FASHION HISTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1938, Page 18

FASHION HISTORY

JAMES SMITH'S DRESS PARADE.

Everything combined yesterday to assure the success of the opening day of James Smith's Spring Dress Parade. The sun shone, there was an exquisite arrangement of cherry-blossom and rose-pink rhododendron in the beautiful tearoom, and the charming mannequins who showed the latest examples of overseas fashion offerings added the finishing touch of interest. It was no wonder that the tables were crowded with spectators enjoying not only the famous afternoon tea, but revelling also in a form of entertainment that appeals to every woman the world over.

The James Smith's models were examples of the very latest overseas frocks, coats, and hats, as well as furs, not only as the designers intended them to be worn, but with a clever .knowledge of suitability to type and colouring. Hats were given a short scene of their own, when the charm and femininity of the present departure in style was most successfully demonstrated.

All the new fashion high-lights were seen, carried out in the revolutionary colour schemes of today, through the medium of the rich, supple, and beautifully designed new materials. The most definite impressions left by the afternoon's display were of colour, and a bright new outlook in the matter of form. Wherever a new note could be sounded, one of the great designers seems to have taken up his trumpet and sounded it, defiantly, triumphantly. With the result that we are launched, as was shown yesterday, on a season of gaiety, of striking design, daring colour combination, and withal a certain buoyancy of style that must bring a song to the hardest and most unsympathetic heart.

The sports clothes shown were practical to a degree, washable and wear able, but utterly feminine. The morning street wear brought clearly into the I spotlight the smart tailoring so necessary to city requirements, while for the afternoon and formal visiting hours a more extravagant and elaborate note crept in, both in material and design. Wide hats of summer felt or fine straw showed a becoming sweep of brim; dinky, small hats carried ostrich feather, flower, or ribbon trimming and dainty clouds 1 of veiling. These adorable small hats were also worn with the new short cocktail —the "Sunday-night-or-cinema"—frocks. The bridge, dinner, and formal evening gowns showed perfect cut, giving grace and dignity, the style in some cases vicing for interest with the pattern of the material.

There is a word to be said for the excellent organisation of the display, whicn flowed easily and naturally on, to rhythmic pianoforte accompaniment, while the various ensembles were described in detail through a microphone.

The. Dress Parade will be repeated to4ay,-and 4oxnorac<iw-r-1!.8J5w