FIGHTING A FASHION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 532, 12 June 1909, Page 11

FIGHTING A FASHION.

It is now nearly a year since the Queen of Italy started' a movement among patriotic Italian women in favour of individualism in dress. It was specially desirous that civilised women throughout the world Should got away from the domination of Paris and Vienna. Now we have, almost similar action taken by Mrs. Taft, who by word and example preaches secession from foreign fashions. Hot action has given a strong impute to what savours of a minor revolution. A lew weeks ago fifty-two owners of large establishments for the making .of women's clothing in different parts of the United States met in congress. This congress was opened with a- letter from Mrs. Taft. in which she,expressed tho hope that the projected great American spring exhibition of fashions would undeniably demonstrate that America could hold her own against Paris The assembled manufacturers contended tlflt lb per cent, of the models sold in America as Parisian were of American origin. The same thuiß,.of course (says a Melbourne paper) obtains here, whore Australian women are paid good salaries, to design "Parisian" models. The Parisian designer, according to American authorities, always strives in his creations to dazzle, and to conceal nature j 7°°,?°: meanTviile. demand a model that will bo comfortable as well as artistic. Mrs. Asquith's recent action in giving a. display of hor Parisian costumes, and an incidental display of a laok of propor fooling is likely to have good results evervwncro. Women with a groin of patriotic fee'llng will recogmse that things nave gone far enough, and Fashion trill RraduaUy become less arbitrary is at present