Wash and wear — 1970s ‘suede'

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 17

Wash and wear — 1970s ‘suede '

llalston, the top, American designer, has made his latest collection entirely from it; Happy Rockefeller wore it almost continuously during her visit to New Zealand and Australia with the American Vice President; the Kennedy women have given it the clan’s seal of approval . . . New Zealand women who can pay the price for timeless, quality clothing, are expected to he just as enthusiastic.

This American success story is I Itrasuede. A Japanese man-made suede fabric, it has all the virtues of the real thing, and few of the disadvantages. U here it really scores over suede leather is in its washability. It can l>e hand or machine washed in mild soap, and tumbledried. And it will not shrink, fray, or wrinkle. We are reliably informed by a Christchurch woman experienced in the ways of fashion clothes that left to its own devices it will dry in aljout an hour, returning to its original shape. Even a trouser crease will come back just like new. She is converted now. I Itrasuede and its comfxanions “take” dyes exceptionally well. The depth of colouring gives the brighter sapphire blues and deep melons a particular glow, and the delicous pales are posivitely luminious. The original fabric. Ultrasuede, was launched in the United States in 1974. That yeai it was the fabric all Seventh Avenue — and most of their affluent customers — were talking about. Since then the formula has been duplicated by other companies, in varying grades and qualities of the fabric. El Jay, the Auckland company which has the franchise for Christian Dior garments, has the exclusive rights to Ultrasuede in New Zealand this year. Escaine. also a high quality simulated suede., is limited here to only a few manufacturers. This is a felt-type fabric, while Ultrasuede has a woven backing with a sprayed on flock. But the basic ingredients are the same — 60 per cent polyester. 10 per cent nonfibrous polyurethane. It is an almost weightless fabric, supple and easy to wear. Almost velvety to the touch, the scientists have produced a nap that is more silky than most suede and is reported not to “rub” or shed. Beaths have lx>th, styled in the contemporary classics that are the mainstay of any well-dressed woman’s wardrobe these days. Jackets that can be worn with straightcut pants or the new, slimmer skirts; shirtstyle coats that can double as a tailored dress; the over-dress that can be worn on its own. or with a blouse or sweater. Add a silky blouse or skirt, and the outfit is no longer sporty chic, but prettily dressed.