HOLLYWOOD TO-DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 173, 23 July 1936, Page 14

HOLLYWOOD TO-DAY.

SUN-PROTECTION HATS

MONA BARRIE'S ORIGINAL BELT.

(By SHEILAH GRAHAM.)

There are so many beautiful summer evening gowns now reposing in the wardrobes of your favourite film stars it is difficult to make a selection of the best for description here. However, that worn by slender Julie Haydon for extra-special entertaining easily rates top honours. The gown is a fascinating robe de style of blue organza, striped in blue and satin. The fullness of the skirt, together with the puff sleeves, emphasises the important "coolness" of the dress. The bodice is tightly fitted and trimmed with a cluster of pink and blue forget-me-nots held in place by pink velvet ribbons.

Slightly more sophisticated in theme is the hand-painted ivory taffeta gown with which Betty Furness sends all the boys ga-ga wlierf she steps out at night. Hand-painted scroll work in brilliant orange breaks tlie skirtline in two places,

running diagonally from hemline to hip. A matching scroll appears on the fitted waist and continues on to the bow ornamenting the neckline. The train, starting at the waist in the back, is a blaze of brilliant colours. In addition to the orange scrolls are large, gold and yellow roses with .brilliant green leaves. The train spreads out in triangular fashion from a large bow of pleated taffeta. With this ensemble Miss Furness chooses orange satin slippers. A hand-painted evening gown is also the choice of Madge Evans, who appeared at a recent party in a gown of white satin, hand-painted in deep rose and gold tulips. The design was a conventional one, clustered tulips appearing in definite order. The short, satin jacket was of rose satin, trimmed by hand-painted lapels. The latest headgear for sun protection on beaches or elsewhere conies straight from the Orient, via Hollywood. Of split bamboo,, the hat is a double basket effect with a small opening at the top. Through this opening, between the two layers, are laid floral cutouts, the most popular being cut from large patterned cretonne. Ties of the material are fastened inside the opening, and three artificial flowers are placed 011 top.

Maria Slielton was the first to introduce this attractive "sunshade," wearing with it over her low-cut sports dress a coat of heavy linen cut after the Chinese garments, with wide sleeves and tiny stand-up collar. These hats are very cheaply made at home, i,f one can but procure the basket. Chinese quarters in Los Angeles arc being besieged with requests for them. They are used by the Orientals as hats (minus the decorations and tied with a shoe string), and for shopping, washing vegetables and a thousand and one other useful ways. Honolulu is a good place to procure them if you happen to have friends there. They cost but a few cents and are very fascinating over a pretty face.

Fans Popular Again. Joan Crawford "hostessed" a small gathering at her home a few days ago clad in pyjamas featuring a rajah coat of gold and green lame. The high Oriental collar was fastened tight about the throat by small jewelled frogs; a wide cummerbund sash of green satin encircled her waist. The trousers, caught in at the ankles in harem fashion, were also created in jade green satin. "Fanwaving" is back again. Virginia Bruce, one of the first to bring the fashion back, has a collection, of these thoroughly feminine gadgets. One of her favourites is fashioned from some of the largest white ostrich plumes used on the costume she wore in a recent picture. Handkerchief linens are replacing chiffons for summer evening gowns. Jeanette Mac Donald, dining with friends recently, was displaying the latest addition to her wardrobe. The draped inodci evening gown was created in Chartreuse handkerchief linen, with a clever little yellow linen jacket. Tabs on the jacket tied in knots as fastenings. Mona Barrie, dark-haired Australian actress, takes the prize so far for the most original belt buckle seen around Hollywood. .It is a miniature sword and scabbard, made from yellow' metal and carved galilith, so contrived that by slipping the sword into the scabbard a very dependable fastening is achieved. The unusual accessory decorates a wide, wine velvet belt that has been finely stitched and is w<\rn viMi a French blue silk crepe t.i«-"ic drc._^