FOR THE BALLS TO BE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 514, 22 May 1909, Page 11

FOR THE BALLS TO BE.

Dame Fashion hath lent such:' cunning fingers to her subleties and art this year that she has excelled herself in the witcheries of gowns and gewgaws for, tho coming brilliant season 1 . • ' Wellington, the city of power'and fashion, is now become tho most brilliantly gay oi all the four centres in the two islands. : Wo are simmering with suppressed excitement and delight over the important balls before us. Tho Kaco Cluh ball, now superbly magnificent event, the Garrison, and other lesser, though festive,, affairs, cape us to seriously reflect upon some charming oonfections wherewith, to tako, out part in tho gala'nights so soon to ho upon us. There aro drawers crammed gontly with hidden delights at The Economic, all of de-licately-woven . silks, satins, and evening fabrics, in hues so tenderly coloured; that one is half afraid'to lay fingers upon them so'fragile and wholly beautiful are they to the eyes. ; Directoire and semi-empire-are now de rigour, although** there arq many who are suited best by the ordinary detached bodice and skirt.' Yellow, bronze, and faint mauve are favourite colours for the evening season, and ono charming govjn of deep maiso captivates one's heart. It is directoire, of ricn satin with touches of old-looking lace, so delicately worked that ono instinctively feels it a sacrilege to put fingers upon; it. This frock is quoted at six guineas. Another of: creamy chiffon over an underdress of, chiffon taffetas, the over-dress very elaborately designed in palest mauve orchids from hem' to waist, the .perfection of tho designer's art. is a .trained directoire, tho tout ensomble having a peculiarly fascinating effect. This is an eight guinea frock. Perhaps the most bewitching' is a lac« over-dress with silk foundation, the laoo having a ; charming design in silver. This is marked at seven guineas, and is a wonderfully striking gown. Some very beautiful materials for ball frocks are on show, in different tones of blue, gold, mauve, green, and pink. Each material Iras an embroidery, in delicate: design for. working into it. ... ' At The Economic these ball frocks, and fabrics may be seen. . This year this establishment has made ■ its evening catering a speciality, and one is amply . rewarded fot an hour spent among the exquisite goods. Fans, laces, evening gloves, and all the dainty requirements of the woman of fashion are purchasable, quotations being reasonable. Theatre and ball, wraps are being shown and are extremely smart/many having gold, or silver designs.

Already, says a London writer,', an aeronautical club for women, "The Stella," has been started in Paris. More 7 than one woman has been honoured by , 1 the offer of a "lift" from Mr. Wilbur Wright during tho recent flights at Pau. Feminine enthusiasts are seeking to acquire the Aero Club's pilot certificates. Mme. Surconf, tho wife of the well-known airship expert, has even committed herself: to tho dictum that/"ballooning ,is infinitely finer than niotoring," and has hinted -darkly 1 at, tho joys of midnight "flits." "I can conceive, sho says, "nothing more poetic than moonlight trips in the air." Realising' that many men would object to their wives and sisters going up alone, the rules of th& "Stella Club" lave been framed to; admit of male members. But men are excluded from any voice in the management of the club, but there they are, ready with interferences dimly disguised as friendly hints. . It is to bo hoped that they will not' raise objections to those. poetical trips into the moonlit heavens. How near we aro to aoroplaning as a fashionable sport may be judged.from the fact that Burberry, the well-known sporting costumiers, have put a . special costume foi aerial travel upon the market. Mr. Wilbur Wright's methods iu dealing with feminine passengers' were too barbaric for tho ordinary woman. The ingenious American simply slipped an indianibber baud ,around the skirts of his women friends,: and tied then (the friends, not the'skirts), to their seats. They might speak, but they could not move. Burberry's aeroplane dress relieves ' both pilot and passcngor of : all anxiety, due to the cumbering skirt. The cpstume is mado of gabardine, and comprises a coat and skirt, the former fitting closely,, and wrapping warmly over tho chest. Tho skirt is pleated from the waist downwards. A sericß of open bands are stitched on to tho material, and through, those a strip of fabric is threaded, which is tied at the back upon entering the aeroplane. .'The device, of oourse, overcomes the trouble which met Mr. Wilbur Wright'b feminine passengers, for the' fullness of the 'skirt is comfortably, secured about the ankles. Above this oostume is a gabardino coat, lined with fur. A light but warm overcoat is ossential when aeroplaning.