Travel “Essential” For Textile Trade Students

Press, Volume C, Issue 29638, 7 October 1961, Page 5

Travel “Essential” For Textile Trade Students

It was essential tor young New Zealand students of the manufacturing and buying of textiles to go abroad for study, particularly to England and Germany, said a young Christchurch woolbuyer. Mr M. J. Champion, yesterday. Mr Champion recently returned from more than two years’ study in these countries. He said he believed that Bradford was probably the most valuable of all as a study centre for New Zealanders. It was the centre of England’s textile trade, and it could without doubt offer greater opportunities. However, it was also necessary for the young student to know of new trends and processes in the rest of Europe. At Germany’s largest combing mill at Bremen-Blumen-thal, in northern Germany, he had had another valuable experience in studying the different systems of manufacture and distinctive styles of Continental clothing manufacture. He had also spent several months studying in France at the northern town of Tourcoing, near Lisle. Mr Champion said he considered the German people possibly the best dressed, both men and women. Although the girls were perhaps not as sophisticated as those of some other European countries, they had an attractive smartness and casual air of dress. “And also they don’t use

so much make-up as in England. I think the English girls use far too much.” he said. ; And what about clothing trends for the coming year in New Zealand? he ,wa« asked. Looking down at a well-cut British-made suit without any trouser cuff. Mr Champion said he expected this trend would eventually com? to the Dominion. As with new designs in women's shoes, men’s footwear was also tending to feature the square-toed look. Colours were perhaps in a greater range than before, with a new creamy fawn shoe coming into its own. Also in vogue on the Continent was the even narrower suit lapel, and the. three-button-style suit. Mr Champion said the climate of this country should always be taken into consideration when making any pronouncements about fashions. “I think we must remember that our climate here is more suitable for casual wear. It is not really to important for New Zealanders to be up to the minute in . following overseas fashions.” Mr Champion studied at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, and at the i Katapoi Woollen Mills. He holds a certificate in wool- . classing from Lincoln Col- ’ lege. In Bradford he received a wool buyers’ and top i merchanting certificate.