No Gimmicks In Fashion Says “Vogue” Editor

Press, Volume C, Issue 29636, 5 October 1961, Page 2

No Gimmicks In Fashion Says “Vogue” Editor

There are no gimmicks in fashion, according to the newly-appointed editor of ‘•Vogue" for Australia and New Zealand, Mrs Joan Ches, ney Frost. She described socalled gimmicks as being anathema to fashion, in an interview in Christchurch yesterday. Trends that have reached Australia and New Zealand from overseas will be presented in the autumn-winter issues of “Vogue” magazine, coupled with the promotion of “families” of new colours. These will include French

mustard, hunting greens, browns and spice colours. A strong and interesting red, clove carnation, which is a current favourite in Britain, will also be featured, but Mrs Chesney Frost does not expect it to hit the forefront of the fashion scene in New Zealand until the following autumn-winter. Suits featuring the interesting scarf treatment seen in Paris collections would be shown, and were already in the ready-to-wear ranges, Mrs Chesney Frost said. Skirts would be much the same length as at present. Interesting shoe silhouettes would be featured, with square-toed and pointedtoed models ' sharing the hmelight equally Mrs Chesney Frost forecasts a promising future for square-toed shoes, which are not yet much in evidence in Christchurch. “They are a logical development from pointed toes.” she said. Mrs Chesney Frost is* in New Zealand for a fortnight to gain an over-all picture of the New Zealand fashion

scene, to seek suitable models for New Zealand editions, and to interview local fashion designers. Following the “Vogue” trend towards exotic backgrounds for fashion photography, a series of pictures will be taken against New Zealand scenery in May or June of this year. These will help to adapt overseas fashions to the New Zealand scene. Youngest Editor The youngest editor of the Conde Nast organisation's "Vogue” publications, which include English, French, American, Australian and New Zealand “Vogue” magazines. Mrs Chesney Frost graduated a bachelor of arts in English and philosophy. She was a modelffor a short time before taking up jomalistn. She spent must time in England working on newspapers and magazines, and accepted her present position a year ago. She spent four months in “Vogue's” London office before returning to Australia, and studied in the French and New York offices en route. She is married to a journalist. Her hobbies include television, reading (particularly Russian books), and cooking unusual recipes. She has written two children’s books and a biography. She is very widely travelled and experienced in fashions and fashion writing. Thus she is well equipped for an exacting job—undertaking responsibility for the entire editorial content of the magazine. for the models and photographers used, and to see that there are features as well as fashion interest.