NEW ZEALAND FASHIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 227, 25 September 1930, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND FASHIONS.

A UNIQUE DISPLAY.

;a>: all-domixiox. exhibitiox. An unusual and brilliant fashion display took place yesterday in the splendid new tearooms of the Farmers' Trading Company, where a magnificent arched roof overhangs "the great room, with its rich carpet, -splashing fountain and plate-glass windows,, framing some of the finest views in Auckland. The function was partly to officially open this delightful room, and to bring before the. public examples of what can bo made by our own people in New Zealand. All the suits and frocks were made in the factories and workrooms of Maclone, and could not be bettered anywhere for material and style. In a brief preliminary speech, Mr. R. A. Laidlaw emphasised the point that Xew Zealand-made garments only were exhibited. Figures were given showing what, his firm spent on Dominion-made goods and what on British, American and foreign goods, Xew Zealand and Britain heading the list. The Countess of Orford said it gave her immense pleasure to open the display, because of the vital importance of encouraging local industries, thereby assisting to eliminate unemployment and to place the prosperity of the Dominion on a firm basis. The interest taken by their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe in the development of local industries' and the '"'Buy Xew Zealand-made goods" movement was well known, also the, fact that they considered it the duty of every citizen to do all in his power to make the movement a real success. With this effected, the economic future of Xew Zealand was assured —without cost or sacrifice on the part of anyone. When it was considered that the Maclone people alone spent annually a quarter of a million pounds in wages, a sum that could be greatly increased if everyone purchased Xew Zealand-made goods,,the importance of the movement was obvious. Lady Orford added that the. making of the frocks was entirely done in Xew Zealand, though some of the materials were imported—which meant that ninetenths of the money paid for Xew Zea-land-made dresses was kept in the Dominion to give further employment and to maintain the standard of living. Another point referred to was that, whereas it was considered a few years ago that only Paris could supply women's needs, to-day London and Xew York could equal Paris productions. There was jio reason why X'ew Zealand could not follow their example, as equally efficient advice was available. Another point was that the locallyproduced article met conditions as they existed in the Dominion.

Tho room had been arranged with a long dais, richly carpeted, which led from the end of the room to the centre, and down which the mannequins paraded. At the far end a very fine and artistic setting in futuristic design, surrounded by a pleated radiating design in light and dark blues, had golden doors, nine feet high. Beside these doors stood two page boys clad in nattier bhie coats, with brass buttons, white trousers and caps, and as they flung the great doors open two beautiful girls walked forth, wearing tho latest in sports suits. One was in a sports outfit of capacine flame blazer of crepe romaine worn with an accordionpleated cream wool crepe de-chine skirt, and the «*her, a complete contrast, wore a bottle green and white striped jumper, also with-a cream pleated flannel 6kirt. WLite satin blouses completed the ensemble. Another delightful sports suit was made of Wedgwood blue blazer cloth with a white stripe, white satin blouse and cream flannel skirt. In a splendid contrast was a quiet, but extremely attractive, suit of tweed, soft and delightful, as are all New Zealand tweeds, and woven with the very newest flecked effect, with the tiniest touches of emerald green and red. It was trimmed in bands on the collar with light wine red and pale jade green, and was worn with a small brown hat and brown shoes to match. A walking cane was carried. When the long coat blew open it showed a lining in red spotted beige to match. Another very smart garment for the sports of spring and summer was made of pale beige flecked kasha, with a lining of light wine crepe de chine, patterned to tone with a flecked effect of palest blue, sand and

'red. The hat worn with, this smart i outfit was in the newest colouring called "lie Id mouse," and the shoes and'walking. stick were to .match. Another very smart ensemble was of navy bengaline, with a little fox fur collar worn with a frock of navy patterned silk and a navy hat in pandan smartly turned up from the face and showing the newest lines. It was trimmed simply with white. Spring was ushered in by a dainty girl in a dainty,frock in.a delicate shade of lettuce green, - patterned in a slightly deeper shade and made of the new art silk ninon. It had a deep-pointed collar, scalloped and worn with a - pale green picture "hat. A very smart matron's frock was made .of nigger brown georgette, patterned with futuristic designs fn beige, sago and rust. It had a coatee to match, and was worn with a large brown hat edged with tulle, a beautiful and stylish ensemble. The races were also provided for when a pretty girl came forward and displayed a race gown in primrose artificial georgette patterned in pale green. The skirt was composed of alternative frills and Chantilly lace. It had detachable sleeves, so could be worn in the evening as well as to a function in the day time. With it went a cream crinoline hat trimmed with flowers to match, and the shoes were of cream crepe de chine patterned in green and apricot. A frock for evening wear was composed of • pale pinkgeorgette, made with a full skirt with a deep hem of frills and a cape effect of frills at the back. It was worn with pink satin shoes. One of the most striking pictures came at the end of the display, when a wedding was staged in all its beauty. The great doors opened, and the bride came forth led by a beautiful little flower girl, tiny Pat, dressed in a sunset taffeta, frilled. The bride was in pale apricot, cut on long flowing lines and worn with a tulle veil, which formed the train, draped from the head. It was a dignified and simple dress, and two bridesmaids followed wearing sunset taffeta, ornamented with circular ruchings and large Medici collars of organdi. Their headdress was made of Little Juliet caps composed of ribbon, and were very becoming to the youthful wearers. ■ The Countess of Orford was presented with a beautiful bouquet, and during the afternoon songs were given by Miss Laura Walker. The display will be continued to-day and to-morrow, and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week.— (Extended reporj; by arrangement.)