took to having their locks shorn, going to the barbers has become what it was in olden and more leisured times—a ceremonial. It is no light business for a woman to visit her barber. The appointment is made with as much solemnity as an appointment with a dentist. It is sometimes booked a month ahead. For it is not sufficient that my lady shall be always shorn at the same barber's shop. It must be the same myrmidon who is entrusted with so grave a responsibility. And now a Bond Street barber has played up to this change in the times by establishing in his shop a social club. Just as the old Florentines used to go to their barber to discuss philosophy and" art, the new Londoners go to the barber's—to talk scandal and to play bridge. The club is open from 11 o'clock in the morning till 7 at night. As yet, I believe, no meals are served. But doubtless that will follow later. The club is only at its beginning. At-Home Day Innovation. I once knew a certain Celtic peer of the realm who always caused considerable amusement at his wife's tea-parties, because he would insist on being provided with what the lady called his "little installation." He would always have an occasional table of comfortable dimensions drawn up to his side, whereon to accommodate Ms cup and saucer and plate. He happened to be particularly fond of the afternoon tea interval, and had a certain weakness for petit fours. The table "all to himself" was essential to his happiness. I thought of him the other day when I made my first acquaintance with a Mayfair At-Home day innovation, which obviates the precarious balancing feats attendant on polite drawing-room tea. The novelty takes the form of an ingenious device by which a saucer and plate are joined together, and as there is a very deep groove for the cup, the whole fitment may be held in comfort in the most congested drawing-room crush.

Feminine Portrait Vogue. Since a very beautiful lady set the vogue, a famous West End photographer lias been inundated by what he calls v "Spanish shawl clients," who insist on having their backs and shoulders photographed instead of their faces. Women ■who are the owners of specially sumptuous shawls are not always dowered with the gift of wearing them! Hence the photographer's ta6k is a delicate one. It is not particularly easy to assure a customer that she will be bitterly disappointed in the result. Destined to capture the characteristic grace of the shawl itself and of its ideal wearer, the difference between the real and the ideal is often too etartlingly apparent. For it seems that the woman who can stand such a test is one of an almost incredibly sma'l minority. A Bevy of Beauty. Some of the more exclusive dress shows come increasingly into the category of society entertainments. One at which a Russian Prince acted as host, included tea and cocktails with the advance model parade. It was quite a wonderful affair, the audience being fully as intriguing as the "show." But one could not help wondering whether it was not rather a strategic error, from the business point of view, to divide attention between the mannequins and two such lovely ladies as Miss Glfyds Cooper and Miss Margaret Bannerman, who, as spectators, ■were the cynosure of all eyes. Both looked their best, and their own toilettes aroused quite a«. much discussion as any of the princely creations on view. Prince Henry's Future. The West End talk about Prince Henry joining the Earl of Athlone's staff in South Africa as military aide-de-camp is probably at least premature. Owing to his military duties, to which he has stuck very closely indeed from the moment he was gazetted to the 10th Hussars, Princo Henry has seen less of the world abroad than either of his brothers, and doubtless he would like to go to South Africa. His recent qualification of captaincy would make the A.D.C. appointment feasible, but it is likely, I gather, that before being given such a post His Royal Highness will be detailed for a period of War Office duty, in order to gain some administrative experience. That his advent in South Africa would be very popular, and welcomed by the Duke as well as by the Duchess, Princess Alice, is certain. The latter is a great favourite with all the Royal Princes. Dance "Fan" Fancies. Anyone who makes a round of the London dance clubs soon discovers that the "fans" at the various haunts of Art and Fashion are not all of the same mind. Despite the terrific vogue of the Charleston, frequenters of the Florida would seem to remain faithful to the older numbers; while at the Cafe de Paris, on the other hand, Charlestoners have things all their own way. That quaint haunt of artistic Bohemia, the Bullfrog, is devoted to the tango. But a feature common to them all, and quite unmistakable, is the general excellence of the lieteropereous enthusiasts. The standard is really amazingly uniform. At any of these places you may search in vain for a mediocre dancer, and of really poor k exponents of the art there are literally I none. Remembering some of the earliest I exhibitions of jazz novices, one has to ■ admit that, good or bad, the post-war ■ rhythm is perfectly interpreted by the KP2gii! it few " ~" r "~