LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 15

LONDON AND PARIS FASHIONS.

From Our Special Correspondent. ]IKGENT STREET, April 11.

In Paris, hats continue to ho built of colossal proportions, with immeiioO velvet “ Beefeater ” crowns, lingo chine ribbon bows, and forests of feathers ; but though our English headgear is of no insignificant dimensions, it is a moderate version of the Parisian chapeau par excellence, and has really less to he said against it at present than has been tho case for some time past. The present French mode of wearing the hats tilted over the forehead, we are beginning to assume; and, in moderation, it is far preferable to fastening them on to tho back hair without any relation to the face. A model from the establishment of one of our leading milliners is the subject sketched in Fig. 1. Tho shape is of blackvelvet, with moderately broad brim, and crown about five inches high ; round tho latter is folded one of tho new Watteau or Pompadour ribbons in shaded velvet and satin ; at the back tho whole width spreads in largo loops to right and left. Black ostrich tips arc grouped upstanding on the left side of tho crown, on the brim on right side, and under the brim at back, curling over the hair. For smart occasions, white felt shapes you will find are affected a good deal this winter, trimmed with white velvet and paste buckles ; pale pink

felt lias also been introduced. Thero is no end to the variety of tho lovely ribbons for millinery; satin grounds with raised velvet flowers, stripes and designs ; velvet with silk, chine, brocado, oriental; all are exceedingly pretty and make a decided novelty for hats and bonnets. Your theatres are once more opening their fascinating and choery doors, and you must ho looking to your laurels in the matter of pretty wraps and gowns ; which may also come in for dinners, soirees, or small dances in addition. A charming jacket, which would do equally well for dinner or theatre, is shown in Fig. 2. It is composed of tho now striped velvet, black and white satin ; is made to lit tightly into waist at hack and sides, with a full stiff basque at tho back. The full sleeves to elbow and broad square shoulder collar are trimmed with wide coffee-coloured lace, which, in the case of the collar, frou-frous off down the edge of tho jacket. This jacket would look well over a white pongee silk gown, witli a bunch of deep crimson flowers tucked into tho waistband.

most affected being chrysanthemums (which the French have, hitherto, left severely alone for all personal or home decorations, using them as funeral flowers only), tulips, extravagantly large violets, and weird roses.

The coronation robes for the Empress of Russia were made in Paris. They are most exquisite and magnificent. White silk is the foundation, covered with priceless lace and gold; the cost amounting to some £IO,OOO.

In Fig. 3, one of the stylish long coats to which I have recently referred is illustrated. This model is built of fawn-faced cloth; it is strapped at all the edges, is fastened by large smoked pearl buttons, and is completed by a collar and cuffs of French sable. Tho “ stitching ” of tailor-made garments has been extended to felt huts in Paris, whore they aro stitched elaborately for morning wear with tailor-created coats and gowns. Roseeee,