PRYSTAL—THE CRAZE OF THE PARIS HOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19268, 3 January 1931, Page 20 (Supplement)

PRYSTAL—THE CRAZE OF THE PARIS HOUR.

(By LADY LAWFORD.) Paris is always crazy on something, so I was not in the least surprised to find when I was there a few days ago that the word Prystal was on every lip. For those who have not seen it, it is a substance that looks exactly like crystal, and just as fragile, but in reality it is quite tough, and you can drop it nine times out of ten without even a chip as the result. The handbag of the moment is of black suede with Prystal handle and a large flat design on it. My own has a devil with open mouth, while the thick handles are of a Chinese gate-like form, all beautifully carved. The car mascots are unique. A car with a large transparent goldfish on the radiator cap is novel, and looks so like the most fragile lalique glass that it seems curious to see it rushing about in the traffic. One French woman I know has “let herself go” with Prystal. The ends of her ecru net curtains are weighted by tiny carved balls of Prystal, while the carved handles of her long dress mirror are made of it in a curious Italian form like iromvork. The flower vases are most attractive, also the fingerbowls and the door knobs, and finger- ; plates are most quaint and new. I heard of a woman -who had ordered a complete toilet set, though I did not see it. Her umbrella, with a Prystal end and a dog’s head was delightful; even the ribs were tipped with this curious substance. Of course, one can make mistakes over it, and the following amusing story is, I am assured, quite true. At a dinner party in Paris not so many weeks ago, given by a very rich American hostess, the dessert service was of the most superb crystal, and had, unlike its imitator, Prystal, cost thousands of francs. One of the guests who prided herself on being most up to date in all things lifted a plate and said in an admiring voice, “Madame is always a la mode; this Prystal set is really ravishing! ” Seeing black rage on the face of her hostess, she added hastily, “Crystal, I mean.” It is amazingly pretty, but not easy to pack. I am hoping it will reach England soon, as I have visions of a rose-bowl on a carved ebony stand that might materialise if it does!