SKIRTS RISE HIGHER

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29270, 30 July 1960, Page 2

SKIRTS RISE HIGHER

New St. Laurent Styles (Rec. 8 p.m.) PARIS, July 27. The designer, Yves St. Laurent, Dior's successor, dropped a bombshell today by chopping skirts off short enough to show the knees and dropping the waistline nearly to the bottom of the hips, American Associated Press reported. Busts are flattened and waists swallowed up. The line is basically a sack or chemise, with a low-slung bag tucked in at the bottom. Jackets, too, have dropped drastically to the bottom of the hip, where ' the gathered-on melon skirts takes over.' It is moderately tucked in at the hem, which usually hits midknee level. St. Laurent did not name his new shape, but it looked a bit like a bomb or elongated melon.' It always hangs on a long, slack middy top. The flapper era influence la strong, but to complicate matters there is an African theme in hats shaped like African huts or anthills and barbaric costume jewellery. Colours are dark for day—sober brown, black, prune and steel grey—with gold and silver lames, beading and bright shades for evening.