LONDON FASHION NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15234, 22 February 1913, Page 6 (Supplement)

LONDON FASHION NOTES.

[FROM -ftTtii, OWN COnRESBONBENT.iI London', January 18. Advance Notes for the Spring. Whbthes tie lliv.i, ; a always lives up to it* reputation as a place of warmth and sunshine during the early months of the yt-tr, or whether it does at times scorn b;;~dly to deserve its world-wide rcputai lion, is a subject of discussion, that does j not concern tho tailors and the dressmakers. They see to it that the travellers j thither bound are equipped in accordß r--M , with traditional needs. The travel." re themselves must look to it that they do not go without some warm clothing. London is at the moment engrossed wholly with the attractions offered by the sales, so it is necessary to go much farther afield to glean some information relativo to the newest fashions. Rumours from abroad tell with unanimity of the future prevalence of drapery, arranged, without exception, to suit each individual. One .is a&tcft deluded into the belief that seams h",™ no existence — aro difficult to disc ver alike .where the dress, the evening wrap,'and the more elaborate of the tailored suite are concerned. The seams are lost amid graceful curves of drapery, and, of course, the designers are a:d«d very much by, the wide materials they are able to employ; nearly every fabric is of a wide double width. Every endear is made to avoid hard .lines, and there is to be a complete banishment cf »oute angles. More than ever wi n attention be devoted to the individual, so t.';ai tin* vaished result will be suited to that cue peseta, more than to the general community. Individuality is necessarily an expensive taste,, bui it is what the ultra- fashionable insist, upon having, '■h : '•• 'i. •■■«?..•*£- -what it may. And, of col -se, those who frequent the Riviera at this time of year always want i;> "' make a splash." by appearing In something that nobody else has got. This is a large order for designers to fulfil and genius such ns this can only be rewarded by subslanti'&l money payment. Th?-,"efore, all early ideas and early models are expensive, and they are kept out of reach of the multitude for as long as possible. Usually by the time the average -woman . becomes enraptured with anything out of' the common its age is exact'.; twr- seasons, by which thn» the ultra-fashio.ua ble are ready for something ntill newer. No designer is anxious early in the season to give away 'tis inspirations, and all his secrets an? ■ .strictly guarded. Lond'v'ers have to wait awhile before they have the opportunity of awing; much that is going southward in January. Meters and designers are all much tided by tise beautiful materials available for 1913, and if they art so disposed they wa. p:ccuce some ?tertiin-> colour _ effects, for 1 many of the shacles aro dazzling in their 8 brilliance. But colour n:ay be classed as a secondary consideration, for what one notices first is the marvellous pliability of all the newest fabrics t so there is net one that refuses to .;arry out the lines of drapery designed for it. What th.? most cob-webby stuff cat. 1 do t the thieker-suh-stanced material twins able to do wi& equal satisfaction. # Velvets, phalli's, damasks, broches, moir>.s, velours de iaine —these are all as soft to feel as a pie«e of ninon or a length 0* satin charmeuse. To the feel everything is light in weight and of quality that is fine and silky, so tßat no looping of draping or pannier bouffticy likely to be exoerimented with will rail on account of the unsuitableness of any material that will be used. '

The pattern of this. comfortable dressinggown is cut on such simple lines that it can be undertaken at home without the slightest hesitation. Flannel should be chosen for its fabrication, the deep collar and, cuffs being of tartan . plaid.

The illustration is of a cashmere frock suitable for a girl of Jrorn 14 to 16 years. It can be carried out in either reseda, saxo, cinnamon, or brown, finished at the neck with a smart bow and trimmed down the front with Oriental trimmings and buttons.