MAKER, MODEL AND COMPERE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29361, 14 November 1960, Page 2

MAKER, MODEL AND COMPERE

One-Woman Show

A revolution in dress modelling has been started by Mrs Gwen Gill, of Auckland. For her show, which she will present in Christchurch this week, she is dressmaker, model, and compere. The dresses, 'made up from the patterns of one of her sponsors, have back fastenings for quick changes. In/addition, Mrs Gill will give advice to the audience on making up patterns, and on the correct foundation garments and accessories to wear. She will help women to choose suitable fabrics, and will measure them for correct patterns. “The usual sort of fashion show is too glamorous, and too much apart from the audience,” said Mrs Gill yesterday. She found that women appreciated the chance to talk to her, and share their dressmaking problems, she said. “They get a great thrill out of having fabric draped on them.”

Mrs Gill began her career as a model at the age of 18. After several years of dress designing experience in Australia. she returned to New Zealand to her modelling career. “I found it auite unsatisfactory,” she said. Then seven years ago she was given a microphone to compere her own fashion show. That was the beginning of a business that has taken her to almost every town in New Zealand. Water Colour Sketches

She keeps a record of each town by a water-colour sketch. Yesterday she was working on a drawing of the Dunedin cenotaph. She has held a few exhibitions in Auckland.

An art and craft studio in Auckland was another of Mrs Gill’s interests. It started as therapy work for her daughter, who was crippled by poliomyelitis. Mrs Gill invited several other crippled children io join in, for company for her daughter. “They made a terrific mess, but they had a wonderful time,” she said. When her daughter grew up, she continued with the studio on a professional basis until her marriage. “She still does a little in her spare time, but her son keeps her pretty busy.” said Mrs Gill. She is looking forward to seeing her grandson when she returns to Auckland.