A PREVIEW

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25936, 17 October 1949, Page 2

A PREVIEW

Fashion history will be made in Christchurch to-day. For the first time tn the city, model frocks made of lovely materials will be shown at a mannequin parade in little more than a week from the day they left the salons of world-famous designers in London. In Death's tearooms this afternoon a fabric and fashion display will be shown and it will be a challenge. thrown out by this enterprising firm, to those who consider that New Zealand women's dressing is monotonous and lacking in imagination. The materials of which the gowns are made come from the West Cumberland silk mills. They are designed by the firm's designer and managing director, Mr Miki Sekers. whose fabrics have been acclaimed in Britain and America as most original in design and texture and who has invaded the former happy hunting grounds of the French textile industry. To-day's parade will be notable in many ways. First the gowns are qiade in styles to suit the fabrics and style and fabric share in producing smartness and individuality. Then the frocks, which have come straight from the workrooms of London couturieres. are most attractive. They are not extreme: they are wearable, perfect in cut, and flattering and they are suitable for wearing at afternoon ©r evening receptions or at cocktail or d.nner oar des in Christchurch.

The lovely materials recall the splendour of earlier and more opulent days. Taffetas, failles, tie-silks, brocades and Ottomans all appear in a wide range of colours. They are top fashion news this season. They are not stiff—not the kind that “stood alone” in our grandmother’s time—and they are not limp. Many are iridescent in effect, gome of the beautiful satin failles are finely ribhed. mners are patterned with self-coloured coin spots or most effectively striped with chenille. Almost all are in the muted shade* which now lead in the fashion world and are described in all overseas fashion journals. Bat perhaps the most exciting feature of the parade this week will be the display of genuine original models from the London salons the names of

Fabrics And Fashion GOWNS FLOWN FROM LONDON

| which are household words. They are elegant and becoming; they -combine originality with common sense. Amongst I the most widely-known designers rei presented in the collection is Susan I Small. Many covetous eyes will be cast on models created in her salon. She has sent a frock of rose and black chenille-striped taffeta, made with a full skirt, a demure collar of blush pink- broderie anglaise and a dramatic cummerbund of black velvet. Another cocktail frock from the same house is of silver grey brocade, with a draped shawl collar and a wide belt of violet and silver.

Exciting Styles Backfulness in the skirt is used by Meredith in a frock of steel grey moire-taifeta with gunmetal buttons and sequined side-panels at the waist giving a slendering line.

Many of the models have • pencil slim skirts with apron like overdress giving a fly-away effect at the back. Both Frederick Starke and Arthur Banks exploit the asymetrical neckline. One of the highlights of the collection is a ball-dress by Banks, it is of Rubens varrant striped taffeta in subdued tones of wine, green, and gold, with a bunch of muted pink j i oses poised unexpectedly on one hip. One of Frederick Starke's masterpieces is a cocktail suit of cerise moire faille, i with short fitting jacket, narrow sleeves and gored skirt—a perfect addition to the trousseau of a dark-hair- . ed bride who is looking forward to . many social engagements. Stocks of the beautiful materials of which the models are made arrived at [Eeaths on Thursday and they will be I on sale in the firm’s piece goods de■partment.- The models will be faith- | fully copied or adapted in the firm’s workrooms and women may have no I misgivings in placing their orders, i Death’s dressmaker-designer has made I detailed-sketches of each frock and {she may be trusted to produce an iexact copy of any model in the chosen material or if desired, an adaptation ' of a style. The parade will be held in Death’s ; tearoom to-morrow, and on [Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. I —Advt