Symbols of Style at New York World Fair

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23471, 7 October 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

Symbols of Style at New York World Fair

AT the time of writing the New York "World's Fair is tho greatest showground in the' universe, rivalling in pageantry and acreage tho Paris Exposition in 19:1(3, tho more recent Glasgow Exhibition and the Crystal Palace in 18">1. To use the showman's own jargon, it is ''colossal, stupendous, and there has never boon anything like it since time began." Fnoiigh said. The New York World's Fair is unique. As such it is a fitting place for nations and private enterprises to display their exhibits for all the world to see—that is, tho portion of it not immediately affected bv the European situation. In the French Pavilion, twenty of tho Paris dress-designers of high ro-

pute, co-operated to present one of the most novel exhibits. Ln a setting made like a classic arcade, each couturier was allocated a niche to be decorated in a way symbolical of the styles they created. With a combination of Uocoeo decor and Grecian pillars the setting contrived to create a purely French atmosphere using the colours of the tricolour in plush plastered over the masonry. • Schiaparelli had her niche decorated by a well-known contemporary artist, Vertes, in a manner symbolical of her

By NIKI OF PARIS

lovo of the ultra-modern and of much glitter and bright colour. Hcim's allocation showed the sculptured figure of a nymph, representing tho_ spirit of spring in present-day fashions with flower garlands and birds in her hair. A 'Victorian befrilled miniature figure under a. glass dome assisted in giving the lie to that old-world phase which fashion is also passing through. Then there was the plaster figure clad in the classic draperies of ancient Greece that showed Alix's preference a,s opposed to faddish and dated stvles. Belong had his fashion interpreted by a statuesque grouping of a maiden flying above land and sea, thus symbolising his attitude in looking to the women in every land as tho source

of his inspiration. The display of yet another designer featured the ICmnirc lino with its" flattery and grace, while a sixth had an angelic winged figure to demonstrate the draperies and church-window colourings that were to be seen in all this designer's contemporary creations. Thus you see the versatility of fashion for this season. It can range from the fashions of nations to the fashions of history, from the normal to the almost supernatural, according to milady's whim.