Dresses at a Flower Ball.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 21, 24 July 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

Dresses at a Flower Ball.

What certainly appears to have been an exceedingly pretty ball, given by Mr. Henry Oppenheim, is described at considerable length in a recent London Telegraph. It was understood that each lady was to represent her favourite flower, and there were necessarily repetitions , but so there are in the most exquisitely arranged nosegay, and the effect was as excellent in the one as in the other. Mrs. Oppenheim herself was attired to represent a Basket of Poppies, the bodice of her gown a basketwork of gold embroidery, while the flowers were made to form both berthe and sleeves. Lilian Duchess of Marlborough chose her own name-flower, which was displayed most artistically in a dress of white satin with high stems of white regal lilies arranged up the skirt, As if they were growing. The Duchess of Leeds looked charm'\ng in a dress of handsome brocade in a deJign of Roses, and trimmed with garlands of roses shaded from deepest crimson to soft pink, without foliage and softly embedded In tulle. Mrs. Asquith's toilette as a Red Rose was accorded a full measure of admirstion. The Hon. Mrs. George Keppel was Cherry-Blossom, and gave fulfilment as well as promise, as her gown was trimmed with fruit besides flower. Mrs. John M 'Donald appeared as that ' Chosen Leaf of Bard and Chief, Old Erin's Native Shamrock,' whioh looked quite at home on English ground, where it is not popularly supposed to flourish. The gown of emeraldgreen satin had upon it large velvet shamrocks, deep in tone. The bodice was formed of one large trefoil, elaborately jewelled. The Countess of Caledon's costume as La France Rose was quite a triumph. The gown was all aoftj snowy tulle over silk. Thjre was no gleam or glitter, bub just soft, light, white, silky-looking tulle. On it was arranged a series of branches of La France Roses and foliage, looking as if they had bnt been broken from the trees, and dew-dropped, both flowers and leaves, with crystal so natural in appearance that one looked for it to roll like quicksilver over the surface. A Lamballe wreath of La France Roses was worn with a high white, light, and dainty marabout feather at one side. Lady Jane Seymour Coombe chose a Ihiatle. Space forbids further quotation.