WOOL FASHIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 162, 10 July 1940, Page 12

WOOL FASHIONS.

UNUSUAL DRESS PARADE. "MORNING TILL NIGHT." Wool has indeed made its bid for fashion power, and with what success was revealed in the pageant, "Fashions In Wool," wliieh was held in the Town Hall last night under the auspices of the New Zealand Wool Council and the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee. The proceeds of the pageant are to l>c donated to the Patriotic Fund. The model, which were created by such world-famous designers as Schiaparelli, Lydia, Moss, Digbv-Morton and Simpson, of Piccadilly, were shown by three New | Zealand mannequins, Misses .Toy Allan. Paddy Jacomb and Jean llinton, while Mrs. Inn Allan, .director of the pageant, provided a running commentary 011 each model shown. The exhibition, which is being shown throughout New Zealand, was of particular importance to this country, since wool was one of our main sources of revenue, said Mr. J. A. C. Allum, deputychairman of the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, in opening the pageant. It was presented with the object of showing what scientific research had accomplished in the world of wool, and it was also a direct challenge to synthetic methods, since the garments being displayed could only be .. made with 100 per cent pure wool. Woollens in lame, taffeta, georgette, lace and voile had now taken their place beside the tweeds, in which wool had always been supreme, said Mrs. Allan, and the entire lield of fashion, from negligees to evening clothes, was represented. One of the great advantages of the materials was their unerushablc j quality, and they could also be washed without fear of shrinkage. In the first section, housecoats and negligees were shown, softly flaring grey housecoats over pastel negligees in blue and pink being very j>opular. One charming pale pink negligee with an [ old-world effect, had ruffled sleeves and was trimmed with lace so delicate it was j difficult to imagine it was made of wool. Sports, Afternoon and Evening. I The sports ensembles revealed many | striking new features, such as gay patchwork shorts and knee-lengtli socks, while the colour combines were most I unusual. "Shocking pink" was used in 1 a bow on one white blouse, the shorts | j being of violet blue. More conventional l but extremely smart was a cream cruise | suit in all-wool tweed flannel, with a : navy jumper and beret. A »cliarming new note in the styles for afternoon and cocktail wear was the use of brightly coloured felt flowers in the hair, instead of a hat, while posies of flowers on the corsages carried out the colours of the accessories. Many of the frocks had complementary jackets. Of special interest were several frocks which had been made in New Zealand, one of the most attractive of these being in a Paisley design in prune and beige, with an apron skirt and slightly leg of mutton sleeves. Another lovely model was in powder blue with a swing skirt edged with multi-coloured felt flowers. It is in evening clothes, however, that these woollens make the greatest impression, for thdy revolutionise our former theories .that silks and satins were the only, materials suitable for glamorous occasions. The softly flowing way in which wool hangs makes it eminently suitable for evening gowns and capes, and this was demonstrated in several lovely ensembles. One wide cape in grey with a black sequin motif and heavy black cord as its only trimming, was worn over a moulded gown in tomato red. • The final section showed a bridal retinue. The bride wore a beautiful gown in white wool lace with a variation of a Dolly Varden hat, trimmed with cerise flowers., while her gloves and tiny bouquets were of the same colour. Graceful gowns in printed materials were worn by the bridesmaids. Music was supplied by the Devonport Orphans' Orchestra, and items were interspersed throughout the parade. The parade will be repeated to-night.