GLAMOUR GIRL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21324, 19 April 1939, Page 10

GLAMOUR GIRL

DRESS COSTS £l5O SECRETS OF A MODEL LONDON, March 25. The cost of glamour to London’s mannequins, in terms of dress, makeup and coiffure, is 62/- a week. Asta, one of London’s most famous models, give this figure. “On-stage” or “off-stage” the mannequins must always appear smartly dressed. Asta, blonde, tall and slender, and Mr Alex Colledge, general secretary of the union, outlined the cost of a mannequin’s out-of-working-hours expenses. Hhere is the average weekly expenditure of the average model:— Hairdresser 15/Cosmetics 10/Stockings 12/Dresses and suits .. .. .. 20/Gloves and accessories .. .. 62/“Careful budgeting lies behind the smart wardrobe which every successful model must possess if she is to keep in demand among dressmakers,” Asta said. “A girl needs two or three smart evening dresses, several tailored suits, cocktail and afternoon frocks, a good selection of hats, and, of course, a good fur cape or fur-trimmed coat.

But this does not mean that she spends £4 or £5 a week on her wardrobe. We plan our outfits, and make the same garment look different, however often it is worn.

“Most girls spend £l5O a year on clothes, make-up, hairdressing, stockings, shoes and gloves.

“Most of our dresses and hats are models we have bought half-price after wearing them for a couple of weeks in a dress parade. Many of the girls, in intervals at shows, make their own woolly jumpers and undies. “But you cannot make shoes and stockings, and those are our biggest problem, for we supply our own for shows as well as private use. “A different blouse, brooch, scarf or sash can transform a garment, and we use the same treatment for our hats. Every model has a box of clips, feathers, veils and flowers with which to ring the changes on her hats.” Mr Colledge said that cosmetics are a big item in the mannequin’s expenditure, because make-up often has to match the garments she models. Most models have half a dozen varieties of lipstick in their handbags.