BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21473, 22 April 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR

CHARMING NEW MATERIALS ENGLISH DESIGNS [special to n.z. herald—copyright] LONDON, March 24. How hard it is to make a Britisher boast of his achievements was amply proved to me at the British Industries Fair. In the textile section of this vast show I saw the loveliest materials, made and designed in England, which can rival fabrics from any part of the world; and yet as a French woman fashionist commented to me: " You do not shout their beauties from the housetops, and some of your dressmakers are still apologotic when they tell you a model is made of British material." It certainly has taken our exclusive dress designers a long time to overcome their " made in Paris " complex. But manufacturers and fabric designers have advanced so enormously in the last five years that to-day there is nothing they will not tackle to achieve successful dress novelties. Add to this the same finish and wearing qualities for which they have always been famous and you have materials that are of unsurpassed beauty. These remarks apply to all dress fabrics but particularly to the new cottons, artificial silks, and fairylike woollens and knit fabrics. " Lovely as a summer's day," was the Queen's exclamation as she stood before an exhibit of delicate cotton fabrics showing every kind of surface, design and colouring. Marocains in beautifully blended colourings fashioned several well-cut models, which looked as though they cost double the price. Voiles, cotton tweeds, ginghams, piques, were literally beauty by the yard. Then the new " anti-crease " process which is being applied to cotton and rayon fabrics gives them a power to resist and recover from creasing during wear similar to that naturally possessed by wool or silk. The anti-crease fabrics have increased strength which lessens the risk of shrinking, or damage in washing, the latter being carried out as for wool or silk fabrics.

One of these fabrics, toutaline, is actually cotton, but looks like wool and comes in many colours and weaves. A charming new taffeta has the crispness of ordinary taffeta allied to a softness of finish that makes it a delightful material for evening frocks, especially as tho creases drop out so quickly with the new process. Fine Knit Fabrics In the knit-wear sections I had to handle many fabrics to persuade myself they were knit-fabrics and not the finest woollen crepes. Then there are striped and fancy coloured knit fabrics that look like hand-knitting and crochet, wool laces by the yard and, of course, every type of tweed, and Angora woollen to charm the eye and touch.

All these new fabrics should reach you next season, when you will find that stripes both straight, chevron patterned, diagonal or wavy, have replaced tho large floral designs of past seasons. When floral schemes are used they are much smaller and more conventional. Finely checked cottons and silks and plaids of every description are equally fashionable, while crackle crepe and lacquered satins are the novelty surfaces of the year. The London dress designers are now showing their spring collections so I have already had the opportunity of seeing many of these new fabrics mado up. Unusual Decorations The lacquered materials are smart but difficult to wear, and one designer who showed an evening gown called " Hard as Nails," evidently shared my opinion of the fabric. It gave the wearer a look of ultra-sophistication, and this particular model had heightened the effect by adding a short coatee of white pique, very trim and business-like, while beneath this showed two large screw nails like cross-swords, fastened at the base of the shoulder strap. Queer decorations of this kind are very popular. A black lace evening gown, with long transparent sleeves and high Medici collar, had a silver dagger fastening the waist-belt, while a 'day gown of soft green woollen fabric had a shire horse in chromium metal fixed on the front of the bodice. A white skipping rope with red wooden handles was tied round the waist of a hand-knitted bathing suit, worn with a smart-cut Raglan coat, made of scarlet and white striped Turkish towelling. Two rows of similar white ropes made the waist belt on a black woollen morning dress, and fastened with a silver hook and eye buckle. Nearly every day dre.ss has the waist line defined by a sash, scarf drapery or belt. In many cases the sash adds a very distinctive note, as in the case of a simple morning frock of navy blue with demure turn-down collar and narrow cuffs of white pique with red spots. A sash of red crepe tied in a soft bow of one loop and two uneven ends added much effect. Another welcome change is provided by the diversity of blouses and jumpers this season. One is no longer obliged to have a brief high-waisted jumper in order to look smart, although many of them remain short. Blouses, jumpers and tunics that reach anywhere from the hips to tho knee are equally fashionable, and much kinder to mature figures.