Fashions Of Melbourne Girls Defended

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30900, 5 November 1965, Page 2

Fashions Of Melbourne Girls Defended

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, Nov. 3. Lady Nathan, a former Mayoress of Melbourne, today staunchly defended local dress customs and Melbourne society’s criticism of the British model, Jean Shrimpton.

The criticism began when Miss Shrimpton appeared at Flemington race course on “Derby Day” last Saturday in a simple white shift, without gloves, hat or stockings and in a skirt four inches above her knees.

Miss Shrimpton, the world’s highest-paid model watched the Melbourne Cup at Flemington recently wearing a two-piece suit—with all the right accessories. She said she had worn the outfit at the request of the organisers of her Australian visit.

“It is obvious Miss Shrimpton has never been to Ascot,”

said Lady Nathan. “Her arrival at Flemington in that dress on Saturday was comparable to one of our top models, or ‘Miss Victoria’ or ‘Miss Australia’ going to Ascot without a hat, without gloves and without stockings.

“I think Australian women dress as well as any women in the world. Of course, we are behind the times. Our seasons are different.

“If Miss Shrimpton wants to wear skirts four inches above

her knees in London, that’s her business. But it’s not done here.

“We all took exception to her not wearing hat or gloves on Saturday. But she wore them yesterday. Surely you have respect for the country you visit and wear the right thing. “I feel we know so much better than Miss Shrimpton.” Lady Nathan denied that Australian women dressed over-elaborately although there were “a few novelties.”

“We dress for our climate,” she said. “Our dress compares with any in the world, and we have nothing to be ashamed about.”