LONGER SKIRT FASHION

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25306, 4 October 1947, Page 8

LONGER SKIRT FASHION

N.Z. MANUFACTURERS’ OPPOSITION

CONSERVATION OF LABOUR AND MATERIALS Manufacturers of women’s and girls* clothing in New Zealand have been recommended not to follow the fashion trend for an increase in the length of frocks. The president of the New Zealand Women’s and Girls’ Outerwear Manufacturers’ Federation (Mr J. J. Delahunt) nas suggested to all members that the trend should not be followed in current or forward production, and that they should maintain the length of garments customary under their current practice. , This recommendation has been discussed with the New Zealand Retailers’ Federation, which supports it. The decision has been made because of the additional usage of materials and labour that would be involved, and certain other factors which would have an effect on the industry. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer) has been advised of the federations decision. He has been asked to take it into account in considering licences for the importation of women’s garments. .. Commenting yesterday on the federation’s decision, Mr A. M. Hollander, chairman of the women’s and girls’ outerwear trade group of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, said that New Zealand clothing manufacturers followed overseas trends, but modified them to suit New Zealand conditions, because New Zealand sizes and types were different from those of other countries. At the same time manufacturers had to make what their retail customers demanded, and retail establishments in turn were influenced by their own customer demand. Mr Hollander said that in view of the material shortage, manufacturers realised that the limited yardage available should be used to produce the greatest number of garments. To the extent that they could do this they were advocating a continuation of present day skirt lengths. “I would like to see the situation continue where any woman wearing a street frock longer than the present normal length will select herself as an object of criticism by other women rather than as a so-called leader of fashion,” added Mr Hollander.