COCKTAILS AND DINNER PRECEDE FASHION SHOW

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29260, 19 July 1960, Page 2

COCKTAILS AND DINNER PRECEDE FASHION SHOW

The spirit of Paris in spring time was captured in a series of colourful murals decorating the D.I.C. lounge for a cocktail party, preceding a dinner party and fashion parade, in Christchurch last evening. Bar tables were shaded with gay red -nd white striped awnings and pretty girls issued packets of cigarettes from round booths topped with domes in candy colours. Travel posters scattered liberally round the xfralls lent an air of holiday excitement to the scene. Unusual and luxurious fabrics were worn by the guests present who had dressed in high-fashion dinner and cocktail clothes for the occasion. There was a threequarter length cocktail coat of black poodle wool with a rounded neckline and voluminous sleeves. One woman wore a sheath dress of soft green mohair wool, and another' chose a pearl grey theatre coat of corded and pattered satin to complement her dark sheath dress. Star of the evening was a French clipped poodle with his coat dyed a delicate shade of sea green.

New season’s cottons were given their debut by some younger guests. particularly pretty dress was fashioned with a full skirt, three-quarter sleeves and a wide cape collar. The material design was of large turquoise roses on a white ground. More sophisticated in line and colour was the beige guipure lace dinner gown with its wide V neckline and cummerbund of amber satin. The wearer’s satin shoes were dyed to match the band. Velvet has been enjoying a win-

ter at the top of the fashion tree and last night many dresses and coats were in this sumptuous fabric. Often plain, in jewel tones, it showed its versatility in a frock of brick red and black leaf pattern with flecks of white in the over-all design.

Everywhere, replicas of the French tricolour fluttered gaily above the fteur delis. Paintings of gendarmes directing haphazard traffic and fascinating boulevard scenes were also represented. This theme was carried on into the restaurant where some courses were served under candy-striped awnings and where later, the parade was staged before everchanging backdrops depicting traditional Parisian scenic attractions.

The models taking part in the parade were from all parts of New Zealand. They were Anna Neilson, of Auckland; Bobbie Jarvis, of Hamilton; June Donovan, of Wellington; Pam Duff, of Dunedin and Barbie Worthington, of Christchurch. The parade was organised as a showing ,of Pari-sian-inspired designs in cotton dresses for this coming summer season.