N.Z. FASHION PUZZLE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30558, 29 September 1964, Page 2

N.Z. FASHION PUZZLE

A recent spotlight on New Zealand fashion came through the eyes of 1965 wool awards judge, Joy McGillawee. Mrs McGillawee is director of the Canadian branch of the International Wool Secretariat and a fashion expert. She visited New Zealand to judge the 1965 wool awards.

This year, manufacturers from all parts of New Zealand sent in sample garments to com-

pete for the 11 gold medals and supreme award. Woollen mills sent lengths

of fabric to enter for their textile supreme award.

Ahead or Behind? One of Mrs McGillawee’s first impressions was that she could not decide whether New Zealand was ahead of the world fashion cycle or behind it. “You are already showine autumn '65 yet Canada still has to show spring ’65,” she said. Because of the difference in seasons, New Zealand had a better chance of being first with Paris inspired winter fashions. “Already I can see among New Zealand garments some of the smooth-faced fabrics that were news at the recent collections.” Mrs McGillawee commented. Lack of Colour Nevertheless, Mrs McGillawee had some pertinent comments to make on the New Zealand fashion scene. Lack of colour was obvious to her, and she emphasised that more colour and brighter colour—allied to a variety of textures —was needed in every field of I fashion. Her other main criticism of New Zealand fashion was that it was too mature. Young girls were wearing clothes that were too old for: them. Even the general fit and body structure of most suits and dresses made them more suitable for older women. Young in Heart “Today’s feeling for fashion is going through a young phase—not so much an age, but a young, active feeling. Clothes have to follow the lines of the body but not fit tightly,” she said. An example of the young way of dressing was the discotheque dress, designed especially for the dance craze, simple but with hemline interest to focus attention on the legs. Mrs McGillawee was pleased to see one discotheque dress with flying hipline panels among the entries for the couture section. Knitwear All three knitwear sections, women’s formal and informal and men’s wear, Mrs McGillawee thought were particularly good. She noticed some very interesting knits which she felt were new and exciting. Skirt and slacks manufacturers should co-ordinate more with knitwear manufacturers in colour and style, said Mrs McGillawee. These fashions had to be complementary and co-ordinated in colour. Results of the wool awards contest will be announced next February.