Page 8 Advertisements Column 1

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19154, 21 August 1930, Page 8

STRAW MILLINERY

A Few Points Of Interest Regarding This Delightful Spring Mode.

! There is much' more than meets the eye, in the many charming adaptations of Straw Millinery now becoming so popular. Much research, skilful manipulation, and deftly applied art, is required before the Straw Model finally appears before the customer in all its delicate attractiveness.

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Three of the favoured Straws: Baku, Ballibuntal and Bangkok, are derived from the buri palm, found in the Philippines, and the Java district. In each case the fibres used are the same, but are subjected to different treatment to produce their characteristic features. The Straw is next exported to China, there to be woven by hand, and then returned to the western manufacturers to be dyed and made up. The quantity required for one hat represents over a week’s work for a Chinese weaver. Panamalaque is another fartravelled straw. This fibre is made in Switzerland; rami straw and celloplane enter into its composition. It is the addition of the latter that imparts to Panamalaque its becoming polished effect. This also, like the first three named, is dispatched to China to be woven, where evidently they have a monopoly of time and skill for the tedious process. 't So far we have only been dealing with the raw material. It is from this point that the Artist takes conteol, and, by skilful assembling of varied elements, creates pleasing harmonies and contrasts in novel lines and colour effects. Finally, there is produced the captivating Model Hat, which is worth its price, if only for the miles it has travelled, the genius it embodies, and the joy it brings to its happy possessor. ' ...