A GORGEOUS GOWN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5861, 1 May 1897, Page 3

A GORGEOUS GOWN.

Mrs M'Kiniey's gown for the Presidential inauguration was of cloth of silver. The ground work was of white satin, heavily woven with silver thread, in a conventionalised lily design. The train, which was plain, full and sweeping, was two and a half yards long. On the left side ib was open over a panel of seed pearls embroidered on satin. Beginning at the bottom was a flounce of Venetian- point laco of a special and beautiful design half a yard in width, which was cascaded narrow at the bottom and gradually widened toward the top until it extended its full width bver the top and out to tho back, where it was partly concealed under the full train. The right side of the skirt was also slashed open half way up, and under that Avas an embroidered petticoat of pearls. The bodice was tight-fitting and slightly pointed front and back. The lower part was of silver cloth, and the upper and back of pearls. The same beautiful lace that was used in the flounces was fastened at the waist line into a narrow point and draped wider towards the shoulders in a V-shape. The collar was of pearl-embroi-dered satin, and from it rose a high Medici collar of the lace. The sleeves were long and rather tight and finished at tho wrist with Vandyke effect, j embroidered at tho edge, from which there fell a narrow lace frill of the same design as that on the skirt. The lining of this beautiful gown was of rich white satin. Around the bottom and side were a half dozen ruffles to . give a full effect. Tho whole pattern of the material was purchased by Mrs M'Kinley.