MAINLY FOR WOMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 June 1934, Page 9

MAINLY FOR WOMEN

ITEMS OF INTEREST

MEN BEAUTY SPECIALISTS

PREFERRED BY WOMEN

•‘Men tire more successful in the beauty parlour than women,” says two Philadelphia exports in that fit lit “lie-men,” once they have learned the art of hairdressing, are most successful of all, says the New' York correspondent of the London “Daily Mail.” Mr. C. .1. Ostrander, director ol a beauty school, says: “filo average woman, whether she will admit it or not, would rather have a man working on her coiffure than a woman. “The bigger. brawnier, redderblooded the man is, the more popular he is with patrons.”

Two instances are given. One is a blacksmith who abandoned the anvil for the curling tongs ami became an accomplished beauty operator. The other is a professional football player who became the head of a beauty parlour. “There is a. physical reason for men's greater efficiency,” says Mr. Cstrangcr. “To be a really good hairdresser unusually strong wrists are essential. Consequently, men are better equipped than women.” A good creative male hairdresser is able to produce a more attractive and a more individual coiffure than is a, woman.

While the average wage of a good hairdresser rises to .£lO a week, excluding tips, a “creative artist’’ can earn up to .£5O a week.

CAN WOMEN FORM FOURS?

BRITISH LEGION PARADES

The deportment of women members of the British Legion when they take part in parades provoked a lively discussion at the conference of the Women’s Section in London recently. Mrs. P. Hilton Moore (Moreton and District) moved a resolution suggesting.’ that a certain amount, of drilling beforehand would, improve matters. She said that for some years she had been unhappy about the impression women must make while on parade upon the ordinary man in the street, who had neither the imagination nor the opportunity of realising the wonderful work _ done by the women’s section.

"In my own branch,” she said, "a member of the executive, a, sergeantmajor, has kindly taken us in hand, and in a simple manner has taught us the right ways of dealing with the standard on all occasions, and, at any rate, how to keep in step while marching.” One woman declared indignantly that the women could march as well as the men. “At any rate,” she added, "if you cannot march to the tune of ‘Tipperary’ you have no sense of rhythm.” (Laughter.) Mrs. Macgregor Whyte (Wimbledon) said that she was an ex-Servic? woman, and as such had had a certain amount of drilling during the war.

“I went a short while ago to a dedication ceremony with my Legion branch,” she said. “A number of women members were invited, and we were given the honour of leading off. Believe me, we looked pathetic. We were supposed to march four in column, but women have not the remotest idea of forming fours, and instead we marched in threes and fives.

“We are asked through the courtesy of the Legion to join in their parades and we have no right to make those parades look ridiculous. Why, I even saw one procession in which a woman was wheeling a perambulator.”

Mrs Davis (Normanion) said, when they had women of sixty and over, as they had in her branch, it was too late to begin drilling them. (Laughter).

“We have a. certain number of women who have kept in good form by touching their toes, and they could march, but we have in our ranks the mothers of lads who went to the war, and f it is only I’ai) - to remember that these older women cannot step out like the younger people. After a woman has reached the middle-aged spread di tiling is not possible lor her.” i Loud laughter). The resolution was lost.

A COURT FASHION SURVEY

(By Hon. Mis C. W. Forester I

V(.luminous styles in Court creations seem to have become unfashionable. Sometimes one fears that in return for economy and comfort the ceremonial side, of dress will be simplified too much. Personally, 1 prefer Court clothes to gain rather than lose in regal aspect, as is only fitting for the greatest Court in the world.

However, the traditions and familiar beauties that, surround England’s Courts arc there, and certainly Court dresses, though undoubtedly simplified. will he very lovely this season. Despite the increasing severity of line sponsored by our dress artists, there is also a desire to take advantage of the revival of feminine fallals, frills and furbelows, and certain styles from the past. Though lines may be simple, materials are sumptuous, and trimmings full of elegance and charm. It is a gold season, but neither debutante nor bride will waive her claim to silver. Silver always makes an appeal to youth, though, like gold, it. is still more lovely when backed with pale-coloured or white satin. The new rveave of silver or gold with its firm satin backing is an ideal fabric for Court.

Very lovely are models made up with both the front and back fabric revealed in turn. White satin makes a glorious dress, showing glimpses of the silver side. The Court, train of silver, in its turn, can disclose deep rovers of the satin. This, worn with white and silver shoes, complete with feathers and \eil, is most effective for a debutante.

Heavy ottoman silk and rich makes of faille are lovely in white. There is a great feeling for all these cld-fashioned silks and taffetas of a rather heavier make. Some insist on choosing these heavy, rich materials in preference to the lighter orchid colourings, but the dressmakers seem mostly to prefer the pastel tints in chiffons and georgettes.

The feeling for white and all the pale late eighteenth-century colours is very pronounced. Older women long for the rich, beautiful materials, added to a surfeit of gold. Sequins, too. are woven into both silk and satfii, as well as the thinner, gauzy fabrics. Very thin velvet or panne used sparingly is lovely in palest blue or a. faded pink. Cloths of silver, shot and backed with soft, colours, arc very beautiful for trains when the frock is of a similar tone dusted with silver. ‘l'bo selection must, be made with regard to type and individual colouring. Some of the satins, too, are backed with a brilliant colour, which is a pleasing way of achieving contrast and light and shade. It is interesting to see. the extent to which young girls of a dainty, piquant style look their best in chiffon or other ethereal fabrics, with the train to match. A more solid train is, however, easier to manage, and more practical, and this may also be said of the train that contrasts with the gown, as it provides another frock for after use. By far the smartest choice this season is the complete ensemble; that is, dress and train of the same, with the wrap, unless of ermine, also harmonising with the colour scheme. There is a. return to the really beautiful wrap. A wonderful cape of velvet trimmed with bands of white was lined with golden lame and held by cable cords of gold. A matching wdiite satin coat was sprayed with silver to harmonise with a train of cloth-of-silver, lined with pale pink velvet and collared with white fox

Even the - “dowagers” who attend the Courts this June, though they will wear thick makes of silks and satins, will have less cumbersome garments. This may seem curious, but while fabrics are rich and beautiful, there is not so much of them, and although there are some very magnificent embroideries, they too, like the various trimmings, will be used less lavishly. In the same way the family jewels have been remodelled in lighter designs. However beautiful the weaves worked in gold and metal threads may be, no woman will be weighted down by their magnificence. The possessors of famous jewels will choose simple fabrics and pale colours that form a fitting background for gems. Nowadays, when the art of accessory has such a direct bearing on good dressing, it is specially desirable not to have one item outdoing the other. If the jewels are important, rare but plain and heavy fabrics should be chosen in preference to much sparkle or embroideries. The modern idea is to let one point be stressed, and so avoid discord. It will be most interesting to see how the newer simplicity, combined with a greater magnificence will work out, in view of the clinging tiadilions of the Court. There, are ceremonial occasions when many women would look more effective, if they had bravely _ left most, of the contents of theii jewel cases at home. Nowadays taste is so faultless, and the new way with clothes and gems so fastidious, that onlv soft shading and simplicity of line can hold their own in such a medley of beauty.