Preview Of Exclusive Evening Wear

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29767, 9 March 1962, Page 2

Preview Of Exclusive Evening Wear

With the advent of winter and the ball and party season, fashion-conscious women in Christchurch will soon be thinking of appropriate clothes.

A preview of exclusive garments for the social season was seen at the Winter Garden last evening modelled on up-to-the-minute Continental fashions and fabrics

The Cleopatra look, the return to popularity of fulllength evening gowns. and vibrant new colours were highlights of the parade. New

“twist” dresses seen were copied from Rome models, and made entirely of fringing mounted on fabric. These frocks were in a simple sheath style, with squared necklines. Uncluttered, elegant lines combined with beautiful fabrics in most garments seen. An example was a short dance dress in white satin, embroidered all over in gold, the hemline trimmed with full-blown flowers in gold and white.

The Cleopatra influence, made popular by the actress Elizabeth Taylor, was seen in one gown of parakeet blue, draped over the bodice and one shoulder, to form a flyaway stole at the back. The skirt was made of several pieces of floating nylon organza.

Suggestions for theatre wear were incorporated in dramatic theatre coats with matching dresses. One in topaz brocade was finished with three huge bows down the front, with fur trimming the neckline and sleeves. The matching dress was backless, with elbow-length sleeves. An example of the fulllength gowms was a beaded brocade of parakeet blue, clasically styled in the manner of ancient Egypt. For a young winter bride, there was a short white satin dress trimmed with white fur near the hemline, and with wide three-quarter length sleeves. The “bride” carried a jewelled white muff edged with fur to match that on her dress, and wore a small jewelled pillbox head-dress and long tulle veil.

Newest colours for evening wear seen were water melon red and parakeet blue. A collection of daywear was also shown at the parade, organised by Straven Gowns, Ltd., to display their own garments.

Lincoln College Women’s Group.— A programme on Austria was given at the first 1962 meeting of the Lincoln College Women’s Group. Mrs A. Fraser spoke on skiing in Austria, and Mrs 1 Hand on Austrian handicrafts.