The Coronation

Southland Times, Issue 22993, 12 September 1936, Page 15

The Coronation

MAGNIFICENT ROBES AND COLOURS A red the colour of a peony and the “true blue” used in the Union Jack are (it is reported in The Daily Telegraph) sponsored as the dominating Coronation colours by the British Colour Council. The council, of which the Earl of Derby is patron, represents hearty 1000 British manufacturers. The red it has chosen is known as army red or masculine red. It is anticipated that these colours will be conspicuous everywhere in both women’s and men’s wear. Mr Robert F. Wilson, the general manager of the council, states that specimens of these colours attached to attractive cards will be widely distributed to avoid misunderstanding. They are intended for adoption throughout the Empire during the rejoicings. “The shades were selected by a committee of five,” said Mr Wilson. “We had to take into consideration their historical associations as well as their usefulness. They will be used in:—Women’s dress materials, hats shoes, belts, scarves, handkerchiefs, and buttons; men’s wear, especially ties and straw hatbands; and leather accessories. Foreign manufacturers will, of course, be competing in the markets for Coronation goods, but the British manufacturers will be the first to know the exact shades selected.” Peeresses will not wear coronets at next year’s Coronation, because King Edward is a bachelor. In such a case it is pointed out by the Earl Marshal’s office, ancient rules of ceremony decree that coronets shall not be worn. When King George was crowned in 1911 Queen Mary stipulated that the fabrics employed in making her dress and robes should be British. This precedent is now being followed. Peeresses who were present at that ceremony are insisting now that only British materials shall be used for their robes. All repairs to embroideries are being carried out by British embroidresses. At the Royal School of Needlework women are working again on the beautiful embroideries they themselves fashioned. Peers and peeresses wear robes of a magnificent shade of ruby-red velvet, the Royal family the traditional regal purple. A famous dress designer said that there were already indications that these shades would be seen in many evening gowns and dresses next year. The United States is already experiencing a wave of Coronation fervour. I was informed that there is a craze for Coronation colours. The fashionable head-dress for evening wear is three tiny feathers in a fleur-de-lis.