QUEEN MARY’S DRESS EXPERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21147, 3 October 1930, Page 15

QUEEN MARY’S DRESS EXPERT

Queen Mary has lost her favourite dress expert. Miss Ada Sibley, who has just left Buckingham Palace to be married, although she was not actually Mistress of the Robes, was generally recognised to be the executive head of the Queen’s wardrobe. On all matters, even slightly connected with the royal wardrobe, Miss Sibley spoke with authority. Hers was the voice to uphold the Queen, and occasionally, the dressmaker, in.the final selection of anything from a pocket of pins to a court gown. Tact, as well as knowledge of dress and their appurtenances, is required for such work, and Miss Sibley is credited with both. Queen Mary even went so far as to say she had “ personality.” She had to have an expert knowledge of furs and laces and a collector’s appreciation of such trifles ns fans and jewellery. For many years she had entire charge of "the Queen’s jewels, and from long practice is an expert in the art oi arranging and resetting jewels. In spite of her arduous duties, which included selecting a different dress foi each of the many functions attended bj Queen Mary, Miss Sibley did not loot burdened with responsibility. She wai considered one of the most delightful per sonalities at Court, always sparkling witl fun,-and with a w it untamed by long con tact with t <iinstances which might bav« subdued another.