FLIGHT OF FASHION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21734, 27 August 1932, Page 12

FLIGHT OF FASHION

LADY CHAYTOR’S MISSION PERSONALITY IN DRESS NEW AIM OF WOMEN “ The tyranny that has so long been exerted by fashion must cease, and I want to persuade the women of New Zealand that their aim should be to express their individuality and personality in their dress,” said Lady Chaytor chatting with a Daily Times reporter in Mr Arthur Barnett’s salon yesterday afternoon. One of London’s leading experts on feminine dress, Lady Chaytor is well equipped to express such an opinion, and although somewhat fatigued as the result of her strenuous tour, she presented such a picture of vivacity and charm t/.at one could not possibility disagree with her opinions on this subject. Lady Chaytor arrived in Dunedin early yesterday afternoon by air from Timaru in a plane piloted by Squadronleader White, of New Zealand Airways. The Mayoress (Mrs R. S. Black), who was taking her first flight, ascended

with Flying-officer Olson, and met Lady Charter's plane over the city, while the Mayor and Mrs Black gave the visitor a hearty welcome at the aerodrome. Lady Chaytor expressed great admiration of the scenery along the route, and when asked for an opinion of the Mount Cook region compared with Switzerland, which she visits every year, replied that so far as she could see they were very much the same, and slid could not see that the Mecca of European winter sports’ enthusiasts had anything to gain over New Zealand in that respect. what Will wear Although she wished to reserve most of her- remarks on dress for the demonstration to be held on Tuesday ’ night, Lady Chaytor .was persuaded to give some hints as to what was likely to be worn and should be worn by well-dressed women. Asked if any particular colour was likely to be predominant in the near future, she said: “Yes, all blues, along with orange blush, will be very popular for spring wear, and flag colours will come in for a great amount of notice.” The latter, composed of red, white, and blue and such shades, were now being very cleverly blended, and some very charming effects could be obtained with them.

Lady Chaytor) is a strong advocate of tlie use of Empire goods, and said that she brought with her a number of evening frocks in British textiles about which women would be very enthusiastic. Wool lace dresses were also now being largely worn in England, and were creating a great deal of interest. Lady Chaytor intends to take back to London with her some New Zealand wool fabrics, which she is sure will attract considerable attention in fashion circles. “ There is an old-fashioned idea that women must choose the colours in which they dress to match their hair and eyes,” Lady Chaytor- continued, “ but in my opinion that is entirely wrong. “The dress should he selected to suit the skin, and if this is done the hair and eyes will come into the effect quite well. They should mix their colours with care, and pay more attention to accessories such as hose, shoes, and bag.” Asked her opinion of New Zealand women’s dress as far as she had been able to study it, Lady Chaytor said that, considering that they were removed 14,000 miles from the world’s fashion centres, London and Paris, they dressed remarkably well. “Oh yes, there’s another thing,Lady Chaytor went on, “ stripes are coining in again, but I want to sound a note of warning to ‘ broad ’ women. If they are going to wear stripes they must not wear them horizontally, or straight up and down, but they will attain the muclidesired slimming effect if they select some of the now diagonally striped materials, which are very cleverly and tastefully designed.” The swing back to the fashions of 15 and 20 years ago was reflected in Lady Chaytor’s exclamation ; “ Put this, will you. ‘ Mothers, bring out your old feather boas, because they arc going to be very much worn with afternoon and evening gowns.’ ”

According to Lady Clmytor the long and “half-bob,” that knot of hair that descended gracefully to the shoulders of the girls of a year or two, is gone for ever, and has been replaced by a shingle swayed over the back of the head. “Straight, slim, and slender” is the mode for the present, and will he especially noticeable in morning wear. Reverting for a moment to the inferior matter of men’s wear, Lady Chaytor said she had noticed that the cut of men’s clothes in New Zealand was much superior to that in Australia, where it was very bad. A STRENUOUS LIFE Lady Chaytor is the wife of Sir Edmund Clmytor, Bart, and their home is Wilton Castle, Durham County. The castle is an ancient stronghold built in 1140, and has been in the family for 200 years. For 800 years before the Chay-

tors lived at Crofts, Yorkshire. The baronetcy was created in 1831, and Sir Edmund is the sixth holder of the title. Besides her work as a fashion leader, Lady Chaytor takes a great interest in the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, and is divisional commissioner of two divisions of the latter. She is very fond of outdoor exercise, and especially favours riding and ski-ing, to which she devotes a great deal of her spare time. Before the last election in England she stood as prospective Conservative candidate for Gateshead, but was forced to relinquish her campaign on account of her husband’s ill-health. She does a great amount of lecturing on fashions, and conducted 75 manikin shows last year. “ I have been looking forward to coming to Dunedin,” she said, “ because I have been told that all the people here are Scottish, and I am Scottish, too, so I am sure that I shall enjoy my stay here very much.” Since Lady Chaytor’s visit to New Zealand has been sandwiched into her Australian tour she will have a strenuous fortnight, during which time she will lecture in Christchurch and Wellington before leaving for Australia again on September !). In company with the Mayoress (Mrs R. S. Black) she will attend the Otago Hunt Club’s race meeting at Wingatui to-day, and to-morrow they will accompany ' visiting hockey girls on a trip to the Taieri, while an informal function will also be held at the Mayor’s residence. On Monday night Lady Chaytor will be the guest of honour at a reception at the Otago Women’s Club, after which she will make a short call at a bridge evening in the Tudor Hall. She will leave on her return to Christchurch by air on Wednesday.