RIBBONS ON SHOW

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 2

RIBBONS ON SHOW

Special Display In London

LONDON. Some 78 uses for ribbons have been counted by the Silk and Rayon Association of Britain, which recently held in London an exhibition called Ribbon Review. The ribbon industry makes a type for every use: buyers can either have a special quality or one of the versatile standard qualities which can be adapted. There is even a special kind of ribbon produced to strengthen wigs. The fashion designers have been using ribbons for some time to accent a line or to decorate a simple dress, and Ribbon Review showed how ribbon could give personality and charm to a simple blouse or a plain woollen cardigan.

Today, too, it is becoming fashionable for women to wear ribbon in their hair, because, rightly used, it is a great flatterer. Particularly attractive for this purpose are organdie ribbons, patterned or plain, black or cherry-red velvet. Since the 17th century, when Samuel Pepys used to tie ribbons to cards bearing sentimental greetings and attach them to gifts for his many lady friends on St. Valentine’s Day. ribbon has been used to decorate greeting cards of every kind. In 1958, six member firms of Britain's Greeting Card and Calendar Association used more than 1000 miles of ribbon on their greeting cards and wedding stationery. Ribbons have gone far since the days of Pepys. The modern types include novelty ribbons made from fluorescent acetate in seven brilliant colours, ribbon made to complement lingerie, and a golden ribbon which will not tarnish.

Many of the firms in Britain’s ribbon industry can boast of a century of production. One company, with records going back to 1846, has sent employees to the United States of America, Canada and Australia to set up ribbonmaking subsidiaries in those countries.