OF INTEREST to WOMEN Including & Fashion Forecasts

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 78, 11 March 1931, Page 2

OF INTEREST to WOMEN Including & Fashion Forecasts

One of the quaintest results of the vogue for all black and white this winter in the fashion world is the new black varnish for finger-nails, says a London fashion. This has a translucent effect rather like a black opal or a black pearl, and emphasises the possession, of long, white fingers. Easier to wear for most women is the vivid Russian Ballet or sugar-stick pink nail varnish. Claretcoloured nails are definitely "dead" this season. * * * The engagemnt has just been announced between Lord Riddell's ward, Mr. Derek Ainslie Jackson, and Miss Poppet John. Mr. Jackson is one of the twin sons of the late Sir Charles Jackson, and although by no means a poor man, works hard, his particular study at the moment being spectroscopy. He and his brother have a house in Addison Road, where their neighbours include Lady Prances Balfour, Mr. Lloyd George and Sir John Simon. Miss Poppet John, elder daughter of Mr. Augustus John, the famous artist, is very attractive in a somewhat unusual way, very tall and slender, is inclined to the unconventional in dress as her father, and a good talker. She has a turn for art herself, and is one of Mr. John's favourite sitters.

The ultimate fate of period dresses worn at charity tableaux and dances in London was revealed recently. The frocks worn at these dances vary greatly in cost, some people spending £SO and more, while others have them made as cheaply as possible, perhaps paying 15 guineas. Mrs. Carl Bendix, who took part in the Strauss Ball at the Savoy Hotel, said: "Most of the frocks one has to buy for these dances are entirely useless afterwards, but the charities for which the dances are held ask one to dress as well as possible, and it really has become something of a burden.. The frock I wore at the Strauss Ball will probably go to a jumble-sale or a bonfire." Others who have taken part in these dances endorse Mrs. Bendix's view, and several people have ceased to attend them owing to the expense. Some frocks have been used for covering cushions, but apparently the material is seldom strong enough.

Stamp designing is an occupation about which we seldom hear. Certainly it is a form of art which women have taTten np only recently, states an exchange. There are said to be only ten women in the world who have been given the work of making our postage stamps beautiful or otherwise. New South Wales has two stamps the work of female artists, and the Irish Free State also has two. The Barbadoes issue for a penny is a bold drawing of a sheik on horseback, holding a flag. This is the work of Lady Carter. Horse designs seem to be favoured by women, and also the Celtic Cross. Perhaps only loyalty is responsible for the belief that women designers were asisted to public consideration when Queen Alexandra suggested a certain improvement in the wreath designs for the King Edward stamp.

London lately has been Buffering from an epidemic of what the despairing debutante calls "clever parties," says an English writer. These are parties at which the host and hostess ruthlessly produce pencils and paper, and their guests are required to go through tests of intelligence that are often embarrassingly revealing. Young women, who had trustingly believed that a svelte appearance was the sole passport to success, arc asked to produce impromptu doggerel, or to compose elaborate literary jokes. One of the most popular of these after-dinner games requires each guest to create a new proverb by murdering an old one. At a party recently the prize was awarded to a member of a well-known literary family who evolved the profound apothegm, "A bee and his bonnet are soon parted." The Modern Girl * * * What does the modern girl ask of life? A questionnaire sent out among a large number of representatives of the new generation of American girls showed that: Sixty per cent, looked forward to husband, home and children. Seventeen per cent, thought they would find most happiness in creative work in art and literature. Eight per cent, aspired to wealth and leisure, and seven per cent. hoped to find life's highest satisfaction in social welfare work.

The Queen's Rubies The Queen is greaTTy interested in the proposed exhibition of rubies to be held in London. These have long been numbered among her Majesty's favourite stones, and she possesses some very fine specimens indeed. She is hoping that this exhibition will serve to bring back these stones into fashion. The Queen recalls that the first ring she ever possessed was a simple little one of rubies and diamonds. It was a presSht from her father when she was quite a girl, and it remains among her mb"st cherished possessions. Rubies, by the way, figure very prominently indeed in the' State Crown of England. * * * For Dull Hair Hair that is dull and lifeless is probably in need of sun and fresh air. Make it is rule to give it a daily brushing, with perfectly clean brushes before an open window. Whenever possible give it a sunbath by sitting in the sunshine for ten minutes, parting the hair in different places at intervals to allow the sun's rays to reach the scalp. Dry hair may require professional hot oil treatments. In mild cases rub olive oil into the roots the night before washing. Always use the juice of one lemon or a special rinsing powder in the final rinsing water to stimulate the scalp and remove all traces of soap.

What is Beauty? What constitutes a beautiful woman? Neysa Momein, (he American artist, who is recognised as the foremost illustrator of beauty in womanhood, says without reservation that the most beautiful woman in the world is Mrs: Harrison Williams, one of New fork's most famous hostesses. "You know," she said after a while, "I've never even thought about the colour of Mrs. Williams's eyes—or her hair. They are beautiful, of course. Soft shining hair that frames her face, deep calm eyes lit from behind, features delicately chiselled yet strong—but what has that to do with it? Thousands of women have the same or even a more perfect framework of beauty. "It's the woman behind the features, the soul behind the eyes, the brain under the hair that make Mrs. Williams supreme. She moves with exquisite grace. Her smile is a radiance. She is a perfect synchronisation of all that makes woman lovely."

A New Evening Mode A new style is being evolved in which the hair waves softly back from the face to the nape of the neck. There is placed an interlaced plait with curls at either side (fiat, against the head) with perhaps a ringlet dropping down on either side of the nape. This style, it is claimed, gives the finish that long frocks demand, and is at the same time light and graceful. "Nothing bizarre," says a male expert, "is likely to be attractive to women. They want nowadays a practical style and an attractive one; and since women have kept their hair short—that is, the long shingle, which is a good brushing length—their hair has gained in healthiness and abundance."

The Latest Word in Paris Because of the trend towards the picturesque, gowns of to-day are really more adaptable than ever before, says Claudette Colbert, who has recently returned from a world tour, and the following are some of her clothes impressions: "For daytime wear I noted black and brown as the outstanding colours. The suits or coats were trimmed with flat fur, either Persian lamb or Krimmel. The black and brown outfits are usually accompanied by hats or a scarf with another shade of brown or more frequently with turquoise blue. "The colour combination of henna and white is brand new and most popular with the chic Parisienne. "The lines of the gowns follow empire lines, classic drapes or Watteauesque period."