Women’s Ways

Southland Times, Issue 22210, 30 December 1933, Page 15

Women’s Ways

THE PERFECT WOMAN.

Mr John Everard, the famous London society photographer, is searching London for a perfect photographic model. He has looked for months but is still unsatisfied. “I am convinced that somewhere there is at least one girl who could answer the description of what I class as a perfect model,” he told an interviewer. “The great difficulty is to find her. “She must have a beautiful face with regular features; a flawless complexion and naturally curly hair. “Her measurements should be: height sft. 6in.; bust, 34Un.; waist, 26Xin.; hips, 35 to 36in.; knee to heel, 13in.; calf, 13in.; ankle, Bin., and the figure must be well-rounded. “I do not mind whether she is blonde or brunette but her hair must be naturally curly. The camera will reveal an artificial wave however beautifully it is done. The truth is that there are scores of girls who are perfect in what is classified as the modern type, the tube-like figure, but these models do not always produce the best results from a photographic standpoint. “It will be seen from the measurements I want a model who is far from the usual type. In comparison with the slim, svelte figure of the typical modem girl, it might appear that my ideal is too fully built in some parts, but I am dealing with photographic art and I find that the modern type, who looks so well when clothed in fashionable attire, does not show to advantage in the undraped figure. “I have seen literally hundreds of girls. I have found the perfect face and I have found the perfect figure but I have not yet succeeded in finding the perfect combination. It is a disappointing quest but I am certain that one day I shall be successful.”

THE NEW CHINA. Who would imagine that the land of foot-binding, of “lily-feet” women, would number modern banking as a profession for women ? says the Sydney Morning Herald. Yet it is so. More than that—Chinese women in Shanghai have their own bank—the Women’s Commercial and Savings Bank. A recent letter from China brought news of the remarkable .young woman— Miss Nyen Woo—who is the director of this bank, which is run on the most modern lines, am’ is staffed largely by women. A large part of the business consists in banking the small savings of Chinese ladies, many of whom still live in such retirement, even in modern Shanghai, that they will not come to the bank to do their business, so a bank officer—usually Miss Woo herself—calls on them at their homes and banks their money for them. The bank does a considerable business, and it is a strange experience to pass out of its bustling atmosphere of modem business efficiency into the big thoroughfare where motor cycles jostle rickshaws, and where many of the passers-by are women (with bound feet) going to burn joss-sticks at the little temple almost next door to the bank. China is a land of violent contrasts—but Chinese women, when they are emancipated like Miss Woo, are second to none in intellectual power,, general ability, and particularly in their undying enthusiasm for fine causes. FASHION’S DECREE FOR 1933-34. “Fashion decrees that we . should wear” etc., etc. Many, many times we have been amused reading sparkling little articles in smart fashion journals regarding Dame Fashion’s latest whims. We have laughed openly over the new hats. “Silly little hats” we have called them. We have become exasperated at the suggestion that we should lengthen our skirts, or return to the famous Hobble line of 1910. But after vowing that nothing on earth could make us adopt any of these new fangled notions, what has happened? Before a fortnight has passed we have sneaked out in the most ultra of these despised creations, suffering, perhaps, from a bad attack of self-consciousness, but determined to “do or die” in the name of Fashion. So it is with the silhouette! When the natural silhouette was first hinted at there was an outcry. When corset manufacturers began to tell the public that foundation garments were essential to the success of these smart, close-fitting styles, women in all parts of the world were in revolt. What? Give up their hard-won comfort? Never! But little by little, by means of Press advertising, frock and corsetry demonstrations, they learnt that the new. moulded frocks were ever .so much more charming, more feminine than the sack-like garments they had been wearing since the War. They discovered too. . . that not only were they most attractive in appearance but that they brought comfort grace and beauty to the most unpromising figure. To-day with slimmer types and medium figures, the one-piece foundation stands supreme for the rib-moulding, youth-

ful silhouette that every smart woman regards as her ideal. It gives smooth, flowing and unbroken lines which are essentials of the new silhouette. One only has to glance at the new evening styles to be convinced of the absolute need for sleekly-moulded, continuous figures from bust to thigh. Take the Princess sheath, for instance; this clings to the figure with glove-like insistence from shoulder to knee, without even a belt to break the line. If there is a noticeable division at the waist beneath this style of frock, the whole effect is entirely ruined. Even the slightly fuller styles which follow along classical Grecian lines, still cling closely to the bust, the waist and the long, slim lines of the hip. Dainty afternoon frocks make the same demands, also, whether they are carried out in diaphanous cottons or slinky silks. ABOUT ANKLES. Here are some ideas about ankles which I read in the Dominion recently: Ankles need care and attention for two excellent reasons. One is the strictly feminine desire to have trim and shapely ankles, without which the sheerest of silken hose cannot secure the foundation it so greatly merits. But the more important need is for attention that will help in deportment and ensure better health than is possible if ankle faults are allowed to persist and develop. Ankle faults will be reflected in your footwear. Possibly you have blamed your shoes for imperfections in your mode of walking. Keep a watch upon your shoes and you will be able to detect the points of greatest wear, and very often you will find that this wear is caused through tuming-in or tum-ing-out of the ankles. Weak ankles can be strengthened by going without shoes in the house; by toe and heel exercises; and by attention to methods of walking. Massage is helpful in eliminating thickness; but since this is generally due to a generally adipose condition more general treatment is usually necessary. Thin ankles can be developed by applications of olive oil. If this is rubbed in nightly, appreciable development can be anticipated. A PARK PATROLLER.

A remarkable woman —one only—' keeps an eye on the thousands of acres of parks and open spaces controlled the London County Council. Dame Beatrix Lyall revealed this to the Public Morality Council conference, which opened in London recently. “There are many thousands of men patrols in the familiar brown uniform,” she said, “but only one woman. “She is an inspector and is a woman of wonderful personality. “Dressed in ordinary clothes she will sit in the parks, perhaps knitting or apparently reading. She reports the results of her investigations, and special steps are taken. “Those up to mischief do not know who she is or what she looks like. There is no regular time for her visits. Her work is of extraordinary value.”