FEMININE INTERESTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18536, 5 April 1930, Page 3

FEMININE INTERESTS.

PERSONAL AND FASHION NOTES. Signor Mussolini’s Daughter: Mussolini’s eldest daughter, Signorina Edda Mussolini —the girl who has refused a King—is engaged to an Italian diplomat, Count Galeazzo Ciano. The wedding is expected to take place after Easter. Friends of "Italy’s uncrowned princess,” by which name Edda Mussolini is often referred to, believe that if she has her way, her wedding will be as simple a ceremony as is compatible with the Italian notions of such a festival. The girl who refused the hand of a king is well known for her dislike of fuss. It has been stated that other royal personages besides King Zogu of Albania have been refused by her. Edda Mussolini has become the ideal of the Italian young man of her generation. This ideal, by the way, includes obedience to parents, as part of the Fascist code of complete subservience to authority, Edda, who bears a striking resemblance to her father, with a charming smile and deep black eyes, is 20 years old. She is very fond of travel and all forms of sport, especially horse-riding, and speaks excellent French and a little English. Although Mussolini’s affection for and pride in his daughter, who resembles him more than any of his other children, are well known, she has nevertheless had to work very hard to live up to his ideals of what woman should be. It is generally believed that one of his conditions for permitting her to go on a trip round the world, was the attainment of a slender figure, as there is nothing Italy’s Dictator dislikes more than stoutness in man or woman. Edda, who retains a ‘“schoolgirl outline, ’ started to ride a horsp with the object of “keeping her figur*down.” Having been successful, she is now careful to weigh herself regularly, like any English or American girl who values her r.pDearance. Signorina Mussolini has been described as “a headstrong and proud girl.” She lias been little in the public eye in Italy, and only once gainea great publicity—when she was awarded a bronze medal for saving the lives of two children from drowning in 1925. Count Galeazzo who is 25, is the son of Count Constanzo Ciano; of Cortellazo. the Minister of Communications. who was at one time attached to the Italian Embassy in Rio de Janeiro. Count Galeazzo was a journalist and playwright, and is now secretary of the Italian Embassy in the Vatican City. The forthcoming union of the two families, who played an important part in establishing and maintaining the Fascist regime, is hailed with satisfaction in the Italian Press, and thousands of messages of congratulation have been received by Signor Mussolini Bride in Blue: An unusual departure from the custom of holding wedding receptions after the ceremony was made by Sii Edwin Lutyens, the architect and designer of the Cenotaph, who entertained the guests at his house in Portland Palace for his daughter, Miss Mary Lutyens, who was married to Mr Anthony Sewell at St. Margaret’s, Westminster, the following day. About 500 people attended the reception After seeing the gifts, the guests assembled in one of the ground floor galleries and drank the health of the bride and bridegroom. There was no wedding cake, nor was there one at the family luncheon which followed thr* ceremony the next day. The wedding too, presented some unusual features. Miss Lutyens was an original bride. She chose the hour of noon for the ceremony, which is an unusual time for a smart wedding and she deserted the customary white or cream for the colour of her wedding gown. Lady Emily Lutyens, the bride’s mother was in black satin with mauve orchids. A lovely shade of hyacinth blue panne velvet made her dress which was cut on long, straight, and tight lines, giving it an attractive classical effect, it had a pointed train of blue velvet falling from the shoulders, and above it fell a cascade of pale blue tulle, surmounted by a coronet of blue and silver crystal flowers of delicate workman ship. She carried no bouquet ostead of a large retinue of bridesmaids, the bride was followed by five small pages dressed as mediaeval heralds in silver tunics over blue satin They carried silver trumpets complete with standards. Then came the two bridesmaids, Miss Nancy Jean Leslie and Miss Laurecn Jones, dressed In re tty blue velvet and silver gowns like the bride’s and wearing blue crystal headdresses. It was in fact an all-blue wedding.

The church was decorated from Sir Edwin Lutyens's designs. In the chancel were blue Italian vases, while tall imitation flowers painted blue and with silver leaves were placed on the altar, and on each side of it was a eucalyptus tree, with leaves painted blue on one side and silver on the other. A cat insinuated itself among the guests, evidently finding the church preferable to the cold wind outside. Unfortunately it was a tabby, and not a black one. which would doubtless have brought endless good luck. R was surprising not to find the world of art better represented, in view of the fact that the bride’s father is one of the most eminent English sculptors. However, Mrs George Belcher, well wrapped up in a fur coat, and Mrs Rex Whistler, were two from this category who were there. Lord and Lady Lytton, their son Lord Knebworth, and Lady Hermione Lytton, attractively dressed in black, were all there. Lord Lytton, tall and dignified, with an astrakhan collar to his coat, wheeled his wife into the church in a chair. Lady Lytton says she is much better after her accident m Switzerland, though still finds it impossible to walk.

Two more notabilities were Lord and Lady Ridley. She is the bride’s sister, and their small son Matthew was one of the pages. Lady Muriel Paget was a chic figure in navy blue and Lady Bernard Gcrdon-Lennox was one of the many wearing fur coats. Others present included the Hon Gerald Chichester, Sir Arbuthnot and Lady Lane, Ladv Cynthia Mosley, and the Dowager Lady Loch.

The Queen of Spain in England: When the Qusen of Spain recently paid her annual autumn visit to England, she was often to be seen out and about, shopping and dining and lunching at the famous restaurants in the intervals of private functions. She was in great good looks, and is said to keep her charming figure ar.d clear complexion by exercises, and not by diet or massage. She is not a believer in massage, as she things it brings a sagging later on, to a good skin if it is not constantly kept up. There was a big‘entertainment at the Spanish Embassy for her, preceded bv a dinner to which the Duchess of York came with the Duke. Here the new long dresses were seen in many lovely and intriguing designs. The Queen o: Spain was in black chiffon, with gorgeous pearls and her daughter l : were both dressed alike in white chiffon embroidered in pearls. The Duchess of York was in white and crystal, and had a spray of flowers in white on one shoulder. A gorgeous gold laire dress was worn by Lady Desborough, with embroideries of green

eaves, and a much admired dress wa*s picture frock in flowered silk, worn by Lady Hambleden, with a necklace f diamonds, with a diamond drop down the back. A good deal of green in the new veridian, and a pale bottle shade was seen, and also a number of very lovely black dresses. Lady Wimborne was one of the wearers of green.

Juliet Caps in Favour Again: Evening head-dresses are a novelty finding favour for tneatre wear, ana also at night in the smart skating links of London. They are in new Juliet shapes, among the latest models from the great Paris milliners, but with the difference that they are pushed a little back on the head and Pave in some models a slight tilt to one side. JCam‘-9 T •- ~ rV-* ’ —a- v-y

f eel beads which fits snugly around the hair ana a ut one s ide. Agnes has designed one like a Dutch cap in silver thread lace, where again there is. a slightly greater length at one side than the other. One made by Lemonnier is a real Juliet cop in design, but is in black chenille velvet ribbon, very narrow, and made in lattice work on the crown, and with long dipping ends at each side oi fringe. A dancing cap. also from Lemonnier shows the same lattice work, and is in crinoline straw in a bonnet shape, fitting tightly round the head, and with a sweeping tassel of plumage. Another dancing cap. which would be also good as a skating cap is in black velvei with a big Alsatian bow at the back. The Latest Colours: Throughout- London's fashionable shopping districts the windows are discarding the sombre tones of winterwear displays and are putting on tht gay tints of spring. Against backgrounds of. artificial green foliage the bright shades of light spring garments strike a cheerful note. Many of the shades shown are new, and obviously inspired by nature. Smart ensembles in apple-green and daffodil yellow are prominent among the tones which have been suggested by the products of the earth. Others art lemon-rind and golden-melon, and an attractive pomegranate shade. Nature’s wealth of colour has given rise to several charming tones graded under the headings 'Shades of the Sea, Shades of the Dawn. Shades of the acuth, and Shades of Heaven.” These are in a large store in Brompton road. S.W.. which presents them in fabrics oi great beauty. The soring colour fashions for both day and evening w r ear will be delicate oastel tones and pale tints. Already the garments shewn in the mannequin parades now being held show' this tendency. One particularly attractive even ing gow'n in silk lace was in the newest shade, Valencia red, which should be very popular. Spanish-browm, a more subdued tone, looks well in a soft fabric of artificial silk and wool, while butferyellow in crepe-de-chene is charming for a river frock.

There has been a revival of natternr which were pooular last season' Amo’-f them are printed crere-ce-chenes wit* designs of fruit and flowers, and dotted marocains and dved shantungs with a triple-colour border.

Canadian Woman Senator: The high distinction of being the first- Canadian u'ornan to c-nter the Senate since the Privy. Council last autumn decided that constitutional women “are eligible persons” w r as conferred by the Canadian Government upon Mrs Cairnie McKay Wilson, wife of Norman F. Wilson, of Ottawa, says a correspondent. The appointment created no surprise, because since the day when the judgment referred to opened wider the door ,pf the Senate mis Wilson was spoken of in connection with one of the existing vacancies. An appointment to the Senate, of course, can only be made as, in a particular province, a vacancy may arise. The new Senator will go to the Upper House as the first representative of her sex there with the equipment of a rather intimate knowledge of an association with public affairs. She is the least obtrusive of women, but when the occasion arrives she will be able to intervene in debate being a very thoughtful and persuasive speaker. Mrs Wilson's father was the late Senator Robert McKay, Montreal capitalist, a native of Scotland, director of the Bank of Montreal, the Canadian Pacific, and many other extensive enterprises. St. Valentine Revels: Revival of interest in St. Valentine’s Day was reflected in the celebrations in London hotels. At the Savoy, where there were nearly 1,000 guests. Valentines especially written to order, Valentines for tiny girls and tall girls, for blondes and brunettes, for coquettes and constant loves, were presented to beautiful women by diminutive pages. For three days a poet had been hard at work. Guests drank a scarlet “Love Potion.” and banter and raillery flew about tables as the modern Valentines were read. Here is one that was written for a cynic: I do not want a Valentine To kiss, caress and pet her, ’Tis better to have loved and lost. A very great deal better. As midnight struck a classic Valentine ballet was danced on the rising floor—Mr Harold Turner, from “Jew Suss,” was Mercury and Miss Diana Gould (a former favourite pupil of Diaghileff) led the exquisite woman whose feet told the pretty tale that birds carried the first Valentines. At the Royal Palace Hotel, Kensington, a Valentine almost a century old with Cupid in a petticoat inspired th" decorations, and the band wore a heart-shaped head-dress. Men enjoved wearing French top hats of scarlet, green and gold and women looked charming in poke bonnets from Paris and captured once more the delight of flirting behind a parasol. De Beere gave an amusing entertainment.