PARIS MODELS IN DUNEDIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18515, 28 March 1922, Page 6

PARIS MODELS IN DUNEDIN

WHAT THEY ARE LIKE. UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR LADIES. By ADAH. We hod been speaking of the twin subjects of women and fashions, and as xve ascended tho stairs leading from the show room I asked Mr Arthur Barnett, ‘Ts there any reason why Dunedin women should not be as smartly dressed as their sisters of the northern centres?” ‘‘None whatever.” said Mr Barnett; “I’ll show you directly a hundrfed and more reasons why they should be.” We entered the Private Salon at the head of the stairs and there swam into my ken a display of feminine attire that was bewildering until the beauty of it dawned upon me. Then the effect, even upon my masculine mind, was one of gratification which, 1 must confess, increased as the young lady in charge brought forward for my inspection evening gowns, costumes, coat frocks, coats, and other delicate and striking garments that were designed to adorn the female form. And although I had fondly supposed that my knowledge of these sort of things was fairly extensive, I found that my education could be still further advanced, "these,” said Mr Barnett, indicating with a sweep of his arm a long row of frocks and coats, “are all original Paris models. Do you- understand,” he added, “original Paris models, rot copies, but the models themselves which are used by those exclusive English and French makers who turn out the ‘creations’ which set the fashionable world buzzing?” "But,” I said, “how does it, happen that Dunedin is able to get them?” "Because,” replied Mr Barnett, “I am in close touch with the best houses at Home; I have good people watching my interests; I can afford to pay for what I want, and — well, I’m lucky, too.” “All these gowns and other models must be pretty expensive, then?” “No; that’s where I’m luoky again. Though they bring anything from £4O to £SO each in Paris, I’m able to sell them here at very considerably less. And, mind you, they are ‘right-up-to-the-minutc’ fashions. tho styles that the ladies are wearing in London, Paris, New York, and other big centres this very moment—for their winter is not yet ended. New Zealand is generally a year or more behind in this respect; bat not this time, and our ladies have a unique opportunity of being right in .the swim.” Mr Barnett went on to advert upon the value of the display from the standpoint of the education of our young women, who could, he said, visit the show room and see for themselves these very latest ideas. When I ventured to remark upon the magnitude of the stock, and tp hint at the possible difficulty of clearing it Mr Barnett assured me that if I would return in tho spring 1 would fine not one garment left. "They have to be sold,” he said, “and will be sold. I have taken the risk; but once tho people know what these things really are I have no fear of the result.” Then the lady of the salon exhibited some of the creations of which she was obviously very proud. It is to be a great season for black, she explained; while softer shades of jade, royal blue, fuchsia, henna, and so on will replace the rather startling colours of last season. The silhouette remains largely as before —tne long, narrow, straight effect, though an attempt is being made to introduce a Spanish crinoline effect, which, however, is perhaps a little bit during for our part of the world. Afternoon and evening frocks are to be worn longer, but street dresses will still be short “Now, look at this,” said the lady, as she showed a brocaded crepe de chine frock of strikingly original design. “Note the Chinese effect, tho long sleeves, the uneven hem lengths, and the boat-shaped neck. This is a Buloz.” A succession of altogether tasteful and delightful frocks followed. A delicate trifle was of radium lace over net. It would be suitable for a bridesmaid or for evening wear, and it is one of the least expensive. A black satin bridge frock has an inset of cerise and a hand-embroidered lace overdress. Another smart frock is of navy blue marocain embroidered in gold braid and fawn marocain, with small beaver fur trimming. This has kilted floating panels. Something very unusual is a crinoline frock which, I am told, is an exact copy of one of Mary Piokford’s picture dresses. Another unique exhibit is an overdress of such light, gauzy texture that the whole thing weighs onlv 2oz. Of coat dresses there is a large variety of original styles, all of such distinctive type that one can imagine the eagerness of tho fair sex to possess therm There is, for instance, a handsome specimen in a velour cloth of navy and green. It has loose braid panels and a high collar fastening close round the neok. This is an Anton and Gilbert, A pretty little dress is one of stone colour, with narrow tucks forming the waist line. It has the two-piece panel effect, and is embroidered in heavy stitching. An effective finish is afforded by rhctal buttons. A Par ry creatiqn of stone-coloured tricotine, with wide floating panel trimmed with navy cire braid, is another which must bring desire in the heart of tho woman of taste. A simple but good peacock blue velour, furnished xvith embroidery in black silk and trimmed with black satin, pleated panel effect, is a credit to the creator, Riva. A Jove grey velour Avadis model shows the long fitted coat and wide side effects, the trimming being of light grey squirrel fur. Other models by Maison Maurice. Moretti. ami Buloz are equally beautiful. Braid and fur. I noticed, were very prominent in the trimmings. Then the coats. A Bernard of light henna, with box pleatings, a high collar, and a smart buckled belt, was something to dream aland. Another was a now nut brown, with long waisted effect, wide flared skirt trimmed with beaver coney, a 6in panel of beaver coney at tlie foot, and a Shakespeare collar high to the nock. Two Parry creations—one of henna embroidered with stotie-coionred silk, and the other of fawn velour, with n largo roll collar in beaver—were gorgeous affairs. After the frocks and coats came jumpers of knitted silk in all the very latest colours; I hen something quite new in the form of a fawn suede leather jerkin trimmed with saxo and brown beads. Crepe de chine evening shawls, too, and blouses of the most graceful and dainty colours. Latest models in millinery passed next in review. Hats there wore in cire satins and panne velvet and of the latest shades of fuchsia, kingfisher, nigger brown, and henna shades, 't hen fnr coats. Fur coats to the uninitiated look all alike—or mostly so. But in no other article of feminine attire does quality count for so much. 1 was shown coats at 20 guineas which looked rich and elegant, and were fine value 1 was shown coats at 300 guineas which were—well, they should he seen and gloated over. With some diffidence I asked: “How do the prices of those frocks run?" and received someihing of a shock when I was told nut, as might be supposed, because of the. largeness o 1" the sums: named, hut because of tbeir reasonableness. “Costumes 12 to 36 guineas. <oal frocks eight to 25 giiitie:!-. mats 14 te 45 guineas-,” quoted tin- Unix, "and all models." Model cveni,,,, frocks an- obtainable from six guineas. ’1 1 1 ink of it I This all-ton-brief and inadequate glimpse of tilings beautiful does scant just ice to sieb a ’-lock; bin If it results in whetting the anpdile of the Dunedin ladiis ii has don,- no more than what is due to the enterprising linn of Arthur Barnett (Ltd.). An aid to this end. 100. is undoubtedly tins artistic window display, with its picture frame elter-e I, -l.ich model costumes arc utilised: also a xery handsome navy velour cloth cape, some model hale, distinctive skirls, xvii h hosiery and other essential windries. The windows are dressed in English style, and cannot fail to arrest the attention of the passer-by.—(979.)