FASHION NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 307, 28 December 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

FASHION NOTES.

GRACEFUL CARRIAGE. BRILLIANT COLOURS.

(By A PARISIAN EXPERT.)

Now that Fashion has made up her mind that clothes shall be more elaborate, she is making progress so rapidly that we are left a little breathless, and I can imagine her smiling maliciously to herself as she views our rather awkward efforts to adapt ourselves to these new frocks, which are so much more graceful than those to which we have become accustomed. , Our efforts to become slim, too, are more desperate than before, since some of these dresses—and especially those of the Princess order—are a hundred times more difficult to wear than the little slim frocks of a year ago. But even though they demand slendertiess in the wearer, they allow of no quick movements if they are to look their best, and a good carriage is essential. This does not mean the undulating sway of the average mannequin, but the unconsciously, graceful poise. I foresee the return of schools of deportment, for women will have to cultivate two sets of movements.

some wonderful things with front fullness, and she revives also the sash bowknot in the form of drapery which, falling from the normal waist-line, emphasises the slimness of the waist. Utterly modern, but totally different in silhouette, are the evening gowns of a man couturier whose name I am not at liberty to mention. Many of his gowns dip in front to the level of the ankle, are short at the sides, and trail narrow-pointed trains at the back. More extreme even, to the modern eye, are some gowns which reach to ankle length all round the hem. In both types of gowns, as well as in daytime costumes, this couturier places the waist-line at the normal point, so that the eminently feminine curves about the hips are one of the main factors of his new silhouette. The New Colours. Colours this season are wonderful. One of them is the new red—a brilliant copper bronze —the perfect Titian red, designed to flatter the sunburnt skin in particular, and brunettes in general. Dark dahlia, and a purple, which is almost black, are favourite shades with Parisiennes this season. Light dahlia, a brilliant redpurple, is used for both afternoon and evening gowns. The genius of the Parisienne for wearing striking colours, which are also flattering, is shown in the way she favours brilliant copper and gold brocades flowered in green, in violet, in henna-red or in grey. Besides these brilliant colours, the delicate ones are not omitted. Greyed violet-blue, deep bluish-greens, pinks that partake of the quality of mauve and of the quality of pink, pearl-ash, greens, like young leaves seen through a grey mist—all contribute a gamut which is altogether exquisite.